If your cat has been sleeping with their tongue out, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my cat sleep with their tongue out? Likely reasons why your cat sleeps with their tongue out are that they are relaxed, they are hot, there is an issue with their teeth or that your cat simply likes to keep their tongue out.
There are a number of possible reasons why your cat sleeps with their tongue out and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main reason and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my cat sleep with their tongue out?
Below are likely reasons why your cat sleeps with their tongue out and what would make each of them more likely.
Your cat is relaxed
A cat sleeping with its tongue out can be the human equivalent of someone sleeping so deep that they snore. In fact, occasionally you may notice your dog snoring, too! Cats tend to have their tongue fall out when they’re very relaxed. Everything loosens, including their jaw muscles, their mouth opens, and their tongue falls right out.
Sometimes, your cat’s tongue might fall completely out; sometimes you might just see a little “blep.” Either way, it’s usually just a sign that your cat is having a nice time, as long as it isn’t accompanied by any other signs of distress.
Your cat is hot
Cats pant when hot because they don’t sweat like people.
When a cat is hot, they try to evaporate moisture from their paw pads and from their tongue. They don’t sweat from their skin like humans.
So, your cat could be hot. In its sleep, it’ll start to pant. You can tell because you will also see your cat panting a little (breathing deeply and rapidly) and your cat may be hotter than normal to the touch.
To a certain extent this can be normal. Cats get hot very easily, so a cat might just be enjoying a hot summer day. But you should be careful about heat stroke and make sure that your cat has more than enough water once it awakes from its nap.
An issue with their teeth
It might also be the case that your cat has been doing it due to an issue with their teeth. This would be more likely if your cat has suddenly started doing it and if they have been doing other things such as not eating normally or bleeding from the mouth. If it seems like a mouth injury might be the cause, the best option would be to take your cat to a vet.
Your cat naturally leaves their tongue out
It could also be the case that your cat prefers to have their tongue out or that they do it naturally due to the shape of their mouth and face. This would be more likely if your cat has more of a flat face and if they have always done it.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main reason.
If your cat has always slept with their tongue out
If your cat did not always sleep with their tongue out, it would help to consider what else happened when the behavior first started. If it started suddenly, it might be due to things such as a mouth injury or an increase in the air temperature.
If there is a certain time your cat tends to do it
If your cat does not always seem to sleep with their tongue out, it would also help to consider what is different when they do it. For example, if your cat only does it when it is hot, the cause would be more likely to be due to being hot. Whereas, if they do it when they are sleeping at night, it would be more likely to be due to being more relaxed.
What to do about my cat sleeping with their tongue out?
Below are some things you can do about the behavior.
Nothing
If your cat has not been behaving unusually in other ways and has not started doing it suddenly, the easiest option would be to do nothing.
Get help
If it seems like your cat has been doing it due to a mouth injury, it would help to take your cat for a checkup with the vet. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular cat and to rule out medical causes.
Let your cat sleep elsewhere
If your cat seems to have been doing it due to being hot, another option would be to let your cat sleep somewhere else where it is cooler.
Is it normal for a cat to sleep with their tongue out?
It is not uncommon for cats to sleep with their tongues out. If your cat has always done it, the cause would be likely to be natural behavior.
Why does my cat keep his tongue out?
Likely reasons why your cat will keep his tongue out are to cool off, because he is relaxed or because he does it naturally.
Why does my cat stick his tongue out like a dog?
It is likely that your cat would stick their tongue out like a dog because they are relaxed or because they are trying to cool down a bit.