Why Does My Cat Stick Out Their Tongue?

Why do cats stick out their tongues?

Your cat is 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. 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.

Your kitty is in the middle of cleaning their fur. Cats spend between 30 to 50 percent of their day cleaning their coat. If you happen to look over at your 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.

Your feline friend is feeling playful. Your 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! 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.”

Your 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. However, these barbs can get caught on large chunks of hair, feathers, or other items, which might cause your cat to stick their tongue out. You can remove the item from their mouth or wait for your cat to do it by themselves. However, if your cat is also gagging or struggling to breathe, it may be a sign they’re choking. If your 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.

Your cat learned that sticking their tongue out makes you 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. If your cat sees you smile, giggle, or suddenly give them attention, they might continue this behavior to show their own love and affection.

Your kitty 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. While your 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.

Your cat 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. If your cat has these genetic traits, they might have trouble keeping their tongue in because their mouth is smaller.

Your kitty 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 you’ve been traveling with your cat by land, sea, or air. Cats might also feel nauseous if they eat a bug or if there’s a sudden change in their diet. Your cat might also vomit or gag if they have a hairball. This is completely normal, and it’s not uncommon for your cat to have a hairball every week or two. However, if your cat shows other symptoms like lethargy, decreased appetite, or diarrhea, it might be a symptom of another health issue. Visit a vet right away.

Your cat is feeling hot or overheating. Although panting is something commonly associated with dogs, your cat might stick out their tongue if their body temperature is too high. If your 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. If your cat also drools, looks weak, has difficulty breathing, or collapses, they might be suffering from heatstroke—take them to the vet immediately. To prevent your 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.

Your cat has missing teeth or another dental problem. If your 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. Gently open your cat’s mouth. If your cat’s gums are red, swollen, bloody, or discolored and your cat drools or struggles to eat, visit the vet right away. To prevent your cat’s teeth from developing these problems, brush them regularly with a cat toothbrush and feline toothpaste.

Your cat may have a respiratory disease, infection, or blockage. If your 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 your cat can breathe, get them to a vet. Check the color of your cat’s tongue. If it’s blue, it means they aren’t getting enough oxygen—go to the vet.

Your 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. Other neurological conditions include neoplastic disease, epilepsy, trauma, and infectious diseases like feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIP). If you think your cat might have a neurological condition, talk to your vet.

When should take my cat to the vet for sticking their tongue out?

Visit a vet if their behavior is sudden or they show other symptoms. Although a cat sticking out their tongue is normal most of the time, it may be worrying if their behavior is unexpected, they paw at their face, or they seem distressed. If this is the case or if you notice drooling, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, or signs of pain, go to the vet right away. If your cat sticks out their tongue but otherwise seems healthy and normal, there’s nothing to worry about.