Why does my cat stick out her tongue

If there is a curious behavior in the cat, the kind that makes you doubt whether you have to go get a camera or take it to the vet urgently, it is that the furry sticks out its tongue.

Usually it doesn't mean anything serious; Rather the complete opposite. But others do have to worry us since, in some cases, it could be an indicator that their own life is in danger. Let us know why does my cat stick out her tongue.

Why does it stick out its tongue?

He is very relaxed

It is usually the most common. A cat that is happy has relaxed muscles, including the ones on your face. If he also purrs, rubs against you, looks at you with his precious and sweet little face and also squints his eyes, we can be totally sure that nothing bad happens to him. These moments are the best of the day. 😉

Teeth are coming out

If we have a young kitten, apart from biting everything it catches, it will most likely stick its tongue out from time to time. Either because your front teeth have not yet formed or because you are changing your baby teeth for permanent ones, it is normal for the fuzzy to stick out its tongueYou may even drool.

Is wrong

If he has ingested a toxic substance or if he is sick he will stick out his tongue. To know if you really have to go immediately to the vet, we should see if you have any of these symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, retching, nausea, breathing problems, tachycardia, difficulty standing, bluish skin, excessive salivation, fever. In that case, do not hesitate for a moment to ask for professional help.

Wants to be calm

Sometimes, when we want to have our cat on the lap or we play in a slightly nervous way with him, what he will do is stick his tongue out, licking his nose. This is one calm signal of this animal that serves to tell the person or the furry one in front of him to relax.

You can also see a lot in adult cats when a kitten throws himself on them and they do not stop teasing them. If you need more information on the subject, Click here.

Your cat's tongue

Your cat's tongue is the perfect tool to help eat, comb, and maintain overall health. Unlike your tongue, which is relatively smooth, your cat's tongue is covered in tiny quills called papillae. These are stiff spines that curve back to catch hair and bits of food.

If you've ever been licked by a cat, you know the feel of its rough, dry tongue. This is because the spines or hairs are covered in keratin, the same substance that nails are made of. No wonder it can be quite painful when your cat keeps licking you in the same spot for a while.

Cats are particular about grooming because in the wild, any scent trail from their food is an invitation to other predators. When grooming, the papillae pick up all the bits of food and loose hair.

When the cat sticks out its tongue

Above we have discussed some of the situations in which a cat sticks its tongue out, but there are also other circumstances in which the cat can stick its tongue out. Some reasons are harmless, but in other cases, you may need to see a vet if your cat is having health problems.

Before you start to panic because your feline friend has something wrong just because he can't hold his tongue inside his mouth, take a look at some of the following non-alarming reasons for his behavior.

Fiddling with flavor and texture

Your feline friend could be sticking his tongue out (and not immediately retracting it) because he's playing with the taste or texture of something caught in his mouth. Felines have a strong preference not only for taste, but also for texture. Your kitty may be playing with some hairs, lingering aftertastes, or foreign object particles. You can stick your tongue out repeatedly or you can leave it out for a while.

Has relaxed the jaw

This is another common reason for some cats to stick their tongues out, especially while sleeping.. It can also occur when they have been sedated. Just like a person would open their mouth while sleeping, your pet's body may be so relaxed that their jaw will loosen. In such cases, you can see the tip of the tongue sticking out of the cat's mouth.

Food caught between the teeth

A cat often sticks its tongue out repeatedly if some food scraps are caught between the teeth. Many pet owners neglect the dental hygiene of their kittens. Unfortunately, this leads to a variety of health problems. And it also leads us to some more serious reasons for your cat to stick its tongue out.

It may be due to health problems

These are some of the more serious causes behind the actions of your hairball. But before reading further remember that you should never try to self-diagnose your pet on the Internet. Leave that to a reputable vet.

• Dental problems. In addition to trapped food particles, other dental problems could cause a cat to stick its tongue out. The unpleasant taste and sores caused by gum disease, abscesses, cavities, etc. can trigger this behavior.
• Major dementia. Yes, cats can have dementia just like humans. One of the signs of major dementia in older cats is the inability to prevent the tongue from sticking out.
• Infections. Whether it's caused by periodontitis, injury, or something else, inflammation and infections can cause your cat to stick its tongue out.
• Stomatitis. Although less common than the reasons mentioned above, feline stomatitis is actually a severe health condition. And it can often cause the cat to stick its tongue out, drool, lose its appetite, and pant painfully.

If you have any suspicions about your kitten's health, immediately schedule an appointment with the vet. Owning a pet means having to take proper care of him, and if he is sick you will have to take him to the vet to have his condition treated as soon as possible. If you think your cat is sticking its tongue out because it's sick, don't wait for it to go through itself, you'd better take it to the vet professional to take a look and do a checkup.

Your vet is the only one who can determine if there is a troubling reason for your cat's actions. The earlier the vet detects an undiagnosed health problem, the better the chances that your pet will have successful treatment.

Curiosities of the language of cats

Now that we've looked at the most common reasons why cats stick their tongues out, it's time to discover some interesting facts about cat tongue.

• Cats don't taste sweet at all. But you shouldn't feed your feline friend chocolate, even if he could taste it! It is bad for your health.
• Licking as a form of grooming and affection is a bonding experience for cats. They do it with their siblings, their kittens, their pet parents, their toys, and their other animal friends. It is often called social readiness.
• Cats use the reeds of their tongues (papillae) to remove meat from the bones of their prey. No, they are not designed just to remove loose hair and dirt from the coat. Can you imagine the strength of these spikes?
• The hairs on your pet's tongue are so rough because they are covered with a sharp keratin sheath. It is similar to the keratin sheath on human nails. And now you know why it feels like sandpaper every time your kitty gives you an affectionate "kiss"!
• Cats also use their tongues to survive. The feline creatures are prepared after each hunt or meal. This erases the olfactory evidence of where they have been and what they have done. It is quite useful if a cat wants to stay safe in the outdoor world. Indoor cats do it too because it is an innate survival instinct.

We hope you find it useful 🙂.