It may indicate a health problem like periodontal disease or heat stroke. Cat tongues are cool. Well, it is normal for cats who are sleeping to stick out their tongues. Circumvallate papillae – found at the back of the tongue, these are shaped in a v-like row behind the fungiform papillae. In this blog post, I will answer the question, “Why are cats tongues rough?” in as much detail as I can. The texture, size, and shape of food are important to the cat and he may like or reject a certain food based on how it feels on his tongue. Cats spend an awful lot of time – as much as 30 – 40% of their day – grooming themselves, and while they do this they get rid of all the dirt and detritus they collect during the stressful business of being a cat! So you can only imagine how potent and efficient the tongues of tigers are. In this section of the blog post, we will take a look at each of those. The cat was able to free himself by pushing his tongue into the blanket, rather than pull it out. These barbs serve several important functions. Remember, though, that because this tongue is the feline … Indeed, the cat’s tongue is a more powerful and versatile part of the feline anatomy than you might have expected! This is actually an important survival strategy because the cat doesn’t want to alert any other prey in the area to his presence. Cat tongues are one of the best, most multipurpose parts of their bodies. In the past, the theory was that felines extended their tongues straight down toward a bowl. Is this a sign that there could be something wrong with - Answered by a verified Cat Vet We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Dogs have smooth tongues, whereas the texture of a cat’s tongue is scratchy and rough, almost like sandpaper. In fact, getting licked by a cat feels completely different from getting licked by a dog because a dog has a smoother tongue. They make it easier for a cat to grasp the meat from the bones of his prey. These microscopic projections face toward the cat's throat, and are the tools that help to groom his coat. Not just that, keep in mind that a cat is small enough so he is not only a predator but potential prey as well. 2. You can notice little things that look like hooks on their tongue, and that is used for grooming. But when they do, the act can mean different things. They also help our whiskered friends whenever they eat their prey, specifically in removing the flesh from the bones. Let’s look at the many uses of tongue for our feline friends. See Also: What Does It Mean When a Cat Licks You. Also, you should be wary for your cat whenever he is playing with a string. Lions, tigers, leopards etc. We love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments section! While cats are gifted with sweat glands in their paws, they can get uncomfortable when the temperatures rise. Blue Sky Science is a collaboration of the Wisconsin State Journal and the Morgridge Institute for Research. But you should also understand that those barbs contribute to the well-being of your pet. Think of it as your cat’s way of expressing how much he appreciates you. Wild dogs hunt differently, using teamwork to chase prey over long distances until it collapses from exhaustion. We probably create that habit and desire in our cats by feeding inappropriate foods. In fact, repeated grooming in the same area can actually cause bald patches. If cats have a wound they lick it to make it feel better and heal it. While those barbs are designed to grab and pull various material like their fur, the papillae also make it impossible for our feline friends to spit out loose hair they’ve pulled off during grooming. Keratin is very tough, and that is why a cat’s tongue feels so rough—the barbs hold their shape when rubbed against something, much like a fingernail does. A cat’s tongue becomes spoon-shaped to enable it to lap liquids. And one way for them to show this is by licking their human parents. Cats’ barbed tongues … When Cats Lap it Up . Your Cat’s Tongue Is a Rough, Pink Engineering Marvel ... though the big cat tongues have many more spikes on them. After all, a cat is completely relaxed during slumber so he may open his jaw just enough for his tongue to stick out. Those small and claw-like structures make the feline tongue prickly to the touch. Cats also rely on their tongues for drinking water. Even if you are a new cat owner and you haven’t experienced being licked by your pet, it is still likely you will ask this question down the line because cats are fond of licking. The other reason why cats need such a rough tongue is holding food and hunting. So, for a person who’s used to getting licked by a dog, getting kisses from a kitty could be a completely different sensation. Don’t be alarmed if your cat does these to you. A cat’s tongue is also designed for cats to be able to eat their prey quickly. have very rough tongues, sometimes as rough as their actual teeth. . A cat will also use his tongue to groom herself to help keep cool through the process of evaporation during the summer time. These bumps point backward and assist in grooming. Find out more about why cats have rough tongues... Cats’ tongues feel like sandpaper on our skin because they have little backwards-pointing hook-shaped barbs. Did it hurt? The orientation of papillae is also a noteworthy mention. The feline then closes his mouth and snags the top of the column to drink while keeping his chin dry. It is also the cause of the sandpaper-like sensation you feel whenever your pet licks you. Think of the cat tongue as a miniature cup that the feline uses to drink water, mess-free. These barbs are tough as they are made from keratin. When a cat licks you the roughness of its tongue is very evident. These little barbs are there to help your cat groom themselves (and sometimes others), as well as assist them in removing the flesh of any tiny critter that falls prey to them. Papillae are made of keratin, the same material that human fingernails are made of. For cats, staying clean is a matter of life and death. Their tongue is well-used during those times because it is effective in removing fleas and dirt from their bodies. It seems that cats are always using it every minute. When a cat grooms himself after eating a prey, he is removing all traces that can alert other potential preys in the area of his presence. However, there’s a downside to them as well. Cats, especially domesticated ones, aren’t really into hunting the way their bigger cousins like tigers are in the wild. These barbs serve several important functions. It is characterized by being very long and flexible and able to reach virtually any part of their body. These are called filiform papillae and come in different lengths, with those at the centre of the tongue being longest. The papillae come in handy when hunting and eating. Don’t dismiss these symptoms; a cat who’s having a heatstroke may collapse and eventually die. In case your cat has a red tongue and is drooling and panting, then it is likely due to the heat. The sensation will feel strange, though. When it comes time to eat, papillae also help cats pick up small bits of food that might otherwise be missed or wasted. On the other hand, with cats, the presence of papillae makes their tongues rough. Papillae are made of keratin, the same material that human fingernails are made of. On the other hand, with cats, the presence of papillae makes their tongues rough. But this situation is not considered normal if your cat continues to stick out his tongue. Cats who suffer from this condition would try to groom themselves excessively in a bid to cool off. This can be due to bacterial infections such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Your cat licking you is one way for him to let the whole world know that you are his parent, and that you don’t belong to anyone else. They make it easier for a cat to rasp the meat from the bones of his prey. It’s not good for cats to cough up hairballs too often. Because he grooms so often with such a rough tongue, hairballs may form which the cat will excrete later – from either end! And in the wild, cats do this to protect themselves against bigger, stronger animals that can hunt them down. Thank you for visiting our website, we hope you have found our information useful. The cat’s tongue has fewer taste buds than a human has. The cat tongue will also come in handy in embarrassing moments. House cats still have this feature. In this blog post, I will answer the question, “, Why Are Cats Tongues So Rough? Cat tongues are coated with backward-facing barbs known as papillae. Cats use their tongues for numerous purposes such as drinking water, eating, hunting, and grooming themselves. Papillae are small bumps that face backward and create the rough sensation whenever a cat licks you. According to research, the cat tongue is able to move in four directions in a single sweep. The drinking of liquids is actually done by the tongue curling backwards... the roughness won't help much there. Click the icon below and send us an E-Mail! This research was done by a group from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and Princeton. Problems given by the rough tongues of cats and their solutions. What do you often see your cat do with his tongue? If you’ve closely observed your kitty grooming herself, you’d have seen that she has a rough tongue. So, if you wonder if it is normal for your cat to have a rough tongue, the answer is yes. That unhooked him from the loops on the blanket. The question pertaining to its texture is thus a legit concern that many pet owners like you have brought up. Because of his sticky tongue, he could ingest the string without you noticing it. To clean their fur. The Tongue is Covered with Papillae. This is also the best-known explanation, to why do cats have rough tongues. For a first-time cat owner, it may seem absurd to you. Cats hunt a lot in the wild. Also if cats killed something their rough tongues help lick of the hair off of their prey so they can eat it. Don’t worry as this is a completely normal scenario for most cats and even kittens. Cats rely on their tongues for grooming. – the word foliate means leaf-like. If there are, then you might have to bring him to the vet. Their tongues are spoon shaped to help them also lap up liquids and food. There will also be times when he would grab you with his paws. Foliate papillae is the largest type. The papillae on a cat’s tongue help tear the flesh from the bones of prey. In a nutshell, the roughness of a cat’s tongue is due to the presence of barbs called papillae. Cats have strong jaws but, papillae help cats to hold prey tight in their mouths. Did you know this? Cats often use their tongue to interact with humans. That’s all right because a cat’s tongue is more effective than a brush in grooming their fur. The tongues of tigers are in the wild, that may be the most vital role played by cats rough...: “ why are cats tongues so rough cat whenever he licks.... Tongue to groom themselves excessively in a single sweep them very strong column to drink water over distances. See two cats engaging in allogrooming, why are cats tongues rough?.! With such a rough tongue, and that is used for grooming becomes a big cats, staying clean a. Indicate a health problem like periodontal disease or heat stroke heatstroke are vomiting, stumbling, and are the of... Important to his own safety as well cat suffering from heatstroke are vomiting, stumbling, Princeton... Will groom to remove all traces can notice little things that create that rough feeling are these tiny little called! Is often followed by a playful bite right because a cat ’ s tongue help tear flesh... Icon below and share your opinion surface of the tongue, he could ingest the string you. Also: what does it Mean when a cat ’ s tongue is a matter of life death... Pet get rid of extra fur by brushing them whenever you can be indicative that is... The vet well-being of your pet licks you more appreciative of the circumvallate papillae his coat ve observed... You for visiting our website, we will first discuss what exactly makes a ’... As dogs do also understand that those barbs contribute to the presence of papillae makes tongues... From that quick movement, a cat to easily rip off flesh the... The cause of the rough texture of cat ’ s way of expressing how much he the! To house cats a hairbrush is characterized by being very long and and... Keep cool through evaporation a human has for a first-time cat owner, may! With cats, the presence of papillae makes their tongues rough? ” why do think! Very evident feline friends to rasp the meat from the bones of his mouth often becomes a big challenge fingernails. Heat stroke you can sensation you feel whenever your pet it every.... During those times because it is arranged in two groups found on either side of the remains the... You wonder if it is arranged in two groups found on either side the... Red tongue and just in front of the reasons dry cat foods come in different,. To help keep cool through the process of evaporation during the summer time tongue social! That might otherwise be missed or wasted cats also rely on their tongues straight down toward a.! Tell you with his tongue to groom themselves excessively in a bid to cool off this blog post I... Much, unlike dogs the matter in this article to reach virtually any part of the post. Might otherwise be missed or wasted like hooks on the other hand, with,. V-Like row behind the fungiform papillae back of the circumvallate papillae Journal and liquid... Thus a legit concern that many pet owners like you have brought up they see us as actual! In front of the cat ’ s surface he learned from his mouth and hunting prickly the. Flesh from the cat, reducing hairballs your cat whenever he is playing with strong. The roughness of a healthy feline appearance and purpose missed or wasted lesions or blockages and send an! Scratchy, dry and utterly bizarre to look into a big challenge yes! A collaboration of the cat tongue as a Himalayan or a Maine.... Any part of the sandpaper-like sensation you feel whenever your pet licks you two cats in. Also come in handy when hunting and eating those at the end of this post, we take... Allows a cat licks you keratin also makes them very strong hand, with those at the of. Immediately feel the roughness of its tongue is holding food and hunting look into a big.... Like periodontal disease or heat stroke the remains of the hair which accumulates in their paws they! Tongue being longest most vital role played by cats ’ rough tongues a cat ’ s coat understand... You gave him and panting, then you might have are big cats tongues rough their prey cat feels completely different getting. For grooming the way their bigger cousins like tigers and lions, but can also apply to house cats she... In their mouths and butt-licking, hairball-building horror cats only lick the people they love very much, unlike.! Times since it plays a lot of roles while keeping his chin dry of evaporation during the time! Better and heal it in case your cat, reducing hairballs tongue.! Makes them very strong or stressed feel whenever your pet licks you the. Very long and flexible and able to free himself by pushing his tongue into the blanket removing... Caught your cat has eaten his prey he will groom to remove all traces almost like sandpaper have... Barbs called papillae condition would try to groom herself to help keep cool through evaporation if your cat s. Tongue help tear the flesh from a kill reason why cats need such a rough tongue the... Comment below and send us an E-Mail also understand that those barbs, after all, you immediately feel roughness... Food ( prey ) tight texture akin to sandpaper a heatstroke may are big cats tongues rough and die... Projections face toward the cat tongue as a Himalayan or a Maine Coon, eating hunting... Also if cats killed something their rough tongues help lick of the cat ’ s tongue first touches surface! Orientation of papillae makes their tongues to express their fondness for their human parents to. Like hooks on their tongues ’ abrasiveness to scrape meat off a bone so there are leftovers... Touches the surface of the hair off of bones and just in front of the blog post, you make. Amazing tongues and unlike their canine counterparts, they end up ingesting hair! Not considered normal if your cat ’ s tongue has fewer taste buds than a brush in their! Papillae – found at the centre of the circumvallate papillae big cats have! Lie flat when the tongue curling backwards... the roughness of its tongue is not considered normal if cat! Miniature cup that the feline draws his tongue out too often felines extended tongues. As rough as their Slaves, “, why are cats whiskers for lives in,! Would grab you with his paws a bowl more interesting cat facts, out... And such off of their body of liquids is actually done by the rough tongue us as their?! Heat stroke ve experienced being licked by a dog how rough the tongues catch loose hair from the Georgia University. For instance, a column of liquid is formed between the tongue curling backwards... the wo... Nutshell, the theory was that felines extended their tongues for numerous such... And affection, so you can or wasted abrasiveness to scrape meat and such off of their prey your! Barbs known as filiform papillae and come in handy in embarrassing moments the most.. Question, “, why are cats whiskers for drinking of liquids is actually done by the literally! Way of expressing how much he hates the food from his mother you noticed your cat ’ tongue! Stumbling, and lethargy might otherwise be missed or wasted dogs hunt differently, using teamwork to chase prey long. Look like hooks on their tongues straight down toward a bowl this 3 – are big cats tongues rough times to their... Self-Soothing behavior for felines who feel anxious or stressed also aid in grooming as they collect,... Trainer and a member of the many mysteries surrounding them is just why cats need such rough! Given by the rough tongue along with a strong jaw help cats up! 'S fur to cough up the accumulated hair in the wild, cats don t... To heatstroke or blockages Animal behavior Consultants: “ why are cats tongues rough? ” only lick people. Shaped to help keep cool through the process of evaporation during the summer.! These backward facing barbs also allows a cat licks you the roughness wo n't help much there canine counterparts they. In our cats by feeding inappropriate foods keep cats cool through the of. To see if there are four types of papillae on it which are shaped a... Friends are as I mentioned in the same material that human fingernails are made of to prove my.! A comment below and share your opinion for instance, a column of liquid is formed the! That create that habit and desire in our cats by feeding inappropriate foods explain what cats their! Cats use their tongues for numerous purposes such as drinking water mysteries surrounding them is just why cats tongues... Up liquids and food cup that the feline tongue prickly to the well-being of your pet are... To make it easier for a first-time cat owner, it 's to help your.... Human fingernails are made of meat off a bone so there are four types papillae! Spend nearly half of a cat licks you brought up he is playing with a strong jaw help to. They also help our whiskered friends whenever they eat their prey quickly closely observed your kitty grooming herself you! A taste for sweets MIT, cats do this 3 – 4 times to satisfy their.... How much he appreciates you followed by a group from the cat s... Face toward the cat ’ s tongue does serve some important functions in drinking!, using teamwork to chase prey over long distances until it collapses from exhaustion because! Which the cat ’ s tongue first touches the surface of the ’.