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It's no secret that cats make great pets. However, sometimes they do strange things that make us scratch our heads in confusion.
One such unique behavior is "tongue licking", in which cats stick out their tongue. But have you ever wondered why cats stick out their tongue? Keep reading to find out.
Today we are going to explain everything related to this behavior. You'll also learn what to do if your cat starts using it.
Index
Top 9 reasons why your cat sticks out its tongue
There are many different factors that can lead your feline friend to spoil you with his tongue. Whether it's an extremely common reason or one of the rarest, you should find it in the list below.
1. It might be more random than you think.
The first and one of the most common reasons is that your cat may be doing this out of sheer spontaneity. Your cat would mind its own business, but suddenly it stops and starts staring into space.
When they do, they stick out their tongue and maybe with a smile on their face. They don't seem worried or confused about it. This action takes a few seconds.
But sometimes, when the cat stops, it's more comfortable than we thought. Then he forgets to put his tongue back in, leaving what is called a "bubble".
ANDofficial meaningA blister is a small blister or blister on the skin. but insidePop culture, a bubble is an invented term that means that the cat's curiosity is at its highest level.
A cat vomiting means he has caught a smell or taste and is basically exploring the world around him. There's actually a good explanation for this cute and weird behavior, and it's known as "Answer by Flehman“.
This behavior is not only common in cats, but can also be found in cats.Other animalssuch as dogs, llamas, camels and others. These animals use it to pick up different chemical signals, and they might do it a little differently.
This silly reaction occurs when a cat becomes curious about a stimulant they are taking. The cat senses the smell or taste in its mouth and starts moving its tongue to analyze it. The smell is then transferred to a special organ calledVomeronasal-Organ oder Jacobson-Organ.
Jacobson's organ is named after the Danish physicianDr. Ludwig Levin Jacobson, who discovered them at the beginning of the 19th century. He explained that this organ connects to parts of the brain to explain and capture smell.
Cats use the flehmen response to pick up pheromones from other cats.pheromoneThey are animal odors used for communication and mating between them. However, cats can also smell different things in the house.
on arecent studydomestic cats have been found to be stressed if they don't analyze these different odors. With all the exploration, they might forget to stick their tongue out.
2. Something may be stuck to your cat's tongue.
Have you ever wondered why it hurts when a cat is licking you? In contrast to our relatively wet and smooth tongues, cats' tongues are dry and rough. The reason for this is that their tongues are covered with many small spikes or barbs.papillae.
These barbs are also directed towards the back of the mouth. Furthermore, all these thorns are covered with a thick layer of keratin, the same substance that makes up our fingernails.
Cats use their special tongues in many ways. They use it as a perfect tool to help them eat. Also, they can use it to clean and groom themselves and maintain their overall health.
It is very important for cats to clean their bodies and remove any leftover food. That's because leftover food can alert other predators or prey to its existence.
If you have food between your teeth, you can get rid of it with your tongue or your hands. However, a cat's paw is not long enough to accomplish such a task. That's why it depends on your language.
As your cat grooms itself, other things can get caught up in those tough thorns, like tiny hairs. When your cat is done grooming itself, it usually gathers all those little hairs into a hairball and spits it out.
Sometimes, a few unruly hairs decide that the cat's tongue is a perfect place to be. The cat was trying to tear them off or spit them out. But all these tests are free.
In this case, the cat's tongue becomes tired. As a result, the frustrated cat sticks out its tongue to dry, hoping that no wind will blow.remove this hair.
3. You can try to get rid of a bad taste or smell
A hair doesn't have to be the only thing that bothers your cat and wants to remove it. In addition to physical things like fur, the cat may be trying to get rid of a bad smell or taste that lingers after a meal.
In this case, the cat will stick its tongue out and in again and again. It is normal for this behavior to last a minute or two. However, if you find that your cat is spending more time on this, you should investigate further.
Look for objects that could be stuck in your cat's mouth or teeth. If it's a kitten, it could be an indicator that he's trying to get his baby teeth out, just like our babies!
In older cats, this behavior could be a sign that your cat has dementia. This could be a sign that it's time to see your cat's veterinarian.
4. Can be a little too relaxed
Have you ever seen someone sleeping very comfortably after a hard day and forgetting with their mouth open? It might be the case here!
If your cat takes a long nap, her jaw muscles may become too relaxed and she may not be able to hold her tongue. If so, the tip of the tongue could be sticking out of your cat's mouth.
A relaxed cat with its tongue sticking out shouldn't be a cause for concern, especially if it's just the tip. The best way to observe this is while your cat is sedated, so don't panic.
5. It could be due to dental problems
If you notice your cat sticking out its tongue while drooling, you might want to examine its mouth a little closer. This drooling can be natural or the result of dental or periodontal disease.
Periodontal or gum disease is one of the most common health problems in cats. influence on70% of all cats at 3 years of age.
Just like humans, cats can build up plaque on their teeth. This plaque eventually hardens into tartar called tartar. This causes inflammation in the gum tissue due to the bacterial infection.
This is known as gingivitis, which worsens and damages the soft tissues of the teeth. When bacteria reach the root of a tooth, they cause atooth abscess.
This causes various symptoms such as tooth decay, pain when touching the injured area, and broken teeth.
This pain doesn't just have to be in the gum. For other diseases likefeline stomatitis, the cat suffers from ulcers and inflammation in the soft tissues of the mouth.
Feline stomatitis causes drooling (may be bloody) and bad breath. You will also find that the cat does not clean itself because it hurts so much.
Because of these painful bumps, cats may feel uncomfortable keeping their tongue inside. In that case, you would see your cat protruding and drooling. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, you should consult your veterinarian immediately.
6. I could have lost a tooth
In addition to oral health issues, your cat may have lost some teeth, particularly the front ones in the upper or lower jaw.
These teeth hold the cat's tongue in place. If the cat loses this barrier for some reason, its little tongue will start to stick out. This also requires taking your cat to the vet.
7. May be due to overheating or thirst
While sticking out your tongue is usually not something to worry about, you may want to be on the lookout for other symptoms.
Like dogs, cats can keep cool with theirs.pillows and tongues. But many people don't realize why cats don't pant like dogs do.
On a hot day, this behavior can range from your cat getting thirsty, overheating andinsolation.
On a hot, humid day, your cat may stick its tongue out for a while. A cat does this to regulate its body temperature with its tongue.
However, this mechanism is not as effective in some species of thick-haired cats, such as Himalayan or Persian cats.
You may also notice it after long runs or when you have a fever. A cat's normal body temperature is 100.4 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38 to 39.2 degrees Celsius).
If you find your cat's rectal temperature exceeding these levels, it means your cat may be at risk of heat stroke.
In addition to the high temperature, you may notice some more obvious symptoms, such as: B. Loss of balance and vomiting. If you find your cat exhibiting these symptoms, consider moving her to a shady area anda lot of water.
Whether your cat has a cold or not, you should get him to the vet as soon as possible. Heat stroke can cause organ failure, so it's important to get a checkup to make sure your cat is doing well.
8. You may suffer from seasickness
This is one of the rarest reasons. If you notice your cat sticking out its tongue while driving, it could be a sign that it has a problem.Cinetose. Just like us, cats can get it too!
Unlike humans, the main reason for dizziness in cats is anxiety and stress. This is more common in cats that are not familiar with driving. If they become dizzy, they may lose the ability to keep their tongue inside.
9. Your cat may be suffering from poisoning.
One of the rarest reasons cats stick their tongue out is due to poisoning. Cats are extremely curious creatures who love to run to the beat of their own drums. However, this sometimes causes problems for them.
This can happen for several reasons. For example, a cat can come into contact with detergents, household cleaners or insecticides. Also, a cat can be poisoned by hunting a poisonous animal such as a frog.
Of course, sticking out the tongue isn't the only thing you'll see. There will be a lot of drooling, vomiting and shortness of breath.
They often stick out their tongue to get rid of this irritant as if it were a bad taste. It could also be due to mouth sores if they have consumed a corrosive material.
If you suspect your cat has been poisoned, this is how you should call it.Pet Poison Control Callimmediately. You should also check youremergency instructionsfor pet poisoning.
common questions
do you have more questions? Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions on this topic.
Why do cats leave their mouth open?
This may also be part of Flehmen's answer. The cat opens its mouth to increase its ability to pick up the scents around it.
What can I do at home to prevent my cat's dental problems?
If you discover a dental problem at a very early stage, pay more attention to your cat's diet. Switch to a special dry food formula such asHill's Science Nutrition and Oral CareMay help reduce plaque and tartar buildup in cats.
Is there a way to cool my cat down if he starts panting?
While refreshing your cat, you can let it swim in water at room temperature. However, the water should not be extremely icy cold, as this can causeother problems.
To involve
Cats never cease to amaze us with their sweet and soulful demeanor. However, it's important to make sure it's okay to do them. If you cannot understand why cats stick out their tongue, seek professional help from your cat's veterinarian.