Die Zunge der Katze: Aufbau, Funktionen & Pflege - RumbleBox

The Cat's Tongue: Structure, Functions & Care

Feb 3, 2025

1. Why is the cat's tongue so special?

The cat's tongue is much more than just a body part for tasting. It helps with grooming, makes eating easier and even plays a role in water intake. But why does the cat's tongue feel so rough?

A fluffy gray cat licks itself with its tongue sticking out.
Image from Canva

🔹 Special feature: The tongue is covered with tiny, backward-facing hooks (papillae). These are made of keratin , the same material as claws.

🔹 Benefits of a rough tongue:

  • Helps remove dirt & loose hair while brushing
  • Makes it easier to pull meat from bones
  • Creates a special drinking technique for efficient water intake

💡 Fun Fact: A cat can absorb up to 48 ml of water per minute with its tongue!

2. Structure of the cat's tongue: structure & functions

The cat's tongue is a fascinating organ. Its structure is perfectly adapted to the needs of carnivores.

🔎 Main components of the cat's tongue:

A gray cat with orange eyes licks its lips on a brown sofa.
Image from Canva

🟠 Papillae (horny hooks)

  • Small, rough bumps that create the typical sandpaper texture
  • Helping to clean fur and eat meat

🟠 taste buds

  • Cats have fewer taste buds than humans (~470 vs. 9,000)
  • They cannot taste sweet, but bitter and umami very well

🟠 salivary glands

  • Contains enzymes that fight bacteria and make swallowing easier
  • Saliva spreads over the fur during grooming and provides natural cooling

3. The most important functions of the cat's tongue

🟢 1. Grooming & Hygiene

✅ Cleans the fur and removes dirt

✅ Removes loose hair and prevents tangles

✅ Distributes natural oils for a healthy, shiny coat

A tri-colored cat licks its paw to groom itself.
Image from Canva

🔹 Problem: Licking causes the cat to swallow hair, which can lead to hairballs.

Solution: Regular brushing & malt pastes help in shedding the hair.

🟢 2. Food intake & eating

✅ Helps to separate meat fibers from bones

✅ Supports grasping and moving food in the mouth

✅ Promotes digestion through saliva production

🔹 Problem: Cats with dental problems often eat less or avoid hard food.

Solution: Soft food or special dental care snacks help with food intake.

🟢 3. Water intake & drinking

A tabby cat drinks from a large glass of water.
Image from Canva

✅ Cats drink with a unique technique:

  • They dip their tongue into the liquid and, with quick movements, draw a column of water into their mouth.
  • This happens up to 4 times per second !

🔹 Problem: Many cats drink too little, which can lead to kidney problems.

Solution: A cat fountain or several water bowls motivate the cat to drink.

4. Common problems with the cat's tongue

While the cat's tongue is a useful tool, it can also cause problems.

🚨 1. Hairballs (bezoars)

🔹 Cause: Swallowed hair while grooming

🔹 Symptoms: Gagging, coughing, vomiting hairballs

Solution:

Cat grass or malt pastes promote the digestion of hair

Regular brushing reduces loose hair

An orange and white cat bites on a green tuft of grass.
Image from Canva

🚨 2. Tongue injuries

🔹 Cause: Sharp objects, hot food, foreign bodies

🔹 Symptoms: drooling, pain when eating, bleeding

Solution:

Do not give food that is too hot or too hard

In case of injuries, immediately consult a veterinarian

🚨 3. Tongue inflammation & infections

🔹 Cause: dental problems, viruses, fungal infections

🔹 Symptoms: redness, bad breath, loss of appetite

Solution:

Regular dental care & veterinary check

High-quality, dental-care food

A tabby cat is held by a veterinarian in a blue coat.
Image from Canva

5. How to keep your cat's tongue healthy

💡 With these tips you can support your cat's tongue health:

✔ 1. The right diet

Diet has a direct impact on dental health. Some foods can actually make dental problems worse, while others help reduce plaque, tartar and bacterial growth .

✔ Important characteristics of a good feed

🔹 Little or no sugar 🚫

  • Sugar promotes the growth of bacteria and can cause dental problems.
  • Many cheap cat foods contain sugar – you should avoid these!

🔹 Little starch (e.g. grains, potatoes, corn) 🌾

  • Starch is converted into sugar in saliva, which promotes tartar formation.
  • Grain-free or low-starch wet food is therefore better.

🔹 High-quality animal proteins 🍖

  • Cats are carnivores, so their food should mainly contain muscle and offal meat .
  • Vegetable proteins (e.g. soy) are difficult to digest and can promote dental problems.

🔹 Calcium-phosphorus balance (approx. 1.2:1) ⚖️

  • A balanced ratio strengthens the teeth.
  • High-quality food contains natural sources of calcium such as bone meal or eggshell powder.

✔ 2. Regular grooming

  • Brush your cat regularly to avoid hairballs
  • Long-haired cats need a lot of care
A long-haired cat is combed by a groomer.
Image from Canva

✔ 3. Offer enough water

  • Distribute several water bowls throughout the apartment
  • A drinking fountain encourages many cats to drink

✔ 4. Monitor oral health

  • Pay attention to symptoms such as drooling or bad breath
  • An annual veterinary check prevents tooth and tongue problems

Conclusion: The cat's tongue is a true all-rounder!

The cat's tongue is a fascinating tool. It helps with eating, grooming and drinking. But hairballs, injuries or dental problems can lead to problems.

💡 With the right care, the cat's tongue stays healthy - for a happy and vital cat life! 🐾


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