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Learn why cats blep and if it’s a sign of a larger issue
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If your cat keeps sticking their tongue out, you might start to wonder what’s going on in that feline head of theirs. Most of the time, this behavior is nothing to worry about—many cats “blep,” or stick their tongue out, when they’re super relaxed, in the middle of grooming, or if they’re inspecting their surroundings. However, if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, they may have a health condition that needs to be addressed by a veterinarian. Keep reading to learn all the reasons why your cat might stick out their tongue.
Top Reasons Why Cats Stick out Their Tongues
Sticking their tongue out is completely normal behavior that cats do when they’re feeling relaxed, grooming themselves, or if they have something stuck to their tongue. If a cat is also showing other symptoms, like breathing heavily or vomiting, it might be a sign of a dental, respiratory, or other health issue.
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Why would a cat stick out their tongue?
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The cat might be feeling relaxed or sleeping. Like humans, cats might relax their jaw just enough so that their tongue falls out while they’re sleeping. Some cats might even blep (or stick their tongue out) when they’re feeling super relaxed. [1] X Research source
- Cats don’t usually stick their tongue out when they’re feeling stressed or anxious. However, this can be a unique response for your specific cat.
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The cat is in the middle of cleaning their fur. Cats spend between 30 to 50 percent of their day cleaning their coat. [2] X Research source If you happen to look over at a cat while they’re doing their daily grooming, they might look back at you with their tongue out, waiting to see what you’re going to do next.
- They might also stop in the middle of their grooming if they smell something interesting or if they notice there’s food nearby.
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The kitty is feeling playful. A cat might stick out their tongue if they get really excited while they play. If their ears are facing forward, their tail is up, and their eyes are somewhat dilated, they’re ready to pounce on whatever toy is unlucky enough to be in their path! [3] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
- Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist Molly DeVoss says that “with cats, you have to take into consideration every body position, sound they are making, and environment surrounding them, in order to fully understand what they are trying to say.”
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The cat has something stuck to their tongue. Cats have tiny, sharp spines on their tongue that are perfect for cleaning and removing excess fur from their coat. [4] X Research source However, these barbs can get caught on large chunks of hair, feathers, or other items, which might cause a cat to stick their tongue out.
- You can remove the item from their mouth or wait for the cat to do it by themselves.
- However, if the cat is also gagging or struggling to breathe, it may be a sign they’re choking .
- If the cat is choking and you see the object, remove it with tweezers or a finger. If not, hold them with their back against your chest and firmly squeeze their chest 5 times with quick, upward thrusts. [5] X Research source
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The cat learned that sticking their tongue out makes others happy. Like cats learn to meow to capture humans’ attention, they might learn to stick out their tongue if it means you’ll laugh or praise them. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source If a cat sees you smile, giggle, or suddenly give them attention, they might continue this behavior to show their own love and affection.
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The cat is gathering information about their surroundings. Cats have an extra organ for their sense of smell on the roof of their mouth called the Jacobson’s organ. When they smell something super fascinating, they open their mouth, squint their eyes, and inhale so the organ intensifies the scent and gives them more information about it. [7] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
- While a kitty is opening their mouth to figure out what they’re smelling, their tongue might fall out, too.
- This reaction is called the Flehmen response.
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The kitty was born with a squished nose and a smaller mouth. Persians, Exotic Shorthairs, and other brachycephalic cat breeds were bred to have shorter mouths and noses. [8] X Trustworthy Source American College of Veterinary Surgeons Trade organization responsible for setting standards of surgical excellence for the field of veterinary medicine and promoting safe practices for equine care. Go to source If your cat has these genetic traits, they might have trouble keeping their tongue in because their mouth is smaller. [9] X Research source
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The cat has motion sickness or nausea. When a cat is feeling nauseous, they might drool, vomit, or gag with their tongue out. This can be caused by motion sickness if the cat has been traveling by land, sea, or air. [10] X Research source Cats might also feel nauseous if they eat a bug or if there’s a sudden change in their diet. [11] X Research source
- A cat might also vomit or gag if they have a hairball. This is completely normal, and it’s not uncommon for a cat to have a hairball every week or two. [12] X Research source
- However, if a cat shows other symptoms like lethargy, decreased appetite, or diarrhea, it might be a symptom of another health issue. Visit a vet right away. [13] X Research source
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The cat is feeling hot or overheating. Although panting is something commonly associated with dogs, a cat might stick out their tongue if their body temperature is too high. [14] X Research source If a cat is panting, give them a drink of cool water and cover them in cool towels. If their condition doesn’t improve, take them to the vet. [15] X Research source
- If a cat also drools, looks weak, has difficulty breathing, or collapses, they might be suffering from heatstroke—take them to the vet immediately. [16] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
- To prevent a cat from getting too hot, give them plenty of fresh, clean water. Make sure they have a shady area to sit in and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot outside.
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The cat has missing teeth or another dental problem. If a cat has had teeth pulled or they have misaligned teeth, they might have difficulty keeping their tongue in their mouth. They might also open their mouth in pain if they have a periodontal disease like stomatitis, gingivitis, or periodontitis. [17] X Research source
- Gently open the cat’s mouth. If the cat’s gums are red, swollen, bloody, or discolored and the cat drools or struggles to eat, visit the vet right away. [18] X Research source
- To prevent the cat’s teeth from developing these problems, brush them regularly with a cat toothbrush and feline toothpaste . [19] X Research source
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The cat may have a respiratory disease, infection, or blockage. If a cat sticks their tongue out and breathes heavily or otherwise abnormally, they may be having difficulty breathing. This could be a sign of other issues, like asthma or pleural effusion, that need medical attention. If you’re not sure whether a cat can breathe, get them to a vet. [20] X Research source
- A cat breathing heavily with their tongue out can be a sign of a heart condition, an allergic reaction, or pain from another health condition.
- Check the color of the cat’s tongue. If it’s blue, it means they aren’t getting enough oxygen—go to the vet.
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The cat has a neurological disease like dementia. As cats grow older, they can develop cognitive dysfunctions that are similar to dementia in humans. If your cat is suffering from a neurological condition, they might be disoriented, stare blankly, urinate outside the litter box, or frequently forget to put their tongue back into their mouth. [21] X Research source
- Other neurological conditions include neoplastic disease, epilepsy, trauma, and infectious diseases like feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIP). [22] X Research source
- If you think your cat might have a neurological condition, talk to your vet.
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References
- ↑ https://cats.com/why-do-cats-stick-their-tongue-out
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/cats-lick-too-much
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/understanding-feline-language
- ↑ https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2016-11/cat-tongues-are-designed-for-cleaning-and-more/
- ↑ https://atlantahumane.org/blog/choking-in-dogs-and-cats/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7765146/
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/understanding-feline-language
- ↑ https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/brachycephalic-syndrome/
- ↑ https://icatcare.org/advice/severe-brachycephalic-in-persian-and-related-breeds/
- ↑ https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders-of-cats/motion-sickness-in-cats
- ↑ https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/cat-vomiting-types-causes-and-treatments
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hairy-dilemma
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/vomiting
- ↑ https://petsitters.org/page/HowtoRecognizeTreatandPreventHeatstrokeinCats
- ↑ https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/how-can-i-prevent-heatstroke
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/news/summer-fun-sun-hot-weather-safety-tips-your-pets
- ↑ https://icatcare.org/advice/dental-disease-in-cats/
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-dental-disease
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-dental-disease
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/dyspnea-difficulty-breathing
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/cognitive-dysfunction
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/neurological-disorders
- ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-happy
- ↑ https://cats.com/signs-of-a-happy-cat
- ↑ https://www.mic.com/life/is-my-cat-happy-vets-break-down-their-most-telling-behaviors-18660624
- ↑ https://cats.com/why-do-cats-blep
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