Cat nose drips when purring: This is the reason

Many cats drool while cuddling – but a dripping nose from purring? That seems unusual and alarming.

In fact, behind it may be a health problem. Often, however, it is merely an interesting phenomenon.

In the following guide, we’ll show you how you can tell the difference and how it comes about.

In this article you will learn why some cats’ noses drip when they purr and when nasal discharge is a cause for concern. We also offer you more interesting information about cuddling and drooling.

Dripping cat nose

If you notice nasal discharge in your cat, it’s usually a cause for concern.

A cold, foreign body or infection can cause discharge. This can be clear, purulent, bloody, liquid or viscous and mucous.

Likewise, an allergy may be hiding behind the runny nose.

The discharge may be continuous or intermittent, accompanied by sneezing and fever or other symptoms.

If the dripping occurs as a clear liquid and exclusively when purring and cuddling, there is another reason behind it.
Drooling during cuddling

Before we go into the dripping cat nose when purring, we first deal with drooling when cuddling.

This occurs much more often in cats and is due to the same effect.

When you stroke your cat, she starts to kick and just feels all around comfortable and secure, her mouth really starts to water.

Some velvet paws get into a state in which they no longer swallow sufficiently and thus drip from the mouth.

The increased formation of saliva and generally secretions originates from the early time as a kitten.
Increased salivation during suckling

When young cats are still suckling with their mother, they use the milk kick for one thing. You know this from adult velvet paws as “Treteln”.

On the other hand, they feel comfortable and are put back into the same state as when they suckle at their mother’s teats.

This stimulates the production of saliva.

Some cats, especially if they were separated from their mother at a very early age, show this behavior towards their human for the rest of their lives.

However, they can also bring themselves into this state. In doing so, they often tread on a soft surface, such as a blanket, pillow, or sheepskin.

Some cats even suck on a corner of the blanket or pillowcase while doing this.

So drooling is not problematic. Even if it is certainly not always pleasant for you, it simply means that your sofa lion feels very comfortable and secure at that moment.

Experience shows that cats show this behavior less often when they have weaned themselves from drinking from their mother.

Often both nursing and sucking to soothe last longer than the eight weeks arbitrarily set by humans.

Kicking is also part of the normal behavioral repertoire of fully, naturally, and slowly weaned cats.

They use it when they are calm and content or when they want to calm down and relax.

But what does this have to do with the running or dripping nose of purring cats? We will come to that in the following.

Why does the cat’s nose drip when it purrs?

When your cat relaxes a lot and reverts to the “kitten stage”, so to speak, not only more saliva is produced.

The production of nasal secretions also increases.

Just as in humans, the secretion serves to clean the nasal mucosa and remove impurities. Dust, pollen and germs are flushed out with it.

Cats’ noses run more when they can be blown. Otherwise, crusts form or the fur becomes sticky.

Young cats cannot yet clean themselves alone. This is done by the mother.

Adult cats, on the other hand, in a relaxed state, have time to clean themselves thoroughly and extensively.

In addition, blood circulation is improved when cats are comfortable and relaxed. This can also contribute to the formation of secretions.

However, if your velvet paw does not get around to blowing the runny nose in time, the clear fluid will drip out.

Just as with drooling, this is not a cause for concern. However, you should always be able to distinguish the harmless dripping from pathological discharge.
When is a runny or dripping cat nose pathological?

You should always consult a veterinarian if:

• the cat’s nose runs continuously
• the discharge is purulent or bloody
• your cat sneezes frequently
• swelling is present
• injuries or ulcers are visible
• there is redness around the eyes
• the cat salivates heavily and the nose runs
• the appetite is reduced
• your cat tires quickly
• no more grooming takes place

If your cat seems to be tired, has fallen or shows signs of pain, these are also reasons to consult a veterinarian immediately.

Dripping cat nose when purring

Knowing the causes and conditions, it will be much easier for you to distinguish the normal and harmless dripping of the nose when purring from diseases.

If the dripping still bothers you and your cat is not blowing itself at that moment, you can wipe its nose with a soft cloth.

This will remind your cat of its mother’s blowing and will also contribute to its well-being and relaxation.