Cats
Feline 'blepping' seems to be the latest internet trend at the moment – it’s when the tip of the tongue is left poking out unconsciously – you may have even noticed your own cat in a world of their own, apparently unaware that their tongue is sticking out ever-so-slightly!
CP cat Wilfred here was caught blepping by our Taunton & Wellington Branch!
Is there anything cuter?!
So why do cats leave their tongues poking out?
Cats Protection’s Behaviour Manager Nicky Trevorrow says: “Many cats seem to poke out the tip of their tongue particularly if they get distracted during grooming. Other cats will rest or sleep with the tip of their tongue out.”
Nicky adds: “It can also be a sign of medical problem, particularly if your cat has recently started doing this, is sticking their tongue out continuously, or it’s combined with other signs such as drooling or difficulty eating, like only eating on one side of the mouth.
“Cats are extremely subtle in their behaviour when they are not well so it can be very hard to tell if something is wrong. Cats’ mouths can be quite difficult to examine at home, so it is worth taking your cat to the vets for a health check to thoroughly examine your cat’s mouth.”
If your cat starts to do something that is out of character, the first thing you should always do is book them in for a heath check with your vet to rule out any medical problems that could cause this behaviour.
Tweet your photos to us at @catsprotection with the hashtag #blep and we’ll pin our favourites onto our ‘Blep’ Pinterest board.
Follow Cats Protection's board Blep on Pinterest.
We also asked our supporters to share some of their favourite #blep moments on Twitter...
- Is Your Kitten Smitten?
Yesterday on the blog we looked at how to recognise the signs of your cat showing you ‘love’ or affection; and how cats in the same social group can show affection to each other (if you missed the post, read it here). But what happens when your kitten...
- ‘why Won’t My Cat Sleep In His Bed?’ And Other Behaviour Faqs
In the most recent Facebook Q&A, Behaviour Manager Nicky Trevorrow answered questions about feline sleeping places, kitten socialisation, feeding habits and more. Read some of her answers here: Question: Do you have any tips on getting my cat to sleep...
- Never Miss A Post Again!
Image courtesy of Jonas Löwgren via flickrEnsure you never miss the latest success stories, information and advice from Cats Protection by signing up as a subscriber to the official Meow! blog. Whether it’s an inspiring tale of an unwanted cat...
- ‘how Can I Help A Timid Cat Trust Their New Owner?’ And Other Behaviour Faqs
Once more behaviour expert Nicky Trevorrow took the reins of our Facebook page and answered live feline behaviour questions from our supporters. Here are just some of the questions that she answered for our supporters: Question: Please could you offer...
- Caring Home For Cheeky-looking Cat
Sometimes a cat's unusual appearance can help it find a new home, and that was certainly the case with Little Mo, who leaves her tongue sticking out of her mouth! Indoor cat Little Mo was being looked after by Cats Protection's Lichfield &...
Cats
Is the cat blep the latest pet craze?
Feline 'blepping' seems to be the latest internet trend at the moment – it’s when the tip of the tongue is left poking out unconsciously – you may have even noticed your own cat in a world of their own, apparently unaware that their tongue is sticking out ever-so-slightly!
CP cat Wilfred here was caught blepping by our Taunton & Wellington Branch!
 |
| Wilfred's little tongue poking out! |
So why do cats leave their tongues poking out?
Cats Protection’s Behaviour Manager Nicky Trevorrow says: “Many cats seem to poke out the tip of their tongue particularly if they get distracted during grooming. Other cats will rest or sleep with the tip of their tongue out.”
Nicky adds: “It can also be a sign of medical problem, particularly if your cat has recently started doing this, is sticking their tongue out continuously, or it’s combined with other signs such as drooling or difficulty eating, like only eating on one side of the mouth.
“Cats are extremely subtle in their behaviour when they are not well so it can be very hard to tell if something is wrong. Cats’ mouths can be quite difficult to examine at home, so it is worth taking your cat to the vets for a health check to thoroughly examine your cat’s mouth.”
If your cat starts to do something that is out of character, the first thing you should always do is book them in for a heath check with your vet to rule out any medical problems that could cause this behaviour.
Tweet your photos to us at @catsprotection with the hashtag #blep and we’ll pin our favourites onto our ‘Blep’ Pinterest board.
Follow Cats Protection's board Blep on Pinterest.
We also asked our supporters to share some of their favourite #blep moments on Twitter...
- Is Your Kitten Smitten?
Yesterday on the blog we looked at how to recognise the signs of your cat showing you ‘love’ or affection; and how cats in the same social group can show affection to each other (if you missed the post, read it here). But what happens when your kitten...
- ‘why Won’t My Cat Sleep In His Bed?’ And Other Behaviour Faqs
In the most recent Facebook Q&A, Behaviour Manager Nicky Trevorrow answered questions about feline sleeping places, kitten socialisation, feeding habits and more. Read some of her answers here: Question: Do you have any tips on getting my cat to sleep...
- Never Miss A Post Again!
Image courtesy of Jonas Löwgren via flickrEnsure you never miss the latest success stories, information and advice from Cats Protection by signing up as a subscriber to the official Meow! blog. Whether it’s an inspiring tale of an unwanted cat...
- ‘how Can I Help A Timid Cat Trust Their New Owner?’ And Other Behaviour Faqs
Once more behaviour expert Nicky Trevorrow took the reins of our Facebook page and answered live feline behaviour questions from our supporters. Here are just some of the questions that she answered for our supporters: Question: Please could you offer...
- Caring Home For Cheeky-looking Cat
Sometimes a cat's unusual appearance can help it find a new home, and that was certainly the case with Little Mo, who leaves her tongue sticking out of her mouth! Indoor cat Little Mo was being looked after by Cats Protection's Lichfield &...