Felines are arguably the cleanest pets and require minimal hygiene requirements from their guardian. However, certain breeds or certain situations may require your cat to wipe its nose. While many cats allow themselves to do this without issue, many others will resist.
So, cleaning a feline's nose can be challenging. As always, you should be very relaxed before working with a cat and every movement should be smooth so as not to upset the animal. Without further ado, here are some tips to help you clean your pet's nose.
Causes of viral and bacterial runny nose
Rhinitis is most often caused by viral and bacterial infections that cause respiratory diseases.
The vast majority of rhinitis, about 90% of the total, are viral in nature. The causative agents of colds are different types of influenza and parainfluenza viruses, adeno- and rhinoviruses.
Viruses are quite active during the cold season - autumn and winter. However, you can “catch” the infection in a situation where there is a carrier nearby, since it is transmitted by airborne droplets. The development of a viral runny nose is facilitated by reduced immunity.
The cause of a bacterial runny nose is the activation of opportunistic microflora, which, when multiplied, causes inflammation of the nasal mucosa. The causative agents of the pathology can be staphylococci and streptococci, pneumococci and other microbes.
In this case, the impetus for the development of bacterial rhinitis is also in most cases a viral infection. The virus penetrates cells and causes a pathological process, against the background of which immunity decreases and the body becomes more vulnerable to pathogenic microbes. In some cases, a bacterial infection is primary, and rhinitis occurs without the participation of viruses.
The development of bacterial rhinitis is promoted by:
- chronic respiratory diseases;
- congenital or acquired anomalies of the structure of the nose;
- severe systemic diseases;
- smoking, working in unfavorable working conditions (dust, chemical fumes).
How to Groom a Cat to Clean Its Nose
A cat's nose is a very sensitive part of their body, so it's normal not to let them touch it, especially if the manipulation lasts more than a second. If you readily accept contact, it is best to hug him to prevent him from escaping and keep your head more or less still. And all this without squeezing or overwhelming you too much.
In the case of cats that do not tolerate handling, one option is to wrap them in a towel to prevent them from scratching during an escape attempt or even to protect themselves. In addition, there are fabric traps on the market for more effective immobilization.
As with other animals, these situations should always be positive during training. The first time a cat is caught and its nose wiped, it can become very fearful and this can lead to psychological problems.
How are the symptoms different?
Symptoms will help determine whether it is a viral or bacterial runny nose. Signs of the bacterial nature of the disease are:
- thick discharge from the nose of a yellow or yellow-green color, often with an unpleasant odor and impurities of pus;
- impaired nasal breathing due to the accumulation of thick secretions;
- increase in body temperature to 38-40 C;
- headache, muscle pain, chills.
With the right treatment, bacterial rhinitis goes away in 7-10 days.
Viral rhinitis also has its own characteristic symptoms:
- nasal discharge is abundant, colorless and odorless;
- the temperature is normal or slightly elevated;
- sneezing, sore throat, redness of the mucous membranes of the eyes and watery eyes.
As a rule, the disease resolves within 5 days.
The differences between viral and bacterial rhinitis in children and adults are the same. At the same time, a child suffers a runny nose, regardless of its nature, more severely than adults. This is especially true for infants who are breastfed. Due to impaired nasal breathing, it is more difficult for them to latch onto the breast, which can cause digestive disorders.
A cat's nose is an indicator of health
A healthy cat's nose should be fairly cool to the touch, smooth and maybe even a little slippery. But after sleep, active play or stress, the cat’s nose may become warmer - this is normal.
Changes in color may be a sign of poor circulation. For example, a bluish color may be a sign of heart disease or lack of oxygen. Reddish, inflamed nasal mucous membranes may be a symptom of rhinitis, infection, or mechanical irritation.
When a cat's nose is red, it could be a sign of high blood pressure, fever, or allergies. A yellowish color of the nose is a sign of liver or kidney dysfunction.
Note! A pale and very cold cat's nose may indicate systemic diseases, a cold, shock, a sharp decrease in body temperature or poisoning.
How to figure out what kind of runny nose you have
The first distinguishing feature is the color of the snot. If a green or green-yellow tint appears, it means that the nature of the runny nose is most likely bacterial. However, to determine whether a runny nose is viral or bacterial, you need to pay attention not only to the color of nasal discharge, but also to other symptoms.
If a person’s health worsens, the temperature rises to high levels, the disease continues to progress and does not go away after 10 days or more, it is necessary to consult a doctor. The specialist will prescribe a general blood test, rhinoscopy, and laboratory testing of a smear from the nasal canals.
Cleaning from dirt
Veterinarians say that the animal's nasal passages clear themselves, so intervention is usually not required. But if your cat is acting restless or exhibiting other symptoms, she should have her nose cleaned.
The washing steps should be as follows:
- Draw boiled water at room temperature into a syringe or pipette.
- Immobilize the pet using a clothespin at the withers or wrapping it in thick material.
- With one hand, support the animal by the head, and with the other, pour in the solution in a thin stream. Liquids are drawn into the syringe no more than 0.5 ml.
- After rinsing one nostril, the manipulation is repeated with the other.
- Remove dirt with a cotton swab.
It is important to calm the animal . To do this, it is recommended to stroke it. Upon completion of the procedure, the pet must be rewarded by giving it a favorite treat.
Features of the procedure in newborn kittens
A newborn kitten will also occasionally need to clean out postpartum discharge from her nose. Sometimes the procedure needs to be done in order to free the baby’s nostrils from contamination.
The kitten also has a runny nose, which prevents it from breathing. Therefore, the nasal passages should be cleared of snot.
Since kittens' nasal passages are very small, they should be cleaned carefully.
The procedure is characterized by its own characteristics:
- washing must be done with a pipette;
- do not use a syringe;
- the kitten is immobilized with a towel;
- approximately 0.2-0.3 ml of solution is injected;
- the liquid should not be too cold or hot;
- the solution is poured into each nasal passage.
You can clean your kitten's nose with saline solution, Chlorhexidine or boiled water.
Prevention
In order not to be subsequently tormented by questions about why the kitten sniffles and always has a snotty nose, and also what to do if the cat sniffles through its nose when breathing, you should take preventive measures in advance. How to make sure that your pet does not suffer from a runny nose and nasal congestion, and that colds avoid it?
Vaccination
Vaccination is a generally recognized effective method of combating viruses. Timely vaccination will protect the animal from various types of ailments.
Despite the fact that complex vaccines for cats are available for sale in veterinary pharmacies, it is not recommended to use them yourself.
Avoid hypothermia
One of the main causes of nasal congestion is hypothermia. An animal may be exposed to hypothermia during a sudden change in temperature or when exposed to a draft. A pet, just like a person, needs comfortable living conditions that will allow it to protect itself from hypothermia.
Balanced diet
A balanced diet is another important preventive measure. To maintain strong immunity, the animal’s body must regularly receive a sufficient amount of necessary elements. There are 2 options for feeding a cat - give the animal high-quality food or include natural products in the diet.
Note! Experts prohibit putting food from the table into your pet's food bowl. It can harm his health, even if the cat eats it with pleasure.
Elimination of allergens
Cats have some tendencies to allergic reactions, so it is not worth testing the strength of their body to various irritants. It is highly not recommended to use cosmetics or chemicals (including cleaning agents) if there is a pet nearby. If suddenly a cat, being near any household chemicals, begins to feel unwell, then it needs to be isolated.
In addition, you need to make sure that the cat does not catch any virus. Even cats that do not leave the house can become infected. Viruses or infections are transmitted to an animal through shoes or clothing. Therefore, the pet should be protected from contact with dirty shoes, as well as with the unwashed hands of people coming into the house.
Responsibility for a pet lies with its owner
When treating at home, you must remember that if a cold is not completely cured, its symptoms may return, which will lead to a chronic disease. In this case, repeated treatment will be much more difficult for both the pet and the owner.
The owner must be aware of his responsibility for the pet: follow the rules of keeping and nutrition, periodically see a veterinarian, and simply monitor its behavior. If necessary, be sure to seek help from specialists.
We focus on food
- One of the most common treatments is appetite stimulation. The essence of the method is that an animal with a clogged nose cannot smell food, so its craving for food sharply decreases and, over time, a loss of strength occurs.
- You can help restore the vital energy that is so necessary to fight the insidious infection by offering your cat something that smells very appetizing. It could be delicious fish or meat, or some special dish that your pet likes.
- If your pet is accustomed to cat food, then offer him a canned version, which, unlike dry food, has a more pronounced aroma. If the animal does not want to eat, then you can lubricate the cat’s nose with sour cream or pate. The focus on cleanliness should work here; the cat will definitely lick its nose and, perhaps, taste the deliciousness.
