Cats tend to do strange things and one of them is sticking out their tongues. As a cat owner, you may have witnessed this strange behavior and wondered what the cause could be. There are many reasons why your cat could be sticking out its tongue, including dental issues, bleeping, fur sticking to it, stomach upset, or because it is feeling relaxed. Continue reading to learn more
Loose Fur

Using a good-quality de-shedding comb will help your kitty deal with excess fur.
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One of the reasons why a cat may leave its tongue out is if it has fur sticking to it. Cats often lick themselves. This behavior is a grooming activity. Their roughly textured tongues can pick up a lot of fur in the process and some of that fur may get stuck there.
If your cat is a shedder, this may be the reason it’s sticking out its tongue. Usually, the cat will have already tried several ways to remove the loose fur from its tongue and failed. If the cat is unable to get the extra fur off, they will simply relax their tongue and hope that the stray fur will fall off. Using a good-quality de-shedding comb will help your kitty deal with excess fur. This will also help if your cat suffers from hairballs
Bad Taste

A cat will stick out its tongue if it has a bad taste in its mouth.
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If your cat has eaten some food or had a taste of a treat that it wasn’t particularly fond of, it may react by sticking out its tongue. Sometimes this behavior is seen after a cat has nibbled on something that it probably shouldn’t have—like a house plant. If a cat doesn’t like the flavor or texture of something it will stick out its tongue as a way to get rid of the bad taste. Giving cats certain types of oral medications will elicit the same response.
Maximum Relaxation

This fine specimen doesn’t have a care in the world.
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When a cat feels very relaxed and at ease you may catch it with its tongue hanging out. Sometimes when a cat is grooming itself, it may become so relaxed that it falls asleep while its tongue is still out. Not only is this normal but also very adorable.
Small Mouth

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Some breeds of cats don’t have very much room in their mouths. This is particularly common with flat-faced cat breeds like Persian cats. It’s common to find Persian cats with their tongues sticking out. Because it has a flatter face than most cats, it has less room in its mouth. Less room in the mouth means less space for the tongue, hence you’ll frequently find them with their tongue out.
A cat having its tongue out often isn’t necessarily an issue, but it can make it harder for your cat to do things like eat. If you notice that your cat is having difficulty eating, bring this up with your vet, who may arrange to have some of the cat’s teeth removed.
Dental Issues

If a cat has lost its front teeth due to dental issues, it may stick its tongue through the gap where the teeth once were.
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Your cat could be sticking its tongue out due to dental issues, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. If your cat has bad breath it could be from dental problems. A cat hanging its tongue out can also be a sign the cat is in pain. This could be tooth pain or pain in the cat’s gums. A vet can determine the exact cause.
If your cat has lost its front teeth due to dental issues, it may stick its tongue through the gap where the teeth once were. For the record, tooth loss is not common in cats, nor is it normal for cats to lose teeth with age.
Hot and Thirsty

Long-haired cats are more prone to heatstroke than short-haired cats.
©Jasmine_K/Shutterstock.com
On a warm day you might notice your cat’s tongue hanging out. Check to see if it has access to fresh clean water. On hot days your cat may appear as though it is panting with its tongue out. This can be a sign of dehydration or heatstroke. Some other signs to look out for include disorientation and vomiting. If your cat displays any of these behaviors give them water and take them to the vet for further examination. This is especially important if you have a long-haired cat as they are more prone to heatstroke than their short-haired cousins.
Stomatitis

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Stomatitis is a result of bacteria and plaque on your cat’s teeth, It can present itself as ulcers, inflammation, painful gums, or a sore tongue. The causes for this condition vary from a common virus to a compromised immune system, to bad teeth. Thankfully this disease isn’t common.
The pain in their mouth is what causes their tongue to hang out as a way of getting relief. Some other symptoms to look out for that point to this condition include drooling, weight loss, and pawing at its face. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your vet for treatment.
Toxins

If you suspect that your cat has ingested poison or has eaten a toxic plant, be sure to get them to the vet immediately so that they can begin treatment.
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If your cat gets its paws on rat poison or eats a mouse that has already been poisoned, it may cause your cat to stick out its tongue to get rid of the irritation and discomfort on its tongue. Some flowers can be toxic to cats as well so its very important to know which ones are safe enough to keep in your home and around your garden. If you suspect that your cat has ingested poison or has eaten a toxic plant, be sure to get them to the vet immediately so that they can begin treatment.
Nausea

If you notice that your cat has its tongue out and is also moving it back and forth, this could be a sign of motion sickness.
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Sometimes a cat will stick its tongue before it vomits. This usually occurs after a meal because they ate their food too quickly or ate food they aren’t accustomed to, which upset their stomach. If you notice that your cat has its tongue out and is also moving it back and forth, this could be a sign of motion sickness, especially when your cat is in the car. In this event, stop the car and allow your fur baby to get some fresh air. The fresh air should allow them to reset and recover from the motion sickness and prevent you from having a mess to clean up in the car! Always be sure to have your cat in a secure cat carrier while traveling to keep them safe while reducing the chances of motion sickness.
Easily Distracted

Sometimes your cat’s tongue is out simply because it got distracted while grooming.
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On the lighter side, your cat can get distracted by something while in the middle of grooming and forget to put its tongue back in its mouth! This behavior has been dubbed blepping. cats will leave their tongues out for a few moments until the distraction goes away. After which it will return to where it left off in its grooming. This can be quite funny and adorable and is not a cause for concern. It’s simply your cat being a cat.
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