Every cat has them, but what exactly is the purpose of cat whiskers? Besides making your feline friend appear that much more adorable, cat whiskers actually serve several important functions, many of which even self-proclaimed cat lovers may be unaware of. Read on for more information about the purpose of cat whiskers and why they should never be trimmed.
What exactly are cat whiskers?
Cat whiskers, also called “vibrissae”, are long, course and flexible hairs that grow out of a feline’s face. Although they can be observed growing sporadically in many areas of the face, most cat whiskers are concentrated around the mouth and nose, where they tend to form horizontal rows. Similar tactile hairs can also be found around the eye area and on the back of a cat’s forelegs. Just like your cat’s hair and nails, whiskers do fall out from time to time and are replaced by new growth. However, despite the fact that whiskers sometimes fall out on their own, they should never be trimmed because they are sensitive tools, especially at the tips.
What is the purpose of cat whiskers?
Cat whiskers have four main purposes:
Measurement
Arguably the most basic purpose of cat whiskers, they provide a type of natural measuring stick. Looking at your cat, you’ll notice that facial whiskers grow to roughly the width of his or her entire body. Because whiskers are highly sensory, especially at the tips, they allow cats to “measure” whether they’ll fit into a space before attempting to do so. You might notice your cat sticking its head through an opening a few times before pushing the rest of the body through. They may look silly, but cats are actually measuring the space using their sensitive whiskers to make sure that they won’t get stuck.
Navigation and orientation
Just as you rely on your trusty GPS to get to your destination, your cat relies on its whiskers to navigate within the environment. Cat whiskers are highly sensitive, capable of detecting even a minuscule change in the direction of the wind. This ability to detect changes in air current allows cats to find their way around and move about in a dark room without bumping into anything.
Mood indicators
Like a flick of the tail, a cat's whiskers can also provide information about its current mood. When a cat is relaxed and content, the whiskers tend to be pushed forward, but when your cat becomes angry or defensive, whiskers will appear pulled back.
Protection
Another purpose of cat whiskers is to protect the sensitive eye area, which may be part of the reason why most whiskers are concentrated near the mouth and eyes. If something large or sharp touches a cat’s whiskers, it naturally prompts them to blink, which can help protect its eyes from injury.
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As you can see, whiskers are much more than decoration for your cat and actually serve several important functions. Now that you are familiar with the purpose of cat whiskers, you realize how important it is not to cut or even trim your them. When you do so, you can potentially disrupt the navigation and orientation abilities and disrupt their functioning. The next time you find a cat whisker on your carpet or furniture, you’ll have a new appreciation for what this single strand is capable of doing for your cat.
