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Articles for cats

Experts Agree: Don’t Trim Those Whiskers

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.”

Source: Pet Talk (May 1, 2008),
a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine &
Biomedical Sciences,
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
Reprinted with permission.