A close-up of a cat's tongue. "This looks terrifying"

Cats are often considered the sweetest and most beloved household pets, rivaling dogs in popularity. However, it's important to remember that a cat's charm extends beyond its cute face, soft fur, and delicate paws.

Not many people are aware of the fascinating structure of a cat's tongue. It might seem ordinary at first glance, but under high magnification, it takes on an almost unnerving appearance. This was recently highlighted by veterinarian Peter Carlos in a video he posted on Instagram, featuring extreme close-ups of a cat's tongue.

Contrary to popular belief, a cat's tongue isn't smooth. Rather, it's densely covered with papillae, which resemble needles or spikes. These aid in separating meat from bone and extracting maximum nutrients efficiently and rapidly from their prey.

These "spikes" are also crucial in a cat's drinking behavior. The papillae collect liquid from the surface, forming a column around which the cat closes its mouth. Additionally, they aid in grooming, as their backward arrangement acts like a comb while the cat licks its fur.

Internet users expressed their discomfort with the peculiar look of the cat's tongue. "This looks terrifying", wrote one user. Another candidly added, "I love cats, even more than people, but please don't show me this again." "So that's why their tongues feel so rough," observed another.

And it's not just domestic cats that have such unique tongue structures. According to LadBible, citing Exploration Junkie, a lion's tongue is about 50 times rougher than a domestic cat's, often resembling sandpaper to the touch. These papillae are believed to assist in hunting and are vital for removing fur, feathers, and skin from recently captured prey.