The cat's muzzle is an area that definitely catches anyone's eye, mainly because of its cute shape and delicacy. However, what few people realize is that, in addition to being very cute, the small nose of cats is one of the main ways in which the animal communicates with the world. But how does the cat's muzzle work? Why in some cases the cat's noseWhat are the smells that cats don't like? There are many questions surrounding this subject, and that is why the Paws of the House decided to do an article explaining everything you need to know about the cat nose. keep reading!

What you need to know about the anatomy of the cat snout

To understand how a cat's nose works, it is necessary to know a little more about feline anatomy. It all starts with the inhalation of air, which occurs through the nasal cavities, also known as nostrils. Then, the inhaled air travels through the nose until it reaches the turbinates, structures that help in the heating and humidification of the region and that is where the nerve cells transform the air intoAfter this transformation, the cat is able to capture the different smells and odours present in a given space. This recognition is done in a specific area of the feline brain that is exclusively destined for smell, with a dimension that can reach up to 40 cm². It is also worth noting that this structure develops after the cat is born.

Why are cats' noses cold?

If you've ever touched a cat's nose, you may have noticed that the muzzle is cooler and wetter than the rest of the body. But why is that, after all? The answer also involves a bit of anatomy: mucus is secreted by glands that are located at the tip of the cat's nose. When this secretion covers the surface of the muzzle, it becomes wetter. This helps a lot in retaining water.odors, but also has an essential function in the thermal regulation of the body of felines. Therefore, the icy nose is synonymous with a healthy kitten!

Dry cat nose: what are the risks of this problem?

Since cats' muzzles are naturally cold, it's normal to be concerned when we see them drying out. Many owners believe that this is a sign of illness, but it's not always the case that this situation is indicative of a health problem. In fact, there are several reasons for this to happen. When the cat spends a lot of time in the sun, for example, one of the consequences is the drying out of the muzzle.In addition, proximity to heat sources and low humidity are also factors that influence the dry appearance of the muzzle, but do not compromise the physical integrity of the animal.

However, if your cat's nose remains dry for a long time, it is important to raise the alarm. This is a sign of fever in cats that can be related to various health problems, but it is usually accompanied by other symptoms. It is also important to keep an eye on other characteristics of the area, such as the presence of nasal discharge, flaking or swelling. If this is the case, it is necessary to seek thehelp from a veterinarian to find out what is happening to the animal's health.

What does it mean when a cat's muzzle changes color?

The color of a cat's nose usually varies from a lighter pink to darker shades. Usually, changes in the shade of the nose happen in the first year of the animal's life, and it is not a cause for concern, because, like humans, felines also have different 'skin tones'. However, if these changes happen to the older kitty, it is worth talking to a doctorVitiligo is a rare condition in cats, but it can leave the muzzle with slight depigmentation. In addition, lupus, allergies or the development of some types of cancer can also be associated with this change.

Cat nose: how does the powerful feline sense of smell work?

The sense of smell is one of cats' most acute senses and allows them to be able to pick up different smells much more easily and accurately than other species. This is possible because the cat's snout has a mucosa full of nerves that contains around 67 million olfactory cells, while humans have only 5 million similar cells.

Cats are much better at deciphering smells than we might think. One example of this is that in the first few weeks of life, the kitten is able to seek out the mother's milk on its own. The sense of smell turns out to be an important tool for recognizing territory and for the very survival of the species, since cats can identify the smell of poisoned food andIn addition, it is through their sense of smell that cats can distinguish between humans and other animals.

Smell that cat does not like: know some odors that are unpleasant for felines

Everyone knows that the taste buds of felines are very discerning, but did you know that the feline sense of smell is also quite demanding? There are smells that cats do not like and that can end up making it difficult to live with these animals if the guardian does not take some care. One of them is the smell of the dirty litter box, because the strong odor bothers the cat's nose and makes him look for other places to do his business.needs, being one of the main reasons for the animal to pee and poop in the wrong place.

In addition, there are plants that are adored by humans, but detested by felines, such as eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary and mint. The reason for this is simple: the aroma of these plants is super unpleasant for the smell of kittens. However, if the idea is to keep the cat away from gardens or specific plants in the house, it is a tactic that can work very well. The greatest care should be with the use of food.incenses and repellents with these fragrances, because it is something that deeply irritates the cat's nose and can make him stressed.

Still on the subject of smells that cats do not like, we can highlight spicy seasonings and some spices, such as cloves and cinnamon. Citrus fruits also come into this list, since, although they are not harmful to the feline organism, cats cannot stand the smell of these foods.

Cat sniffing owner's nose: what does the behavior mean?

Cat behavior is full of surprising curiosities. If you have a kitty, you've probably wondered why cats sniff their owner's nose, and the truth is that it has absolutely nothing to do with a specific odor. What happens is that kitties have their own way of showing affection and affection for humans, and when the cat does it, it's just another proof ofWe can even say that this is a more intimate behavior, since felines only rub their snouts on those they really like - and this can include a family member or even another kitten. Other common behaviors are biting and licking the tip of the guardian's nose, which are demonstrations of pure cat love!