Vet Explains Why Cats Stick Out Their Tongues When They're Sleepy
Is there anything cuter than a tuckered-out kitten with its tongue sticking out?
We've all adored a cozy little cat, curled up on a cushion, nodding off into dreamland with a bit of drool rolling down the chin, but there's actually a reason cats stick their tongues out when they're tired, and it might surprise you.
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The Cambridge veterinarian student who makes videos on the YouTube channel Vetventures recently shed light on this most adorable topic.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ksGL5j7uQmI
"Your cat's tongue sticks out when they're sleepy because they have little teeth that fail to keep it in place," she says on the voice-over as we see the cutest little kitten napping with its own pink tongue flapping out.
"This means they spend all day putting in real effort to keep it inside their mouth," she continues, "so by nap time, those tongue muscles are absolutely exhausted."
"So that's why cats are so cute," one commenter writes.
"Cats use their muscles to keep any shape really, thats why they just melt when sitting down," another adds.
"I'm so glad cats are real," says another, and we have to agree.
Related: This Cat Giving Another Cat a Massage Might Be the Cutest Thing You See All Day
How Many Naps Can a Cat Take in a Day?
While you may think of cats as nocturnal creatures, they're actually crepuscular in nature, which means they are most active during the hours of dawn and dusk and take lots of mini sleeps throughout the day and night.
Cats get lighter sleep during these naps than they do during their big eight-hour sleeping sessions, and this is good for cats, as they're naturally hunters in the wild and need to be on alert for prey as well as any larger predators that might hunt after them.
Cats can nap for 12 to 30 minutes, with some naps lasting more than an hour. Kittens and senior cats need to sleep even more, up to 20 hours a day.
The exact number of naps your cat takes in a day depends on their activity level while awake. Just make sure you play with them when they're most active, so they get their daily exercise and have a chance to put their hunting instincts to the test.
Once you see that pink tongue make an appearance, get cozy on the couch and let your cat cuddle up for a quick nap. They've earned it!
Related: This Cat Mom Shares a Simple Trick to Test If Your Cat Is Overweight
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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 6:05 PM.