Does a dry nose mean the cat is sick?

Concerned cat owners often ask if a dry nose means their cat is sick, and the short answer to that question is one word: no! There are many reasons why your cat may have a dry, hot nose that has nothing to do with its health.

For example, a dry nose may simply be caused by your cat lying down basking in the sun, being in a room with poor air circulation, or lying in front of a radiator or fire. In fact, your cat's nose may alternate between wet and dry at various times throughout the day.

Symptoms you should consider

There are some features in your cat's nose that tell you about its health. If your cat's nose is cracked and has scabs or open wounds, your cat may have a skin problem and you should take him to the veterinarian to have it checked. If you know your cat is unwell, his nose may be dry due to dehydration.

When checking your cat's nose, another condition you should look for is a runny nose. If your cat has a runny nose, the mucus should be clear. If bubbly, dark, yellow, green or even black mucus appears, you should definitely have it checked by a veterinarian.