It’s in a cat’s nature to be curious, which is why you might notice them sticking out their tongues when they’re interested or feeling happy. They also tend to do this when they catch a whiff of something pleasant. When this happens, you might notice their lips pointing in the direction of the scent as well.

There’s a reason behind this peculiar behavior of cats. They have the ability to smell through their tongues, in addition to their noses. When they come into contact with air molecules through their lips, receptors in their tongue pick up on any scents. Although these receptors aren’t as advanced as those in their nose, cats utilize every means possible to detect pleasing smells.

Pets with four legs may also stick out their tongues while they are in the process of changing their milk teeth, especially if they have short muzzles. While this might cause concern for some pet owners, there’s really no need to worry.

It’s not uncommon for young animals to stick out their tongues when they’re hunting. Their natural instincts, fascination, excitement, and desire to catch the scent can all lead to a wrinkled face and a protruding tongue. This behavior happens subconsciously, and the animal can’t control it. In fact, gaming-addicted animals can become so engrossed in their games that they also stick out their tongues uncontrollably. Even after the game ends, the animal may continue to walk around with its tongue sticking out.

Another possible explanation for this behavior could be that the pet has a runny nose or is experiencing a temporary loss of smell for other reasons. Despite this, the animal still has the desire to smell and therefore resorts to using its tongue as an alternative.

Cats have an innate curiosity that drives them to sniff various objects for extended periods of time. This includes everything from spices and medical supplies to household cleaning products. However, certain substances like valerian can actually cause a cat to become intoxicated. During this state, the feline may appear disoriented and even walk around with their tongue sticking out until they return to normal.

It’s common for cats with short, depressed muzzles (known as brachycephalic cats) to stick out their tongues for no apparent reason. This is because the structure of their head makes it difficult for their tongue to fit completely in their mouth. In addition, their lower jaw may be slightly advanced due to an incorrect bite. Breeds of brachycephalic cats include Scottish, British, Persian, Greek, and exotic cats. However, there’s no need to worry about this behavior as it’s completely normal for these types of cats.