Are you a true cat lover? If so, then you must know the difference between a blep and a MLEM. These two terms may sound silly, but they are actually significant behaviors that showcase the unique personalities of our feline friends.
A blep is when a cat sticks their tongue out just slightly, leaving it protruding from their mouth for a brief moment. It’s like they’re testing the waters with their tongue, or maybe just trying to look cute (which they always succeed at). On the other hand, a MLEM is when a cat sticks their tongue out fully and proceeds to lick their nose or whiskers in a quick motion. It’s almost as if they’re saying “I’m too busy grooming myself to pay attention to you right now.”
These small behaviors may seem insignificant, but they reveal so much about our furry companions. Each cat has its own quirks and personality traits that make them special, and being able to differentiate between a blep and a MLEM is just one way to better understand them.
So next time your cat sticks its tongue out, take notice- is it just a blep or an intense MLEM? These details may seem small, but they add up and make our cats endlessly fascinating creatures.
What is a Blep?
This behavior is called a blep, and it’s not just a cute gesture – it can also provide insight into your cat’s emotional state.
A blep occurs when a cat’s tongue is resting on their lower lip or slightly protruding from their mouth. This behavior is often seen when cats are feeling relaxed, content, or sleepy. However, some cats may also blep when they’re feeling playful or curious.
Interestingly, the length and depth of a blep can actually convey different emotions or states of mind of the cat. For instance, if your cat is feeling anxious or stressed, they may stick their tongue out further and for longer periods of time. Therefore, if you notice your cat blepping more frequently than usual, it could be an indication that something is bothering them.
It’s worth noting that not all cats engage in blepping behavior, and some may do it more frequently than others. Certain breeds of cats, such as Persians or Scottish Folds, may be more prone to blepping due to the structure of their faces and mouths.
What is a MLEM?
A MLEM is a term used to describe a specific facial expression that cats make. It involves them sticking out their tongue just slightly, with their mouth open. This expression is usually made in situations where the cat is feeling relaxed and content. It can also indicate that they are feeling playful and ready to engage with their surroundings.
Unlike other facial expressions that cats make, such as the blep, which involves a cat’s tongue being fully extended out of their mouth, the MLEM is just a gentle protrusion of the tongue.
But why do cats make this expression? When a cat is making an MLEM, it usually means that they feel comfortable and safe in their environment. It can also indicate that they are feeling playful and curious about their surroundings.
While the MLEM expression may seem simple, it can actually tell us a lot about a cat’s emotional state. By understanding what this expression means and why cats make it, we can gain a deeper appreciation for our feline friends and their complex emotional lives.
It’s no wonder that the MLEM has become popular on social media. People love sharing pictures and videos of their cats making this expression because it’s just so darn cute. The internet has been taken by storm with thousands of cat owners uploading pictures of their feline friends making this adorable facial expression.
Differences in Position of the Tongue
These adorable feline behaviors are both common among cats, but they have distinct characteristics that reflect different moods and emotions.
Let’s start with the blep. This quirky behavior occurs when a cat’s tongue is sticking out of their mouth, but it is relaxed and not actively licking or cleaning anything. The position of the tongue during a blep can vary from cat to cat, with some cats only showing the tip of their tongue and others revealing the full length of their tongue. However, in all cases, the tongue is just hanging out and not being used for any particular purpose.
Now, onto the MLEM. This is an active behavior that involves rapid movement of the tongue, often with the tip sticking out of the mouth. Cats will flick their tongues back and forth or use them to lick their lips or clean their faces. Unlike a blep, a MLEM serves a specific purpose.
The position of the tongue during these behaviors can tell us a lot about our cats’ moods and emotions. A relaxed and carefree cat may give us a blep as a sign of contentment, while an active and playful cat may give us a MLEM to show their excitement.
It’s important to note that these behaviors don’t always indicate specific moods or emotions. Some cats may simply enjoy giving us bleps or MLEMs regardless of their mood. However, by paying attention to these subtle cues, we can deepen our bond with our furry friends and better understand their behavior and body language.
Blepping as an Expression of Relaxation and Contentment
There’s more to this cute behavior than meets the eye.
Let’s distinguish between blepping and MLEMing. MLEMing is an active behavior that serves a specific purpose, such as grooming or licking their lips. Blepping, however, is a passive expression characterized by a relaxed tongue hanging out of their mouth.
Blepping is often seen when cats are feeling comfortable and at ease, particularly when they’re resting or lounging. It’s a sign that they feel safe and secure in their environment. In fact, some cats may even fall asleep while blepping – the ultimate sign of relaxation.
But what does blepping really mean? Simply put, it’s an indication that your feline friend is happy. It’s a positive expression that should be appreciated by cat owners as a sign of their kitty’s comfort and contentment.
It’s important to note that not all cats will blep – some may prefer to express their happiness in other ways, like purring or kneading. But if you do notice your cat blepping, take it as a good sign that they’re feeling relaxed and content in their surroundings.
MLEMing as a Grooming Behavior
MLEMing is more than just a quirky expression, it’s actually a crucial grooming behavior that helps cats maintain their health and hygiene.
Cats are renowned for being meticulous groomers, and MLEMing is just one part of their extensive grooming routine. This instinctual behavior has evolved over time to serve various purposes, making it an important aspect of feline care.
One of the primary functions of MLEMing is to remove dirt and debris from the fur. When cats stick out their tongue, it creates a small suction that pulls out dirt and debris from their coat. The rough texture of their tongues also helps to disentangle any mats or tangles in their fur.
Apart from cleaning purposes, MLEMing also helps distribute natural oils throughout the coat. These oils aid in maintaining healthy and shiny fur, and by licking themselves, cats spread these oils evenly throughout their coat.
In addition to serving grooming and cleaning purposes, MLEMing can also be seen as a self-soothing behavior for cats. When they groom themselves, it releases endorphins that help them relax and feel calm. Moreover, this behavior can act as a bonding mechanism between cats, as they often engage in allogrooming (grooming each other) to strengthen social bonds.
How Cats Learn To Blep and MLEM
Among these behaviors are the infamous blep and MLEM. But how do cats learn these quirky actions?
To begin with, let’s define what a blep and MLEM are. A blep is when a cat sticks out their tongue just a little bit, often leaving it hanging out of their mouth. On the other hand, MLEM is a more exaggerated version where the cat rapidly sticks their tongue in and out of their mouth.
Research suggests that these behaviors are mostly instinctual. Cats may stick out their tongue to taste the air or to moisten their lips. The MLEM behavior may be a way for cats to clean their teeth or remove any debris from their mouth.
However, it’s also possible that cats learn through observation and mimicry. If a cat sees another cat doing a blep or MLEM, they may try to imitate it themselves. This is especially likely if the behavior seems entertaining or fascinating to the cat, as many cats love exploring new things and playing around with different behaviors.
Furthermore, some cats may learn to do a blep or MLEM as a way of communicating with their humans. For example, if a cat wants attention or food, they may stick out their tongue as a way of getting their owner’s attention. Over time, this behavior may become more frequent and ingrained in the cat’s routine.
In conclusion, while there isn’t a definitive answer as to how cats learn to do a blep or MLEM, it’s likely that these behaviors are a combination of instinctual and learned behavior through observation and communication with humans. Regardless of how they learn it, watching a cat do a blep or MLEM never fails to bring joy and amusement to any cat lover’s day.
Common Misconceptions About Bleps and MLEMs
If so, you’ve witnessed the adorable and amusing cat behaviors known as bleps and MLEMs. Despite their popularity on social media, there are still some common misconceptions about these cat antics that need to be addressed.
Firstly, it’s important to recognize that bleps and MLEMs are not the same thing. While they may appear similar at first glance, a blep is when a cat sticks out its tongue just slightly while keeping its mouth closed. In contrast, an MLEM is a more exaggerated version of a blep, where the tongue sticks out much further, often accompanied by drooling.
Another common misconception is that these behaviors are signs of illness or discomfort in cats. However, both bleps and MLEMs are perfectly normal and harmless. Cats may stick out their tongues for a variety of reasons, such as grooming themselves, tasting the air, or simply relaxing. While excessive drooling can be a sign of health issues in cats, occasional drooling during an MLEM is nothing to worry about.
It’s also important to note that these behaviors are not restricted to certain breeds of cats. Both bleps and MLEMs can be seen in cats of all ages and breeds – from Siamese to Persian, your feline friend could surprise you with an adorable tongue-out display.
But why do cats stick out their tongues in the first place? While there’s no one answer to this question, it’s believed that cats may use these behaviors as a way to communicate with their humans or other felines. They may also stick out their tongues to taste the air or clean their teeth.
How to Encourage Your Cat To Blep or MLEM
These cute behaviors are not only entertaining but can also be a sign of your cat’s contentment and happiness. However, it’s important to understand the difference between these two behaviors and approach them with care and sensitivity.
Understanding the Difference Between Blep and MLEM
Blepping is when a cat sticks out their tongue slightly, while mleming is when they stick their tongue out further and lick their lips or nose. Blepping is usually a sign of relaxation or contentment, while mleming can indicate excitement or anticipation. Before encouraging these behaviors, it’s important to recognize which one your cat is displaying.
Creating a Comfortable Environment
To encourage your cat to blep or MLEM, create a comfortable and stress-free environment for them. Make sure they have access to their favorite toys, comfortable bedding, and plenty of space to move around. Cats are sensitive creatures and can easily become stressed if they feel uneasy in their surroundings.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is key in encouraging these behaviors. Offer your cat treats or toys when they display the behavior you want to encourage. Over time, they will associate this behavior with positive rewards and may be more likely to do it again in the future.
Understanding Your Cat’s Preferences
It’s important to remember that not all cats enjoy being encouraged to display certain behaviors. Always be mindful of your cat’s comfort level and never force them to do something they are not comfortable with. Some cats may prefer to express themselves in other ways, such as purring or cuddling.
Patience and Practice
Encouraging your cat to blep or MLEM may take time and patience. Be observant of your cat’s behavior and provide positive reinforcement for any desired behaviors. With practice, you and your cat can enjoy many happy moments of bleps and mlems together.
Conclusion
To sum up, bleps and MLEMs are not just adorable quirks that cats exhibit, but also provide insights into their emotional states and personalities. Blepping is a passive expression characterized by a relaxed tongue hanging out of the mouth, while MLEMing is an active behavior that involves rapid tongue movement. Both behaviors can indicate various moods and emotions of cats, such as relaxation, contentment, excitement or anticipation.
It’s worth noting that these behaviors are perfectly normal and harmless, despite some misconceptions. Cats may stick out their tongues for different reasons like grooming themselves or tasting the air. Additionally, these behaviors are not exclusive to specific cat breeds and can be observed in cats of all ages and breeds.
If you want to encourage your cat to blep or MLEM, it’s crucial to approach them with care and sensitivity while understanding the difference between these two behaviors. Creating a comfortable environment for your cat, positive reinforcement through treats or toys, understanding your cat’s preferences, patience and practice are some ways to encourage these behaviors.
Overall, paying attention to these subtle cues can deepen our bond with our feline friends and help us better understand their behavior and body language.
