Pet lovers sometimes notice that the cat is breathing with its tongue out. In most cases, this phenomenon touches the owners. They simply do not betray this value. But there are breeders who closely monitor the behavior of the cat. So, sticking out the tongue in the pet leads them to panic. But is it worth it to worry if the cat sticks out its tongue, and for what reason?
Language features
To understand why a cat sticks out its tongue, first of all, it is necessary to understand what functions this muscular organ performs. The language of the cat performs a number of important functions:
- helps in the process of swallowing, nutrition;
- allows you to recognize the taste of food;
- allows you to carry out hygiene procedures.
In the normal state, the tongue is located in the mouth. But there are times when the owner complains that the cat constantly sticks out its tongue. But such a phenomenon is not always considered pathological. There are physiological reasons why a cat sticks out the tip of its tongue.
Physiological reasons
Veterinarians identify reasons why a cat sticks out its tongue:
- Relaxation. During rest, sleep, the jaw muscles are as relaxed as possible, which leads to the loss of a muscular organ.
- Thermoregulation. If the cat is hot, then she sticks out her tongue, thereby trying to normalize the temperature.
- Distraction. A cat can simply forget to draw in its tongue after licking wool, active games.
- Bite. Due to malocclusion, the tongue simply does not fit in the cat's mouth. Therefore, he sticks out. Such pets do not pass in appearance to participate in competitions, exhibitions.
- Childbirth. Before the alleged birth, the cat's behavior changes. She becomes agitated, breathing quickens, her mouth ajar, tongue sticking out.
- Praise. The cat shows tongue and in response to praise. If the owner is constantly moved by the sight of a cat with a hanging tongue, the animal will systematically carry out such an action for the sake of approval.
- Hunting. During the hunt, cats involuntarily stick out the tip of their tongue. This is due to the fact that in this position of the muscular organ in the animal, the sense of smell intensifies.
- Age. A cat that has crossed the line at 8 years old can become loose and loose its teeth. From the appeared cracks, the tongue freely peeks out from the oral cavity.
An interesting fact: the scientists were able to prove that the tongue of a cat during sleep increases by several millimeters. Therefore, during the rest, the owner can notice the protruding tip of the tongue in the pet.
Stress
The cause may be stress in cats. Symptoms and treatment are discussed below.
If the pet is stressed, then the tongue will stick out. For example, when driving a car, if the cat is afraid, then the tongue will hang down all the way. Fright, nervous shock, negative emotions are the causes that cause stress in cats. When the animal is agitated, the following symptoms appear:
- tongue stick out;
- the cat is shaking;
- the pet is trying to hide;
- constantly meows.
If the cat is scared, the symptoms may recur. Therefore, the animal needs treatment. He needs to ensure complete peace. If necessary, the veterinarian prescribes sedatives.
Diseases
Veterinarians identify the main reasons why a cat sticks out its tongue:
- an allergy that causes swelling of the throat;
- inflammation of the gums, mouth;
- dental diseases;
- amyotrophy;
- malfunctioning of the salivary gland;
- skull injuries.
Often you can meet a cat with its tongue hanging out after anesthesia. During this period, the animal still can not independently control the jaw. The oral cavity closes completely only 24 hours after surgery.
Signs of disease
Veterinarians identify a number of symptoms that, together with the protruding tongue, indicate various diseases:
difficulty breathing
the cat is sluggish, does not play;
the pet becomes aggressive;
the mucous membrane of the mouth is red, and sometimes a bluish tinge appears;
dry mucous membrane;
lack of appetite;
wounds, mouth ulcers.
If the cat has the above symptoms, you must immediately take him to the clinic for examination.
Heat
The main physiological reason why a cat sticks out its tongue is temperature regulation. The animal protrudes the organ to reduce discomfort, for example, during the heat. This prevents the development of heat stroke. In this case, the owner should bring the cat to a cool place and pour him water.
But the cat's protruding tongue can also be a signal of a high body temperature. To understand if a pet is suffering from heat or is sick, you should figure out what temperature is considered normal in cats.
The normal temperature for the cat is 38-39 degrees. But do not immediately panic if the indicator deviates slightly from the norm. Here are the common causes of the displacement of the thermometer column:
- immediately after sleep, the thermometer decreases by a couple of divisions;
- in the evening, the cat's body temperature will be higher than in the morning;
- kittens have a slightly higher temperature than adult animals.
If the temperature rises due to the disease, do not self-medicate - the animal should be taken to the veterinarian.
Upper respiratory tract diseases
Respiratory problems can cause tongue protrusion in cats. For example, with rhinitis, pneumonia, bronchitis and other diseases, exudate from the nose and lungs is released in the cat. In this case, the pet is simply hard to breathe. To make up for the lack of oxygen, the animal opens its mouth and protrudes its tongue. For any disease of the upper respiratory tract, you must immediately visit the clinic for the diagnosis and selection of drug treatment.
Cardiovascular diseases
The heart is an important organ. Any disturbances in the cardiovascular system are dangerous to the life of the animal. Due to chronic or acute heart diseases, oxygen does not flow in sufficient quantities to vital organs.
Improper heart function is accompanied by symptoms:
- the cat is sluggish, there is practically no movement;
- heart rhythm disturbed;
- frequent breathing
- tongue stick out;
- the oral mucosa has a bluish tint.
Any violation of breathing, heart rate is a signal from a cat's body about the need to visit a veterinarian. Lack of help can lead to the death of the animal.
Poisoning
Improper nutrition, poor quality food can lead to poisoning of a pet. The host may notice characteristic symptoms:
- cough;
- the urge to vomit;
- vomiting
- bloating;
- diarrhea;
- increased intestinal motility;
- bubbling in the stomach.
Due to frequent gagging, the cat sticks out its tongue. Since there are pathological signs, it is impossible to confuse a cat's disease with a physiological norm.
Functional Brain Disorders
Veterinarians identify reasons that lead to a disruption in the functioning of the brain and nervous system:
- traumatic brain injury;
- infectious diseases;
- stroke.
The above reasons lead to a violation of coordination: the cat cannot independently control movements, control muscles. Therefore, he sticks out his tongue.
Veterinarians offer a small test that helps to make sure the cat has no neurological problems. If the animal sticks out its tongue, you need to touch it a little. If there is no problem in the neurological part, then the cat will quickly hide its tongue. If the actions did not bring results, we can talk about the pathological signal of the body.
Summary
The reasons why the cat shows the language are many. If this condition is not accompanied by characteristic clinical manifestations, then there is no cause for concern. If the cat became lethargic, does not move much, refuses to eat, salivation increased, then it is necessary to immediately visit a veterinarian for diagnosis, and if necessary, to prescribe a treatment regimen.