Ever wonder why a cat’s tongue feels like sandpaper? Of course you have! Who hasn’t, right? For anyone who is still in the dark on the matter, listen up and learn.
It’s rough for a reason
A microscopic close-up of a cat’s tongue reveals the answer. You see, a cat’s tongue is lined with hundreds of hook-shaped spines called papillae, made of the same material as human fingernails—keratin. These tiny, backward-facing barbs act like a natural comb, helping cats groom their fur, remove loose hairs, and even strip meat from bones when feeding. Each spine is hollow and curved just right to wick saliva deep into the fur, making grooming incredibly efficient. It’s one of nature’s smartest self-cleaning systems—no tools required.
Useful Health Meter
A cat’s tongue can even give you an insight into their overall health and wellness. Healthy cats have pink, dry tongues. Any visual changes to the tongue of a cat could be a sign of an underlying health issue. These changes might include:
- White patches on the tongue
- Noticeable saliva
- Inflammation
- Cuts
- Sores
- Color change (might be blue, white, or a paler pink)
If you notice any changes to your cat’s tongue, it is important to schedule a checkup with your veterinarian. The sooner you can find the cause of the problem, the sooner you can find a good treatment option.
Tongue Expression
Although it might not feel great on your skin, if a cat uses their tongue to lick you, it means the cat really loves you, believe it or not!
Occasionally, cats may forget to retract their tongues, resulting in an irresistibly adorable glimpse of it peeking out as they look at you—an innocent and charming moment that, while nothing to worry about, offers a perfect opportunity to capture a epic photo, like so…
