Cat Whiskers-Nature's Remarkable Communication Antennas

A cat would be absolutely lost without their whiskers. We know about the whiskers on our cat's face, but did you know they also have whiskers on the back of their front legs, above their eyes, a few on their cheeks and under the chin? Cat whiskers are communication lines to their world and they can also help us understand what our cat may be thinking about us.

There are 24 cat whiskers on the face with 12 on each side in four rows, each one enhanced with nerve endings. Although it is possible for some cats to have more than 24. The two rows on top move independently from the bottom two and the middle rows have the strongest whiskers. A cat's whiskers are so sensitive, they can get explicit information about everything their whiskers touch along with being able to feel air pressure and air currents. The whiskers pick up vibrations and changes in air currents and this is how they can sense an object or prey, how far away it is and the shape without having to see it. Their whiskers are essential for cats to move about in their environment, especially in the dark. If a cat's whiskers are damaged, they can cause a cat to misread a pounce on a mouse or other prey and bite in the wrong spot. Instead of a direct hit on the nap of the neck of a mouse, damaged whiskers can deny the cat a meal which is crucial for one who lives on the street. Whiskers even aid a cat's ability to smell and help them see at night by allowing them to feel what's around them.

Do you feed your cat her meals in a bowl with sides? If the bowl is too small with high sides it may be causing enough discomfort to her that she gives up trying to eat. As her whiskers touch the sides of the bowl, it can disturb her to the point where she may refuse to eat from the bowl. Since the whiskers are connected to her nervous system, every time she brushes them against the side of the bowl, it sends a signal to her brain that is irritating. Ever notice how the whiskers pull back as the cat tries to reach food at the bottom of the bowl? A simple fix is to feed her meals on a flat plate and eliminate the irritating bowl.

Cat whiskers are generally as wide as the cat's body and are used by the cat to determine if they can squeeze through tight openings. If you've ever noticed your cat beginning to walk through an opening that looks small, stop, poke their head through, back up and then try again, it's because they are testing the opening with their whiskers to make sure they can get their body through the hole without getting stuck.

Cat whiskers are a great way for owners to tell how their cat is feeling. Like dogs, cats have a body language that can convey if they are upset, happy, playful, etc., as long as the owner pays attention to the signals, such as a twitching tail. Their whiskers also communicate just what kind of mood they are in. An angry or defensive cat will pull their whiskers back showing they want to be left alone or something is bothering them. If you see their whiskers pulled forward, they are telling you they are happy, relaxed, contented or curious about something in their environment. I've seen my cats' whiskers actually curl forward around a mouse they just caught.

Whiskers found on the legs, chin, above the eyes and on their cheeks are referred to as reinforcement whiskers. A cat can wrap their front legs around a mouse or other prey to feel where it is.

Never allow children to play with the whiskers on a cat's face. It's annoying to the cat. Also, never cut, trim or clean their whiskers.

Cat whiskers are essential in so many ways for a cat's survival. Without them, a cat would be lost and unable to survive as a hunter. The next time you snuggle with your cat and look into those beautiful green or amber cat eyes, check out the whiskers. They can give you a better clue into how your cat is feeling and if he really wants to snuggle right now. It can certainly save you a slap on the side of your face or a not so loving nip on the nose if he's not in a cuddly mood.

Rebecca Sweat, Cat Facts: Your Cat's Wonderful Whiskers, catsplay.com

Jo Singer, Everything You Wanted to Know About Cat's Whiskers, petside.com

Thomas Lopez, DVM, Cat Whiskers, Gemini Farm