The Reason Why Your Cat Sleeping With Tongue Out

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Pets are fun and wild. They make our lives brighter by filling us with immense joy. They act silly and make us laugh out loud. 


Cats are wild yet funny. They fill our lives with joy and laughter. Their different sleeping positions often make us smile and wonder if they are really okay sleeping in this position. If you have pet cats as long as I have, you may have noticed sometimes they keep their tongues out while sleeping. Have you ever wondered what’s the reason behind this?


If you have had this question, here are 7 reasons why your cat is sticking out its tongue while sleeping. They can either be really relaxing or suffering from severe health conditions. Let’s take a look at those reasons right below.


Cat Sleeping With Tongue Out: The Ultimate Reason

While cats are very mysterious and act silly sometimes, the reason for sleeping with tongue out might be multipurpose for your pet. Here is a list of reasons that the PawMaw pet community has discussed for cats to keep out their tongue during nap time:

1. Relaxation

When your pet kitty feels secure enough to sleep in any corner of your house without fearing being interrupted, it relaxes all its body muscles, including its facial muscles. As a result, you might see their tongue hanging out. 

Rather than being concerned, take it as a sign that your cat is very happy and feels secure at your home.


2. Breed Specific Traits

Certain cat breeds, like Burmese, Himalayan, Persian, etc have a unique facial structure that will remind you of having a permanent “blep” face. This condition is often known as tongue-tipping where cats would have misplaced bite while shutting jaws.


While this is just a cute thing for most cats, in severe cases, some of them might have face issues in chewing, consuming, or shutting their mouth. 

3. Dental Issues

While the issues mentioned above are not that serious, if your cat is sleeping with its tongue out because it has a dental issue, you should get it resolved as soon as possible. 


Your cat might have something stuck in between its teeth, making its tongue dysfunctional. Additionally, it may suffer from tooth decay, gum disease, or oral pain that causes it discomfort or pain. No matter what the reason is, if the issue has occurred recently, you should schedule a dental check-up.

4. Overheating

Unlike you, your cat does not sweat much to cool off, as it is often covered in a thick coat of fur. They release their body heat by using their soft paws and licking their fur to evaporate their sweat. However, if the air contains too much moisture, your cat might sleep with its tongue out to release body heat.


In addition, some cats may even pant like dogs even if they are asleep. If you notice something like this, check the air quality of your home. You can add a humidifier or air purifier to your home to avoid such incidents.

5. Enlarged Tongue

Cats are very curious and will roam around wherever they please. This can often allow harmful insects or even bees to sting their tongues, elongating their tongue. As a result, your pet will face difficulties in putting their tongue inside its mouth.


You can identify this reason by checking your cat’s tongue and throat. In severe cases, your cat might even suffer from breathing difficulties. If you identify any of these symptoms, take your pet to a vet immediately.


6. Flehman’s Response

Flehmen's response is one of the unique traits of cats, where they curl their lips back, keep their mouth open, and stick out their tongues. This helps them get a better sense of smells in their environment.


In this case, they use a special organ called Jacobson’s organ, which is a vomeronasal organ located between the roof of their mouth and the nasal cavity. 

7. Infection in the Respiratory System

Another crucial reason for your cat to stick its tongue out is to breathe properly. This is especially true if your cat has issues in the cat’s respiratory system. 


You can identify this problem by closely observing your pet. In addition, your cat will show a lack of balance and will groom far less. Regular vet visits can help you avoid this problem effectively.

FAQs

Is My Cat’s Tongue Dirty? 

The mouth of a cat is typically unclean and dirty. Your cat's oral cavity contains various microorganisms, like our mouths. Although cats use their tongues to comb, it does not imply that they have clean tongues. Additionally, their tongues are more filthy than humans realize because they use them to clean dirt from their bodies.

Why Do Cats Have Scratchy Tongues?

You may have experienced your cat's scratchy tongue if they have licked you. The tongue of a cat has papillae, which are sharp spines.


Your cat's papillae serve as a toolbox. With the help of their rough tongues, they can take water into their mouths, remove the meat from their predators, and brush their hair. These rough tongues are essential for your cat's livelihood and grooming.

What is a Cat Blep?

A cat "Blep" is when your cat unconsciously sticks the tongue tip outside the mouth and leaves it there. The term "Blep" is frequently used to describe cats, but it has also been observed in other animals. The term "Blep" was coined online, but it is unquestionably the best way to describe a cat sticking its tongue out.

What Causes Cats To Drool and Hang Its Tongue Out?

If your cat is a habitual licker, its tongue will constantly move. It will lick your arm, its toys, and your other cats. And it will also salivate or drool.


Cats produce saliva, which may come out if they lick themselves frequently. While some drool is normal, other times, you should pay attention if you see your cat drooling with its tongue hanging out. But if your cat is in good health, you should not worry about its drooling.

How Come Cats Hang Their Tongues Out When They Travel?

Cats are prone to motion sickness, just like people are. You might notice your cat drooling, panting, and pushing his tongue out while in a moving vehicle.


The causes of cat sickness can range from anxiety about the strange surroundings to an ear imbalance. Thus, it causes your cat to feel lightheaded when the car is moving. But once the kitten returns home and is out of the car, it returns to its normal state.

When I Adore My Cat, Why Does Its Tongue Hang Out?

Jaws are partially open: some cats frequently do this for different reasons, especially sleeping. Your kitten's body can get so relaxed during sleep that its jaw can loosen, similar to how a human would open their mouth.

Final Words

So, here are the most common reasons for a cat to stick its tongue out while sleeping. Any of the reasons above can be true for your cat, and you will need to observe your cat closely to identify the reasons.


In some cases, sticking the tongue out might not be a problem; rather, it might be a cute incident. However, some underlying illnesses can also trigger this habit, which you will need to address immediately.


Make sure your pet is healthy all the time so you will not have a reason to worry when you see your cat sleeping with its tongue out and enjoy the cute incident. Maybe, you can snap a picture and post it to social media as well.

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