Ask the Vet - Pets' Wet Noses

I have always heard that a wet nose is a sign of good health in animals. Four months ago, I took in a stray kitten whose nose is almost always dry. He has been to the vet for his shots and a checkup, and he seems to be in great health. Should I worry that his nose is not wet?

Although a cold, wet nose can be a sign of good health in dogs and cats, healthy pets can have warm, dry noses and sick pets can have cold, wet ones. So we generally do not use the temperature or the moistness of the nose as a health indicator. How your pet is eating, drinking, and acting are far more important items to watch.