The nose of the cats does not have a unique coloration, like the fur or the eyes. So, the important thing is that we look at the color of our cat’s nose because that way we can detect any significant change in tonality. In the feline nose we are more likely to appreciate lesions or discharge, but, as we will see in this article, we can also find that our cat has a white nose.
Next, we explain what the change in the color of your cat’s nose may be due to and what to do at home. Read on to find out why your cat has a white nose!
Is it normal for my cat’s nose to change color?
There is no “normal” color for the nose of cats because each specimen can present it in a different shade. For example, we find cats with pink, black, chocolate-colored, grayish or spotted noses. Now, when what happens is that the cat experiences a change in the coloration of the nose, we can become concerned because this fact may hide a health problem. Especially when the nose turns white, we must pay attention to the appearance of other symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, lack of appetite or injuries, since this depigmentation may be related to a decrease in red blood cells, among other causes. Thus, in these cases it is not normal for the cat’s nose to turn white.
Why does my cat have a white nose?
The nose can give us clues about the health of a cat. Of course, it is convenient to disprove the myth that noticing it dry or hot indicates that the animal has a fever. The only way to determine body temperature is to put a thermometer. In other words, if your cat has a dry and white nose, it is not synonymous with a fever, but it could be sick and suffer, for example, dehydration, anemia, hypothermia or a skin disorder called vitiligo. We explain these pathologies in more detail below.
Anemia and pale mucous membranes of the cat
Simply put, anemia involves a decrease in the number of red blood cells. It may be because there is not enough production or they are destroyed faster than they are generated. Anemia is classified as regenerative or non-regenerative. The first usually occurs when bleeding occurs or there is hemolysis, which is the breakdown of red blood cells, which happens in some serious diseases, such as feline leukemia or mycoplasmosis, or the consumption of certain drugs. The good news is that the body is able to respond by making new red blood cells. On the other hand, non-regenerative anemia, on the other hand, usually indicates a problem at the bone marrow level, nutritional deficiencies, chronic inflammatory processes or chronic kidney or liver disease. This type of anemia has a worse prognosis.
Anemia can be detected by the veterinarian performing a blood test, but it is possible that at home we perceive some signs that make us think that something is not right. Unless it is a very mild anemia that can be asymptomatic and be discovered in an examination for another reason, we may notice symptoms such as pale skin and mucous membranes. Our cat will have the area of the white nose, but also the mouth, the inside of the eyes or the rest of the visible skin. Other symptoms that we must be aware of are weight loss, loss of appetite or fatigue, since red blood cells are essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body.
Very serious anemias pose a real danger to the life of the cat. This can appear dehydrated when they stop eating and become hypothermic, that is, a considerable drop in their body temperature. Of course, it requires veterinary treatment. The most severe cases will need stabilization, treatment of the cause, and sometimes even a blood transfusion.
Vitiligo in cats
Vitiligo is a disorder whose origin is still unknown, although several hypotheses are being worked on, which may explain why a cat has a white nose. One of the theories that try to explain this problem refers to the appearance of antimelanocytic antibodies. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to the skin, hair and the iris of the eyes. If it is destroyed, the result will therefore be the absence of color. This depigmentation is what happens in vitiligo, which usually affects the entire area of the nose. There are no other symptoms beyond the change in pigmentation, which we can also observe in the coat (it is generally shown in black and white).
To confirm the diagnosis of this disease, it would be necessary to resort to a pathological anatomy laboratory. In any case, it has no treatment. It is considered to be more common in Siamese cats. Fortunately, it does not seem more than an alteration on an aesthetic level.
Albinism in cats
There is another cause that explains why a cat has a white nose without implying any pathology. It’s about albinism. It is considered a hereditary disease that occurs due to a lack of production of the pigment melanin. It can be confirmed by resorting to pathological anatomy, but there is no treatment.
We can suspect albinism if our cat is completely white, has blue eyes or one of each color, or very light pink skin even on the pads, lips or nose. It is not treated, but it is recommended to take into account a series of care for these albino cats, as they are more prone to deafness, blindness or skin cancer.
In this regard, the nose, as it is not protected by the mantle, requires greater care when exposed to the sun. Cats love to take it, but it is convenient that we avoid direct exposure and it is recommended to apply a specific sun protection for cats such as the one that the veterinarian can recommend. This care is not only for albino cats. Anyone can develop sunburn, especially in the most vulnerable parts of the body. In some cases, a malignant cancer called squamous cell carcinoma develops, which is characterized by causing lesions, especially in the nose and ears.
What to do if my cat has a white nose?
As you have seen in the previous section, some of the causes that explain why a cat has a pale nose are serious health problems, which is why it is best to go to the vet as soon as possible. If you detect other symptoms such as those described, quick action can be key to obtaining a good prognosis.
