Why Do Cats Have a Gritty Feeling on Their Tongues When They Lick You?

When you clutch your cat, you might feel a peculiar sensation on their tongue. This gritty feeling actually serves a specific evolutionary purpose, backed by the presence of tiny backward-facing spines or papillae.

A Cat's Tongue: Beyond Grit

The rough texture of a cat's tongue is due to all the backward-facing spines, or papillae, that run along it. These papillae are made of keratin, the same substance found in human nails. Each of these papillae acts like a tiny hook, enabling cats to groom themselves and their prey in an efficient and effective manner.

Evolutionary Advantages for Cats

These spines play a crucial role in a cat's survival. For wild cats, the backward-facing barbs are excellent for stripping meat from bones, helping them extract the maximum nutrition from their prey in a quick and efficient way. This trait has been retained in domestic cats, even though they no longer hunt to survive.

Rough Textures for Grooming and Health

The same backward-facing barbs also help cats stay clean and healthy. Each time a cat licks itself, the papillae work like a comb, which is essential for grooming their fur. The sensation of sandpaper during a lick is a result of these spines.

Modern Licking Behavior

Even for house cats, the rough tongue remains beneficial. While they no longer need to hunt for food, the papillae still help in grooming by removing dirt and grime from their fur and spreading saliva to keep their fur moist and cool.

Summary

To sum it up, the gritty feeling on your cat's tongue is a combination of backward-facing spines or papillae that serve multiple purposes in their daily life. From grooming and grooming efficiency to maintaining hygiene, these tiny hooks play a significant role in a cat's well-being.

So, the next time your cat licks you, remember that it's not just their affection but also their evolutionary brilliance at work!