Black Secretion from Cat's Nose

There are mainly two situations when a cat has black secretions from its nose. If the cat's temperature and mental state are normal, it could be normal nasal secretions, and it can be cleaned with warm gauze. On the other hand, it could be an infection by parasites such as mites, which produce a large amount of foul-smelling secretions. In this case, the cat needs to be examined at a hospital.

Causes of Nasal Dirt

Some cats normally have a large amount of nasal secretions, which eventually form black dirt around the nostrils. Owners need to clean them regularly. You can first soften them with sterile saline, and then wipe them off with cotton swabs or cotton balls. However, if the cat has other symptoms such as fever, rhinorrhea, and eye crusts in addition to the nasal dirt, it's best to take it to the hospital in time to avoid delay in treatment.

How to Clean the Nose

First, fix the cat in a position it finds comfortable, then dip a cotton swab in a little warm water or sterile saline to moisten the surface of the nose. Gently wipe the nose clean with the cotton swab. If the secretions are hard, wait for a few minutes to soften them before cleaning, as direct cleaning may be painful. Do not insert the cotton swab into the nostril to avoid damaging the nasal mucosa; instead, drop a couple of drops of sterile saline into the nostril, and the cat will expel the secretions itself.

What to Do if the Nose is Not Moist

If a cat's nose is not moist, it means that the cat needs to drink more water and be moved to a relatively less dry environment. A dry environment and insufficient water consumption can lead to dehydration in the cat. Therefore, just by supplementing water and changing to a new environment, the problem can be solved.