Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?
A cat’s whiskers are much more than just a facial feature, they are a key part of every feline’s sensory system. Knowing more about your cat’s whiskers can help you protect this sensitive body part and better understand your cat’s needs and behavior.
What Is a Whisker?
Whiskers are specialized hairs that are thicker, longer, and more sensitive than normal hair or fur. Also called vibrissae, whiskers are composed of keratin – the same protein that makes fingernails and claws – and their follicles have as many as 100-200 nerves associated with them. Cats have from 16-24 whiskers, with the most prominent ones on their muzzles. Other, smaller whiskers are above a cat’s eyebrows, near their ears, and on the back of their forelegs. The tips of whiskers have a sensory organ called a proprioceptor that helps transmit additional sensations to the cat’s brain.
In addition to cats, nearly all mammals have whiskers, including rats, gerbils, foxes, dogs, seals, manatees, and countless other species.
Why Cats Have Whiskers
Whiskers help a cat in many ways. They are very sensitive touch receptors, and help a cat gauge distance and measure tight spaces. Whiskers are so sensitive that they can sense airflow and wind currents, test surface texture, and feel vibrations as well. They serve some roles in helping cats balance by providing greater spatial and environmental awareness, and because the whiskers do not depend on light to function well, they are extremely useful for cats at night or in dark spaces.
A cat’s whiskers are strategically positioned to protect the animal’s most vulnerable spots. This includes the tender tissues of the mouth and nose, the eyes, and the ears. This is especially critical for hunting cats when their prey may fight back.
Whiskers also play a role in cat communication. When a cat’s whiskers are pressed forward, they indicate heightened tension such as excitement, alertness, curiosity, or hunting behavior. When the whiskers are flattened back toward the cat’s cheeks, however, they show anxiety, fear, or submission. These are useful signals for cats to share, and cat owners can also learn to interpret a cat’s whisker position to understand their pet’s moods.
Protecting Your Cat’s Whiskers
Because a cat’s whiskers are so vital to the animal’s senses and well-being, it is important that they be treated well so the cat maintains full, effective use of every whisker. While cats will naturally shed and regrow whiskers throughout their lives, and as cats age a whisker may change color to a lighter or darker shade, there are different steps cat owners can take to protect their feline friend’s most valuable furs.
- Never trim, cut, or clip a cat’s whiskers. To do so would remove the proprioceptor on the end of the whisker and severely impede a cat’s senses.
- Do not tug or pull on a cat’s whiskers. This can be very painful for the cat and could damage the whisker’s follicle, making it less sensitive and effective.
- Use wide food and water bowls so they do not put pressure on the cat’s whiskers when they eat or drink. That pressure can be uncomfortable and could lead to feeding problems.
- If you pet your cat near their whiskers, stroke gently along the whisker with the grain so you do not cause the cat discomfort or damage the whisker.
- Check your cat’s whiskers regularly for signs of loss or damage. If your pet loses several whiskers at once, consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and help prevent more damage.
Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?
A cat’s whiskers are much more than just a facial feature, they are a key part of every feline’s sensory system. Knowing more about your cat’s whiskers can help you protect this sensitive body part and better understand your cat’s needs and behavior. What Is a Whisker? Whiskers are specialized hairs that are thicker, longer, and more sensitive than normal hair or fur. Also called vibrissae, whiskers are composed of keratin – the same protein that makes fingernails and claws – and their follicles have as many as 100-200 nerves associated with them. Cats have from 16-24 whiskers, with the most prominent ones on their muzzles. Other, smaller whiskers are above a cat’s eyebrows, near their ears, and on the back of their forelegs. The tips of whiskers have a sensory organ called a proprioceptor that helps transmit additional sensations to the cat’s brain. In addition to cats, nearly all mammals have whiskers, including rats, gerbils, foxes, dogs, seals, manatees, and countless other species. Why Cats Have Whiskers Whiskers help a cat in many ways. They are very sensitive touch receptors, and help a cat gauge distance and measure tight spaces. Whiskers are so sensitive that they can sense airflow and wind currents, test surface texture, and feel vibrations as well. They serve some roles in helping cats balance by providing greater spatial and environmental awareness, and because the whiskers do not depend on light to function well, they are extremely useful for cats at night or in dark spaces. A cat’s whiskers are strategically positioned to protect the animal’s most vulnerable spots. This includes the tender tissues of the mouth and nose, the eyes, and the ears. This is especially critical for hunting cats when their prey may fight back. Whiskers also play a role in cat communication. When a cat’s whiskers are pressed forward, they indicate heightened tension such as excitement, alertness, curiosity, or hunting behavior. When the whiskers are flattened back toward the cat’s cheeks, however, they show anxiety, fear, or submission. These are useful signals for cats to share, and cat owners can also learn to interpret a cat’s whisker position to understand their pet’s moods. Protecting Your Cat’s Whiskers Because a cat’s whiskers are so vital to the animal’s senses and well-being, it is important that they be treated well so the cat maintains full, effective use of every whisker. While cats will naturally shed and regrow whiskers throughout their lives, and as cats age a whisker may change color to a lighter or darker shade, there are different steps cat owners can take to protect their feline friend’s most valuable furs.- Never trim, cut, or clip a cat’s whiskers. To do so would remove the proprioceptor on the end of the whisker and severely impede a cat’s senses.
- Do not tug or pull on a cat’s whiskers. This can be very painful for the cat and could damage the whisker’s follicle, making it less sensitive and effective.
- Use wide food and water bowls so they do not put pressure on the cat’s whiskers when they eat or drink. That pressure can be uncomfortable and could lead to feeding problems.
- If you pet your cat near their whiskers, stroke gently along the whisker with the grain so you do not cause the cat discomfort or damage the whisker.
- Check your cat’s whiskers regularly for signs of loss or damage. If your pet loses several whiskers at once, consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and help prevent more damage.
- Never trim, cut, or clip a cat’s whiskers. To do so would remove the proprioceptor on the end of the whisker and severely impede a cat’s senses.
- Do not tug or pull on a cat’s whiskers. This can be very painful for the cat and could damage the whisker’s follicle, making it less sensitive and effective.
- Use wide food and water bowls so they do not put pressure on the cat’s whiskers when they eat or drink. That pressure can be uncomfortable and could lead to feeding problems.
- If you pet your cat near their whiskers, stroke gently along the whisker with the grain so you do not cause the cat discomfort or damage the whisker.
- Check your cat’s whiskers regularly for signs of loss or damage. If your pet loses several whiskers at once, consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and help prevent more damage.
- Never trim, cut, or clip a cat’s whiskers. To do so would remove the proprioceptor on the end of the whisker and severely impede a cat’s senses.
- Do not tug or pull on a cat’s whiskers. This can be very painful for the cat and could damage the whisker’s follicle, making it less sensitive and effective.
- Use wide food and water bowls so they do not put pressure on the cat’s whiskers when they eat or drink. That pressure can be uncomfortable and could lead to feeding problems.
- If you pet your cat near their whiskers, stroke gently along the whisker with the grain so you do not cause the cat discomfort or damage the whisker.
- Check your cat’s whiskers regularly for signs of loss or damage. If your pet loses several whiskers at once, consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and help prevent more damage.
A cat’s whiskers serve as a built-in GPS, radar, ruler, mood ring, and more. By understanding these vital sensory tools and how to protect them, you can ensure that your cat has sharp senses and well-honed whiskers all its life.