Why cats stick the tip of their tongue out on a regular basis

Sometimes a cat sticking its tongue out is a delightful excuse for another photo of your furry friend. Other times, it can be an alarming sign that they need medical attention.

This happens with young kittens or kittens: if something interesting happened while washing the cat, the kitty may forget to put his "comb" in his mouth.

He will sit there with his tongue out and stare in wonder, much to the amusement of his owners.

When the cat is asleep, you can see the tip of his tongue sticking out of his half-open mouth. Don't let this worry you.

This happens if the pet has recently been actively moving or has been on a long walk for a long time. Tired muscles have relaxed, and the kitty has long seen its tenth nap.

Physiological reasons

1. Relaxation. During rest, sleep, the muscles of the jaw are maximally relaxed, which causes the muscular organ to fall out.
2. Thermoregulation. If the cat is hot, it sticks out its tongue, thus trying to normalize its temperature.
3. Absent-mindedness. A cat may simply forget to retract its tongue after licking its fur, active games.
4. Bite. Because of an incorrect bite, the tongue simply does not fit in the cat's mouth. Therefore, it sticks out. Such pets do not pass in appearance for participation in competitions, exhibitions.
5. Childbirth.Before the anticipated birth, the cat's behavior changes. She becomes excited, her breathing becomes rapid, her mouth is ajar, her tongue is stuck out.
6. Praise. The cat also shows its tongue in response to praise. If the owner is constantly amused by the sight of a cat with its tongue hanging out, then the animal will systematically perform this action for the sake of approval.
7. Hunting. When hunting, cats involuntarily stick out the tip of their tongue. This is due to the fact that in this position of the muscular organ the animal's sense of smell increases.
8. Age. A cat that has crossed the line at 8 years of age may have loose teeth and fall out. From the slits that appeared, the tongue freely peeks out from the oral cavity.

Interesting fact: scientists managed to prove that a cat's tongue increases by several millimeters during sleep. Therefore, the owner may notice the tip of the tongue sticking out when the cat is resting.

Stress

The cause may be stress in cats. Symptoms and treatment are discussed below.

If the pet is stressed, the tongue will stick out. For example, when riding in the car, if the cat is afraid, the tongue will hang out all the way. Fright, nervous shock, and negative emotions are reasons that cause stress in cats. When a pet is agitated, the following symptoms occur:

If the cat is frightened, the symptoms may recur. Therefore, the animal needs treatment. He needs to be given complete rest. If necessary, the veterinarian prescribes sedatives.

Diseases in which cats stick out their tongues

The protruding tip of the tongue appears due to various diseases. These include swelling of the larynx, allergies, inflammation of the mouth. A protruding tongue is caused by:

• trauma to the jaw;
• cardiovascular insufficiency;
• brain disorders;
• nervous illness, stress;
• craniocerebral trauma;
• high fever;
• muscle atrophy;
• dental disease;
• disorders of breathing or salivary gland function .

The cat cannot move its tongue after anesthesia. The mouth closes completely after 24 hours. Wounds in the oral area interfere with the removal of the tongue. If such a phenomenon is accompanied by coughing, vomiting, diarrhea or intestinal disorders, the cause is probably poisoning.

If the tip of the cat's tongue sticks out, there can be many reasons for this and most of them are not indicative of disease. Some pets, after realizing that their owners are being placated and giving them a tasty treat, repeat the trick on purpose several times.

Why do cats stick out their tongue?

Many people who keep cats at home have more than once or twice noticed a strange thing about their pets – sometimes the tip of their tongue sticks out of their mouths. In most cases this is quite funny, but some owners start to panic and worry about the health of the pet.

At the "Murkosha" shelter we have faced this phenomenon more than once, so we can share our knowledge with you, and also tell you when you really should pay attention to the strange habit of the cat.

So, the tongue is a muscular organ that performs a variety of functions:

Normally, the tongue is entirely in the mouth. But sometimes it seems to fall out. In some breeds it is observed much more often than in others. Why does the tongue stick out? Perhaps they want to show that they are sick? Not always, since it can be a perfectly harmless peculiarity. However, there is a chance that the cause is still more insidious, and a doctor's help is required. Let's look into it.

1. Forgetfulness. The pet sometimes trivial forgets that the tongue needs to go into the mouth. A similar situation is observed in most small children, and even in some adults sitting thoughtfully with their mouth open. In cats, it is most often observed after the end of washing.

2. Complete relaxation. During sleep or drowsiness, the muscles can become completely relaxed. Naturally, the tongue simply falls out of the mouth as the lower jaw hangs back.

3. Bite problems. Not all cats have the right bite, and some breeds have their lower jaw forward at all. As a result, the teeth don't get in the way, and the tongue sticks out. Such a problematic bite should only be treated if the improper lingual arcade causes obvious discomfort to the pet.

4. thermoregulation. The tongue also allows the cat to regulate its body temperature. Is it hot? Sticking the tongue out allows the discomfort to be reduced slightly. If the cat overheats too much, it may get heatstroke. It is worth moving the animal to a cool place and offering water.

They may have dental disease

Dental or periodontal disease is one of the most common reasons domestic cats need to see a veterinarian. Plaque buildup on the teeth can lead to gum disease, bacterial infections and sore gums. It can cause some cats to salivate excessively and stick out their tongue.

Feline stomatitis or sores on the soft tissues in the cat's mouth can also lead to heavy breathing and tongue sticking out.

Your cat is hot.

If you live in a very hot climate, you may notice your cat breathing heavily, just like a dog. Sticking out its tongue is a way for the cat to regulate its temperature.

Some cats will suffocate when they travel in the car in the summer or simply spend time outside on a day that turned out to be very hot and humid. If you suspect that your cat has overheated, contact your veterinarian immediately for advice.

Heat stroke can also cause loss of balance, heavy salivation, vomiting and collapse. If left untreated, it can lead to organ failure.

Why cats stick the tip of their tongue out regularly

Cats do not normally exhibit this organ. Usually it can be seen sticking out only in kittens, when they, after playing a lot, get tired and fall asleep. An adult cat may sometimes forget to retract its tongue after hygienic procedures. It also happens so that the pet just sticks out its tongue tip and freezes for a while in this state, but then it will take it away. The sticking out of the tongue may also provoke heat: this is how cats escape from overheating. Some mischievous females may tease their owners in this way. If the protruding tongue is not accompanied by other disturbing symptoms, there is nothing to worry about.

The natural causes for which a cat may stick out its tongue tip are

– A manifestation of rabies or other infection with active salivation at the same time;

– Mouth problems where the tongue cannot fit in the mouth properly;

– Cross-breeding, which results in the birth of handicapped offspring;

– irreversible age-related skeletal changes in the lop-eared Britons;

– manifestation of breed peculiarities and trust in the owner's relationship, which is especially common in the case of Thai cats.

Often a protruding tongue can signal an impaired sense of smell. A foreign object lodged in the throat can be the cause. A pregnant cat is highly stressed before giving birth and actively licks itself, which can cause it to sit for a long time with its tongue hanging out, distracted from reality. Certain felines react in this way to dogs.

Symptoms when you don't have to worry

Relaxation. When the cat is resting or sleeping, it is relaxed, and even the tongue becomes a little longer. Many people have probably often watched the edge of the tongue sticking out mockingly at a sleeping kitty.

Distractedness. After bathing and active licking, the pet may simply forget to hide his "brush" back. Also after active games, playing, for a while the tongue may remain stuck out.

High temperatures. In summer, when it is hot outside, cats, like people, suffer from the heat. By sticking their tongue out, they regulate their body temperature. If it is very hot, you need to help your cat. In order to avoid heat stroke, you must move the animal to the shade, be sure to give water and moisten the coat. Afterwards monitor its condition. Do not allow a strong overheating.

Improper bite. Some breeds, such as Persian, often have an incorrect bite. This results in the tongue not fitting in the jaw and sticking out. This can occur after prolonged selection and genetic changes. Such animals are not allowed to participate in exhibitions and breeding. If a pet with this peculiarity and nothing bothers him, then everything is fine and there is no need to worry.

Worry. If a cat is stressed, for example on a car trip or for other reasons, then the cat is frightened and therefore sticks out its tongue. Once the cat's excitement passes its condition will normalize.

When to go to the vet

Diseases of the oral cavity. If sores or tartar are observed in the cat's mouth, you can't do without the help of a specialist. After all, through the mouth of the animal can start an infection, which will lead to negative consequences, such as problems with the digestive tract. A veterinarian in this case will prescribe an effective treatment and the pet will have no problems.

Respiratory diseases. This, too, can be the cause of tongue sticking out. If the throat is troubled, or the nose is clogged with mucous secretions, she begins to take in more air and the tongue does not fit in the mouth.

Traumatic brain injury. With this kind of trauma, the animal's tongue may stick out. In nervous disorders, this can also happen.

Poisoning. If the cat is poisoned with something, the gag reflex begins. This requires her to open her mouth wide to release toxins and her tongue remains stuck out.

If it is noticeable that the pet is sticking her tongue out, look closely at her. Only a loving owner knows his pet and will be able to recognize why cats stick out their tongues, to separate pampering from health problems. If the fluffy cat is just playing around, but it feels good, take your camera and quickly take a picture of your cute friend as a memento.

Do cats, like dogs, also thermoregulate through their tongues?

A cat's tongue is very different from a human's. Its whole surface is covered by little tubercles which look like hooks if you look at them closely. The longest of them are in the middle and the shortest are on the sides. These hard and very tenacious protrusions help to dislodge dirt particles while licking the coat and to separate meat from bones.

Tongue has quite a few functions. The most important of them is really a thermo-regulating one. The sweat glands under the fur do not do their job in hot weather. Trying to cool down the heated body, the cat begins to actively lick itself. The saliva on the coat evaporates immediately, helping to lower the overall temperature, and the hairs spread apart during the washing process make it easier to ventilate.

At the very least, pets use their tongues. By sticking it out, they start breathing very quickly, increasing the intensity of their salivary glands. The saliva that comes out of their mouths instantly evaporates. Its particles are deposited in the air and return to the body through the nasal passages while breathing, helping to lower the body temperature.

While drinking, the tip of the cat's tongue curls back into the shape of a spoon. It dips sharply into the water, scoops up some of it and lifts it up as a blurred column, which is immediately sucked up by the mouth.

Non-dangerous causes of tongue sticking out

Usually healthy cats do not show their tongue and keep it inside their mouths. Despite this, the demonstration of this organ is far from always indicative of pathology and can accompany absolutely harmless actions.

The cat's tongue contains fewer taste buds than the human tongue, and it picks up almost no sweet tastes, but it does distinguish between water and umami, or monosodium glutamate.

A breed peculiarity.

The flattened skull of brachycephalic breeds comes paired with short nasal passages and an irregular bite that prevents the organ from being held inside the mouth. Persian, Himalayan, exotic, British and Scottish cats, as well as mestizos derived from these breeds have this feature.

Thai cats and ragdolls also tend to show their tongues from time to time, but for a different reason. They often "fall into zen", and when fully relaxed everything happens spontaneously.

Attention Shifting

If a pet has just been licking, but is distracted by a sound, you are very likely to witness an amusingly protruding pink tongue. It doesn't last very long, so without a phone in hand, you might miss the moment for a photo.

Total relaxation

Most often occurs during sleep, when all the muscles are relaxed and resting. The sleeping pet may make muffled sounds and even move its paws.

Attempting to get rid of a foreign body

The tenacious bumps may accidentally catch something. Many cats "hang up" when they lick some tissue.

Sexual hunting

In this case, the stuck out tongue facilitates the flow of oxygen. At this moment, the excited kitty is actively courting his chosen one.

If the health is normal

Usually, cats do not like to show this part of the body. It is considered normal if the tip of the tongue is sticking out in kittens, which means that they have played and are falling asleep from fatigue.

It is also normal for the tongue to stick out when the animal is relaxed or sleeping. In this state, the organ elongates and does not fit in the mouth. After active games, the cat may breathe frequently for a while, sticking out the tip of its tongue. This helps to saturate the tissues with oxygen.

Heat is also the cause of sticking out the tip of the tongue. Animals do not have sebaceous glands, so they save themselves from overheating. Some pets may tease their owners this way. If it is a short-term phenomenon, and during play is not accompanied by other disturbing symptoms, then everything is normal.

Physiological causes:

2. If at the same time the cat becomes aggressive, there is a strong salivation, it may be a sign of rabies or other dangerous infections.

3. In adult cats, the tongue simply does not fit completely in the mouth due to some oral diseases.

4. In the case of interbreeding, and the birth of mentally retarded kittens. In such animals, the tip of the tongue is stuck out all the time.

5. Some cats stick out their tongue reflexively from the sound of the scotch being torn away.

6. The exterior features of some breeds. This can be a sign of complete confidence.

8. Before giving birth the animal becomes very nervous, constantly licks itself, can sit for a long time with its tongue stuck out, forgetting to retract the "natural sponge" back.

If the tip of the cat's tongue sticks out, there can be many reasons for this, and not all indicate disease. But some pets, after realizing that they are so adorable to their owners, repeat the trick to get a tasty treat.

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