Sometimes it will be necessary for your veterinarian to examine your cat’s nose internally. There are several possible causes which may include: It may be thin and watery, thick and mucoid or bloody. A female in heat will give off odours to let males in the area know she is receptive to matingĬats are prone to nasal discharge.Cats also use scent glands to mark territory.The cat’s sense of smell (known as olfaction) is considerably better than that of humans. Nose break: There is a defined dip between the forehead and the nose. The flat skull gives the appearance of a long straight line down to the nostrils. Straight: The nose is straight with no convex or concave curves. Snub nose: The snub nose is extremely short with a prominent break (dip) between the eyes. Roman nose: The Roman nose is slightly convex (curved outward) in shape and profile. Long, straight noses are found on Siamese, Oriental and the Russian Blue while the Burmese have a shorter nose with a nose break, the Birman and Cornish Rex have a Roman nose, while the Persian and Exotic cats have the most extreme nose which is short with a prominent break that is centered between the eyes. Most mixed breed cats have a relatively straight nose which is not extreme in length, width or shape. When looking at the cat in profile (side-on), nose shapes are more apparent. The shape of a cat’s nose varies, especially with purebred cats, and can range in length, width, and straightness. This unusual reaction is known as the flehmen response which facilitates the transfer of pheromones and other scents into the Jacobson’s organ. Pet owners may notice that when their cat encounters a particular scent, he or she opens their mouth, curls back their upper lip and inhales.

Jacobson’s organ is primarily used for analysing pheromones from other cats. Receptor cells connect the Jacobson’s organ to the region of the brain associated with feeding, social and sexual behaviours. The incisive papilla is a small bump located behind the cat’s incisors. Jacobson’s organ (also known as the vomeronasal organ) is an accessory olfactory organ located between the roof of the mouth and the nose. It is important to keep the nose clean of discharge and if the cat is off its food, gently warm it, which makes the smell somewhat stronger. Upper respiratory infections which tend to block the nose can cause your cat to lose his sense of smell. Smell is essential for your cat’s appetite a cat who cannot smell will not eat. Most kittens have a preferred nipple they will nurse. Each kitten can distinguish not only the smell of their mother but also locate the nipple by scent. The sense of smell (olfaction) is already developed when the kitten is born.

Nasal cavity and the turbinates are thin, scroll-like bones within the nasal cavity that filter out dust and warm and humidify incoming air.

Philtrum, the line that runs from down nasal planum and between the lips.Nasal planum (where the nose leather/nostrils are located).

External nares (nostrils) which are separated by the bony septum.Mucus traps pathogens that enter the nasal passage, killing or trapping them. The respiratory epilitheum contains fine hairs (cilia) and mucus producing goblet cells. Mucous membranes (nasal mucosa) line the inside of the nose, which is composed of epilitheum, basement membrane and lamina propea. In addition to breathing, the nose is an early line of defence against inhaled pathogens. As air enters the nasal cavity, debris is filtered and the air warmed and moistened. Its role is to take in (inhale) oxygen and push out (exhale) carbon dioxide. The nose is the first organ of the cat’s respiratory system.

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