How do the backward-facing spines on a cat’s tongue help it feed and groom?

The backward-facing spines on a cat’s tongue—often referred to as papillae—are essential adaptations for both feeding and grooming.12

• Feeding: These spines act like a coarse file or hook, allowing the cat to rasp meat from the bones of its prey. Additionally, the structure of the tongue helps the cat scoop up and lap up liquids, such as water.12
• Grooming: Cats are meticulous groomers, spending a significant portion of their day cleaning themselves. The barb-like spines function as a comb, effectively removing dirt, dust, dead skin, and other debris from their fur. This grooming process also helps distribute natural sebaceous oils, which keeps the coat shiny and water-resistant, while the evaporation of saliva from the tongue helps the cat regulate its body temperature. Furthermore, by removing odors from their fur, cats can remain stealthy and undetected by predators in the wild.3