What are whiskers and why do cats need them? Why cats and kittens need whiskers: functions of whiskers Why do cats need long whiskers?

Many people wonder whether cats have black whiskers and why they fall off and break off. It will be equally interesting to find out what they are correctly called and what function they perform in cats, cats and kittens, because few of those who keep such cute pets in an apartment or private house know about this.

The article discusses basic questions about cat whiskers, interesting facts and everything that every cat lover should know about their pet, so that in case of any problem, they can correctly provide help and know what needs to be done.

What are cats' whiskers called?

Whiskers in cats are scientifically called vibrissae. It is believed that a cat's whiskers are thickened and coarse hairs endowed by nature with mechanical sensitivity.

Is it possible to cut or trim a cat's whiskers?

Trimming a cat's whiskers is strictly contraindicated. A cat without a mustache will not be able to navigate in space. Whiskers serve as tactile and olfactory receptors.

Why does a cat need mustaches and eyebrows, what are they needed for, what are they responsible for

Whiskers and eyebrows in cats (more correctly whiskers) are needed so that the animal can navigate in space. These are natural navigator antennas.

Why do cats and kittens' whiskers break, fall out, and become long?

Periodic loss of whiskers in cats, with replacement with new ones, is the norm. If the whiskers fall out or break off intensively, this is a sign of a malfunction in the animal’s body.

It is paradoxical, but true, that long and thick whiskers in cats are not always a sign of excellent health. Scientists have found that their carriers often have impaired vision.

Why do cats have white whiskers and turn white?

A sharp change in the color of the mustache to white may indicate the onset of a disease, for example, giardiasis. It is clear that without a clinical examination it is impossible to establish an accurate diagnosis, and therefore the cause of the whitening of the cat’s whiskers. Sometimes the whiskers of a healthy animal turn white, but it’s better to be safe and resolve your doubts.

Why do cats' whiskers turn black?

Black whiskers in cats are not associated with any disease, so there is no reason to worry. The color change is caused by modifier genes.

Do cats' whiskers grow and grow?

Cats' whiskers are periodically renewed - they fall out and grow back. But deliberately (to make it thicker) or straighten (to make it more beautiful) a cat’s mustache is strictly contraindicated. Whiskers on cats and cats are a matter of touch, not charm.

Do hairless cats have whiskers?

Hairless cat breeds may have subtle, broken and curled whiskers. The complete absence of this source of pride for their short-haired and long-haired counterparts is also considered normal.

My cat's whiskers are breaking, what should I do?

Broken whiskers in a cat indicate a lack of vitamins and calcium in its body, and less often - damage by microbes and fungi. You can correct the situation by giving your pet cottage cheese, vegetables or ready-made vitamin and mineral supplements.

Whiskers on a cat's paws and nose

Cats have whiskers not only on their faces, but also on their paws. The length of the usual cat whiskers on the cheeks of the animal is about 7 cm. The world record holder in this area is the Maine Coon Missy, a resident of Finland, who grew a 19 cm mustache. Our compatriot from Tver, a red cat called Krepysh, has more modest figures - 13.5 cm.

The whiskers on the paws, in this case it would be more appropriate to call them scientifically, vibrissae, are located on the underside of the forelimbs. They can be distinguished from wool by their greater thickness and stiffness.

Probably every owner has at least once looked at the face of his pet with curiosity, wondering why cats need whiskers? This question is really interesting, because a cat's whiskers are not just a type of woolly hair or a beautiful appendage to appearance. This is an important sensory organ for cats, without which they would not be as agile and playful as we know them.

What kind of formation is this, is mustache loss dangerous, is it possible to remove them - we answer these and other questions in the article.

Why does a cat need a mustache?

Specific hairs in the area of ​​the nose on the faces of cats are scientifically called vibrissae. If you look at the Latin roots of the word, it means “to waver, to shake.” Vibrissae are hair extensions that originate from sensory nerve endings on a cat's face. The hairs grow 5-8 cm, have a thickened structure, bend poorly and never curl. They serve to detect air vibrations, touch, temperature and aromas, thanks to which cats:

• perfectly oriented in space even at night;
• are able to maneuverably jump long distances and from heights;
• differentiate between high-quality and low-quality food well;
• hunt;
• evaluate the opponent in a fight or during a game.

Whiskers appear on cats from childhood and function equally in males and females. They are located symmetrically so that the cat can distinguish directions and sources of danger or interest from different sides. Vibrissae are located not only next to the mouth, but also above the eyes. All hairs are directed upwards and to the sides so as not to interfere with the cat’s vision or eating. There are small tassels on the paws and chin. All whisker hairs are characterized by increased rigidity and length, which is explained by their purpose. In addition, they are colorless.

The cat's whiskers are a sensitive organ that plays an important role in the cat's behavior. Using these hairs, they feel confident and calm. Cats do not like to have their “tactile hairs” touched. Anyone who has ever had a pet has had the opportunity to verify this. They are very jealous of their whiskers, and can even scratch a person trying to stroke or tug at these brushes.

Cats can control the movements of their whiskers. When they are in an active, playful mood, the whiskers stick out in a fluffy tuft. But if the whiskers are lowered or pressed against the muzzle, the cat is excited or aggressive, and it is better not to disturb him at this time.

How do whiskers affect a cat's movements?

In addition, cats' orientation in space is also accomplished due to acute night vision and these horny hairs. The animal can sense an obstacle, find its way, and even hunt in the dark, relying on sensations from its antennae. For example, when a cat wants to get into a narrow hole or between the bars of a fence, the vibrissae tell him whether this is possible. Many have noticed how a seemingly plump and fluffy cat passes through narrow cracks, because of this there is even a joke that cats are “liquid.” Cats are not at all afraid of getting stuck, because the length of their whiskers is constant, and they, like using a ruler, easily measure the size of objects around them.

Interesting fact: the especially long hairs on the tips of cats' ears are arranged in a similar way. They also help regulate movements, determine the source of sound and distinguish even subtle noises in the dark. The third such “lever” in a cat’s body is the tail. It helps to maintain balance and “communicate” with other individuals.

Eating behavior associated with mustaches

Nerve endings hidden under a cat's whiskers help to accurately determine the edibility and freshness of potential food, its temperature, and the purity of water. And when cats catch live prey (mice, birds, lizards), the whiskers determine whether the victim died in the paws of the mustachioed hunter.

Reaction to movement helps the cat track and catch small animals. And even when domestic cats are not adapted to eat raw meat, their instinct prompts them to hunt and bring prey to their owners or play with it. The same applies to play fights with other cats or catching bait. The ardent love of cats for rustling bags and pieces of paper is connected precisely with the work of the whiskers.

It is believed that domestic cats' whiskers do not develop as actively as wild cats. However, the importance of this organ is confirmed by the fact that it is formed even before birth, among the first formations in the embryo. And although in the wild cats rely more on their instincts and the work of their whiskers, the agility of domestic cats should not be discounted.

Sometimes cats have to lose their whiskers. There are natural reasons for this. But sometimes inexperienced owners remove their cat’s whiskers “for beauty,” or the child cuts them off out of curiosity. This procedure can lead to very unpleasant consequences for the cat, so trimming cats’ whiskers is strictly prohibited!

If a cat is left without a whisker, his spatial orientation, ability to move deftly, and recognize and evaluate food may be impaired. The animal may look depressed, sick, and confused. Cats are very sensitive to the deprivation of such an important tool as a whisker.

Even with treatment, the veterinarian will only remove these hairs when absolutely necessary. Fortunately, in most cases the hairs grow back. Not always in full length, but, nevertheless, the normal state for the cat can be restored, and the animal will feel internal balance.

Interesting fact: In some breeds the vibrissae are strongly developed, while in others they are not very well developed. This is explained by evolution, change of habitat and domestication. Breeds of small cats, closer to the wild, have powerful, hard whiskers, while domestic cats have soft and less dense whiskers. Maine Coon cats have the longest whiskers. Thus, the Guinness Book of Records registers a length of 19 cm. The owner of the luxurious mustache is a Finnish cat Missy of the named breed.

Periodic loss of vibrissae one hair at a time is normal. The body's tissues wear out over time, so they are constantly renewed. If your pet has lost one whisker, there is no reason to worry; after a while, the animal will grow a new one. With a normal diet and general good health, a mustache will grow back within a few weeks.

But if the whiskers fall out sharply and suddenly, you should pay attention to the health and well-being of the animal. Sometimes this can be caused by a lack of beneficial microelements in the cat’s diet, for example, vitamin A, calcium or protein. For the same reason, the antennae can become brittle and lifeless. You can try to pick up fortified food for your cat, or better yet, contact a veterinarian. He will prescribe a nutritional supplement for the animal to improve its health, and at the same time check the animal for the presence of more serious diseases.

Sometimes cats' whiskers fall out due to old age. An older animal loses its former dexterity and grace, and its body also ages. In adult cats, whiskers almost never recover. Therefore, it is important to monitor your pet’s diet and “physical exercise” more strictly – she should no longer jump from a height.

Interesting fact: fighting for territory, cats can deprive each other of their whiskers, thereby depriving the enemy of the ability to navigate well and move in a given area. The affected animal is forced to carefully leave the battlefield and refrain from such fights for a long time.

How to care for a cat's whiskers

Naturally, you should not tint these hairs with either art stationery paints or cosmetics. And not a single qualified grooming salon will offer you the procedure of cutting an animal’s whiskers.

If your cat has lost its whiskers, try to keep an eye on it at first, do not let it go for independent walks, and monitor the composition and freshness of the food. If a cat does not have whiskers, do not tease it with flashing objects and do not throw it off your hands out of habit.

Explain to children that playing with your pet's whiskers is dangerous.

To prevent your cat from experiencing severe stress, shock, disorientation and apathy, be careful with her whiskers, and she will delight you with a fun game more than once.

Video: what happens if you cut a cat's whiskers?

Children often ask: why does a cat need a mustache? But even adults do not always know the correct answer to this question, and many have never thought about it at all. All animals have whiskers. Since they exist, that means it must be so. In some cats they are thin and stick out like a walrus, while in others they are thick, long and curl towards the bottom. What happens if you cut them off, and is it possible to do this?

The importance of whiskers in the life of cats

As you know, in nature nothing is useless. The cat also has a mustache for a reason, for beauty. They perform a very important function, namely, they help cats navigate in space, especially in the dark. These are like probe antennas.

The same role is played by the eyebrows of cats. Have you noticed how long they are? Both the whiskers and eyebrows of cats are called vibrasses in the scientific world (from the Latin word “vibra”, which means “to vibrate” in Russian), and they grow not only on the cheeks, but also on the brow ridges, chin, and back front paws

Vibrissae are a cat’s organ of touch, which is directly connected to the brain. They fluctuate under the pressure of the air flow or when touched by objects. In cats, they complement the function of the paws, eyes and ears.

They grow three times faster than fur, so that the cat can quickly restore orientation in space and analyze the environment. The loss of one or two antennae should not worry you. They change just like wool. But if the mustache constantly breaks and falls out, then this is no longer normal. Perhaps your pet has a fungal disease or lacks some vitamins and minerals.

The vibrissae go deep into the skin, three times deeper than the hairs. Each of them is surrounded by muscle fibers, with the help of which the cat can control (move) the whiskers, and a whole network of nerve fibers that transmit information from the whiskers to a specific part of the brain.

Now it is clear that cats need whiskers and all vibrissae for tactile sensations, i.e. hunting, orientation in space and communication. It is with its whiskers that the cat “hears” the stomping of the mouse and “sees” its movement in space.

And after the cat catches the prey, it “feels” it with its whiskers to make sure that the mouse is dead and can no longer resist, which means causing some kind of injury to the hunter himself. It turns out that vibrissae are also a device for determining the degree of safety.

A cat's whiskers can be used to determine its mood. If the whiskers are forward, then this indicates her complacent mood, and if they are pressed to the muzzle, then it is better not to approach.

Do you see how complex and intelligent everything is?

Why you can't trim your cat's whiskers

If you trim a cat's whiskers and eyebrows, problems immediately begin that are noticeable in her behavior:

• The cat cannot determine the temperature of the food or not;
• The cat begins to bump into objects;
• Jumps become either “undershoot” or “overshoot”;
• The cat does not adequately calculate its dimensions and may get stuck somewhere.

Without whiskers, a cat becomes unsure of itself. When there are many cats in the house, they can bite off each other's whiskers in order to subjugate a competitor. And the cat itself bites off the whiskers of kittens that are too active, so that they are afraid to stray too far from their brothers. Without whiskers, a cat is in constant

Everyone knows that cats are excellent at finding their way in the dark. But contrary to popular belief, this is not connected with the ability to see, but with the ability to feel. And the mustache plays the main role in this. Whiskers, or rather vibrissae (from the Latin vibro, I wriggle, oscillate) are not only an attribute and decoration of a cat’s face, but also the main organ of touch.

A kind of receptor that has changed in the long process of evolution. Vibrissae give the animal all the necessary information about the surrounding world, help it navigate in the dark, hunt, notice the smallest changes in the environment, and even sense changes in atmospheric pressure. It is not without reason that many folk signs are associated with cats.

Vibrissae are not only on the face, as many believe. The most expressive and sensitive ones are actually located on the pads above the upper lip. The shorter ones are located above the eyes, on the chin and in the cheek area. And less sensitive, but irreplaceable during hunting, hairs are found on the tail and paws.

The difference between a mustache and hair

Cat whiskers, although they are the closest relatives of hair, have many anatomical and functional differences.

The vibrissa shaft, its outer part, differs primarily in length and stiffness compared to other hair. The root of the sensitive antennae is located in the superficial layer of the skin, in the follicle. This is where the fun begins.

The vibrissae are well supplied with blood; their root is located directly in the blood vesicle, the so-called sinus, and is surrounded by mechanoreceptors and tens of thousands of nerve endings that detect the slightest movement of a hair and transmit information to the brain. Where, it is worth saying, each vibrissa has its own place. The coordinated work of the striated muscles allows you to move your mustache.

From the mustache straight to the brain: how do they work?

It is interesting that the information that comes from the sensitive mustache and from the eyes goes through one channel - the ternary nerve.

This allows the brain to summarize signals, process them and create a three-dimensional picture of the world around us. Depending on the lighting, the pupil tends to expand or contract. In complete darkness, it is maximally expanded, meaning it has difficulty focusing on nearby objects. The mechanoreceptors, which are located at the base of the mustache, do not need light; they only pick up the vibration of the hair from air currents. This allows you to determine the location and distance to an object and avoid obstacles in time, even in complete darkness.

The very first hairs that kittens develop in the womb are vibrissae.

As we know from school physics courses, air not only never stands still, but also changes its direction when colliding with an object. Sensitive vibrissae are capable of recreating a clear picture of the surrounding environment based on air movement data. For this reason, it is impossible to approach a cat unnoticed.

She may not see or hear you, but she catches the reflected air flow. The only way to catch the animal by surprise is to approach from downwind.

Vibrissae in cats in the wild

By nature, a cat is, first of all, an excellent hunter; as they say, it’s in her blood. And here the mustache plays an important role. Thanks to them, a cat can close its eyes at the right moment to protect them from a branch or blade of grass while making its way through thickets and bushes. And then continue the hunt without taking your eyes off the victim. When prey is caught, the predator holds it in its teeth out of sight. At this moment, only the outstretched mustache helps to assess the situation and control the victim’s behavior.

Confident cat jumps are accomplished solely thanks to the vibrissae. By moving them, the cat determines the direction and speed of the wind, this allows it to adjust the force of the push and the position of the body in the jump.

Worn out or broken vibrissae are restored regardless of molting. This once again emphasizes their incredibly important role in a cat’s life.

Particularly long and coarser hairs can be seen throughout the coat. They are much softer and do not play such a significant role as a mustache, but they also have some sensitivity. These hairs help the cat determine the nature of touches and distinguish between dangerous and pleasant contacts.

When meeting a cat, you can easily determine its attitude towards you. Interest, curiosity and friendliness if the mustache is directed forward. But if the animal presses them to its muzzle, then it is better to hold off on stroking, the cat is aggressive. The movement and location of the whiskers is a kind of “gesture language” of these animals.

Damage to a cat's whiskers: consequences

The cat's whiskers (whiskers) are a unique navigation system, damage to which leads to difficulties in orientation.

An animal with damaged or broken whiskers may bump into obstacles, and failure to close its eyes or project a jump can lead to disastrous consequences. Difficulties arise in correctly assessing the size of the hole; the cat may even get stuck. Therefore, if the whiskers are severely damaged, it is recommended to keep the animal at home for several months and not expose it to the risk of injury.

Why does a mother cat chew off her kittens' whiskers?

Sometimes you can see a mother cat chewing off the antennae of small kittens. Why this happens is not yet known for certain. Some experts suggest that in this way, the cat is trying to protect its children from excessive curiosity and leaving the nest too early. After 5-6 months, when the antennae grow, the kitten will be able to fully explore the world around him.

What about hairless cats?

Many will ask, what about the sphinxes? Indeed, in this hairless breed, the vibrissae are most often completely absent or represented by small curled antennae. But what’s interesting is that the animals navigate and hunt no worse than those with luxurious mustaches. Whether this yet another cat mystery will ever be solved, time will tell.

Video review about why cats need whiskers (vibrissae)?

• What are vibrissae?
• How do they work?
• Vibrissae in other animals

The cat rightfully takes first place among the most cozy pets. Her purring calms and relaxes, her soft fur gives a pleasant feeling, and her unobtrusive nature makes communication comfortable. The structure of a cat sometimes raises many questions among lovers of this animal. In particular, whiskers: what are they for, what functions do they perform, how important is it for a cat to have them? It's time to look into this issue.

What is the correct name for a mustache and why?

In fact, a mustache is a common name for a very important organ. Vibrissae - this is their scientific name (from the word “vibrate”, translated from Latin vibro - to oscillate, wriggle), which they received due to constant small trembling and vibration. If you look closely at the cat's face, you will see that the whiskers are constantly quivering.

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 a lot 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

Photo gallery: mustachioed cats

Maine Coon is a breed characterized by the length of its whiskers Don Sphynxes are allowed small curled antennae For some cats, whiskers are not only a necessity, but also a decoration. Fluffy cats have whiskers to match them

What functions do whiskers perform in cats?

From all of the above, it becomes clear that a mustache is not just ordinary fur. This is a whole sensory organ in an animal, the so-called mechanosensitive one, which regulates the entire cat’s life: from safety to communication with its own kind.

Touch

First of all, the vibrissae are responsible for the sense of touch. With the help of its whiskers, a cat will accurately determine the degree of freshness of food and its safety.

The mustache can determine the quality of food and water before the tongue

Navigation

Any owner of his cat knows about its ability to move in absolute silence and darkness, when eyes and ears can do absolutely nothing to help the animal. This “trick” is achieved only thanks to the vibrissae. Being in absolute darkness, a cat, touching objects with its whiskers, will calmly walk around them. She doesn’t even have to touch them: the moving hairs, vibrating, create air vibrations, which in turn, reflected from objects, return back and are caught by the vibrissae. The received signals are transmitted to the brain, and the animal receives a three-dimensional picture of the surrounding space.

Whiskers help a cat navigate even in pitch darkness

Another pleasant moment for the animal is the ability to determine the diameter of the hole into which the cat is going to crawl. Since the length of the whiskers is greater than the width of the head and equal to half the circumference of the cat’s body, the animal can easily understand whether it will fit through this gap or not (even rushing headlong out of danger).

Hunting

Whiskers are also an indispensable helper for a cat when hunting. The slightest vibrations in the air created by a running mouse are instantly picked up by the cat. The hunter can easily determine the location of her victim, its position, condition, and direction of movement. As soon as the victim is caught, it disappears from the cat's field of view. Vibrissae located on the front legs come to the rescue. With their help, the cat will determine the position of the prey, assess the situation and be able to control the behavior of the victim.

Whiskers help a cat hunt by signaling the slightest changes in the position of the prey's body.

During the hunt, navigation and tactile functions are connected and closely intertwined.

Communication

When communicating with its fellow cats, a cat uses more than just its whiskers. Everything is clear there. What about a person? An attentive owner understands what the position of the whiskers on the animal’s face means, but it would be useful for guests to know the cat’s reaction to the appearance of a stranger next to her:

In a kitten during its embryonic development, it is the vibrissae that are the first to form. This is no coincidence, because it is this sense organ that helps the baby establish contact with the world around him.

Is it possible to trim a cat's whiskers?

Since whiskers perform vital functions for a cat, losing them will significantly complicate her life. Of course, over time, compensatory mechanisms will come into force, and the animal will adapt to do without additional information about the world around it, but it will still not be such a full life as the animal could have. Therefore, you cannot trim your cat’s whiskers.

In rare cases, veterinarians shave the whiskers on a cat's face to increase the effectiveness of treatment, for example, for a fungal infection. But such actions are dictated by necessity, when the benefits for the animal from such actions outweigh the possible risks.

Video: Why do cats need whiskers?

Problems with whiskers in cats and kittens

Whiskers are not only an organ that helps a cat in its difficult life as a predator, it is also a good signal of health problems. Whisker problems reduce a cat's quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the vibrissae and take timely measures to eliminate all kinds of troubles that may affect them.

Fragility

Mustache fragility occurs due to certain deviations in the environment. For example, dry indoor air leads to hair drying out and breaking off. The cat's whiskers are affected in exactly the same way by the lack of fresh water in a cat and, as a consequence, insufficient fluid intake. Frequent bathing also has a negative effect on the elasticity of the antennae. If you also use a low-quality product, the result will not be long in coming.

Broken whiskers can be a sign of insufficient fluid intake by the animal.

The solution to these problems is obvious:

• normalization of humidity (if the pet lives in an apartment);
• availability of fresh water;
• using quality hair care products.

Dropping out

Losing a mustache is a more serious signal than breaking it off. If fragility is mainly affected by the environment, then hair loss is caused by health problems.

Loss of whiskers often accompanies allergic reactions in cats. Allergies in a pet usually occur to food, most often to milk and fish. Associated symptoms are clearly visible:

• hair loss;
• lacrimation;
• stool disorders.

When faced with whisker loss, you should pay attention to your cat's diet.

Vitamin deficiency also causes massive loss of mustaches. It occurs against the background of a monotonous diet, which causes a deficiency of important microelements and vitamins.

A fungal infection of the skin, which causes peeling and itching, also signals its appearance by the loss of vibrissae.

To solve these problems, you need to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible, who will prescribe treatment.

Poor growth

Poor whisker growth depends primarily on the general condition of the cat. The quality of food, the presence of vitamins and microelements, good coat care - all this is directly related to the growth of not only the whiskers, but also the animal itself. Poor mustache growth can also be caused by endocrine problems and metabolic disorders.

If improving the quality of keeping a cat does not lead to a positive result, consultation with a specialist is necessary.