Should a Cat's Nose Be Wet or Dry?

CatChannel veterinary expert, Arnold Plotnick, DVM, says the notion that a cat's nose must be wet is not entirely accurate.

By Arnold Plotnick, DVM | Posted: April 25, 2008 2 a.m. EDT

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Q: Is a cat's nose supposed to be wet or dry? If it’s dry could something be wrong with my cat?

A: This notion that the nose of a cat or dog always should be wet is a bit overblown. Yes, the average cat or dog has a moist nose, but this is not an important indicator of a pet’s general health by any stretch of the imagination. I’ve seen many perfectly healthy cats that just happen to have a dry nose.

You would think that a cat suffering from dehydration would have a dry nose and that a dry nose would be an important sign to look out for. However, I’ve treated cats with severe dehydration whose noses were as moist as can be. So don’t worry about the moistness of your cat’s nose.

If, however, your cat’s nose has experienced a sudden change in the degree of wetness, and is accompanied by other clinical signs (decreased appetite, excessive thirst or urination, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, etc.), I would have the cat evaluated by a veterinarian.

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Should a Cat's Nose Be Wet or Dry?

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Kris    Wauwatosa, WI 5/16/2013 7:37:51 PM Instead I want to know if a cats nose should be ice cold or warm to touch my face. samantha    Edmonton, AB 4/23/2013 11:05:30 PM My cats noses are always wet but im starting to notice when one of them is thirsty she chews on the side of her cheek or her tongue sticks out more. tammy    youngstown, OH 3/28/2013 3:41:46 PM in my experience with the cats i have had in my life 3 who 2 have lived to be be 20 years and the latested one who is 12 years old when stimulated being petted or just loved up the nose gets wet i believe they are marking there territory for love Shizzy    International 12/26/2012 7:13:54 PM My cats nose is dry and she's perfectly fine.