Cats are beautiful and affectionate animals, and many people love their cats dearly. When you spend a lot of time with your feline companion, you notice changes in them quickly, especially on their faces. If you see black crusty stuff on their face, it’s not necessarily a cause for concern.
The black substance is dried mucus, boogers, bogies, or snot. Cats have a black pigment, so they dry a black color when their mucus or tears dry. This can be around their nose, their eyes, or both.
Most cats have a dry nose; however, they are all different, just like us. For example, although it’s common for kittens to get black boogers, adult cats can also get a mucus build-up. Therefore, they may need their noses gently wiped to clean them away.
What causes my cat to have black boogers
Many things can cause mucus to build up in your cat. The most common causes are:
- Dust – this may be a regular occurrence if you use clumping litter in your litter box that can cause a lot of dust.
- Allergies – cats can get seasonal allergies and can sometimes be treated by your vet.
- Lint – from toys and clothes, vacuum regularly to reduce exposure.
- Scratch on your cat’s nose – cats, can scratch each other as well as scratch themselves. These usually heal pretty quickly.
- Dried scabs – These will fall off when they are ready, which means the wound has healed.
- Diet – your cat may have an allergy to its food. Changing your cat’s diet may resolve the issue.
- Lentigo – is equivalent to freckles or age spots in humans. Nothing to worry about, and it won’t affect your cat.
If you notice an excessive amount of mucus on your cat, there may be other causes that will require a visit to your vet. If you have any concerns, you should consult your vet immediately; it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Respiratory infection
- Eye infection
- Infected scratch in or around the nose or eye
- Feline herpes
- Cold
- Laryngeal paralysis
Can I clean the black boogers from my cat
Cat’s are quite sensitive around the facial area. Their noses are delicate, and you should be very gentle when cleaning them. Only clean the outside of their noses. You don’t want to cause discomfort to your cat.
It is advisable to clean your cat’s boogers; it will allow them to breathe easier by clearing their nasal passage and reducing irritation from around their eyes.
You don’t have to buy any special equipment to clean them. Instead, use a warm damp soft cloth or cotton pad and gently wipe the area. It’s also advisable to wrap them in a blanket or towel to reduce scratching and squirming.
How can I stop the black boogers on my cat
To stop or reduce the mucus build-up in your cat, you need to know what is causing it. As I have previously mentioned, there are quite a few possible causes of black boogers. It may be a process of elimination to find out what is causing it. However, if you feel that the mucus is excessive, take your cat to the vet for a check-up.
I would start by vacuuming more and ensuring that the rooms are well ventilated. If this didn’t resolve the issue, I would try a different cat litter. If my budget allowed, I would try a better quality cat food.
Before trying any over-the-counter medicines for my cat, I would take my feline friend to the vet for a check-up and ask for advice about any medication I was considering giving my cat. Just because you can buy the medicine without a prescription doesn’t automatically make it safe for your cat. Most medicine doses are weight specific, and not every product will be suitable for your breed. Always check with your vet.
I hope that you found this article helpful.
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