Why do cats have such a rough tongue?

Cats are very clean due to their rough tongue. They lick the coat carefully, so they always look neat. But many people are perplexed why the cat family has such a structure of language. Moreover, this feature is characteristic of both wild and domesticated four-legged pets. Let's analyze all the aspects in detail to give a reliable answer to your question.

Physiological features

In fact, the structure of the cat’s tongue changed for many centuries, until it reached its present state. The tongue is a muscular organ that has keratinized nipples on the surface. They are directed towards the digestive tract of the animal.

If you touch your tongue, it will seem rough. Not for nothing that many owners of cats compare this body with sandpaper. Due to the physiological structure, the language can perform several functions simultaneously.

The benefits of building the tongue in hygiene

Due to the presence of “villi” on the surface of the tongue, the cat easily combes the hair and removes excess. The language in this case acts as a brush.

Since these papillae are rigid in structure, cats eliminate dead hair with their help, thereby improving the quality of the hair structure. The tongue also presses parasites or insects and allows them to be expelled from the dense cover.

The benefits of the structure of the tongue in thermoregulation

Cats, especially those that are artificially bred, cannot properly regulate body temperature. The same applies to outbred pets that are endowed with a thick undercoat.

In the hot season, animals are no easier than people. Cats suffer from heart disease and can die from overheating. Therefore, when they stick out their tongue, the cells stop producing heat.

In such a simple way, the animal controls the temperature, dispersing the hot stream. That is, the tongue cools the air entering the oral cavity and nose, and also helps to prevent overheating.

Features of nutrition and structure of the tongue

All individuals that belong to the cat family are predators by nature. Therefore, you should not even be touched by the sight of domestic cats. Like it or not, they are real predators. Also, do not be surprised that such individuals will always prefer meat.

Often, cats prefer eating meat from bone. To fill their need, they are helped by the peculiarity of the structure of the language. Thanks to the presented organ, they are able to get everything. The surface of the tongue is somewhat reminiscent of sandpaper. Therefore, cats get pieces of meat even from the most inaccessible places.

Most people do not even pay attention to how their pets drink. In fact, the sight can surprise everyone with a closer look. The animal sends water drops to the esophagus so quickly and dexterously that you can not do without slow motion.

All this happens again thanks to the peculiar structure of their language. Due to the roughness, the water does not have time to drain and remains on the tongue. Thus, the animal can drink exactly as much liquid as it needs. At the same time, not a drop of water will be spilled.

It is worth knowing that in the wild, cats prefer to hunt for game or other prey. As soon as the animal achieves its goal, it needs to cut the victim. Often, claws and teeth are not enough. Just in this case, language helps a lot.

The peculiarity of the structure and the rigid structure of the organ allows you to cope with the feathers or skin of the prey. Thus, the cat can easily cut the victim and get to hard-to-reach and most importantly desired places.

The difficulties of cats due to the structure of the tongue

When washing, cats involuntarily swallow lumps of wool. If the animal cannot get rid of it on its own, in extreme cases surgical intervention is required. Therefore, the cat needs to be combed out systematically, especially during the molting period.

The cat family has a similar structure of the tongue according to physiological characteristics. Animals have to adapt to wool contamination, as well as possible overheating and other influences. Therefore, the tongue plays an important role in maintaining the health of the four-legged pet.

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