17 Reasons Why Maine Coon Stick Their Tongue Out

From headbutting to chasing a bottle lid around the room, their oddest trait has got to be the Maine Coon tongue. Why are they always sticking it out?!

Why Maine Coons Stick Their Tongues Out

Maine Coon cats stick their tongues out if they are calm; have a bad taste in their mouth; food is trapped in their teeth, or are suffering from ailments or dental diseases. The Flehmen response has also been linked to this unusual feline behavior.

Below are the main reasons why your Maine Coon sticks its tongue out (source 1,2):

1. The Flehmen Response

The Flehmen response in cats is a unique and interesting behavior that involves the cat curling back its lips, opening its mouth, and inhaling deeply through its nose.

This behavior allows cats to gather important sensory information from scents, specifically pheromones and other chemical signals.

2. Calm

When Maine Coon cats are calm, their tongues slip out by default because your cat’s jaw will loosen as they relax, resulting in its mouth opening just wide enough for the tongue to pass through.

Thus, your Maine Coon sticks their tongue out because he’s comfortable, often when:

• You Are Patting Them
• They Are Sleeping
• Almost Asleep

You will probably observe your cat pull his tongue back into his mouth, swallow, and divert his attention elsewhere once he wakes up, or focuses on something else.

3. Bad Taste Or Food Trapped In Teeth

You might notice your cat flicking his tongue in and out if he’s trying to get something unpleasant out of his mouth. This behavior is most commonly displayed straight after your Maine Coon eats food, or plays with a toy.

A cat repeatedly moving in this way usually indicates that they are attempting to remove a taste from their mouth, or that something is stuck between their teeth. Their paws are sadly not much help in this situation.

A Maine Coon kitten sticking its tongue out also occurs when trying to dislodge or knock out their baby teeth.

4. Ailments Or Dental Disease

If your cat has dental problems, he may stick his tongue out as a response. Abscesses, gum disease, and even tooth decay can all be uncomfortable and cause this behavior.

Your cat may potentially stick his tongue out due to inflammation or infection.

Severe health conditions, such as stomatitis, might cause significant discomfort in your cat, prompting them to put their tongue out as a reaction.

A slightly extended tongue might also suggest that your cat suffers from a medical condition such as dementia.

5. Tasting A New Flavor

You might notice your Maine Coon sticking its tongue out repeatedly because it is experiencing a new taste.

For example, if you have recently switched to a different brand of cat food, this transition in its taste buds might cause your Maine Coon to stick its tongue out repeatedly.

6. Distracted

Cats are probably the silliest creatures around. You can find them playing with a furball one moment and asleep the very next. If your Maine Coon gets over-indulged in something, the chances are that it will stick its tongue out.

7. Picking Up New Scents

The most common assumption is that cats pick up scents with their nose. While this is correct in some cases, other cats use their mouths to pick up odors so you might find your cat standing still with its tongue sticking out, picking up a new scent.

8. Something Stuck In Its Teeth

If your Maine Coon cat is blepping and feeling restless and agitated, after having enjoyed freshly cooked chicken, a stingy piece of meat might be stuck to its teeth.

9. Dental Disease

One of the most common reasons domestic cats stick their tongues out is dental disease, often known as periodontal disease. Here’s my complete guide to periodontal disease in Maine Coon cats.

In short, the accumulation of plaque and tartar on your cat’s teeth can cause:

• Severe Inflammation
• Bacterial Infections
• Gum Disease

If your Maine Coon has dental issues, they may stick their tongues out and drool more than usual.

10. Medical Condition

If your Maine Coon has grown older, it might have developed a medical disorder.

Medical problems can damage a cat’s short-term memory. Some cats have been known to forget what they’re doing in the middle of a task!

For example, a Maine Coon might be grooming itself when they lose track of what they’re doing and end up with its tongue protruding, with a puzzled expression on its face.

11. Overheating

Your cat may be overheated if they are blepping and panting at the same time.

Cats sweat through their paws, and if they become overheated, they stick their tongue out to cool themselves.

12. Respiratory Issues

Asthma and other respiratory issues can make it difficult for your cat to breathe.

If your cat’s blep is accompanied by a loss of balance, a loss of appetite, or an increased rate of respiration, we recommend contacting your veterinarian.

13. Food Poisoning

It’s a sad notion, but blepping can occasionally indicate that your cat has eaten something it shouldn’t have, and is attempting to get rid of the taste.

Household cleaners, insecticides, and certain food types such as these can be lethal to a Maine Coon cat, leading to food poisoning.

Make sure you visit your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your Maine Coon has eaten something it shouldn’t have.

14. Cat Is Playing

The primary reason for your cat sticking its tongue out like a dog is because he is happy!

Cats, in their playful mode, feel relaxed, which leads to them sticking their tongues out.

15. Cat Brushing Its Teeth

If your Maine Coon cat is sticking its tongue out after eating, it’s likely because they are brushing its teeth!

Maine Coons are incredibly hygienic creatures. When their mouths get dirty after eating, they use their tongues to pull off the dirt.

This results in their tongue getting dirty. Your cat will then protrude their tongue to keep it separate from their clean mouth (source 1,2).

16. Sleeping

Some cats have a habit of sleeping with their tongues out. This is nothing to worry about because your cat is simply feeling relaxed.

However, if this behavior occurs whilst accompanied by the following issues, make sure you seek urgent veterinary assistance as your cat might have a respiratory issue:

• Lack of balance
• Inconsistent panting
• Increased respiration rate

17. Whilst Being Petted

Below are several reasons why a cat sticks their tongue out whilst being scratched:

• A sensation of relaxation and happiness
• Scratching releases positive hormones
• A cat might be exploring a new scent while being scratched
• Loose fur might be detaching when you pet him.