The main reason cats have whiskers is to sense objects around them. Whiskers are like antennae on bugs; they can “feel” things when they brush up against them. Not only that, but whiskers function like a radar, detecting objects far away with subtle changes in drafts and currents. These fine-tuned sensors gave wild cats more information that helped them hunt and escape from predators.
Why Cats Have Whiskers
Believe it or not, whiskers are actually very important to a cat’s daily life. They help cats navigate the world around them and stay out of danger. Not only that, but they protect a cat’s head and communicate emotions.
1. Whiskers Are Like Sensors To a Cat
The most important purpose of whiskers for a cat is to serve as sensors. Whiskers themselves don’t have nerves and can’t feel anything. However, the the sensors at the base of the follicle detect when the whisker is moving.
Much like the antennae on a bug, cats use them to feel objects around their face. They help a cat navigate their environment without having to look around all the time.
Think about it, when cats used to be wild they needed these sensitive whiskers to help them hunt and know exactly what was around them at all times. Their whiskers would sense the grass, trees, branches and leaves around them. All these inputs helped them make fine tuned adjustments when hunting or running from predators.
Whiskers are very sensitive and can pick up on even wind speed or particles floating through the air. Some scientists speculate cats can sense humidity and changes in climate through their whiskers.
2. Whiskers Act Like Radar for a Cat
Even more specifically, whiskers can actually detect objects that are moving or are further away. They don’t necessarily need to physically touch something to detect it. This is the basis of radar.
When objects move they also cause disruptions in the air around them. Whiskers are so delicate they can pick up on the movement of the air. This signals to the cat that something around them is moving. Where it’s particularly helpful is with detecting things behind or out of view for cats.
Not only that, but when cats move they create drafts of air behind and around them. These air currents bounce against things. The cat’s whiskers pick up up these disturbances and help a cat create a mental model of the world around them.
3. Whiskers Protect A Cat’s Face
While delicate whiskers can’t protect against large objects, they can catch small particles floating through the air. Much like eyelashes on humans, whiskers keep pollen, dust, mites, bugs and other small things out of cats’ eyes and noses.
4. Whiskers Help a Cat Balance
Similar to how acrobats hold a stick to help them balance on a tight rope, a cat’s whiskers help them with balance.
Whiskers are so sensitive they can detect subtle changes in direction and air flow. These changes help a cat determine where they are in space and how fast they’re moving. This is especially useful when cats are jumping or falling.
Cats are great at landing on their feet. You can drop a cat upside down and they’ll flip back over just in time to land on their feet (we don’t recommend trying this at home). Whiskers are one tool a cat uses to figure out where they are in space and how much and how fast they need to rotate.
5. Whiskers Convey a Cat’s Emotions
Whiskers are one component of a cat’s overall body language. Happy cats will elevate their whiskers above their eyes, signaling joy and playfulness. Angry cats will pull their whiskers and ears back flat against their face.
How To Care For a Cat’s Whiskers
Because whiskers are so vitally important for a cat, never pluck or cut a cat’s whiskers. Cutting a cat’s whiskers won’t hurt them, but it can be disorienting for them. Plucking them will be very painful, though, as the base of the whisker has a lot of nerves.
Should I Worry if My Cat is Losing His Whiskers?
Cats shed their whiskers every so often like they shed their hair. Losing one or two whiskers a month is very normal. However, if your cat is losing their whiskers at a much faster rate than that, it may be cause for concern.
Scratching, allergies, infection and skin irritation are all reasons cats might lose their whiskers. If there are other worrisome signs of sickness in your cat, it’s a good idea to take your cat to the vet.
