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Should You Clean Your Cat’s Nose? (Is It Pickable?)

If your cat has a dirty nose you may be wondering if it is a good idea to clean its nose or not…

Should you clean your cat’s nose?

Sometimes you will need to clean off your cat’s nose. For example, it soiled its nose with litter or some discharge or mucus that you need to help it remove. If you have to it’s best to gently wipe it with water and a cloth or purpose-made unscented wipes. 

What you will need to clean your cat’s nose:

Description Image My Rating
01. Seventh Generation Wipes (Best Option)
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5 stars
02. Pampers Unscented Wipes
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03. Elements Unscented Wipes
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4 stars

So, now you know. But, why do some kittens always have dirty noses? How can you stop your cat from getting litter in its nose all the time? Should you pick your cat’s nose? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

Why does my kitten always have a dirty nose?

If you find that your kitten’s nose is continually messy this may be because it has an infection or some mucus build-up. Either of these can either cause a mess in their own right or attract dirt to stick to the mess its makes.

If this is happening you will need to speak with your vet to deal with the infection. And, in the short term, you may need to help your kitten keep its nose clean. Hopefully, once you get the infection, or whatever it is, sorted it will stop the dirt build-up.

How can I stop my cat from getting litter in its nose?

If you have noticed that your cat is getting litter in its nose you can use wood litter (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad) instead. These are ideal because they are more natural than conventional litter, and they have the benefit of clumping up.

The fact that it clumps helps because it is easier to clean up and means you have to change the litter less frequently than standard cat litter.

Also,  this wood litter is more natural than standard cat litter making it more eco-friendly and safe for your cat.

Why is there white crust in my cat’s nose?

If you notice white crust in your cat’s nose it could mean it has an infection, or it could even be related to an allergy it has. Sometimes it’s hard to work out what it is so you may need to consult your vet to rule out an infection, or any other health issue.

Should I take my cat to the vet for a runny nose?

If the runny nose hasn’t cleared up within 24-48 hours it’s worth taking it into the vet for their advice. Why? Well, it could be an unknown health issue that could be controlled if it is detected sooner rather than later.

Should you pick your cat’s nose?

You should not pick the inside of your cat’s nose without seeking your vet’s advice. However, you can consider wiping his outer nose off with wipes. the best way is to use unscented wet wipes for this.

What are the best options to clean your cat’s nose?

In this section, I will reveal some of the best methods to clean your cat’s nose. Some of them are more effective than others, but I will make that clear to make it easier for you.

  • Unscented Baby wipes (best option)
  • Normal man-sized tissue
  • Damp cloth

Unscented Baby wipes (best option)

Using an unscented baby wipe is my preferred method. This allows you to wipe your cat’s nose off and immediately get rid of it. The unscented is preferred so no perfume may irritate your cat’s skin or nose.

Normal man-sized tissue

Another method is using man-sized tissues. Some people dampen these tissues and wipe their cats with them.

My issue with man-sized tissues

The problem I have with this method is the fact that it breaks off easily especially when it is wet. And, if you are not careful, bits can land in her nose, are you with me?

Damp cloth

The final method is using a damp cloth. To be honest many cat owners prefer this. Why? because they are readily available and quick and easy.

My issue with a damp cloth

The problem I have with the damp cloth is the fact that the cloth you use may not always be clean. Meaning, people often reuse these clothes after using them for other things.

Such as putting furniture cleaner on it, forgetting, then indirectly trying to wipe the chemicals on her nose, are you with me.

3 Best unscented wipes to clean your cat’s nose

In this section, I will share with you three of my best-unscented wipes that you can use. For each one, I will explain the pros and cons to make it easy for you to see what works best for you.

01. Seventh Generation Wipes (Best Option)

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Pros:

  • Simple to dispense (Flip-top lid provided)
  • Sensitive wipes (delicate on cat fur or baby skin)
  • Unscented
  • Soft (makes wiping easy)

Cons:

  • Does not conceal the smell, if there is any
  • They are not biodegradable (contains a synthetic ingredient)

What I like about this Seventh Generation Wipes

These unscented wipes are designed for babies, as you can probably tell from the image above. However, they are ideal to use on your cat. I love the fact that they have a simple dispensing mechanism.

Meaning, the flip-top lid it has. This not only looks cool, but it also keeps the wipes moist and fresh, are you with me? As I said, they are designed for babies.

So, they are made to be sensitive. So, your skin or cat fur will benefit. Because they are so soft, it makes wiping up easy to do.

In summary, if you are looking for a wipe that is easy to clean off your cat’s nose and also sensitive, then this sounds ideal for you.

What I dislike about this Seventh Generation Wipes

As much as I love these cat wipes they are not perfect. Firstly, they have no scent, which is good but be prepared, they will not mask any stinky smells, are you with me?

Also, they are not biodegradable. this is because they do contain a synthetic ingredient. So, for those people that will only use truly eco-friendly products, you may hesitate because of this.

02. Pampers Unscented Wipes

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Pros:

  • No Parabens or perfume
  • Unscented
  • Mild (easier on skin or fur)
  • Used in some hospitals
  • Water-based wipe

Cons:

  • If your hands are dry or cracked, may sting a bit (contains organic alcohol)
  • The packaging is not resealable

What I love about this Pampers Unscented Wipes

These unscented wipes are from the well-respected Pampers brand. No doubt you have heard of them before, right? Well, again, let’s address the elephant in the room, yes they are designed for babies. But, they are ideal for cats as well.

Not only are they unscented, but they also do not contain parabens or perfume. They are so reliable they have been known to be used in some hospitals. This is probably because they are water-based wipes.

In summary, if you are looking for an unscented wet wipe that is from a well-known, reputable brand, then this sounds like the one for you.

What I do not love about this Pampers Unscented Wipes

These wipes are known to contain some organic alcohol, so if you have an open cut or broken skin, they may give you a mild sting. Also, I wish the packaging was resealable.

03. Elements Unscented Wipes

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Pros:

  • Made with purified water (& naturally derived ingredients)
  • Mild and gentle on your skin or cats fur
  • No Alcohol, dyes, or Parabens used
  • Flip-top case (keeps them moist)

Cons:

  • They are not biodegradable or sustainable
  • Has a slight chemical smell

What I appreciate about this Elements Unscented Wipes

These Elements wipes may look basic but don’t be fooled, they do the job. I like the fact that they use naturally derived ingredients and purified water.

Apart from this, they are mild and gentle on your skin, or your cat’s fur, which makes life easier. It’s also refreshing to learn that they do not use any alcohol, parabens, or dyes. Finally, that flip-top lid, that it comes with is quite handy!

In summary, If you are looking for an effective unscented wipe that will keep your cat’s nose clean, these sound good for your needs.

What I do not appreciate about this Elements Unscented Wipes

Its a shame to see that they are not biodegradable, for those that are keen on this, this may annoy you. Also, not sure if it’s just me, they do have a slight chemical smell.

Related Questions:

In this section, I will answer some questions related to cat cleanliness. If you have more questions feel free to contact me.

Do cats clean themselves?

Cats do clean themselves using their tongues. They do this instinctively by following their mother’s direction from an impressionable kitten. However, they still need to be maintained and groomed.

If they are not maintained well your cat may start to smell bad. This can be quite embarrassing for you considering you may not even notice it.

What is cat dander?

Cat dander is flecks of skin that infiltrate the atmosphere of your home. Some people are allergic to this dander. Hence, you may hear people say they are allergic to cats, but it is likely to do with the dander they spread.

Using a good air purifier can help (Click here to see why I rate this one the best) can help to control the cat dander in your home, if this is an issue for you.

How do cats react to anxiety?

Cats can react in various ways to anxiety. Such as not eating, not wanting to socialize, or avoiding certain rooms in your home. It is sometimes quite subtle and hard to detect.

There have even been some cats that pee on towels (Click here to see how to stop this) which can be very frustrating cat owners, as you can imagine.

Lindsey Browlingdon