It’s not a secret that kitten kisses feel very different from the affections of a puppy. Cats are known for their rough tongues. But they actually have a purpose! Read on to learn more about your kitten’s prickly tongue.
Your kitten’s tongue is covered in spines (or more accurately, hooks) called papillae. These spines are usually flat and face backward, but they can pop straight up when it’s time for your kitten to primp and preen. The spines are made of keratin, which is the same material in your fingernails.
The spines on your kitten’s tongue help to remove particles from their fur as they groom. When your kitten removes their tongue from whatever they were licking, the spines will come together and entrap the particles. This allows their tongue to remove hard-to-reach or stubborn particles in their fur. These stubborn particles include parasites and their eggs. A cat’s fastidious grooming habits are the main reason it’s more difficult to find parasites on your cat than on your dog—they’re hiding the evidence!
The spines also help with detangling knots and spread your kitten’s natural oils through their fur. This is one of the reasons you don’t need to regularly bathe your cat, though you certainly should check for mats, especially on cats with longer fur.
Lastly, their spiny tongues may help them entrap more water as they’re drinking. And hydration is super important for healthy felines!
Now that your tongue questions are answered, find out more about whiskers.
