Object Lick

A cat may lick an object to gain gustatory information about it. Taste buds are located on the front and sides of the cat’s tongue and lips as well as on the roof and back of the mouth (Case, 2003). These taste buds can distinguish between salty, bitter, or acidic tastes and are also sensitive to sulphur and nitrogen. However, they have only limited ability to detect sweet flavours (Case, 2003). By extending the tongue and running it along the surface of the object the cat can derive gustatory and tactile information about the object.