Why Does My Cat Have A White Nose?
When we talk about smell we automatically think of the extraordinary ability of canines to recognize smells. In any case, the olfactory apparatus of the felids is no less: they, in fact, have more than 200 million sensitive endings in the muzzle and, thanks to them, are endowed with a sense of smell 14 times better than ours. However, a white nose in cats can be a sign that something is wrong.
In most cases, the change in tone in the cat’s nose shouldn’t be a cause for concern. However, there are some pathological processes that can manifest with this clinical sign. Let’s see what they are.
The white nose in cats
On a morphological level, the nose of cats is made up of the nasal plane, a septum and pits, through which air and aromas enter. At the end of the pits are the choanas, 2 openings in the back of the nasal cavity that communicate the outside with the throat, marking the beginning of the nasopharynx. As we said, felids have more than 200 million olfactory receptors in the area.
As indicated by professional veterinary sources, pathologies of the nasal passages are the most common conditions in dogs and cats, especially in their chronic variants. There are many diseases that can affect this area so important for breathing and smell: injuries, tumors, viral infections, fungal attacks and bacterial invasions are just some of them.
Is it normal for my cat’s nose to change color?
It is normal for a cat’s nose to change color, but this change in shade is temporary. In times of stress, when heart rate and blood flow increase, it is normal for this structure to change from a pale pink to a more pronounced reddish color. This indicates that the animal’s body is alert and ready to respond.
It is also normal for some felines to have lentigo in their nose, small, harmless dark spots that appear due to the buildup of melanocytes. If the cat has had them since childhood, there is nothing to worry about. In any case, if reddish spots appear spontaneously on the nose, if it swells or any other anomaly occurs, it is good to go to the vet.
Why is my cat’s nose white?
As we said, nothing happens if the cat’s nose temporarily becomes a little redder or paler than normal. However, if your cat’s nose is white and this is accompanied by other symptoms, it is very likely that it has an underlying condition. Let’s see some examples.
Anemia
Anemia, in cats or any other vertebrate, consists of a lack of circulating red blood cells. As indicated by the International Cat Care portal , when an animal becomes anemic, the blood is unable to carry enough oxygen and some tissues are compromised. In the long run, it is a very debilitating condition.
The nose is a very good indicator of feline anemia, because being a highly vascular tissue, it is one of the first to appear pale due to the lack of erythrocytes. Along with this sign, general weakness, pale gums, and a much less red-than-normal tongue usually appear. Chronic diseases and nutritional deficiencies are the main reasons for prolonged anemia.
Internal bleeding
Hemorrhages consist of the loss of blood in a part of the animal’s body. As the body is actively and constantly losing red blood cells, the more visible vascularized tissues will appear paler. In addition to the white nose in cats, vomiting with blood, weight loss, shortness of breath and other serious signs are conceived in these cases.
Drug interactions and organ problems
If the cat’s nose is pale and also has a bluish tone, it is possible that the cat is suffering from hypoxia – lack of oxygen in the blood. This doesn’t have to be linked to anemia, as for example it can result from a problem in the lung environment or a bad reaction to a drug – such as acetaminophen, which should never be used in cats.
The opposite case: a redder than normal nose
The fact that the cat starts to show a redder nose over time can be a symptom of hypertension. As studies indicate, this condition is more common in older felines and those with kidney problems. However, this clinical sign by itself does not show a clear systemic problem in the animal.
White noses in cats are usually not a pathological sign
A white nose in domestic cats doesn’t have to be a warning sign of a medical condition. There is a lot of morphological variability between specimens and breeds and, therefore, each feline will have its own facial features, just like humans. In any case, the problem lies in the sudden change from one normal tone to a different one.
Pay particular attention to the signs that accompany whitening of the nasal tissue. If your cat is listless, stops eating, loses weight, or vomits blood, she most likely has a serious medical problem. If so, take him to the vet urgently.
