Black Tartar on Cat's Tongue

Black tartar on a cat's tongue may be caused by the cat eating nutritional supplements or black food, which leads to a temporary blackening of the tongue. In general, this condition will return to normal within a few hours. If the cat is hypoxic, hypoxia can cause the cat's tongue to turn from red to purple and then black. In this case, immediate oxygen administration is required, and the cat should be taken to the veterinarian.

Causes of Black Tartar on Tongue

1. The cat has eaten black substances, such as nutritional supplements. In this case, the condition will usually return to normal after a while.
2. Toxoplasmosis can also cause a black tongue in cats. The owner can take the cat to the animal hospital for a toxoplasmosis test and conduct specific treatments based on the results.
3. Hypoxia may also be a cause. Owners can observe whether the cat has difficulty breathing. If so, the cat should be taken to the animal hospital for oxygen administration immediately, as hypoxia can lead to death.

Why Do Cats Have Spiky Tongues?

The cat's retractile claws help it eat better, promote chewing and digestion, and also assist in grooming, removing dead skin, and dead hair. The evolution of the cat's tongue has led to the development of papillae, which are similar to Velcro and help the cat grip and tear meat from bones. Therefore, toys for cats must not contain any loose threads, strings, or similar materials to prevent the cat from swallowing them and getting stuck.

Characteristics of a Cat's Tongue

1. A cat's tongue is covered with many filamentous papillae, also known as retractile claws, which help it grasp food, groom its fur, and remove fish bones from its prey.
2. When a cat drinks water, its tongue curls backward, allowing it to scoop water or food into its mouth, preventing the nose and whiskers from getting wet.