For a person, language is very important, but for a cat, it is absolutely vital.

For a murmuring it is a comb, and a sponge for washing, a spoon for drinking water, a taste indicator, and a body cooler in hot weather.

In general, without a language, like without paws.

Sometimes the owners of domestic cats have the opportunity to observe what the tongue of their pet sticks out.

Of course, it looks very cute, but perhaps it should not be so.

Maybe there is some deviation from the norm here?

Why does a cat stick out its tongue?

There may be natural reasons and reasons that need attention.

Natural reasons for the stuck out tongue:

  • The cat sleeps in this state. She is completely relaxed during sleep, all muscles are relaxed, so the tip of her tongue can stick out of the slightly open mouth at that moment. There is nothing terrible in this, the cat is resting and completely sure of her safety. Moreover, some scientists have concluded that in a cat's dreams, the tongue increases in size slightly, so it does not always fit into the sleeping murmuring's mouth;

  • Since the tongues of cats are equipped with small spikes, sometimes something sticks to it. So the cat may stick it out of its mouth to get rid of a foreign object and unpleasant sensations.
  • It happened by accident. Sometimes the tongue is sticking out simply because the murmuring got distracted during grooming and forgot to put it back in her mouth. The cat can sit for a while, listening or looking at something, and then return to its usual appearance and continue what it was doing.
  • The cat's breed can also be a reason for showing the tongue to others. There are cats with flat noses who find it difficult to keep their tongues inside their mouths due to their atypical appearance. Such breeds include Persians or Exotics;
  • Sometimes a cat can stick out its tongue even during hunting. It is believed that this improves her sense of smell, which is very important for successfully catching prey;
  • The age of the animal to some extent can also be a reason for the displayed tongue. An older cat may lose a few teeth, and through the gap that forms, the tongue may stick out.

When to pay more attention to a cat's stuck out tongue:

  • The cat may feel nauseous. Sometimes this is a normal reaction to eating grass (cleansing the intestines), and sometimes nausea and vomiting are symptoms of poisoning or a serious illness. In this case, the pet's tongue will be sticking out, but the owner will immediately see that something is wrong with the cat;
  • The cat is hot. In summer, when the temperature outside rises significantly, and it also becomes hot indoors, the cat may breathe like a dog, sticking out its tongue. This way the animal tries to lower its body temperature. This often happens during car rides. This is a signal to the owner that the pet should be moved to the coolest place possible and given water;
  • Diseases of the oral cavity can also lead to a cat sticking out its tongue. Stomatitis, tartar, gingivitis, and other similar problems prevent the cat from eating normally and cause serious discomfort, which can lead to this atypical behavior. If the murmuring refuses food or eats with difficulty, if a strong and unpleasant odor comes from her mouth, then it is time to see a vet;
  • Nervous-muscular diseases can also lead to various atypical movements and a stuck out tongue in cats;
  • Stress and fear of the animal can also be reasons why a cat shows its tongue;
  • Some types of injuries, including head injuries, can also be accompanied by a cat sticking out its tongue.

So if a cat suddenly decides to pretend to be a dog and shows you its pink tongue, it is better to understand immediately whether this is a harmless and cute oversight of the domestic murmuring or a symptom that cannot be ignored.

In case of atypical behavior and condition of the pet, it is mandatory to show it to a veterinarian.