The Cat's Tongue: Structure, Functions & Care
Table of contents
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?
🔹 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:
🟠 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
🔹 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
✅ 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
🚨 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
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
✔ 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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