I whiskers (vibrissae) of the cat they help our four-legged friend to keep his balance and to move in the surrounding environment.
Thanks to them, our cat is able to leap even to great heights without his little body hesitating for a single instant and to have an elegant and delicate bearing. Here’s everything you need to know about these “magic hairs”.
What are cat whiskers called?
The cat’s whiskers are called “vibrisse”, which in technical jargon refers to the tactile organs of various mammals.
Cat whiskers are not mere whiskers. In fact, it is not a question of a small tuft of hair, but of real “antenna”, which the feline uses to capture information from the outside.
How many whiskers does a cat have?
These are twenty-four, twelve per sidearranged in four horizontal rows on each side of the muzzle.
They have a thicker root that extends into a cylindrical stem with a pointed end.
What are cat whiskers for?
As mentioned, the cat’s whiskers do not only have the function of protecting the skin, but it is a real tactile organ that allows the feline to move in space.
This is because although their shaft is made up of keratin (and therefore without nerves) the base of the vibrissa is in an area rich in nerve endings.
For this reason the cat’s whiskers are very important for the movements of the pet: thanks to these nerves, in fact, cats are able to perceive the environment around them and to distinguish the density, distance and size of objects.
This ability, common to many animals, is essential not only for maintaining balance, but above all for moving at night in the dark.
Where are the whiskers in the cat?
The whiskers are usually located around the pet’s mouth, under the nose. In some cases, however, given that these are tactile organs common to different species of animals, such as felines and rodents, we can also find them on the paws (around the carpal region) and in place of the eyebrows.
These “antennas” keep the animal informed of the surrounding environment, all felids are equipped with them, but also rodents, seals and opossums.
What happens to a cat if its whiskers are cut?
We have seen that the cat’s whiskers are of vital importance for our feline, for this reason it is important to protect them and absolutely do not cut them.
What happens if the cat loses its whiskers?
Don’t be alarmed if your cat is missing a whisker. In fact, it may happen that for natural reasons the cat loses a whisker from the root.
So if you happen to find one around the house, don’t panic! The cat’s whiskers grow back without creating particular problems for the cat.
What does it mean if the cat licks its whiskers?
The cat is yes a hunter, but also a glutton. For this reason, noticing that our cat licks his mustache immediately suggests that he has enjoyed a meal (perhaps recently eaten).
1. Cleaning sign
In reality, muzzle licking, as well as other parts of the body, can have different reasons. First of all is the cleaning: the cat, an independent and very clean animal, washes itself thanks to its tongue with a particular consistency.
2. A natural stress reliever
In some cases, though, the licking (especially the mustache) is sort of stress reliever: if the cat finds itself in an annoying but at the same time appetizing situation, it does not know how to behave well and this indecision leads it to act in this way.
Caution, however, if the cat licks himself too frequently for a long time consult the vet as the cat could be suffering from a skin problem.
The function of the cat’s whiskers in communication
The whiskers (or whiskers), as well as being an essential tool for the movement of the feline, are also important for communication with humans.
In fact, their position may mean many things about the state of mind of our little panther: if the mustache is curled or tending upwards, it is a sign of nervousness and tension (you must therefore be careful because the cat could attack).
Otherwise (if facing outwards or forwards) they indicate that our four-legged friend is calm and peaceful.
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Article reviewed by:
Francesco Reina
Veterinary assistant