I'm just wondering if anyone has an answer to this. Farmboy's nose is always dirty on the outside (around the nostrils). Could it be genetic or inherited - he is one of Maggie's babies from her 1st litter, and her nose sometimes appears dirty also. When I got Maggie (she was a stray), she had a bad case of ear mites. I check all my cats regulary for those, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for Maggie or Farmboy. Any ideas?