Why is my cat's tongue black?

There are several reasons why a cat's tongue may turn black: First, if the cat has eaten a nutrient supplement or black food, it can cause a temporary blackening of the tongue. In this case, the tongue should return to normal within a few hours. Second, oxygen deprivation can lead to a black tongue. The owner can notice that the cat has difficulty breathing and should immediately take the cat to the pet hospital for oxygen therapy. Otherwise, the cat may die due to oxygen deprivation. Third, the cat may have contracted toxoplasmosis, and the owner can take the cat to an animal hospital for a toxoplasmosis test and treat accordingly based on the results.

Eating nutrient supplements or black food

If your cat's tongue turns black but its spirit and appetite are normal, it's likely that the cat has eaten a nutrient supplement or black food, which has stained the tongue. This condition should return to normal after a while, so there's no need to worry too much.

Hypoxia

If a cat experiences long-term hypoxia, it can lead to a change in tongue color from red to purple and then to black, and it may also breathe faster and exhibit difficulty breathing. In this case, immediate oxygen therapy is necessary, and the cat should be taken to a pet hospital for treatment. If the cat experiences severe hypoxia and does not receive timely treatment, it may quickly become exhausted and die.

Toxoplasmosis infection

A cat infected with toxoplasmosis may also develop a black tongue, along with symptoms such as loss of appetite, fever, rapid breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, and more. The owner can take the cat to a pet hospital for a toxoplasmosis test and then provide specific treatment based on the test results. It's also essential to regularly deworm the cat to prevent infections, avoid feeding raw meat, and minimizing contact with other cats' feces to reduce the risk of infection.