Why Do Cats Stick Their Tongues Out
Cats may be the internet’s favorite animal, but they’re also one of its most mysterious. That’s because cats are very good at keeping secrets. They can’t talk to us (though they do have their own language that we’re finally starting to understand), and they like to hide their emotions whenever possible—even during moments of extreme pleasure or pain. So why do cats stick out their tongues? Is it just a reflex? A way of communicating with other cats? An attempt at taking advantage of our human affection for them by acting cute? There are so many questions! To answer this one, let’s explore some theories about why cats stick out their tongues in the first place:
Cats stick out their tongues to clean it.
Cats are very clean animals. They lick their fur to clean it, remove dead skin, remove dirt and food particles that have gotten tangled in their coats, and even suck parasites out of their fur. While you might think this is a disgusting habit, it’s actually quite selfless—if your cat licks herself too much she can become ill due to dehydration or hairballs that get stuck in her esophagus because she hasn’t been drinking enough water.
Cats stick out their tongues because they’re hot.
- They’re hot.
- Cats don’t sweat, so there’s no liquid way to cool off their bodies. Instead, they use saliva to lick their fur (and even their paws) and help evaporate water from their bodies. This keeps them cool so they don’t overheat in the summertime or during other warm days.
- Because cats have a high surface area-to-volume ratio—meaning that there’s more skin per unit of body mass than many other animals—they can get pretty hot on even a mild day. The fur helps insulate them from some of the heat but licking themselves down works wonders in keeping an animal comfortable when it gets too warm outside!
Cats stick out their tongues because they’re sick.
If your cat is sticking out its tongue and acting lethargic, it’s a sign that the cat is ill. It could be due to a fever or pain.
If your cat’s behavior changes suddenly, take him or her to the vet immediately. You should never try treating a sick animal without professional guidance.
Cats stick out their tongues when they’re nervous.
One of the most common reasons why cats stick out their tongues is because they are nervous or scared. Let’s take a look at some of the most common situations that cause this behavior:
- Licking their lips when they’re nervous. Cats will lick their lips in response to fear, stress, anxiety and sadness. It’s also a sign of excitement for some cats as well!
- When greeting someone/something new. Cats can be very affectionate creatures—especially when meeting strangers or new friends! This behavior is meant to make us feel more comfortable around them by showing us how much they care about us (and how delicious we smell).
Cats stick out their tongues when they smell something delicious.
- Cats have a very keen sense of smell. They can be up to 100 times more sensitive than humans!
- The bumps on your cat’s tongue are called papillae, and they help her taste food while she eats.
- Cats use their sense of smell to hunt mice, snakes and even rats (Rats? Ew!). They also use it to sniff out danger–like if a dog is nearby or if you’re about to give them a bath—so they can escape before getting hurt!
Your cat sticks out its tongue because it likes you.
- Your cat sticks out its tongue because it likes you.
- Cats are very expressive animals, so they use their tongues to express themselves.
- Your cat sticks out its tongue because it’s affectionate towards you and other people in the house, but especially towards you! It means they love you and want to show how much they care about your presence in their life.
- Your cat sticks out its tongue because it’s curious about what’s going on around them, even when there isn’t anything interesting happening at that particular moment. This habit is usually seen when cats are watching birds fly overhead or something similar that requires a lot of concentration on their part (like when they’re hunting). As such, this behavior can also be interpreted as “paying attention” or “being alert”.
Sometimes cats stick out their tongues for no apparent reason at all!
You may have noticed your cat sticking their tongue out for no apparent reason at all. This is because cats are curious creatures, which means that they tend to stick their tongues out when they see something new or interesting. They also love playing with things that move like hair, papers and toys on string. Because cats like to play with things that move around in front of them, they are more likely to stick their tongues out when they’re excited or happy
Often times it’s hard to tell if your cat is happy or angry based on facial expressions alone (because you’re human!) but the next time you see your furry friend sticking its tongue out – remember that this could mean one thing: fun times ahead!
So, why do cats stick their tongues out? Maybe there isn’t one reason. Maybe your cat sticks its tongue out because it’s hot, because it’s sick, or because it just likes you. Whatever the reason might be, we hope this article has helped you figure out some possible answers!
