Sometimes cats lazily lie on you in a cuddly way, and suddenly the owner finds a "wet patch" on themselves. Surprised, they quickly check and discover that the cat is licking itself with its tongue out, and in response to the owner's eager gaze, a few drops of the cat’s saliva unconsciously drip down its tongue. Seeing the cat’s adorable expression, the owner hurriedly raises the camera to take pictures, flooding social platforms like WeChat Moments, Weibo, Instagram, and Twitter, thus, a new internet-famous cat is born.

　　Don’t think I’m just rambling — there are quite a few cats who love to stick out their tongues. In Russia, there is a Scottish Fold cat named Melissa who rose to fame on social networks. Her biggest talent is liking to "stick out her tongue." In photos taken by her owner, Olina, the little one cooperates nicely by wearing various accessories like bow ties, crowns, wreaths, etc. Combined with the tongue-out pose, she looks irresistibly cute. This has attracted a large fan base on social websites.

　　However, if we analyze the reasons why cats love to stick out their tongues more rationally, it might not be just to act cute. Some people have found that the reasons cats stick out their tongues seem similar to dogs — to dissipate heat? They noticed that cats often stick out their tongues because the weather is too hot, and they need to keep sticking out their tongues to help their bodies cool down. We know that during hot summer days, pet dogs often lie on the ground and stick their tongues out, which is a way for dogs to dissipate heat. Therefore, some owners believe cats that keep sticking out their tongues are simply trying to lower their body temperature and keep themselves cooler and more comfortable.

　　There is also analysis suggesting that cats tend to stick out their tongues often when they have oral problems, such as missing teeth. Sometimes they don’t stick out their tongues just because they are relaxed; for example, oral inflammation or periodontal disease can make it difficult for them to retract their tongues. Additionally, if a cat breathes heavily while sticking out its tongue, there might be internal organ problems. If there is strong bad breath, frequent drooling, rapid breathing, or lack of appetite, you should immediately take the cat to the animal hospital for a checkup.

　　Owners can also observe when their cats most like to stick out their tongues. Generally, cats use their tongues when eating and grooming. Especially during grooming, if something else attracts their attention or if they are tired, they may forget to retract their tongues. Basically, cats forgetting to retract their tongues is just a temporary lapse, indicating they feel no threat in their environment, causing their tongue muscles to relax. Owners don’t need to worry too much. Even if ignored, the cat will retract its tongue on its own, so owners shouldn’t forcefully push the tongue back in.

　　Especially for cats raised at home right after birth, because they are very familiar and relaxed with their owners and home environment, they tend to forget to retract their tongues more often.

　　Watching a cat’s cute posture and movements is a very happy moment for the owner. But to let our furry family members live longer, we still need to diligently observe each pet’s habits and health status. Naturally appearing cute expressions are the happiest for any owner. (Source：PetsZone)