Content
- What are cats' whiskers?
- What are cats' whiskers for
- Helps with short-distance vision
- Allows them to explore and protect themselves from danger
- protect the eyes
- Allows them to measure spaces
- keep balance
- Can you cut the cat's mustache?
Have you ever wondered what a cat's mustache is for? Cats have long whiskers that make them look very youthful. However, the function of the cat's mustache is much more extensive than just an aesthetic attribute. The cat's whiskers are important as they allow cats to develop in a much more agile way.
In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will explain what is a cat's mustache for and what care is needed about this important feature of your pussy. Keep reading!
What are cats' whiskers?
The whiskers of cats are technically known as "vibrissae" and are hairs that have a mechanoreceptor function. They are much longer and more sensitive than other body hairs. Furthermore, they are not found in the dermis but rather in the hypodermis, a deeper region of the skin, surrounded by nerves and blood vessels that transmit information to the feline's brain.
The amount of vibrissae can vary depending on the species although generally most cats have between 16 and 24 vibrissae. The vibrissae or whiskers of cats act as tactile receptors and are present in many other species such as dogs, rats and foxes. They are not only located in the facial region, it is also possible to see them above the eyes, on the chin and behind the front legs.
What are cats' whiskers for
Now that you know what vibrissae are, know what is a cat's mustache for. The 5 most important functions are:
Helps with short-distance vision
Cat vision is among the best in the animal world, however, cats often have difficulty distinguishing objects close to them, especially those less than a foot away. In this case, the cat's whiskers help to pick up nearby stimuli.
Allows them to explore and protect themselves from danger
Cats' whiskers help keep them alert to what's happening around them. The high sensitivity of these hairs helps detect whether or not something is close to the feline, as well as avoid bumping into obstacles such as walls or trees. The whiskers continue to work while the animal is sleeping, so they can rest without any problems.
protect the eyes
The vibrissae located in the eyes, like human eyelashes, protect the eyes of felines, as they make the animal blink if it detects any object, however small, approaching the eye.
Allows them to measure spaces
The width of a cat's whiskers is critical to measuring the space it has in front. These wires vary depending on the size of the cat, so they are useful indicators when crossing narrow spaces. If the place is too narrow and does not support the size of the vibrissae, it means that the cat cannot get through.
This is the main reason why cats are such elusive animals. They never enter a place without first checking if they can there, although in many cases it seems impossible to the human eye.
keep balance
Another of the important functions of a cat's whiskers is to help them maintain their balance. Along with the tail, vibrissae allow cats to move impressively through narrow paths without falling or sleeping in very high places. Despite this, we recommend that you take care of your cat's well-being and avoid that he climbs in extremely high places that could cause danger to the animal.
Can you cut the cat's mustache?
As you may have noticed, the cat's mustache is extremely important and fulfills several fundamental functions in the life of domestic cats. In the end, what happens if I cut the cat's mustache? This would DEEPLY affect the animal's welfare. Remember that the cat's whiskers are part of the tactile sense of the animal.
As with nails, from time to time the vibrissae tends to fall out and respawn new, you should not worry if this happens naturally, as a few days later you will see new whiskers. Yet, you should NEVER cut the cat's mustache.
If you want to know more information about what are cats' whiskers for, see also our YouTube video: