Whiskers help your cat understand whether or not they can fit through a tight space without having to go all the way through. As the tips of their whiskers touch the edges of the space it helps them understand just how much room they have. If cat whiskers match the width of your cat, it naturally leads us to wonder if whiskers will grow longer as your cat gets fatter.
Which makes a lot of sense when you think about it. The exact amount of whiskers will vary from cat to cat, but most cats have 12 whiskers across 4 rows on each of their cheeks. They also have whiskers above their eyes, on their chin, and even on their legs! The arrangement and size of whiskers not only differ between individual cats but also between breeds. Whiskers do more than just help your cat navigate tight spaces! Scientifically speaking, whiskers are known as vibrissae and they contain special sensory organs called proprioceptors.
These very sensitive receptors are constantly giving your cat more information about the world around them. That means they can feel you coming up from behind before they ever see you!
It also gives them an extra edge when it comes to detecting the movement of small game like mice and rats! When a cat seems just be out of it and in a daze, problems with the whiskers are a likely culprit.
Because whiskers are indirectly linked to a cat's brain via the nerve cells, the lack of them could trigger everything from general coordination and balance dilemmas to problems getting around in the dark. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, whiskers are capable of detecting even the most subtle of motions -- highly useful for cats.
Thankfully, cat whiskers are similar to other types of hair in that they do eventually grow back, at least if there isn't major destruction to the follicles. It usually takes a couple of weeks for a kitty's whiskers to grow back in full force, so be patient! Cat whiskers do not grow at a faster pace when a cat ages. The rigid hairs usually stay the same length for a cat's entire life, unless of course someone accidentally cuts them.
The biggest differences you may notice in a cat's whiskers as he ages are a little bit of possible graying and possibly a stray strand falling out every now and then -- no biggie, of course. In fact, it is known that Maine coons large cat breed usually have quite long whiskers.
Whatever you do, do not cut them. If your cat has large whiskers, take a look at whether it fits into our article on: the 12 largest cat breeds! The only difference is that they are thicker and hold a different function. And due to this lack of natural ability, a cat that has had its whiskers cut becomes more prone to suffering from stress. For more, we recommend reading up on: Symptoms of stress in cats.
This is why we have decided to list some false myths about cat whiskers that every cat owner should be aware of:. Share on:. By Josie F. Turner , Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. Updated: February 10, You may also be interested in: What are Cat Whiskers For?
0コメント