From cute little ear flaps to their adorable toe beans, there’s plenty to love about cats. But one of their most intriguing aspects is their rough tongue. Whether your cat sticks their tongue out in a blep or gives you an affectionate lick when you get home, you’ve probably noticed that your cat’s tongue is a little spiky.
A cat’s tongue is rough because they’re covered in tiny little spines called papillae. “These are made of keratin—the same material found in human nails,” explains Dr Kathryn Dench, MA VetMB, chief scientific advisor at Paw Origins. Each papilla points backwards, towards the back of your cat’s mouth. They also have a curved shape, similar to a cat’s claws.
Here’s everything you need to know about why cat tongues feel as rough as sandpaper—and the benefits this gives them.
How Does A Rough Tongue Benefit Cats?
Even though this part of your cat’s anatomy might seem a little strange—there are plenty of reasons cats have evolved to have rough tongues. Here’s a breakdown of those benefits.
1. Grooming
Cat’s tongues are perfectly designed to keep their coats in top condition. “The barbs catch and remove loose fur and dirt from their coats,” explains Dr Amy Attas, VMD, MA, and author of Pets and the City.
Grooming helps cats keep their scent hidden from predators and prey. The papillae on your cat’s tongue also act as a tiny comb, distributing healthy oils from the skin across their coat. Additionally, papillae can pivot at their bases. This makes cats excellent at removing tangles and mats.
When cats lick their fur, they’re also cooling themselves off. Each papilla is hollow, and the spaces between them wick up saliva as a cat grooms. Every lick distributes this saliva onto their coats. As the saliva evaporates, it creates a cooling effect.
2. Eating
Dr Attas explains that papillae also serve as a brush while cats are eating, efficiently scraping meat from the bones of prey. “This allows cats to consume the maximum amount of nutrition from consuming small animals,” she adds.
While your domestic cat gets all their nutrients from a balanced diet, papillae are very useful when licking their food bowl clean, too!
3. Drinking
It might not seem like rough spikes would be particularly helpful when cats drink water—but they are!
“Cats dip their tongues into water, creating a column of liquid,” Dr Attas says. She adds that the papillae catch the water and help draw it into a cat’s mouth.
4. Survival
Though our cats might have pretty easy lives these days, they still share much of the same anatomy as their wild ancestors. “In the wild, efficient grooming and eating are crucial for avoiding parasites and maximising nutrient intake,” Dr Dench explains.
Big cats like lions, leopards, and tigers also have papillae, which are the same shape and size as those of our cats. Fortunately, their larger tongues have many more of these spines. This is handy since lions have a lot more fur to cover with each grooming session.
What Are Common Myths About Cat Tongues?
Myth: cats have sandpaper tongues
It might feel like your cat’s tongue is made out of sandpaper when they’re licking you—but that’s just the papillae.
These little spikes can feel uncomfortable when your cat licks your bare skin, so if you want to discourage them, redirect their attention to a lick mat, toy, or a tasty treat.
Myth: rough tongues are harmful to human skin
The rough texture of your cat’s tongue won’t harm your skin. If your cat enjoys licking you, and you’re happy for them to carry on, it’s all good!
However, the only time you should avoid allowing your cat to lick you is if they’re licking a wound, cut, or broken skin. Dr Dench says cat’s tongues aren’t sterile. In fact, their mouths contain bacteria.
How To Care For Your Cat’s Tongue
It’s a good idea to get into the habit of checking your cat’s tongue. You can do this when brushing their teeth, giving them a dental treat, or when they lick you. “A healthy cat tongue should have a consistent pink colour, and the surface should feel rough,” Dr Attas says. Some cats have flat, pigmented spots on their tongues.
If you’re concerned about your cat’s tongue, look out for:
- swelling
- discolouration
- lesions or sores
- foul breath
- excessive drooling
- difficulty eating
According to Dr Dench, common health issues that affect cat tongues include:
- ulcers
- tumours
- infections
- dental diseases
What’s the best way to care for your cat’s tongue? Dr Dench recommends regular dental checks and proactive care to keep your kitty’s mouth clean and healthy—including their tongue. Then, all that’s left to do is admire your perfect cat and their perfectly adapted tongue!
