What happens if a cat's whiskers are cut off: consequences. Will a cat's trimmed whiskers grow back?

(Be the first to vote!)

5589564

06/24/2021 owner reviews

Curious what happens when you trim your cat's whiskers? Find out the role of whiskers in cats and other animals and what happens if they lose them.

Since you are reading this article, you are probably wondering what will happen if you trim or shorten your cat's whiskers. Will this affect the cat's behavior in any way and, most importantly, will it harm the animal? Or are mustaches only for decorative purposes?

To give you a short answer:

Whiskers are not just decorative, and you should never cut or trim the whiskers of a cat or any animal. This will cause discomfort and other problems for the animal.

To get a more detailed answer and learn about the role of whiskers in cats, keep reading.

• What is a mustache?
• The role of whiskers in cats
• What happens after trimming your mustache?
• Does a mustache grow?
• The last word

What are vibrissae?

Contrary to popular belief, the whiskers on the faces of furry pets have nothing to do with decoration. They are endowed with exclusively applied, navigation functions. During evolution, many mammals acquired such a tool. This is especially true for animals living in conditions of limited visibility.

Vibrissae are part of the short-range orientation system

The word “vibrissae” comes from the Latin “vibro”, which means “wriggle”. This term refers to the receptors of the organs of touch.

Main characteristics:

• shape - straight or twisted;
• color - white or black;
• quantity - from 33 to 40;
• length - from 5 to 7 cm;
• location - underpads, chin, cheeks, eyelids, tail, ankles, paw pads.

In representatives of some breeds, for example, the Maine Coon, the length of the whiskers can reach 19 cm. In the Cornish Rex they are small and curled at the ends. Sphinxes are sometimes born without whiskers, which does not prevent them from orienting themselves in space.

Vibrissae structure

One of the distinctive features of tactile hairs is elasticity. This quality is achieved due to the conical narrowing of the vibrissae towards the end. They are rooted in the skin 3 times deeper than wool, which makes it possible to trigger the mechanism for transmitting information coming from outside to the brain. Each whisker has a separate “representation” in the brain, similar to the sense organs.

At the base of the vibrissa there is muscle tissue supplied with a large number of nerve endings. They are connected to a specific part of the brain. The vibration of the hair excites the root, and the impulse is instantly transmitted to the desired section.

Scientists claim that cats' whiskers give them a three-dimensional night vision. Unlike information obtained through hearing, smell or vision, whiskers contribute exclusively to short-range orientation.

Vibrissae help a cat learn about the world around it

Interesting Facts:

• vibrissae are denser than hair;
• controlled by different muscle groups;
• pick up the slightest air vibrations;
• are formed before the fur.

There is a version that hair and whiskers have different evolutionary origins. Tactile hairs appeared in the ancestors of mammals much earlier than wool.

Whiskers are sensitive to negative electrical charges that arise when stroking a cat against the grain.

What are whiskers needed for, and how does a cat use them?

Why do cats need whiskers? With their mustaches and eyebrows they “feel” the nearby space, receiving additional information about it. Vibrissae allow a small predator to:

• Determine the distance to objects and their size. For example, with their help, a cat, approaching a hole, can correlate its size with the width of its own body and decide whether it should try to get inside.
• Orientate yourself in space even in the dark. By analyzing information from the vibrissae and other sense organs, the brain creates the most complete picture of the surrounding world. In the dark, cats see better than people, but the main helpers in conditions of limited visibility are not their eyes, but their whiskers.

• Get to know something new. To obtain information about an object, another animal or person, the cat approaches it, directing its whiskers forward.
• Determine external conditions (atmospheric pressure, humidity, temperature) and sense their slightest changes. When the cat does this, the whiskers move slightly. It has been noticed that before natural disasters or weather changes, the behavior of animals changes.
• Avoid eye damage. The cat is able to make his way through thorny thickets even in the dark - touching the branches with his whiskers, he automatically closes his eyelids.
• Assess the speed and direction of the wind in order to correctly choose the strength and trajectory of the jump.
• Get information about food. Everything that is near the muzzle does not fall into the animal’s field of vision. The nose and whiskers help the cat determine what is in front of it.
• Monitor the condition of the prey that is in the teeth.
• Determine the structure and temperature of the surface. The vibrissae located on the paws are responsible for this.

What disorders are associated with loss of mustache?

The sudden loss of a large number of mustaches is associated with the development of the following diseases:

• vitamin deficiency (lack of vitamin A, D and some microelements in the pet’s body);
• diseases of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism);
• diabetes;
• allergic reaction to food or certain substances;
• metabolic disease;
• skin diseases.

If a cat loses a significant number of its whiskers by the roots, it must be shown to a veterinarian. Self-medication will worsen your pet's condition.

Causes of mustache breaking and falling out

If the animal's health is not impaired, a new, smooth and shiny one will eventually grow in place of the lost antenna. The situation is much more alarming when the fur on the cat’s face begins to shed abundantly, forming bald spots and affecting the whiskers. The owner needs to carefully analyze the peculiarities of keeping, feeding and well-being of the pet, since there may be several reasons for the disappearance of a cat’s whiskers.

Vibrissae can break off and fall out:

During the molting period of a grown-up kitten, when the baby fur is replaced by an adult one. This is confined to the age of 5-6 months and is a normal physiological phenomenon: having dressed in a new fur coat, the teenager will grow a new chic mustache. As a result of a cat's curious nature, which makes it reach out to unfamiliar objects with its muzzle

Sometimes this turns out to be a dangerous adventure, such as instantly incinerating your mustache when trying to approach a lit kitchen stove burner. When handling an animal carelessly. Out of ignorance and lack of intelligence, children can harm a cat by pulling its whiskers or cutting them with scissors. During a showdown with relatives

If several cats live in the house, then fights occur between the animals, ending with scratches, bites, tearing out tufts of fur and loss of whiskers. As a result of an unbalanced diet. Feeding exclusively meat and fish or cheap economy-class dry food leads to an imbalance of minerals and hypovitaminosis. A lack of Omega-3 fatty acids and taurine also affects the condition of the coat. Being one of the symptoms of allergies. The appearance of redness, bald spots and itchy, weeping areas can be the result of food allergies, as well as increased sensitivity to other factors, such as plastic dishes and household chemicals that are used to clean the cat's dishes and litter box. Due to fungal infection (dermatomycosis). The notorious ringworm is caused by fungi from the genus Trichophyton and Microsporum, and is characterized by rapid hair loss, redness of the skin, itching and scratching. Primary lesions are usually localized on the face, head and ears, subsequently spreading throughout the body. When affected by ectoparasites. Cat fleas bite through the skin and drink the blood of the host animal, and their saliva at the site of the bite causes an irritation known as “flea dermatitis.” Thinning, loss and increased fragility of hair and whiskers can also be a consequence of lice parasitism. Many cats that go out on their own become infected with microscopic mites (ear mites and scabies), which gnaw passages in the skin, causing severe itching and disturbing the structure of the coat. As a symptom of hormonal imbalances. Disruption of the endocrine glands (thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries) affects the general condition of the coat, the density and symmetry of hair growth, as well as pigment production and coloration. With frequent bathing. Abuse of washing with detergents that destroy the protective fat layer on the skin leads to dryness, dandruff and brittle hair. As a reaction to excessive dry air. Some owners blow-dry their long-haired cats after bathing, which is not very good for the condition of the integumentary tissue. The problem can also arise in the winter when the central heating is turned on. As a feature of the breed. Hairless cats, due to a gene mutation, tend to remain without whiskers.

The owner should take into account the sudden “hairlessness” of his pet and, if possible, try to eliminate the reasons that caused it. Questions related to feline health should be addressed by a qualified veterinarian

Does a mustache grow?

Whiskers that are lost, trimmed, or otherwise damaged will grow back in their original location. A completely lost mustache usually grows back within a few weeks. If your cat has had severe hair follicle trauma, the lost whiskers may never grow back, but this is quite rare.

Whiskers do not grow slower or faster depending on the cat's age, but at approximately the same rate throughout the cat's life.

The length of the whiskers is determined genetically, and once they reach a certain length, they will stop growing and will remain approximately the same length throughout your cat's life. The mustache does not grow indefinitely, so it does not need to be trimmed or trimmed.

Further care for the animal if its whiskers have been cut off

Do lost whiskers grow back in cats: even after trimming the hairs on the eyebrows and chin, they will be restored in 14-21 days. There are no special means to accelerate their growth - doctors advise using multivitamin complexes specifically designed for animals. They allow hairs to grow faster and become thicker.

Natural recovery will occur provided that no damage to the hair follicle occurred at the time of loss of the mustache. Animal care includes:

• protecting it from hot objects: fireplaces, gas and electric stoves, candles;
• using a special cap will help reduce the risk of head injuries;
• if a pet is placed in a cage for a while, then it will not be able to accidentally harm itself;
• an injured animal should not be allowed out into the street - there it can get under the wheels of a car, fall from a height, crash and damage not only its paws, but also its head.

Each new haircut of the whiskers will cause aggression in the pet towards its tormentor. If there are children in the house, then they immediately need to be explained why there are hard hairs on the cat’s body and what the risk of losing them is.

Trimming whiskers will not make a cat look beautiful; they play a big role in choosing a partner and communicating with familiar and unfamiliar relatives. Having lost their sixth sense organ, animals cannot hunt or move through previously unexplored places. Nature has protected furry pets, but it will take a long time to recover from the loss, during which time they can suffer seriously. Any stressful situation does not pass without a trace, then you should not be surprised at an animal that is aggressively opposed to its own owners.

Source

What happens if you cut a cat's whiskers?

If you trim a cat's whiskers and eyebrows with scissors or clip them, the pet will experience severe stress and may become disoriented in space: huddle in the far corner of the room, lose appetite and interest in outdoor games. Therefore, you cannot trim or shave your mustache for the sake of hygiene or aesthetics. And if the animal is still left without whiskers, for example, after a fight for territory or playing with children, watch it extremely carefully.

There will be no changes in coordination and gait. The animal will retain its natural agility in daylight, but will feel unsteady at night.

Preventative measures to prevent mustache loss

When a cat's whiskers fall out, why this happened is the first thing that should interest the owner who loves his four-legged friend. He must do everything to prevent the loss of one of the main elements of the cat's body. Firstly, at the first manifestations of hair loss, you need to find out the cause and carry out the correct treatment. A veterinarian's examination and prescription will help with this. Preventive measures against vibris loss consist of the following:

• regular treatment of the animal for helminths and parasites;
• development of a suitable diet, including vitamins and microelements;
• eliminating possible allergens from the cat’s life;
• timely vaccination against diseases and infections;
• preventive visits to the veterinary clinic;
• keeping the animal and its habitat clean;
• carrying out hygiene procedures as necessary using suitable detergents;
• excluding self-medication.

Timely vaccination against diseases and infections

If you follow all the rules and make sure that the animal is not in conditions that are dangerous for it, you can minimize whisker loss. Remember that under no circumstances should a cat's whiskers be trimmed unless medically required. Also stop the habit of pulling your pet's whiskers, this causes him great discomfort.

How to spend less gasoline by planning your route correctly?

Often, from year to year, motorists persistently follow the established habit and drive from home to work or to other objects strictly along the same route, not realizing that they can choose a different route that will be less congested with vehicles, on which there will be fewer traffic lights and , after all, which will be shorter in distance. Choosing the optimal route among the possible ones will save gasoline. A navigator or a special program installed on your phone (2GIS, Google Maps or some other) will help you solve the problem of choosing the optimal route. You can also find out which road there is a traffic jam on at the moment, so as not to burn fuel in vain trying to drive along it, from other drivers, for example, by using a car radio.

How to help a pet who has lost its whiskers

There are no specially designed drugs or products to accelerate the growth of whiskers in cats. With a healthy hair follicle, the vibrissae grow on their own. There is no need for additional care. Veterinarians emphasize that there is no need to use any ointments or creams, this will not bring any benefit.

If it happens that your mustache breaks or falls off, you need to diversify your diet. It is advisable to include the following products in your daily menu:

Already in the 3rd week, the hairs grow a couple of millimeters, which allows the four-legged pet to again adequately respond to the world around it. Over the next 4-10 weeks, the vibrissae acquire the required size, and their receptors are completely restored.

What happens if you cut off an animal's mustache and eyebrows?

The role of whiskers in the life of cats is great, so if they are trimmed, they will at least experience discomfort. According to research, animals without whiskers have poorer spatial orientation because their brains lack information about the world around them. Cats begin to bump into objects and get stuck in narrow holes. During jumps, they often fall, not reaching the desired object or missing. Street animals especially suffer from the loss of whiskers - they cannot fully hunt, experience problems with food, and are often injured.

Different cats react differently to damage to the whiskers: the behavior of some is not particularly different from usual, others feel extremely insecure without them, become more withdrawn and nervous, move less, and their mental state worsens. A cat without a whisker loses coordination, so you should be careful and not let a whiskered animal out of the house to avoid injury.

What happens after trimming your mustache?

So, one of the first consequences of trimming your cat's whiskers will be disorientation. The animal will lose some of its ability to correctly identify spaces and shapes, and you will likely frequently see it bump into objects or get stuck in small places.

Additionally, your cat may have trouble catching prey because it cannot feel the vibrations in the air caused by its movement due to its lack of whiskers.

© shutterstock

Additionally, research has shown that many small mammals, such as rodents, use their whiskers to tactically guide safe leg placement. Thus, motor control and environmental exploration are the two most common functions of whisker sensory perception in small nonflying mammals.

Vibrissae structure

The roots of the mustache are located deep in the tissues. They are equipped with nerve endings. The information received is sent to the brain and changes the animal’s behavior.

The largest part is located on the muzzle in four rows. On average there are 24 of them. The length of each reaches approximately 6-7 cm. For individual breeds, the value can vary significantly up or down.

The Guinness Book of Records has recorded the longest 19-centimeter mustache on a representative of the Maine Coon breed.

Outbred cats turn out to be better hunters the longer their whiskers are. It has been noticed that skinny cats have thinner hair than well-fed ones.

In addition to the cheeks, vibrissae are located on the chin, above the eyes, on the tail and paws. They are much shorter, but have the same purpose.

Causes of acne in animals

It is quite difficult to unequivocally answer the question about the root causes of the painful condition of the skin. However, a list of potential threats that provoke the appearance of acne, especially in the area around the lips and on the chin, helps to find the very provoking factor in a particular case. Veterinarians believe that the causes of such rashes on the skin of cats are:

• low stress resistance of the animal’s body, as a result of which malfunctions of the sebaceous glands occur;
• poor hygiene of this area of ​​the cat’s face (blackheads and blackheads resembling grains form on the chin, since this place is difficult to reach for independent licking);
• concomitant skin diseases that were not treated;
• abnormal functioning of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles;
• weakened immunity (acne in cats often appears when the body’s general defenses are reduced);
• the use of low-quality plastic dishes for feeding cats (the pores of bowls made of such materials collect a huge amount of bacteria, potentially dangerous to the pet’s skin).

Consequences of loss

The consequences of trimming cats' whiskers can be very varied and depend on whether the animal is a pet or an outdoor one, as well as on individual characteristics. The most difficult situation for the lack of their sensory sensors is street cats who are forced to get their food in the wild. Without whiskers, it will be difficult for backyard predators to track their prey and hunt successfully.

What happens if a cat's whiskers are trimmed depends on the individual sensitivity of a particular pet. At first, some animals may lose the ability to navigate normally in the surrounding space.

There are cases where cats deprived of whiskers could not walk in a straight line for a certain time, fell and lost orientation in space. This failure in the animal’s navigation system is due to a sharp lack of signals about the environment entering the brain.

Of course, such extreme manifestations are not typical for all animals. Most often, the loss of whiskers leads to the fact that it is more difficult for a pet to make accurate jumps and navigate in the dark. Without whiskers, a cat more often stumbles upon obstacles and does not navigate in an unfamiliar environment.

Veterinary experts under no circumstances advise owners to trim or trim their animal's whiskers. Such manipulation can lead to stress, fearfulness, and inappropriate behavior. Some especially sensitive pets have a hard time coping with the loss of their whiskers: they become withdrawn and become non-communicative. Cats sleep for a long time and stop leading an active lifestyle.

To see what happens if you cut a cat's whiskers, watch this video:

How long are cat whiskers?

Now we know how many whiskers cats have, and now we know their length. As a rule, the length of hair formations in domestic felines is about 7 cm. But there are some exceptions, for example, the carriers of the longest antennae are individuals of the Maine Coon breed.

But sphinxes have much shorter hair lengths, and their shape is slightly curled. It is not uncommon for representatives of this breed to experience a complete absence of antennae, and this is not at all associated with any disorders in the body.

The length of a cat's whiskers directly depends on his diet and breed. And people believe that the longer the whiskers, the more productive the cat is at catching mice. It is a known fact that the length of a hair is equal to the width of the body of a furry animal.

Approaching a narrow passage, the cat, having this information, tries on whether it can pass through this hole or not.

Cat whiskers and eyebrows or vibrissae (the scientific name for cat whiskers) presumably (since science itself does not yet know exactly why a cat needs them) perform as many as 3 functions:

• The first function of the whiskers is protective - you can check this yourself; a light touch on the cat’s eyebrows causes a blinking reflex in the cat, and on the whiskers - licking or pulling away.
• The second function of the whiskers is tactile; in a cat, such eyebrows and whiskers serve. In other words, your cat can, without using the organs of vision, but with the help of whiskers, receive information about objects that are even at dusk or in complete darkness. The cat analyzes not only the distance to such an object, but also receives the necessary information about the size and shape of the object itself.
• Well, the third function is that with the help of whiskers the animal evaluates the movements of air masses, because any movement, including human movements, is accompanied by the movement of air layers, and thanks to convection processes, odors, which are very important, move along with these air masses and layers for our cats.

So, for example,

Vibrissae are usually localized in groups - near the nose (we call them mustaches), near the eyes (eyebrows), in the jaw area ("beard"). And they can safely be classified as specialized sensory organs of cats that respond to the slightest changes in the environment.

From all that has been said above, it becomes clear that the animal needs a cat’s whiskers and eyebrows not for decoration, but for specific functions. Accordingly, when the whiskers suffer (the cat singed them, or your baby decided to give her a new hairstyle), the cat not only changes in appearance, it is deprived of the opportunity to use one of its senses and facial expressions. You won't believe it, but

What and why

It’s not for nothing that even in fairy tales it was emphasized: mustachioed and striped. Gorgeous long whiskers are a source of pride for a cat, and often for its owners. Yes, nature gave them for a reason. Let's first look at why a cat needs a mustache. In addition to their decorative function, they are also an organ of smell. They even have a second name, which is rarely mentioned in everyday life.

How to help an animal that has lost its whiskers

Regular whisker loss in cats without an identified cause requires additional examination by a veterinarian. After receiving the results, appropriate treatment methods can be carried out:

• taking anthelmintic and antiparasitic drugs for therapeutic and preventive purposes;
• antihistamines to eliminate allergies and antibiotics to treat infectious diseases;
• vitamins, minerals to strengthen and restore immunity.

Creating favorable living conditions for your pet:

• eliminating excessive dryness in the room when using a humidifier;
• ensuring that bathing is not too frequent and using special shampoos;
• the use of fatty acids (biotin, taurine) in compliance with the dosages prescribed by the veterinarian, since an excess amount of drugs can have the opposite effect;
• eliminating stress factors for your pet;
• use of high-quality animal feed;
• ensuring water balance (regular fluid intake by the cat throughout the day).

Recommendations for eliminating this problem if your cat’s whiskers fall out for various reasons:

• using cheap food for the animal, since such products are of poor quality and can negatively affect the general condition of the pet;
• regular treatment of the coat against parasites, fleas and ticks;
• processing raw meat to destroy helminth eggs that may be contained in it;
• excluding aggression towards the cat from other family members (young children);
• addition of various vitamin complexes to the daily diet of cats;
• regularly providing the required amount of drinking water for the animal, since its lack contributes to the development of urolithiasis and other problems;
• visit the veterinarian at least 2 times a year to assess the general condition of the pet;
• excluding the trimming of whiskers in cats, since even a slight shortening of the length can cause the development of negative consequences.

Whiskers for cats are one of the important organs that provide touch, so their damage becomes the cause of many disorders in the body. Vibrissae require careful care and control on the part of the pet owner to maintain the good condition of the animal.

What happens if you trim your cat's whiskers?

Will it hurt a cat if its whiskers are trimmed? Not really. As mentioned, the whiskers are similar to other hairs on a cat's body. The only difference is that they are thicker and perform a different function.

There are no nerves around the cat's whiskers, so there is no risk of bleeding or pain. However, if you trim a cat's whiskers, the cat finds itself in a situation where it loses the ability to correctly navigate in space.

This means that by cutting off a cat's whiskers, you are depriving the animal of the ability to perceive anything due to its poor eyesight. If you trim your cat's whiskers, your pet will not be able to distinguish between objects that are close or far away. In addition, the opportunity to find out whether the movement in space is proceeding correctly will be lost, so the cat will become somewhat clumsy.

And due to the lack of natural abilities, the cat whose whiskers have been trimmed becomes nervous from tension. Therefore, taking into account all the above information, under no circumstances is it recommended to trim the whiskers of cats.

Natural causes

It's not all bad for owners of furry purrs. It’s worth mentioning right away that in some situations and for a number of breeds, whisker breaking is a normal situation. What are the reasons for the described phenomenon? Vibrissae (as cat whiskers are called in the scientific community!) are coarse hairs that need renewal. They make it easy to navigate in space even in pitch darkness. With their help, the pet determines the temperature of the food and its origin. The process of whisker loss is as natural as, for example, cats shedding hair or gaining fat for the winter.

What should the owner do? First of all, don't worry. Wait a few days and if the cat is planning to form new whiskers, then you don’t have to worry. They will soon grow back successfully. If the situation is the opposite and after an impressive period of time new whiskers do not grow or they simply do not exist, then you should consult a veterinarian.

There are entire breeds that lack whiskers. There are several main reasons for this.

1. In the first place are the sphinxes, as well as their hybrid breeds: bambino, greyhound, elves, etc. Moreover, the percentage of individuals without mustaches is not so large, but they feel great. Some cats exhibit small whiskers. As for Sphynx animals. Under no circumstances should you trim even the smallest mustache. If they fall out, this is, for the most part, a reason to consult a veterinarian.
2. Kittens' whiskers break off due to curiosity. The baby can stick his head into a narrow hole, get out unsuccessfully and lose part of the whiskers. Sometimes, the cat deliberately bites them off entirely. In any case, they will grow back and there is no need to worry. This is natural, although sometimes cruel, behavior of animals.
3. In the struggle of males for a lady or territory, fights often occur. In the heat of battle, not only the loser, but also the winner can lose their mustache.

In any case, the reasons described are a natural process for cats’ whiskers to fall out or break off. After some time they will grow back, perhaps even more magnificently than before.

As the kitten grows, its whiskers may break. This is due to hormonal changes in the body. It can be compared to the growth of a beard and mustache in people during adolescence.

The necessity of cat whiskers and what they are scientifically called

Why do cats need whiskers? Whiskers are a sensitive organ of touch for cats.

With the help of its whiskers, the animal navigates space, studies surrounding objects and finds prey.

This organ acts as a collector of information that it transmits to the brain.

Areas of the body where the mustache is located:

• On both sides of the nose.
• Above the eyes.
• On the sides of the head.
• On the ankles of the front paws.
• On the tail.

In total, the animal has from 30 to 35 whiskers with an average length of 5-6 cm. The largest number of them is located on the head.

With the help of whiskers, a cat controls the prey when it holds it in its teeth

The scientific name for animal whiskers is vibrissae. The word comes from the Latin vibrissae, which means to oscillate, to wriggle.

What is a mustache?

Although we usually call these hairs "whiskers", they are scientifically known as tactile hairs or vibrissae. The name "vibrissae" comes from the Latin word "vibrio", which means "to vibrate".

Not everyone is aware of the exact role of mustaches, but of course, these special types of hair do not have a purely decorative role.

Besides cats, many animals also possess some type of whiskers, but the most common are facial whiskers. In fact, with the exception of humans and apes, all mammals have them.

While whiskers are certainly common among mammals, other land and aquatic creatures have them in some form - fish, turtles, sharks, etc.

Features of the structure of whiskers in cats and cats

There are no differences in the structure of the vibrissae in cats and male cats. This organ is not related to the gender of the animal and performs the same functions. The difference may be slight in length and thickness. But this is determined solely by genetics.

Locations

There is a common belief that cats have whiskers only on their faces. Long, thick hairs have been seen and known by everyone here. They are located:

• around the nose;
• on the lip pads;
• above the eyes;
• on the lower jaw, more precisely, on the chin.

But there are the same ones on the front legs. True, they are not so noticeable. But just look closely at the paw just above the place where the dewclaw is located, and you can easily spot them.

Vibrissae are located not only on the face, but also on the cat’s paws

Length

The length of the whiskers on a cat's face is on average 5–7 cm. But in this matter, much depends on the breed. So, the owners of the longest mustaches are Maine Coons. Their whiskers add incredible charm to their already charismatic appearance. In sphinxes, on the contrary, the vibrissae are very short, and often also curled. The owners of curly mustaches are cats that carry the Rex gene. The name of these breeds contains the prefix “Rex”. For example: Cornish Rex, Devon Rex and others.

The length of the whiskers is also determined by the cat’s nutrition. If it is balanced, the mustache will be truly luxurious.

There is a popular belief that the longer a cat's whiskers, the more mice he catches. So our ancestors considered this relationship.

Thickness

The thickness of the whiskers varies only by gender: cats have thicker whiskers than cats. You can also identify differences by location:

• the mustache on the cheeks is much thicker than above the eyes;
• on the front legs the vibrissae are only slightly ahead in thickness of the animal's guard hairs.

In general, the thickness of the vibrissae is explained by the fact that the place where each hair grows is rich in nerve endings. And if you consider that their number is quite large, then it becomes clear why the vibrissae has a tubercle at the base.

Other structural features

The vibrissae themselves are already a very mysterious organ. Each hair has a connection with its own part of the brain and is responsible only for a specific function. Therefore, if a cat loses one of its antennae, it temporarily experiences problems in hunting, coordination, touch, etc.

Each antennae is equipped with nerve endings and has its own “representation” in the brain

Why do cats' whiskers turn black or white?

The color of the whiskers directly depends on the color of the animal itself. They can be white, black, red or several colors at the same time. Usually a black cat has black whiskers, but sometimes white whiskers are normal. In some breeds they turn black over time.

If a cat with a white mustache has acquired a black color, this phenomenon also does not mean anything terrible, just a normal change in hair pigmentation. You should be wary if the color, on the contrary, changes to white. Sometimes this can be a symptom of a disease. Therefore, even with a slight deviation, it is worth consulting with a veterinarian.

It's hard to imagine a cat without a luxurious mustache! However, nature did not invent them for beauty. Century after century, whiskers have helped cats survive in the wild, and today house hunters cannot do without them either. So what is their function? About this in our article.

What is the correct name for a cat's whiskers and what are they?

Cats' whiskers grow not only under the nose, but also on the forehead, near the eyes, on the chin and even on the paws. More precisely, it is correct to call them not “whiskers”, but “vibrissae”. These are sensitive, hard hairs, longer than the coat. In total, there are about 40 such hairs on a cat’s body, and only 24 of them are on the face.

Unlike simple hair, vibrissae are surrounded by hundreds of nerve endings and muscle fibers, and their root goes deep into the tissue.

Each whisker is a separate organ of touch, which continuously transmits a signal to the animal’s brain 24 hours a day. Vibrissae are present not only in cats, but also in many other mammals, including dogs.

Why does a cat need a mustache?

Vibrissae pick up the slightest vibrations in the air and help cats navigate in space. With such “devices”, even at night in an unfamiliar room, the cat will not crash into objects, will always smell the mouse and accurately calculate the jump distance.

Vibrissae help the cat understand whether food is safe. In the wild, the hunter seems to wrap her whiskers around a caught mouse, determining whether the prey is dead and whether it is possible to start eating. In a similar way, your pet analyzes food and treats at home

Caution in such matters is never superfluous!

Vibrissae serve for cats to communicate with each other and with humans. An attentive owner will always determine the mood of the pet by the position of the whiskers.

Is it possible to trim a cat's whiskers?

Is it possible to shorten cats' whiskers? Any specialist will answer: under no circumstances. The vibrissae are an important organ, the loss of which will result in extreme stress for the cat. A cat that suddenly loses its whiskers will become less aware of space and will feel defenseless and vulnerable until new ones grow.

Adults must explain to children that pulling out a cat's whiskers is prohibited. In addition to loss of function, it is also very painful, since the whiskers, unlike wool, are rooted deep into the tissue. Cat whiskers must remain untouchable!

What to do if your cat's whiskers fall out?

Now we know how important whiskers are for a cat. But what if they suddenly started falling out? Should we sound the alarm?

From time to time, the vibrissae are renewed in the same way as animal fur and human hair. Therefore, if you notice a fallen or broken mustache at home, there is no need to worry. This is fine!

It’s another matter if the vibrissae fall out and break in large numbers. This is a signal that something is wrong with the body. Perhaps it is a matter of seasonal adjustment, or perhaps an internal illness. Don't ignore the problem and contact your veterinarian.

Is it possible to remove cats' whiskers?

It often happens that cat owners, out of ignorance or “for the sake of beauty,” remove their pet’s whiskers. Sometimes a small child performs this action for fun, playing with the “kitty” and deciding to trim its mustache.

Doing this without a veterinarian’s prescription is strictly prohibited (the previous paragraph describes in detail what happens to a cat that has lost tactile hairs). Sometimes, due to any injuries or wounds, a cat's whiskers are deliberately removed at a veterinary clinic . But they do this only if the vibrissae are located directly on the affected area. In other situations, veterinarians never trim a cat’s whiskers and do not recommend that its owners do so.

How does the loss of a whisker affect the health and behavior of a pet?

The most common are a sharp loss of the ability to move normally, navigate in the dark and in space, adequately assess the size of objects, the distances to them and between them. The accuracy of jumps and adaptability to new environments also decrease. The cat’s overall activity decreases, he becomes less playful, withdrawn, and sometimes even aggressively fearful. You need to give your pet time to get used to the new circumstances and wait until the mustache grows back. If the whiskers do not recover after a month, then it is better to seek help from a veterinarian.

Differences from animal hairs

There are physiological characteristics. The vibrissae are planted very deep into the skin; these are not ordinary hairs at all. Each whisker is an antenna that is surrounded by nerve cells. This is necessary to transmit signals directly to the brain center. But that is not all. Vibrissae are equipped with muscle fibers. That is, it is not hair at all, but rather complex receptors. In fact, they are responsible for the sense of smell, they just changed during evolution. The longest and most sensitive mustaches are located on top, shorter ones can be seen in the chin area. Remember that cats hunt at night, they need to quickly and silently find and catch a rodent. It is thanks to the whiskers that a cat can feel an object without contacting it and avoid colliding with an obstacle. What happens if you cut a cat's whiskers? He will lose a huge flow of information. Of course, this is not fatal at home, but it affects the well-being of the pet.

Why does a cat need a mustache?

A kitten without a whisker loses orientation in space

Vibrissae are the sixth sense organ directly connected to the brain. With their help, life is regulated: from touch to communication with furry fellows. If you don’t know why cats absolutely cannot have their whiskers cut, you can seriously harm them. Whiskers are not ordinary fur, and their loss deprives the pet of the opportunity to safely walk down the street, explore unfamiliar types of food, or hunt.

A kitten without whiskers loses orientation in space Vibrissae are multifunctional devices designed by nature as an additional sensory organ. They help cats hunt. A running mouse creates air vibrations that are instantly picked up by a small predator. The pet determines:

• the exact location of your victim;
• her condition;
• the point to which the enemy moves.

After capturing the mouse, the hairs growing on the cat's front paws come to the rescue. With their help, she controls the behavior of the victim, assesses the situation, determines the location and strength of resistance of the rodent or bird.

When communicating with fellow creatures, the mustache plays a big role. An animal’s reaction to the appearance of an unfamiliar individual or person can be determined by the position of its whiskers:

• If they are aimed at the subject of study, then the pet is interested in communication, it emanates friendliness.
• If they are pressed together with the ears, then attempts to pet the cat will lead to scratches, bites and the rapid disappearance of an aggressive animal.

Important! Vibrissae are the first to form during the embryonic development of babies. They help the newborn quickly establish contact with the outside world and identify his mother and brothers.

It’s better not to even think about what will happen if a newborn cat’s whiskers are trimmed. You should not do this, because until they are restored the baby will be deaf and blind and will be afraid to move.

Difference from hairs

The physiological characteristics of vibrissae include their deep insertion into the skin. Each of the antennae is a kind of antenna, surrounded by many nerve endings. They are used to transmit received signals to the brain center.

Vibrissae are complex receptors equipped with muscle fibers. They are responsible for the sense of touch, and their appearance is associated with evolutionary changes in the furry pet’s body. The longest ones are located on top, the shortest ones are located in the chin area. The main help of sensitive antennas is the ability to quickly and silently hunt birds and rodents at night.

Whiskers help cats hunt

Important! By the whiskers you can evaluate the cat's next action. Splayed out - intended to intimidate the enemy, directed in the opposite direction - indicate anxiety and uncertainty of the pet.

Sensitivity

Resourcefulness and cunning are important character traits not only of an adult, but also of a small kitten. If you cut a cat's whiskers, what will happen to it:

• sensitivity to possible danger will decrease;
• the definition of the road will be lost in complete darkness;
• the reaction to environmental changes will disappear.

Touch is one of the important functions of vibrissae. With its help, pets will find out the safety of the food offered and its freshness. In pitch darkness, the animal easily avoids objects standing in the way by touching them with its whiskers. In some cases, direct contact is not necessary: ​​due to the mobility and vibration of hard hairs, air vibrations are created, the reflection of which from foreign objects is caught by the vibrissae. After transmitting the signal to the brain center, the cat receives a three-dimensional image of space.

If a cat's whiskers are cut off, what will happen to it during a chase:

• she will not be able to determine the diameter of the hole she is going to crawl into;
• may get stuck in it;
• she will not be able to hide from her pursuer.

Important! Veterinarians have noticed that the loss of sensitive hairs for various reasons leads to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders in furry pets. They lose the skills to receive and process information, become defenseless, and behave inappropriately.

Why you can't trim your mustache and eyebrows

Trimming a cat's whiskers and eyebrows is strictly contraindicated. This makes their existence very difficult. Vibrissae are one of the main organs of the cat family and serve as tactile and olfactory receptors. In some animals, the hairs may fall off on their own for a variety of reasons, but then they grow back. However, specially cut hairs cause significant discomfort to the pet.

Cats should not have their hair cut because it will negatively affect their health. The pet will not lose its sense of touch or smell, but spatial orientation will deteriorate significantly. Instead of lost or cut whiskers, new ones will grow in the cat only after 3 months. This is a very long period of time, so cats should not have their whiskers trimmed.

Damaged whiskers deprive the cat of adequate perception of the surrounding world

What problems will a cat have to face if its whiskers are trimmed?

• there is a decrease in jumping ability as a result of a deterioration in the computational function, the pet jumps or does not jump to the desired goal;
• there is a loss of the ability to accurately measure objects or distances, the cat may suddenly get stuck or fall;
• changes in behavior are observed, the animal becomes inactive, timid, and sometimes aggressive;
• the risks of injury increase, for example, a cat may lose an eye or injure its skin without noticing the threat in time due to the lack of whiskers;
• a certain disorientation develops, due to which the animal is often injured at night, gets hit by cars, and is unable to escape from the dog in time.

In most cases, while the cat's cut hairs grow back, she leads a recumbent lifestyle and loses her appetite. As a result, the fur becomes faded and loses its color. The pet stops catching mice, does not react to birds and live fish, and begins to go to the toilet in the wrong places.

Why does a cat's whiskers break?

Some cat breeds may have whiskers that break for no reason. Most often this is typical for sphinxes. If whisker breaking is accompanied by any deviations in the behavior or condition of the animal, then you should think about its health. A cat's whiskers break for the following reasons:

• Lack of vitamins. Associated symptoms are hair loss, unhealthy claws (brittleness, separation), bad breath.
• Low quality food. These could be foods that are contraindicated for cats, cheap food, or excessive amounts of fish.
• Fungal development. In this case, the structure of the mustache becomes fragile.
• The appearance of parasites in the body and lice in the coat.

If a cat rarely eats meat, his body suffers from a lack of taurine and collagen. This also causes the mustache to fall out. A vitamin-mineral complex will help correct the situation.

The owner of a furry pet may worry that the kitten's whiskers break and fall out. If the baby is still under the supervision of a cat, she can deliberately gnaw his antennae. After this procedure, he becomes calmer and practically does not leave his mother and the place she has chosen.

The process of losing whiskers in a cat is a normal phenomenon for an animal in adolescence. However, it can cause discomfort to the animal. The owner’s task in this case is to alleviate the cat’s condition at the time when his whiskers fall out. He also needs to monitor for signs that may indicate a possible disease.

Symptoms of acne in cats on the chin

Many cats first develop a slightly dirty chin, covered in small black spots between the hair follicles. Sometimes, symptoms in cats are limited to just this manifestation. In other cases, it may begin to progress into swollen, red lumps that begin to rupture and bleed.

If the problem continues to progress, it is likely that the follicles may become infected with Staphylococcus aureus. This is a fairly common bacterial infection that can usually be found on the surface of the skin. This complication is called bacterial folliculitis. This serious skin infection requires more aggressive treatment. Folliculitis can also lead to secondary fungal infections if not treated properly.

Why do antennae fall out or break, is this normal?

Even though the structure of a mustache is different from that of regular hair, it can also fall out and break.
Vibrissae have their own lifespan, and after its expiration they leave the follicles. When you see 1-2 fallen antennae, there is no need to sound the alarm, but if there are a lot of them, you need to look for the cause. Often, excessive fragility and loss of whiskers are associated with stress, dehydration or an unbalanced diet that does not provide the animal with the necessary vitamins and minerals, collagen. In this case, the quality of the coat deteriorates, it becomes dull and falls out.

The causes of hair loss can be pathologies that lead to disruption of the hair follicles and their death:

• Fungal diseases. If the lesion covers the area of ​​the whiskers, they begin to fall out along with the hair. The problem area is itchy and itchy.
• Skin diseases, including those of an allergic nature (ringworm, demodicosis, atopic dermatitis). Hair loss and vibrissae provoke inflammation and irritation of the skin.
• Parasites. The condition of the coat and whiskers can worsen both due to helminthic infestation (due to metabolic disorders) and when infected with fleas or ticks, the bites of which force the cat to scratch the skin vigorously.
• Endocrine diseases - diabetes, hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid function). The fur becomes matted, takes on an unkempt appearance and falls out.
• Folliculitis is inflammation of the follicles caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses.

Why cats shouldn't have their whiskers trimmed

Without the fan of hair on a cat's face, the life of furry creatures would be much more difficult. Ethologists have proven that vibrissae are necessary for domestic animals for a number of reasons:

Help cats find food.

Pets are hunters by nature. But they track prey not only visually and by smell. Thanks to their whiskers, they are capable of tactile senses, which allows animals to react to various movements of the prey they are waiting for.

After finishing a hunt for a mouse, for example, a cat, by running its whiskers over its body, checks in this way whether the food it has caught is alive. Intuitively, animals feel that they should not swallow their prey alive. And rightly so: such a maneuver threatens the pet with the formation of microcracks in the oral cavity and the introduction of infection into the body through them. Consequently, vibrissae are useful not only when searching for and catching “live food” - they can be used to check food for safety. By the way, if a cat immediately touches the caught victim with its paw, neglecting its whiskers, it means that they have fallen out or are damaged.

Meaning of mustache

At the base of the cat's whiskers are muscles containing nerve endings. Each of them is connected in a certain way to the brain. At the slightest vibrations of the whiskers (vibrissae), the necessary information is transmitted at the impulse level. Scientists have found that through these hairs, representatives of the cat family have a three-dimensional specific vision of the world around them in the dark.

Table No. 1. The importance of mustaches and eyebrows for cats

It is known that pets can obtain information about objects using fur and skin. To gain confidence in complete safety, they begin to act only after using the mustache. This is a kind of strategic behavior, an additional defensive reaction.

It is the whiskers that are especially sensitive to negative electrical discharges generated when stroking a cat against the grain. A distinctive characteristic of the hairs located on the muzzle is that they help the animal navigate in nearby space. Thus, being the main coordinators of movements, whiskers are simply vital for pets.

Interesting facts about mustaches

1. The system of pressure on the antennae can create a feeling of anxiety in them, so use a wide plate or flat feeder to eat.
2. In addition to a dozen hairs that are located on different sides of the nose, there are rather short analogues that are located near the eyes, near the chin, and on the other side of the paws in front.
3. The size of the hairs is such that they are literally similar to the width of the body, so they can figure out the width of the holes for themselves without even trying to pass through it.
4. The placement of the mustache can be balanced by different moods. If they are completely relaxed and straightened in different directions, then the cat feels calm. If they are turned forward, it means there is anxiety.
5. Without whiskers, cats may become disoriented and experience headaches, thereby not receiving vital signals.

How to support an animal?

There is no means to accelerate the growth of vibrissae. If the hair follicle is not damaged, the mustache will grow back without any help. There are also no aftercare procedures provided. There is no need to comb or apply ointments to damaged tactile hairs.

If a kitten's whiskers break, you need to enrich the baby's diet with vegetable oil, cottage cheese and milk. Sometimes it is useful to change the class of industrial food to a more elite one.

You should not cut or pluck your pet's whiskers. Even if it seems that the whiskers are too long or are in the way of the animal. Also, the rule “the more often you trim, the more voluminous it will be” does not apply to tactile hairs.

In winter, it is advisable to use air humidifiers indoors.

To prevent loss of whiskers and support the animal during their loss, a number of provoking factors should be excluded.

Table 4. Factors influencing the condition of the whiskers

Microelements must be given comprehensively

Vitamins and nutrients have a positive effect on the body only in combination with each other. Separately they are useless. If a pet receives exclusively pure calcium, it is retained in the kidneys and does not enter the cells. As a result, the animal suffers from hypocalcemia and renal failure.

Symptoms of hypocalcemia in cats and kittens

Reasons why mustaches break and fall out

The structure of the mustache is based on keratin, one of the components of the fur and claws. Domestic cats' whiskers can fall out just like their fur. This process is natural and should not cause the owner to panic.

Owners of Sphynx cats should not worry about short whiskers on their pets. The peculiarity of these animals is that the whiskers are short, sometimes with curls.

If there is a child in the house, then the pet often becomes a victim of children's experiments. Will a cat's trimmed whiskers grow back? This is a question often asked to veterinary specialists by parents of naughty children. After about 2 - 3 months, the cut off vibrasses are restored in a healthy animal. If you clearly explain to your child that the cat will be sick and sad without its whiskers, this problem can be avoided in the future.

Often, owners may notice that their pet is not growing new whiskers. This phenomenon occurs if the hair follicles are damaged for any reason. A cat may, for example, accidentally singe its whiskers. Follicles are damaged by fungal and parasitic diseases, severe dermatological pathologies. Only a veterinarian can help solve the problem in this case.

Animals react differently to the lack of the sensory apparatus they need. Most pets experience a depressed state and normal orientation in space is disrupted. There is often a lack of coordination when moving. Understanding what will happen if a cat's whiskers are cut, the owner will not do this on purpose and will explain to the children the consequences of such manipulation.

Functions of vibrissae

The purpose of the mustache is to be a kind of radar, an organ of touch. The longest, hardest and most sensitive ones are located above the upper lip, shorter and less sensitive ones are on the chin, under the eyes, all over the body, on the ankles, pads of the paws and even on the tail.

An adult cat has 12 hairs on each side of its cheeks. The average hair length is 6 centimeters. It is noteworthy that the cat's longest whiskers come from Finland. For this feature, it is even included in the Guinness Book of Records. The length of its whiskers is 19 cm.

The vibrissae give the cat the opportunity to explore the world around them and at the same time protect it from danger and are responsible for maintaining balance. It is thanks to their whiskers that cats are excellent hunters and can navigate in the dark without any problems. With their help, animals examine food for taste and freshness.

In addition, they are an indicator of mood - an angry cat tries to press the whiskers as close to the muzzle as possible, while in a good-natured animal the whiskers are directed forward. It is not surprising that many pet owners are concerned about this question: what will happen if a cat’s whiskers are cut off?

Why hairs fall out

If it’s not just another change of coarse hairs, then why does a cat’s whiskers fall out is a question that inexperienced owners often ask online. Loss of whiskers occurs due to disorders in the animal’s body, so it is important to recognize the symptoms in time and take action

We suggest you read: How to teach a cat commands: give a paw, bring a toy, walk on its hind legs || We teach a cat to follow 8 commands - little secrets and tricks

Hypothyroidism usually occurs in older cats. This disease affects all body systems and leads to increased metabolism. In addition to the loss of the mustache, other signs are observed:

• wool properties deteriorate;
• the animal is hyperactive and noticeably nervous;
• appetite increases with weight loss;
• the pet experiences increased thirst, which it constantly strives to satisfy;
• sometimes diarrhea and vomiting occur.

The roots of the whiskers, compared to the roots of the fur, are located quite deep in the skin. They are surrounded on all sides by nerves, blood vessels and sensitive muscles. The development of a bacterial skin infection or the proliferation of parasites in the facial part of the head often explains why a cat's whiskers fall out. Such pathologies, accompanied by unbearable itching, are easily identified during an initial examination of the skin.

These disturbances in the hormonal system lead to changes in metabolism. Diabetes mellitus in middle-aged and elderly cats is usually indicated by such signs as increased thirst and frequent urination, excessive appetite against the background of general exhaustion of the body. The pet needs immediate help, otherwise the patient’s condition will worsen, and the loss of the antennae, compared to other problems, will no longer be noticeable.

The cat's body, like the human body, can react completely unexpectedly to some foods. Loss of whiskers and fur, accompanied by itching, redness of the mucous membranes, profuse salivation and discharge from the eyes - a condition caused by an allergic reaction.

Non-food allergies can be triggered by a variety of chemicals, certain types of plants and other objects that appear in a cat's environment. It is sometimes very difficult to determine what exactly caused the rebellion in the body; you have to use the method of elimination. The course of treatment will require the use of antihistamines.

When any illness appears, the metabolism in cats quickly makes itself known both in young and old age. The resulting pathologies manifest themselves as a rise in temperature, fluctuations in heart rate and other changes in the general condition.

In any case, you don’t need to think long about why your cat’s whiskers are falling out - a veterinary clinic specialist will explain in detail what to do in this situation.

If the cat has lost its whiskers

Sometimes this is a necessary measure. For example, if surgery is required, the veterinarian will have to shave the fur together and whiskers to treat the entire area. This procedure is extremely painful for cats. This is another reason why cats should not have their whiskers trimmed.

The owners confirm that in this case the pet is literally replaced. His emotional background changes, the cat is in a bad mood. This is not surprising; her spatial orientation is impaired, and her brain is not yet accustomed to the changes.