Horse Health
Pet Talk - Kitty Whiskers
By
May 6, 2008, 13:14

When it comes to cats, the experts agree: Leave those whiskers on Whiskers alone.

That’s the advice of animal experts when it comes to vibrissae, the technical name for whiskers. They serve a purpose and it’s not a good idea to cut or trim them, as many pet owners feel they should do.

“It’s best to just leave them alone,” says Dr. Bonnie Beaver, an animal behavior expert at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.



“Some pet owners might get the urge to take out some scissors and give some long whiskers a little trim, but they should not. Whiskers serve a very real purpose – they are like a sensory device for the dog or cat.



“Especially in cats, whiskers keep the animal from bumping into things at night and help with depth perception. They help the animal decide where it’s going, so it’s not a good idea to cut them.”



Cats can have whiskers on the sides of their face, under their chin, above their eyes and on the back of their front legs. The average cat has between 20 and 30 whiskers.



Whiskers are attached to a nerve under the skin, and these whiskers can provide cats with all sorts of information. They can tell the animal about its immediate surroundings and also help it move in closed-in areas where space is tight.



“Sometimes, whiskers will naturally fall off the animal,” Beaver explains. “If this happens, it’s nothing to be alarmed about. Over time, the whisker will eventually grow back.”



Dogs use their whiskers in the same way as cats do, Beaver says, “but because cats are more nocturnal, they tend to rely on their whiskers a little more.”



“We know cats can feel breezes by using their whiskers, and they can also use them to detect such things as high grasses,” she says. “All of this goes back to their ability to hunt in the wild. They need whiskers to do certain things.”



The slightest touch of a cat’s whiskers will result in the blinking or closing of its eyes, a natural reaction that goes back to the animal’s hunting background.



Studies have shown that cats with poor eyesight will use their whiskers much like a person uses a cane – as a sort of guide to help it maneuver through a room or an area.



“That’s why it’s best to leave the whiskers alone,” Beaver adds. “Your cat or dog will appreciate a nice brushing much more.”





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