What is the role of a cat's whiskers? Is it okay to cut them? What are the different types of whiskers?

"If you cut a cat's whiskers, it won't be able to walk." Have you ever heard that?

If you look closely at a cat's face, you can see that they certainly have magnificent whiskers. Why is it that if a cat's whiskers are cut, they can't walk? Do they have a different role than human facial hair?

This time, I would like to explain in detail about the role of a cat's whiskers.

How cat whiskers work

Cats have 50 to 60 whiskers on their bodies, which are also called "tactile hairs."

The base of a whisker is like a sac containing secretion, and the whisker is rooted in it as if floating. Since nerves and blood vessels run through them, the system is designed to sensitively detect whenever the whiskers touch something.

A cat's whiskers can feel even slight changes in air current, acting like a high-performance sensor. They are not merely decorative hair; they are extremely important.

Types of cat whiskers

When people think of "cat whiskers," they think of the whiskers on the chubby "ω" part of the cat's face. This part is called the whisker pad, and it is a trademark that encapsulates a cat's cuteness.

Actually, in addition to the whisker pad, there are whiskers on the eyebrows, cheekbones, chin, and corners of the mouth, totaling 5 types of whiskers.

Each has a name, so let's introduce them.

Supraorbital vibrissae (eyebrow whiskers)

Long whiskers growing above the cat's eyes. They act as sensors to protect the eyes and head, and if something touches them, the cat reflexively closes its eyes.

Genal vibrissae (cheek whiskers)

One or two hairs growing below the side of the eyes. These are used to detect danger at the side of the face, though some cats do not have them.

Mystacial vibrissae (upper lip whiskers)

These are the whiskers on the "ω" part, which is the cat's trademark. There are 24 in total, with 12 on each side, and they have roles such as detecting obstacles before the body reaches them.

Submental vibrissae (chin whiskers)

Short whiskers also grow on the chin. They have the role of preventing the throat from getting injured by obstacles under the chin when walking low to the ground.

Interramal vibrissae (mouth corner whiskers)

A very small number grow above the upper lip whiskers. They function to detect obstacles to the side of the face, but because they fall out easily, some cats may not have them.

The 5 roles of cat whiskers

Cats have 5 types of whiskers, but what specific roles do they have?

They play very important roles, so let's get to know them.

Maintaining balance

The reason cats can walk in unstable or dark places is because their whiskers act as sensors to maintain their sense of balance. It is said that even when jumping and landing, they use their whiskers to sense the air flow.

Measuring if a space can be passed through

If you connect a cat's whiskers with a line, they form a circle. When going through a narrow place, they spread their whiskers to check if they can fit through. If their whiskers don't touch the sides, their body can also pass through. It is thanks to their whiskers that cats have such excellent spatial awareness.

Detecting prey and enemies

Cat whiskers are very high-performance and can detect the slightest vibration in the air. They can sensitively perceive obstacles in the dark or even prey moving in the shadows. They truly are hunters.

Protecting the eyes

Cat whiskers are connected to nerves. If they sense something near their face, they can instantly close their eyelids to protect their eyes. Also, having whiskers helps prevent dust and debris from getting into their eyes.

Expressing emotions

When a cat is deeply interested and obsessed with a game or prey, their whiskers move forward to gather as much information as possible. Conversely, when they feel fear, they tense up their mouth, and their whiskers point backward.

Also, when they are relaxed, they naturally droop downward. It is similar to how a human's mouth corners go up or down.

Is it okay to cut cat whiskers?

As explained so far, cat whiskers have very important roles.

Newborn kittens don't have much body hair, but they definitely have whiskers. That is how essential a cat's whiskers are to their survival.

Therefore, you must never, ever cut a cat's whiskers.

A cat whose whiskers have been cut will bump into obstacles, lose their balance and become unable to jump, lose their ability to hunt, or become unable to move around in the dark.

Just imagining that a cat's natural movements are restricted is heartbreaking. A cat that has lost its confidence may crouch in the corner of a room or become depressed.

Cutting or pulling out a cat's whiskers is an absolute NO!

What if I cut a cat's whiskers?

Maybe you accidentally cut them while brushing, or they were cut during a fight between cats. These things can happen.

Although nerves and blood vessels run through the base of a cat's whiskers, cutting them does not cause physical pain. However, the shock to the cat for losing such important whiskers is significant.

They will eventually grow back, but until then, be sure to keep an eye on them in narrow or high places.

What if I find a fallen whisker?

Cat whiskers shed and regrow about once every six months. If you find one on the floor or bed, there is almost no need to worry.

However, you should be careful, as illness or stress can also cause whiskers to fall out.

For example, if "feline acne" becomes severe, whiskers and hair may fall out. Also, "feline AIDS (feline immunodeficiency virus infection)" can be a cause of whiskers falling out.

If you find that a large number of your cat's whiskers are falling out, please consult your veterinarian.

Summary

Cat whiskers are high-precision sensors that have important roles like protecting the body and maintaining balance. Therefore, you must never cut a cat's whiskers.

It has long been said that "when a cat washes its face, it will rain." This comes from the fact that cat whiskers are sensitive to humidity, and cats are diligent about grooming them to keep them in order.

If the whiskers droop due to humidity, their performance drops. For a cat, this is a matter of life or death. That is how essential a cat's whiskers are to their survival.

While they are just whiskers, they also hold special meaning for owners. The Poponeko official online shop sells cases where you can store your cat's fallen whiskers. Please consider incorporating this item as a way to enjoy life with your cat!

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