May 22, 2019 |6 min read
What To Do With Cat Whiskers
Written by
Updated Nov 20, 2205
If our kitty friends had online dating profiles that described their many adorable attributes to other interested felines, cat whiskers would definitely be a category to highlight.
"This is Fluffy. She has fancy pointy ears, shiny charcoal fur, a full tail, gleaming eyes, and long, luscious whiskers. She enjoys lying in the sun and making judgmental faces at strangers."
There are plenty of myths about cat whiskers — from what happens if you cut them to whether or not you can use them to detect cat moods. So, what should you do with your cat’s whiskers? Let’s separate fact from fiction.
Myth #1: It’s Okay to Trim the Cat's Whiskers
It's never a good idea to cut your fur baby's whiskers. A clean shave of your human whiskers may feel nice, but it's not the same kind of hair for your feline friend.
Sensory information is vital; shorter whiskers or whisker loss can leave her disoriented, scared, and unable to sense his environment in the way she's used to doing. Imagine losing your sense of touch - that's what trimming a cat's whiskers would do to your furry friend.
If your cat’s whiskers were cut:
- Keep them indoors until whiskers regrow.
- Avoid rearranging furniture.
- Watch for stress or confusion and call your vet if it persists.
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Myth #2: Cat Whiskers Don’t Grow Back
They do! It’s normal for cats to shed a whisker here and there. You might find one on the floor; that’s okay.
Good news: if the follicle isn’t damaged, then whiskers typically regrow. Expect several weeks to about 3 months, depending on age, health, nutrition, and stress. Keep environments stable during regrowth.
Myth #3: Your Cat’s Whiskers Will Bring You Luck
Maybe.
Just as many human parents keep their children's lost teeth, some cat parents treasure their cat’s lost whiskers and even claim that they bring them good fortune. Whether or not that’s true, you’ll find they’re a charming reminder of your whiskered roommate. The jury's still out on whether keeping your kitty’s whiskers will take you to a whole new level of crazy cat lady.
Myth #4: Cats Don’t Use Their Whiskers for Spacial Awareness
Your feline friend would make an excellent 007 thanks to her whiskers. She’s stealthy, hard to read, and can determine which tiny spaces she'll fit through before she gets stuck!
If your cat’s head and whiskers can squeeze their way through an opening, that generally means that her whole body can wiggle its way through as well.
General Rule: The length of your pet’s whiskers is proportionate to the size of the cat. Even older cats or cats with vision issues can navigate well because they use facial whiskers for spatial awareness and protection in the dark.
Myth #5: Whiskers Can’t Indicate a Cat’s Mood
Your pet's whiskers can offer insight into their mood. If you know how to read them, you can figure out what's going on behind that stoic little face.
According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, your cat's whiskers can indicate a few different moods:
- Fear: When your fur baby is afraid, her facial whiskers may be flattened or pressed downward onto her face.
- Calm: When your kitty's feeling chill, her whiskers will also be relaxed and slightly droopy.
- Aggression: If your cat is feeling particularly feisty or on edge, her whiskers will be out to the side.
Dr. Marty Becker also shares that when your kitty's whiskers are forward, she may be feeling friendly or curious. It's always good know when your furry pal is in an amiable state. Purr-fect for playtime!
Why Do Cat Whiskers Matter?
Cat whiskers are an important sensory organ. Those long, thick hair strands are not actually hairs; They are technically called vibrissae and each little cat whisker is connected to a sensory receptor sensitive nerve endings that send valuable information to their your fur baby's brain. Whiskers also offer eye and muzzle protection, deflecting debris, like eyelashes do for humans. Each whisker follicle stems a specialized hair that is your cat's primary sense of spatial awareness as she makes her way through the world.
So, what should you do with a cat’s whiskers? If you find a whisker that’s naturally fallen out, there’s no need for worry or action. Just let your cat’s body do its thing. Whiskers regrow naturally, and you can simply leave them be or keep them as a tiny memento of your cat’s charm.
Overall, your cat’s whiskers are one of their most important tools for exploring, sensing, and expressing herself. Treat them with care.
Think your fur baby's whiskers are the cat's meow? Snap a picture of your cute furry pal in all her whiskery glory and tag us on Instagram @PrettyLitter.
Sources:
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feline Behavior Problems: Aggression. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-aggression
- Dr. Marty Becker. Cats measure space ‘by a whisker’. https://www.drmartybecker.com/petconnection/cats-measure-space-whisker/
