Why is my cat sticking his tongue out? Understanding this adorable yet sometimes concerning behavior

As a veterinarian who deeply values the bond you share with your feline companions, I understand that cats sometimes exhibit behaviors that leave us scratching our heads. One question I hear frequently is “why does my cat stick out its tongue?”—a particularly quirky habit many cat owners observe when their furry friend extends their tongue, often just slightly, in what’s affectionately called “blepping.” Many cats display this behavior, making it a common and normal part of feline life. As a cat parent, it’s natural to be curious and even a bit concerned when you notice your cat doing something unusual. If you observe this as a new behavior, blepping can be both adorable and potentially concerning, especially if it appears suddenly or more frequently. While this behavior can be absolutely adorable and completely harmless, it’s also something that can occasionally signal a more serious underlying issue. Today I’ll help you understand why your cat sticks out its tongue, covering everything from completely normal behaviors to potentially concerning reasons, so you can confidently determine when it’s simply a cute moment and when it might warrant veterinary attention.

Sometimes your cat will stick out their tongue when they’re feeling particularly relaxed, beginning to doze off, or simply becoming wonderfully distracted by their surroundings. Much like humans might absentmindedly let their mouth hang open slightly during moments of deep relaxation, your cat might allow their tongue to peek out when they’re feeling completely at ease and comfortable in their environment. Cats may stick out their tongues when they are feeling relaxed, and many cats stick out their tongues in similar situations of relaxation. If your cat appears otherwise healthy, continues eating and drinking normally, and you notice the tongue protrusion only happens intermittently without any accompanying symptoms, this behavior is most likely just another charming aspect of their unique personality that you can simply enjoy.

One of the most frequent reasons your cat might stick out their tongue is due to pain or significant discomfort somewhere within their oral cavity. The cat's tongue plays a crucial role in oral health, and cat tongues are uniquely structured with rough papillae that aid in grooming and eating. However, cat tongues can be affected by dental problems, which are a common cause of discomfort and abnormal tongue behavior. Periodontal disease, which affects approximately 70% of adult cats by just two years of age, represents a particularly common culprit. This progressive and often painful condition causes significant inflammation and discomfort, much like severe gum disease does in humans.

Since cats are absolute masters at hiding their pain from us, this subtle tongue protrusion might actually be one of the very few outward signs you’ll notice that something is bothering them.

Several other oral conditions can also cause your cat to exhibit tongue protrusion behavior:

• dental problems: dental problems such as periodontal disease, gingivitis, and other oral health issues are common causes of tongue protrusion and oral discomfort in cats

• broken teeth: when teeth become broken or cracked, they expose the highly sensitive inner pulp, resulting in intense and often constant pain. Broken teeth can make it uncomfortable for your cat to keep their tongue inside their mouth.

• tooth resorption: this particularly painful condition occurs when parts of the tooth structure begin to break down and deteriorate from within

• stomatitis: this represents an extremely painful and widespread inflammation affecting the soft tissues throughout your cat’s mouth, including their gums, cheeks, and the back of their throat. Cats suffering from stomatitis typically drool excessively, develop notably bad breath, and often show marked reluctance to eat due to the severe oral pain they’re experiencing

• oral tumors: any abnormal growth, such as oral tumors, developing within your cat’s mouth can physically interfere with normal tongue movement or cause significant discomfort, sometimes making it difficult for your cat to close their mouth or move their tongue normally

• missing teeth: particularly in older cats, you may notice tongue drooping or protrusion following tooth extraction or the natural loss of major teeth that normally help support and hold the tongue in its proper position. Missing teeth or other dental issues can cause trouble keeping the tongue inside the mouth.

If you observe your cat sticking their tongue out, especially when this behavior occurs alongside other concerning signs like excessive drooling, persistently bad breath, reluctance to eat dry food, frequent pawing at their mouth, or unexplained weight loss, they may very well be experiencing significant oral pain. In these cases, a comprehensive oral examination under general anesthesia is often necessary to properly diagnose the underlying condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Just like people, your cat can experience feelings of nausea and stomach discomfort. When your cat is dealing with gastrointestinal upset, they may display subtle signs of this discomfort, including the tendency to slightly protrude their tongue. Cats may also stick out their tongue when feeling nauseous. While vomiting represents a more obvious and dramatic sign of digestive distress, persistent underlying nausea can often lead to much more subtle behavioral changes or unusual body postures that might be easy to overlook.

If you notice your cat exhibiting tongue protrusion along with other concerning signs such as decreased appetite, unusual lethargy, or other indicators of digestive upset, I strongly recommend scheduling a veterinary evaluation to determine the underlying cause. Possible causes of nausea in cats include motion sickness, certain medications, and other medical conditions, so identifying all potential factors is important for proper treatment.

Less frequently, persistent tongue protrusion can indicate neurological issues that affect the specific nerves or muscles responsible for controlling your cat’s tongue movement and positioning. Neurological disease is a possible cause of abnormal tongue movements in cats, often accompanied by other neurological or muscular symptoms, and requires veterinary diagnosis. “Hanging tongue syndrome” represents a rare but notable condition that can cause your cat’s tongue to hang outside their mouth consistently, potentially leading to problematic dryness and ongoing discomfort.

This type of tongue protrusion can also occur alongside other neurological disorders that impact your cat’s facial muscle control and coordination. Similar neurological or muscular issues can cause tongue protrusion in both dogs and cats, and in both species, symptoms like tongue sticking or other unusual movements may be linked to underlying neurological disease. If you notice that your cat’s tongue hangs out consistently rather than just occasionally, or if you observe other concerning neurological signs such as difficulty walking, unusual weakness, or notable changes in their typical behavior patterns, I urge you to seek immediate veterinary attention for proper evaluation.

Your careful observation of your cat's behavior represents the most critical first step in determining whether this tongue protrusion warrants concern! When you notice your cat sticking their tongue out, I want you to ask yourself these important questions:

Is it just a harmless "blep"? Does the behavior appear brief and fleeting, particularly occurring right after your cat has been sniffing something with interest? Is your cat otherwise acting happy, maintaining their normal eating patterns, engaging in regular play activities, and behaving in their typical manner? If you can answer yes to these questions, then you can simply sit back and enjoy this adorable moment!

Are there other concerning signs present? Take time to look carefully for other subtle indicators that might suggest pain or illness, such as persistently bad breath, excessive drooling, obvious difficulty or reluctance when eating, frequent pawing at their mouth area, noticeable changes in their vocalization patterns, increased hiding behavior, unusual lethargy, unexplained weight loss, or significant changes in their drinking or urination habits.

How frequently does this behavior occur? Is this something you're noticing as a consistent, ongoing behavior, or does it only happen occasionally and sporadically?

What's the specific context when it happens? Do you notice this behavior occurring during or immediately after your cat eats? Does it seem to happen during particularly stressful situations? Or do you observe it when your cat appears deeply relaxed and comfortable?

If you notice any accompanying symptoms alongside the tongue protrusion, or if this behavior appears persistent, unusual for your particular cat, or simply feels concerning to you as their caretaker, it is important to look for other symptoms such as open mouth breathing, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, or vomiting. Open mouth breathing is a serious symptom that may indicate a medical emergency, such as heatstroke or respiratory distress, and requires urgent attention. If you observe open mouth breathing or other symptoms of distress, contact a vet immediately. I strongly encourage you to schedule a visit with your veterinarian . As your veterinary healthcare team, our primary aim is always optimizing your pet’s overall welfare and ensuring they maintain the highest possible quality of life through comprehensive client education and fostering strong, collaborative relationships with you as their primary caregiver.

Many of the underlying causes that might lead to your cat sticking out their tongue can be effectively managed or even completely prevented through proactive veterinary care combined with diligent attention to their needs at home.

• Regular veterinary check-ups: scheduling annual or biannual wellness examinations becomes increasingly crucial as your cat advances in age. These important visits allow your veterinarian to conduct thorough physical examinations, including basic oral health assessments, while also providing valuable opportunities to discuss any behavioral changes or concerns you’ve observed in your cat’s daily life.

• Dental homecare: while professional dental cleanings performed under anesthesia remain absolutely vital for your cat’s oral health, implementing daily dental care routines at home can dramatically slow the progression of periodontal disease and other oral health problems. I encourage you to ask your veterinary team about Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)-approved dental diets and treats, and request guidance on learning proper tooth brushing techniques that you can safely perform at home. The unique texture of your cat's tongue, which you may notice during affectionate 'kitty kisses', is covered in tiny papillae that help with grooming and maintaining oral health.

• Environmental enrichment: providing your cat with a stimulating yet stress-free living environment significantly improves their overall well-being while simultaneously reducing the likelihood of anxiety-related behaviors. This comprehensive approach should include offering appropriate scratching posts, engaging puzzle feeders that stimulate their minds, and ensuring plenty of opportunities for interactive play throughout their day.

• Open communication: I want you to never hesitate when it comes to bringing up any concerns about your cat’s health or behavior, regardless of how minor or insignificant they might seem to you. Please feel comfortable asking questions, sharing your thoughts and observations about your pet’s condition, and taking time to summarize your understanding of our recommendations to ensure we’re all working together toward the same goals. Remember, our shared objective is always your cat’s optimal health and long-term happiness.

Ultimately, your dedicated attentiveness to your cat’s daily behaviors and subtle changes represents one of their most valuable assets in maintaining optimal cat's health. By developing a solid understanding of normal feline communication patterns and learning to recognize when seemingly innocent behaviors like tongue protrusion might actually signal deeper underlying issues, you empower yourself to become an even more effective advocate for your beloved companion’s health and well-being. Sometimes, a cat sticking out its tongue can simply mean they are feeling playful or offering affectionate 'kitty kisses,' both of which are positive signs of a happy, healthy cat. When you understand the complete answer to “why does my cat stick out its tongue,” you’re better equipped to provide the best possible care. Whenever you find yourself feeling uncertain or concerned about any aspect of your cat’s behavior or health, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian for guidance and support. We’re here to work as true partners with you in ensuring your cat enjoys a long, healthy, and genuinely comfortable life filled with the love and care they deserve.