Whiskers Don't Need Trimming! Like other hairs on a cat's body, whiskers shed. That's normal. But you should never trim them. A cat with cut whiskers will become disoriented and scared.
You should never trim, curl, dye or otherwise touch a cat's whiskers. They are that important. The whiskers, known as vibrissae, are essential to the cat. They help it find its way in the dark, judge the space between objects and even sense the approach of a predator.
Vets and experts agree that whiskers should never be trimmed or cut. Clipping your cat's whiskers would be like taking away part of their vision or sense of smell. Doing so would be highly disorienting for your feline family member.
' Thankfully, cat whiskers do grow back if they've been cut or naturally fallen off. Phew. However, it can take some time and, as we've discussed above, whiskers are a key part of cat communication so a loss of whiskers can affect how your feline friend navigates their environment and how they feel within themselves.
A cat's whiskers are proportionate to the width of its body (hair included); it uses them to know whether or not it can fit through narrow spaces. In general, the chubbier or fluffier a cat is, the longer its whiskers.
Whiskers are specifically tuned sensory equipment that guide a cat through daily functions. These specialized hairs aid vision and help a cat navigate his environment, providing additional sensory input, much like antennae on insects.
Good: Cheeks Behind the Whiskers
So what is it about scent-gland areas that cause cats to enjoy being petted there? When you rub these spots (like the cheeks behind the whiskers, pictured here), the glands release your cat's scent onto you. Cat experts call this "scent marking."
If you just accidentally cut your cat's whiskers, don't worry too much. No, you won't hurt your cat's whiskers, or vibrissae, if they get accidentally cut. The whisker itself has no nerves or blood vessels but is firmly attached to a hair follicle and sinus, which has nerve innervation.
Never trim, pluck, or pull your cat's whiskers. Not only will plucking them hurt your cat, but you will be reducing your cat's ability to gather information about her surroundings, which can cause confusion, disorientation, and fear.
Whisker fatigue doesn't exactly mean the whiskers are tired, rather, they've become stressed from overuse. The most common cause of whisker fatigue is something a cat does every day – eating and drinking. Small, high-sided bowls typically used for feeding a cat's food and water are usually to blame for whisker fatigue.
Trimming a cat's claws every two to three weeks is an important part of maintaining your pet's health. Not only does a quick trim protect you, your pet and your family, it can also save your sofa, curtains and other furniture.
From a young age a cat's mother would not only lick them as a way of grooming them, but also to show affection. Cats then replicate this behaviour with you as a way of showing their own affection – it simply comes naturally. This licking behaviour is not just exclusive between pet and owner.
They're trying to bond with you.
In cat's world, cuddle time is productive bonding time. Your kitty needs you for food, warmth, and shelter, and sometimes all they want is show you how much they love and appreciate you. Your cat's headbutts, cuddles, and purrs are all tokens of affection and appreciation.
Culture: Cat's whiskers thrive in evenly moist soil and can adapt to full sun or partial shade. Afternoon shade and frequent watering are especially helpful in hot climates. Snipping off the flower spikes as they fade encourages new blooms to develop.
An individual whisker will fall out every couple of months, and each whisker will be in a different phase of the shedding cycle at any given time. Whisker shedding in felines is healthy and normal, with some lore even suggesting that finding a cat whisker is good luck!
What Are Cat Whiskers? Although they look like antennae and have a radar-like function, cat whiskers are highly sensitive hairs made of keratin, a protein also found in their claw sheaths.
Whiskers are filled with nerves and can detect the slightest changes in the cat's environment (Grunbaum, 2013). Because of this, whiskers are extra sensitive. This can cause your cat discomfort. Touching, pulling, or otherwise manipulating cat whiskers can make them uncomfortable.
Erect, straight whiskers mean your cat is angry, while limp whiskers mean they're content. If the whiskers lay back towards their face it may mean your cat is frightened. Be sure to never ever cut your cat's whiskers.
In most cases, cats will purr when they are in a relaxed environment, sending out waves of calmness. This may also occur when you stroke them, and if this is the case, your feline friend is feeling happy or sociable. However, cats purr to communicate other emotions and needs, too.
Smell Transfer
Cats recognize each other (and us) by scent. Raising the butt is your cat's way of getting their anal glands closer to your nose so you can get a whiff of their pheromones.
Cats typically don't like being petted on their tummy, legs/feet, or tail. Of course, there are always outliers—some cats will love every bit of affection, no matter where they're touched or who's doing it. But generally, you shouldn't pet a cat you don't know on their stomach or extremities.
It probably feels like your four-legged fur baby has got it in for you, but these perceived acts of aggression are actually an indicator of affection. That can be quite difficult to fathom, right? But it's true; they're actually “love bites” rather than a defense mechanism.
Kneading to convey comfort — Happy cats appear to knead to show pleasure. Cats often knead while being petted, or when snuggling into a napping spot. Your cat may also knead on your lap to show her love and contentment, and then settle in for a pat or nap. A stressed cat may knead to create a soothing, calm mood.
Cats get comfort and security from enclosed spaces, which is why they love spending time in cardboard boxes. Cats use boxes as hiding places where predators can't sneak up on them from the side or behind.
In scientific observations, cats do not appear to perceive the full range of colors that humans can. Some scientists believe that cats see only blue and gray, while others think they see also see yellow like their canine counterparts.