All About Cat Whiskers
Do you consider cats' whiskers mere decorative features that make your pet even more adorable? Well, that's a myth. In actuality, the whiskers of a feline not only make your kitty look cute, but they also help cats to balance, express their emotions and protect themselves!
Indeed, although cats’ whiskers are thin, these incredible hair projections are truly multi-functional.
Meowmies, if the points mentioned above intrigue you, do read on for more fascinating facts about cats' whiskers.
We will explore the following topics:
— Why do cats have whiskers?
— What happens if you pluck a cat’s whiskers?
— Is it okay to touch a cat's whiskers?
— What whisker-friendly products do we recommend?
Why do cats have whiskers?
Did you know that a cat's whiskers are fundamental for its sense of touch? While humans rely on their fingers for their sense of touch, a cat touches the world through its whiskers.
Feline whiskers are more sensitive than standard hairs because the follicles they originate from are jam-packed with blood vessels and nerves.
Simply put, cats' whiskers are sensitive sensory apparatus that help them function effectively. They serve the following functions, helping cats to:
— balance well so that they rarely fall and land on their feet nearly all the time!
— navigate better by compensating for their lacklustre night vision (e.g. prevent them from bumping into walls, help them to gauge whether they can fit within a space & locate their favourite toys in the dark).
— express their emotions (e.g. whiskers get elevated when cats feel happy/curious & whiskers get directed towards the danger when cats feel threatened).
— prevent them from getting hurt (e.g. when a speck of dust falls on a whisker, cats can sense its presence which prompts them to shake their heads to fling off the dust. Consequently, their whiskers protect their eyes).
What happens if you pluck a cat’s whiskers?
As aforementioned, cats’ whiskers serve an impressive range of functions. That’s why you should not pluck them off! Natural shedding of whiskers is okay, but purposefully removing them is a big no-no.
Plucking cats’ whiskers is akin to chopping off the tips of human fingertips, which is really distressing. It will probably cause significant dysfunction in your cats’ lives.This is because cats without whiskers often feel disoriented and could have difficulty walking straight. Although the whiskers often grow back after 6 weeks to 3 months, they may grow back irregularly.
Regrettably, some cats have gone through the tragic experience of having their whiskers forcefully plucked off. Maybe the guilty ones did it out of ignorance (e.g. children or people unfamiliar with cats); maybe they did it out of cruelty (i.e. as a practical joke). The point is to understand their intentions to effectively prevent these accidents from happening again.
Try to teach them about the importance of feline whiskers as well as the harm inflicted upon when the whiskers are trimmed. Warn them not to do it again, and be tactful and firm throughout the whole process. If they remain unconvinced, you can politely keep your furbabies far away from them.
Is it okay to touch a cat's whiskers?
In short, most kitties will find it irritating to have their whiskers frequently touched. Doing so could lead to whisker fatigue (over-stimulation of the sensory system of the whiskers).
The symptoms of whiskers fatigue include:
—pacing in front of the bowls
—refusal to use their usual bowls to eat or drink despite their hunger
—knocking food off the bowl before eating
—meowing more than usual
So, don't pet your cat's whiskers. Gently pat less sensitive areas (e.g. their head) and avoid sensitive areas (e.g. whiskers & belly).
What whisker-friendly products do we recommend?
To prevent whisker fatigue, a simple fix would be to choose whisker-friendly products. Instead of deep bowls, opt for wide, flat, shallow bowls that minimise the risk of your cats’ whiskers rubbing against the bowl’s sides.
CatSmart, Singapore's largest cat speciality store, recommends the following products:
1) Tom Cat Pakeway Pearl Pet Drinking Bowl
— Pet-friendly: a partition prevents your pet’s whiskers from being soaked when quenching its thirst
— Large Capacity: capable of storing 2.5 litres of water to minimise water refilling
— Filter system: filter element blocks hair and residue so that the water your cat consumes is cleaner
2) ELS Water Bowl 1.5 L
— Comfortable: shallow design promotes a stress-free drinking experience for your feline, minimising the risk of whisker fatigue
— Functional: anti-slip base that prevents the bowl from sliding, so you can spend less time cleaning spilt water
— Convenient: easy to disassemble and clean, making clean-ups simple
3) Catit Pixi Fountain With LED 2.5L
— Ergonomic: designed for optimal drinking comfort, its shallow surface doesn’t hinder your cat’s whiskers when it’s drinking
— Easy-to-use: the fountain conveniently updates its status (e.g. blue light signals it's time for filter replacement & red shows that it's time to refill water). The fountain's light also makes for an adorable nightlight!
— Very silent: the fountain hardly makes a sound, so your living environment stays delightfully quiet
Visit CatSmart’s outlets for more advice
Need more advice about the best whisker-friendly pet products? Our friendly, knowledgeable retail staff can help you. Visit our stores today!
Key takeaway: leave your cats’ whiskers alone. Let them naturally shed— don’t pluck them.