Information on Cat Whiskers

Whiskers are an important part of a cat's anatomy

Cat whiskers ("tactile hairs" or vibrissae) are the long, thick, flexible hairs ­on a cat's face. These hairs are located in horizontal rows on the whisker pad, which is the puffy area between the top corners of a cat's mouth and the outer edges of its nose. Whiskers are a vital part of a cat's sensory perception.

Location

Cats have about 24 movable whiskers, 12 on either side of the nose. They are arranged in four horizontal rows in a pattern as individual as human fingerprints.

Significance

A cat uses its whiskers primarily for navigation. Cats also use whiskers to measure an opening, and the positioning of whiskers can indicate their mood or disposition.

Size

A cat's whiskers are two to three times thicker than its hair and are the same width as the cat's body. They do fall out from time to time, but they grow back.

Features

Cat whiskers are very sensitive, as they are deeply rooted in an area that is rich in nerves and blood vessels. A cat can detect the slightest directional change in a breeze with its whiskers.

Benefits

If a cat's whiskers are touched, the cat will automatically blink. This reflex helps to protect the cat's eyes.

Warning

Cat whiskers should never be cut, as that would handicap the animal.

References

• Pet Tails: The Wonderful World of Kitty Whiskers
• Pet Place: Whiskers: Your Cat's Finger on the World
• Cat World: Cat Whiskers: Everything You Need to Know