As hard as it may seem, familiarizing yourself with a cat’s nasal discharge will help you take better care of them. The color of your cat’s booger can alert you to potential infections and illnesses.
Sometimes, your cat may have black boogers. In most cases, their nasal discharge will appear black or brown when it contains dried blood. Blood in the nasal passages often points to an underlying health issue that requires veterinary attention. So, it’s best to consult your vet if you notice black boogers in and around your cat’s nose.
The 5 Possible Reasons Your Cat Has Black Boogers
A cat’s nasal discharge usually looks transparent, but it can change color and become cloudy if they get sick. Both environmental factors and internal health issues can affect the color of your cat’s nasal discharge. Here are some common reasons why your cat’s boogers may turn black.
1. Diseases of the Respiratory Tract
When a cat’s respiratory tract becomes inflamed, it can cause black or brown boogers to develop around their nose. Nasal discharge from respiratory tract disease is usually thick and yellow. However, it can have a red color with fresh blood or it can appear dark brown from older blood. Along with nasal discharge, cats with respiratory tract disease often have eye discharge and sneezing. They may have eyes and noses for weeks to months.
2. Nosebleeds
Dark nasal discharge is often caused by blood in the nose, known as epistaxis. There are many different causes for epistaxis and the severity of the condition varies from mild to severe. It is most common for epistaxis to be a sign of an infection or trauma. However, it can also be caused by liver failure, feline leukemia virus infection, drug reactions, fungal diseases, hemophilia, and rodenticide poisoning.
3. External Pollutants
Sometimes, black boogers can develop around your cat’s nose if they are exposed to outdoor pollutants. This can happen in urban cities where there are more smoke, gases, and other particles in the air. It’s also more common for outdoor cats than indoor cats to have darker nasal discharge because they have more exposure to outdoor air and dirt.
4. Rhinitis
Rhinitis refers to when the mucous membranes in the nose are inflamed. Most cases of rhinitis are caused by a viral infection, but it can also be a sign of allergies. Nasal discharge from rhinitis is usually clear, but it can be thicker and more cloudy if a secondary bacterial infection occurs. Other signs of rhinitis include sneezing, facial flushing, difficulty breathing, and snoring.
5. Nasal Trauma
A major injury to the nose or nasal cavity can cause bleeding. Dried blood can collect inside the nose and look like a black booger when they fall out. Most cases of trauma to the nose are visible. An injured nose often looks swollen, bruised, or discolored. Cats can also experience difficulty breathing, so it’s important for your cat to receive medical attention as soon as possible.
What To Do If Your Cat Has Black Boogers
If your cat’s boogers look like soot or ash, they may have been exposed to air pollutants. You can usually wipe their noses and remove any larger particles that cling to the outer parts of their nostrils.
If your cat’s boogers are dark brown and look more like dried blood, it’s best to take them to a vet for a checkup. Dried blood in the nasal cavity usually indicates an underlying medical condition that requires veterinary intervention and care. Be sure to note any other signs or unusual behavior from your cat, as this information may be helpful for your veterinarian’s diagnosis.
Because a variety of health issues can cause bloody noses, treatment plans will vary from case to case. Therefore, it is important to consult your veterinarian before treating your cat. Your veterinarian can provide treatment options and prescribe medication that will help your cat feel better.
Conclusion
In general, your cat’s boogers may turn black when there is bleeding in their nasal passages. In some cases, their boogers may be black from inhaling air pollutants. The causes of blood in the nasal passages are diverse. So, it’s important for your cat to see a veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis and make sure they receive the right treatment to help them recover.
Featured Image Credit: Firman Widyasmara, Shutterstock
