Cats & Wet Noses...Myth?

You know the old wives tale, that when a cat's nose is damp, that he/she is healthy? Is that entirely true?

I hope it is because i'm forever getting wet noses kisses from my two

That's a really good question. I know one of our cat-health experts will be along to provide some insight. I have noticed that sometimes when my cats are sleeping more than usual, their noses are dry.

It's a DOG's nose which is supposed to be wet if healthy.

If a cat's nose is wet, it's probably because it has either been drinking water or has a runny nose. I just felt the nose on every cat in this house, and not a one has a wet nose and everyone is very healthy right now (knock wood )

Barb Amalfi

okay, i just checked my cats, three dry noses and one wet. everybody had a recent checkup and appears to be healthy.

Originally Posted by tailsoluv

If a cat's nose is wet, it's probably because it has either been drinking water or has a runny nose.

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Both of mine havent got a runny nose, and they've both had their checkups just a couple of months ago and passed with flying colours.

When i say mine are wet i mean moist, which is wet enough to leave a nose print on the windows?!.

Originally Posted by blue_monday_88

You know the old wives tale, that when a cat's nose is damp, that he/she is healthy? Is that entirely true?

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My cat book says no, it's not true.

I've just looked it up in the health book i have and it says.........

" The nose should be clean and feel moist to the touch. Sneezing and a thick nasal discharge indicate respiratory disease".

Originally Posted by rosiemac

I've just looked it up in the health book i have and it says.........

" The nose should be clean and feel moist to the touch. Sneezing and a thick nasal discharge indicate respiratory disease".

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My book says Nose on a healthy cat should be no drainage, supple, maybe DRY or MOIST-and into everything.

I've noticed my cats' noses both wet and dry, and they're all healthy. I haven't been able to see any correlation between anything and the condition of their nose. My own experience leads me to think that there's no reason a cat's nose needs to be wet if it's healthy. And I've heard, and read in books, both ways, too. So I don't think even the experts know. But if one would like to come along with a definitive answer, I'd like to know!!

I suppose if their nose is dripping then yes there is something wrong, but if their just moist?!.

And i'm sure when all of our cats have been for their checkups the vets would have noticed if something was wrong?!.

Originally Posted by rosiemac

I suppose if their nose is dripping then yes there is something wrong, but if their just moist?!.

And i'm sure when all of our cats have been for their checkups the vets would have noticed if something was wrong?!.

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Either moist or dry is fine according to my book on "how to raise a sane and healthy cat", as long as it's not dripping.

I'm glad that you asked that question. My kitties noses are usually moist but sometimes they are dry. It sounds like they are OK. Thanks everyone for your research about noses.
Lei

Well, I"ve had cats at both extremes, but this thread has made me feel a little better.

We had a cat when I was younger who would literally drip from her nose when she was content and purring (no, not drool, I checked carefully the first time this happened to me) but was moist the rest of the time.

Mika's nose was rarely damp but the skin felt cool to the touch and not dry/flaky.

Bella's nose is very dry and rough when she's dehydrated, but dry even a few hours after a sub-q treatement, so I guess she's the opposite. I am glad to know that their noses can be damp OR dry, and the cat may still be healthy. I'm soooo hypervigilant with Bella now, I'm forever trying to feel her nose. Maybe now I won't have to do it as often.