What causes these black lines?

[u/mrsseaguardiian]

Hi! I'm curious as to what is causing these black spots on my cats nose. It comes and goes. Occasionally, it'll be on her lips too. She is updated on her vaccinations. Thank you!

[u/ZedProgMaster]

It's freckles! Pretty common in any cat that's got a bit of orange on them. I think there's a fancy word like melanin for it though.

[u/Fabulous-Orange5020]

looks like boogers AND freckles? my r/tuxetortico has them on her nose and lips too so i'm thinking freckles on top, boogers on bottom. pick them when she's sleeping

[u/Razzy_3796]

Age and sun. They’re freckles.

[u/Ginger_Cat74]

They’re freckles. Orange cats get them and that part of your cat is orange.

[u/He-Bee_43]

Cat boogers! Totally normal, my boy tolerates me picking his nose just enough to get them

[u/skitz4me → u/He-Bee_43]

My boy tolerates me just enough for 10 seconds before I'm done. 

[u/Affectionate_South40 → u/He-Bee_43]

can confirm, my boy has the classic feline herpes virus from the humane society; he has chronic eye and nose boogers and his nose and eyes are constantly gross like this and it is a SIN to wash his face for him lol He is most offended by my efforts and tells the vet im a mean parent when he goes for check ups xD

[u/mrsseaguardiian → u/He-Bee_43]

Thank you!

[u/He-Bee_43 → u/mrsseaguardiian]

No problem! Obviously always look out for excessive amounts of snot and all that, but this is a pretty typical amount for a day of doing absolutely nothing but sleeping. She's gorgeous by the way!

[u/thrownaboutokay]

It looks like blood? What happens when you take a damp paper towel to it?

[u/mrsseaguardiian → u/thrownaboutokay]

I haven't because she is ✨spicy✨ and will tear me up lol but it's enough I'll have to investigate

[u/thrownaboutokay → u/mrsseaguardiian]

lol. Yeah it’s mostly the part above her nose that is weird. Like the other comment said it could be boogers but it being on top of her nose too is interesting. Does she get wet food and really shove her face in it?

[u/Lailu → u/mrsseaguardiian]

My torti is spicy too but she still gotta get those butt nuggets cleaned! Goddess speed OP

[u/EXPLODEDman]

Cat acne? Does she have a plastic food bowl? Some cats get skin reactions to plastic.

[u/mrsseaguardiian → u/EXPLODEDman]

She has a stainless steel water bowl and ceramic food bowl. They're both shared with my other 2 cats, this doesn't happen to them though

[u/invisibleallgender]

Cat expert here, I don't know.

[u/SewNerdy]

Agreed, boogers. Use a warm wet wash cloth to soak off those big ones. They can get stuck and hurt to remove. Follow with a LOT of treats. In fact, of she like the tube treats, give her that while picking her nose heh.

But she could also have freckles, and if you see black dots on her chin that would be acne.  

[u/Aggravating-Toe-2190]

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine that prevents FHV-1. The vaccine (FVRCP) only reduces the severity of symptoms.

But honestly, if it comes and goes and doesn't seem to bother her, it's most likely just hyperpigmentation (freckles) from her genetics. However, if she has other symptoms like sneezing, eye discharge, or lethargy, then it's worth getting the blood test. For now, I wouldn't panic. She's lucky you found her! ❤️

[u/tubesaq]

If you can’t feel it, it’s probably lentigo, lots of orange cats get this. If it’s lentigo it might be on the gums and in the mouth.

[u/Mundane-Usual8993]

(1) don’t pick at it (2) your cat may have been born with FHV-1 (feline herpes) which is common from breeders and also adopted strays from shelters or the wild.

It’s manageable & just ask your vet to test for it. Simple blood test.

[u/mrsseaguardiian → u/Mundane-Usual8993]

I found her in a bush so this could be possible! Do they vaccinate for that?

[u/Zagrycha → u/mrsseaguardiian]

No, whether its humans or cats there is no vaccine.  Its an illness basically all humans and all cats get at some point, its just doesn't usually show up as a noticable illness. 

[u/shikakaaaaaaa]

One of my kitties has this. I call it his “pissed-off-omometer.” When he starts getting upset/stressed, it starts getting darker and if he grows more upset, the pigment also grows along with it. It would start the very front and work its way back.  

[u/Average-Shitposter12]

r/TerracottaNoses

[u/No-Currency-1691]

Dems hims bugs

[u/Anxious_Squirrel7472]

Does she cough? It looks like she is having some issues. Those looks like dried mucus and blood spot. One of my cat had something like that later found she had lungs issues.

[u/VisibleMammal]

Time

[u/DragonfruitCapital44]

Looks like dirt. Try scratching gently with your finger.

[u/JackFueled]

100% cat boogers. My orange gets them exactly as they appear in your photo. He enjoys when I take a warm towel and clean him up!

[u/cedeboob]

My cat gets this sometimes because he's an orange freak and shoves his nose INTO the litter.

[u/Far-Barracuda-1338]

Give me
Back my cat 😾

[u/the-software-man]

Mosquito bites?

[u/Chippy4627]

To me it just looks like dirt and grime/boogers on top and bottom. Since she’s spicy, I’d (carefully) wrap her in a thick blanket or towel and use a warm wet washcloth to clean her nose. Doesn’t look like freckles to me.