Cat Boogers – Nasal Discharge & Black Crust Explained

Have you ever looked at your cat and noticed gunk coming out of its nose? If so, you’re likely looking at nasal discharge, often called cat boogers. These can occur throughout the day for cats; however, when the boogers’ frequency increases, you should be concerned. 

But what exactly are those cat boogers?

Cat boogers are nasal discharge from a cat’s nose. They appear as black crust inside a cat’s nose; however, it’s mostly harmless. The nasal discharge can be caused by dust and scabs along with traces of mucous giving it a booger-like appearance. 

In some cases, though, it can be related to an illness, and vets point out that you’ll see clear signs of that. That includes minimal amounts of dried blood. Although not likely, this can sometimes lead to a bacterial infection, mostly related to Lentigo or Feline herpes. 

What Causes Nasal Discharge

Although nasal discharge in cats is relatively harmless, it can still be startling for cat owners who are just now noticing it on their cats. So, what causes it exactly?

Cat nasal discharge can be caused by several factors, including dust, scabs, and even a few underlying illnesses. Let’s dive into each one in detail so you can see how it generates those “cat boogers.” 

Dust

Dust is a significant contributor to nasal discharge in cats. Considering how playful and curious cats are, they can encounter dust and foreign objects anywhere. Once that dust is ingested into the nose, the immune system gets to work to rid it of the system. So as a result, your cat’s body will produce more mucus to flush it out. When this happens, you’ll see increased cat boogers in their nostrils. 

This isn’t just confined to dust, either. It can be anything, such as lint, tiny fibers, crumbs, or any loose objects that can easily be ingested. 

Scabs and Scars

As much as cats get around, there will undoubtedly be a time when they get injured and develop cuts, scabs, and scars. When that happens in the nose area, the scabs will form from dried blood, which tends to ball up and give the appearance of a booger. Dried blood turns dark on cats, explaining its black appearance. 

Because the scabs on the nose can be bothersome, it’s not uncommon to see cats picking and scratching it. This, however, can lead to infections and more scars. It’s best to keep your cat distracted when this happens and remove the built-up scabs to reduce the likelihood of infection. 

Respiratory issues

Excessive nasal discharge is typically a sign of respiratory issues. For the most part, the airway will be irritated constantly, so your cat will continue to develop boogers throughout the day regardless of how often you clean it up for them. 

With respiratory issues, cats will continue producing more mucus to rid their bodies of contaminated specimens. Taking your cat to a vet can usually help diagnose this. 

Feline herpes

If the cat boogers are redder in color and dry, then Feline herpes may be the cause. 

Lentigo

Lentigo may be one of the more alarming symptoms in a cat with black stuff coming from its nose. 

This one would need to be diagnosed by a vet, especially considering Lentigo is a genetic condition. It’s an increase in epidermal melanocytes. In short, that means pigment-producing cells. As those increase in volume, your cat will undoubtedly start to show dark and brown spots on its nose.

Lentigo is increasingly visible as the cat ages and may come on suddenly for some. Some cats may show this around one year of age. These dark spots don’t have the same kind of texture as cat boogers or nasal discharge but instead sit around the tops and bottoms of the nose, not just the inside of the nostrils. They are flat to the touch and not removable with just your fingers. 

Allergies

Cats can indeed get allergies. Naturally, this will be a bit of sneezing along with a runny nose. This will result in more nasal discharge than average. The allergies will also produce nasal congestion. Sometimes this is easy to point out, especially if your cat shows symptoms such as puffy eyes and an itchy throat. 

Allergies can come from a wide range of things, but even the cat’s dander can cause it. 

Weak Immune System

The strength of a cat’s immune system can go a long way in its overall health. It, too, however, can be a cause of nasal discharge. Rather than the immune system alone causing the issue, it’s combined with other factors, such as your cat’s cold or allergies. 

A runny nose and the occasional sniffle will often accompany the cat boogers. The texture of the nasal discharge will also be thicker than usual. You may also catch your cat sneezing. 

Dental Disease

When a cat has severe tooth problems such as decay and fungus, those infections can affect the nose area. Dental disease is very common because many cat owners don’t focus on their cat’s dental hygiene. It’s just something as a cat owner that’s easily overlooked. 

Look at your cat’s teeth, checking for bleeding, cracks, discoloration, and especially bad breath. That may be the cause, and dental work will be required from a trusted professional to fix the problem for good. 

Other Causes

• Bacteria & Fungi
• Viral Infections
• Chronic Vomiting

Cleaning Your Cats Nose

Black crust, cat boogers, whatever you’d like to call them; none of that is fun for your furry friend. It’s undoubtedly irritating them, even if they don’t vocalize this. For that reason, it’s helpful if you can keep their nose clean.

The process of cleaning your cat’s nose is pretty straightforward:

• Use a damp cloth or cotton swab
• Gently wipe around the tops and outside edges of the nose
• For the inside, use a Q-tip gently pull away fragments of the black boogers and crust

Now, a few things to keep in mind. If the crust developed from scars, then even a Q-tip might cause slight pain for your cat, even with the most gentle swipes. Be alert for any growling, sudden movements, and signs of pain. 

If you find the process too stressful or don’t feel safe, reaching out to a vet might be a good idea. They’ll be able to calm your cat or sedate them so the process can be complete. In general, don’t force the procedure on your cat and let them come to you. It may take a few gentle wipes over a few minutes to an hour before you can fully clean their nose without disturbing their peace too much. 

Further Prevention Of Cat Boogers

Thankfully in most cases, hospitalization of your cat is not required to treat nasal discharge and cat boogers. A few changes to your cat’s routine can help prevent the further development of cat boogers or, at the very least, limit their occurrence. 

However, in more severe cases, vets may need to do a few specific procedures, both surgical and non-surgical. Below is a list of prevention techniques that can help your cat and some natural ways to help decongest them. 

Exploratory Scopes

Sometimes it could be clearer what may be causing a cat’s nasal discharge and boogers’ formation. For that reason, an exploratory scope may be necessary to assess the situation better and make a recommendation. Vets are good with this procedure, and it’s harmless to cats.

Keep in mind that your cat will have to undergo anesthesia, but this procedure allows vets to test for sneezing and nasal discharge. 

Bacteria, Fungus & Antiviral Treatment

Usually, with bacterial infections, a vet will prescribe antibiotics. In most cases, this will be all your cat needs to get rid of the current booger situation and to keep it off for the foreseeable future. 

In many cases, the vet will administer the first dose and then provide the rest for the owner to take home to give to their cat over days and weeks. 

Fungal treatment is much of the same, with vets prescribing anti-fungal medication. If something more serious, like chronic respiratory illness, the vet will prescribe antiviral medication. 

Dental Work

A little-known issue with nasal discharge is dental issues. This is particularly the case when some of the cat’s teeth are diseased and need to be extracted to stop the spread of the infection. 

Surgical Removals

Sometimes surgery is required in cats with severe nasal cavity issues. This can include removing tumors, polyps, and other foreign bodies. 

Using Decongestants

A vet may flush your cat’s nasal cavities for less extreme cases and then prescribe a decongestant. Usually, these can be incorporated into your cat’s food. Decongestants do a good job of ridding cats of the following symptoms:

• Loss of breath
• Constant Sneezing
• Coughing (with mucus)
• The black crust on the nostrils
• Eye pressure
• Whining from your cat 

The Counter Options

When it comes to decongestants, there are a few over-the-counter options that are safe for cats to use. They come in various forms, such as liquids or pills:

• Chlor-Trimeton. They come in a pill form and are generally safe for cats. They should be used in moderation at most. Too much can cause the situation to be worse. It’s best to give your cat the minimal dosage monitor for a period and give more as needed.
• Guaifenesin. This one is designed with respiratory infection relief in mind. If your cat is dealing with significant amounts of mucus, it’ll also help relieve this. This one must be administered orally, so it may be a good idea to mix it with your cat’s wet food. 
• Benadryl. This one is a well-known decongestant in several forms, including liquid and pill. Avoid giving anything more than one milligram per pound of weight. 

If you’d prefer not to use medication for this, then there are plenty of natural ways to help your cat decongest their nose. 

• Steam
• Taking Your Cat Outdoors
• Nasal Spray
• Warm Cloths