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.