When a cat sticks its tongue out, what does it mean?

Have you ever stopped to think about what happens when a cat sticks its tongue out? Is this normal? That's what we're going to find out today!

There is no doubt that cats are one of the most enigmatic domestic animals. While they are fascinating, these animals can have behaviors that can be somewhat strange to those who are not yet familiar with feline habits.

And among the various types of behavior that can fall into this category – such as staring into space for a long time or the famous habit of 'kneading bread' – there is one that, despite being very common among dogs, ends up not being so common among cats. 

And this can end up catching the attention of first-time cat owners. We're talking about when the cat sticks its tongue out.

So, what could be causing this behavior? Is this something that is really normal among felines or is it something to worry about? 

That’s what we’ll discover throughout this content! 

Together with us, you will better understand this habit among felines and discover what you should do in these situations.

The habit of sticking out your tongue among dogs

Before we get into the main topic of our content today, we thought it would be cool to talk about the habit of sticking their tongue out among another domestic animal that is just as popular in Brazilian homes as felines: dogs.

If you have ever lived with a dog for any period of your life, you must have noticed that they have the habit of sticking their tongue out in certain situations, right? 

This usually occurs after a period of play and is a natural process that aims to minimize your four-legged friend's fatigue.

By sticking out their tongue and breathing faster, dogs are able to expel some of the hot air from their bodies and replace it with cooler air, allowing them to cool down more quickly.

And of course, a tongue sticking out can also mean that your pet is hot and needs a good drink of water.

What does it mean when a cat sticks its tongue out?

After learning about why dogs stick their tongues out, you might be thinking that the same explanation applies to felines, right?

But the truth is that it doesn't quite work that way.

You don't need to be an expert in animal life or domestic animals to know that cats and dogs – despite being very popular pets – are very different in terms of behavior.

And this also applies when we talk about the biological realm. And the habit of sticking out the tongue is one of these differences, since for cats, this behavior has a completely different meaning.

In most cases, if your cat has his tongue hanging out, you should know that he is most likely completely relaxed!

If you have a cat at home, you've probably noticed this relationship, right? And for those who don't have a cat at home and still want to understand this behavior better, we'll explain.

One of the main reasons why a cat sticks its tongue out is because it is very calm and enjoying a moment of relaxation. 

In fact, felines tend to do this especially when they are in a deep sleep. At this time, the cat's jaw is more relaxed, allowing its tongue to escape from its mouth during sleep. 

In other words: if your cat sticks his tongue out while sleeping, there is no reason to worry. This is a strong indication that he feels safe in your home and may even 'let his guard down' to take a nice nap.

Take the opportunity to read it too 👉 Plants that are harmful to cats: See how to keep your pet healthy

Other meanings for when a cat sticks its tongue out

Now that you've discovered the reason behind the moments when your cat sticks its tongue out while sleeping, it's time to talk a little more about this behavior in other moments of your cat's daily life.

If your cat sticks its tongue out in other situations, it could mean something other than the above explanation.

Below, we list 3 possible reasons to explain these behaviors.

When a cat sticks its tongue out, it could be because it is nervous or worried.

Even if your cat has a good, peaceful life and, according to you, without any kind of worries, your kitty can face moments of worry or nervousness.

And these cases can end up giving rise to the habit of sticking out your tongue. Associated with this behavior are moments of restlessness or a state of constant vigilance.

In this case, a great way to help is to invest in toys and games so that your cat is more relaxed.

When a cat sticks its tongue out, it could mean that its teeth are coming in.

The second cause on our list is, without a doubt, the cutest of all: your cat's teething!

If your cat is a kitten and is exhibiting this behavior, it is most likely because its teeth are showing and, just like with human babies, they are causing discomfort. 

And in this case, in addition to the habit of biting, sticking out your tongue helps to alleviate this discomfort.

And last but not least: when a cat sticks its tongue out, it could be a sign of some illness.

This is, without a doubt, the option that no pet owner wants to hear. 

But since we are covering all the reasons that can cause these tongue sticking out habits, we have to list all the possible causes.

Among the main reasons that may be behind this habit among felines are the presence of an ulcer or even wounds inside the animal's mouth or tongue.

In this second case, the behavior would be to air the tongue and, in this way, try to calm the pain.

In any case, it is always good to observe the frequency of this habit to try to better understand the reasons. And, of course, if you notice it is very frequent, it is recommended to seek specialized medical help.

Did you like this material? Then I think you should take the opportunity to check it out Do cats feel cold? Learn how to protect your cat in winter

Ivan September 9, 2022