Mary Allen
What are cat whiskers for? And is it bad if they fail? We answer these and other questions in this article.
Delicate whiskers
Cat whiskers, also known as vibrissae, are part of the sense of touch. It is very stiff, long hair that has a special hair follicle (root). This is connected to numerous nerve endings that react to changes in pressure. When hunting, the cat z. B. the movement of their prey over the finest air vortices true. Whiskers help cats find their way in the dark.
In addition to the well-known whiskers directly on the mouth, cats also have whiskers on the chin, above the eyes, and on some joints (important for climbing). Because the cat’s whiskers are so sensitive, there are animals that don’t like to eat or drink from bowls that are too small, especially in stressful situations.
By the way, the whiskers have nothing to do with purring. It is not known whether they are called that because they resemble a mustache or because they vibrate when they purr.
Mood barometer cat whiskers
Whiskers also reveal something about the currently prevailing mood of our velvet paws. If they lie close to the back, this indicates fear, readiness to flee, or a possible attack. If the cat’s whiskers are fanned out and pointing forward, this signals attentive tension. Slightly fanned out and aligned “neutrally” to the sides, the whiskers indicate a relaxed, calm cat.
However, the position of a cat’s whiskers should always be considered together with other signals: What are the ears doing? Are they tilted backward on their heads or are they standing forward attentively? And is the tail relaxed or is it whipping across the floor? Overall, these and other signs give a fairly accurate picture of your cat’s current state of mind. For example, when sniffing an interesting smell, the cat will fold its whiskers back slightly, but otherwise remain relaxed.
This body language can be a great help when training a cat or acclimating a new cat. It gives you information about how the cat feels in different situations and whether it e.g. B. is scared or overwhelmed by something. Your cat no longer purrs and their body language indicates stress? Read more here.
My cat is losing whiskers
Your cat’s whiskers fall out every now and then and you’re wondering, “Do cats keep whiskers growing?”. We can reassure you: It’s completely unproblematic that you occasionally find a cat’s whiskers on the floor or sofa. When whiskers fall out, whiskers grow back quickly and your cat uses the remaining whiskers in the meantime. However, you should not intentionally trim or pluck your cat’s whiskers. When brushing, be gentle on the whiskered areas.
However, if a lot of whiskers suddenly fall out permanently or if you see that your cat doesn’t have anymore, this should make you suspicious and take you to the vet.
Cats without whiskers
There are cats that suffer from what is known as alopecia. This means a congenital or later developing hairlessness. This can affect the entire cat or individual regions or organs, e.g. B. whiskers, claws, or sweat glands.
With congenital alopecia, cats are born without hair or lose it within the first four weeks of life (then they are born with a sparse coat). She is known for e.g. B. Birman, Burmese, Devon Rex, and Siamese cats. In no case should such cats be bred further! With Sphinx cats, complete hairlessness is part of the breeding goal – which should definitely be questioned for animal welfare reasons. The animals are not only sensitive to heat and cold, but they also lack the described function of the whiskers.
If hairlessness occurs later in life, it is not considered a disease but a symptom of a problem: There are various causes of hair loss in cats, which are often accompanied by itching. Allergies or metabolic diseases are possible. Psychological causes are also possible.
Whiskers Cat Conclusion
In addition to orientation, sensitive cat whiskers are also used for body language. If your cat loses one every now and then, it’s not a problem.