Every cat parent knows the importance of grooming. But one thing that may not be so obvious is whether it’s okay to trim the whiskers.
On one hand, the whiskers look like hair so it appears as if it might be a painless undertaking but on the other hand, the whiskers are used for navigation which creates the impression that they are very sensitive to stimuli.
So which is which? Well, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of cat whiskers and try to understand if cutting them can cause pain to your kitty.
Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?
Whiskers may make your kitty cute but that is not their primary function. They are like the GPS for your cat. They help her to navigate and feel their way around the world.
Cutting your cat’s whiskers is akin to blindfolding someone and then letting them loose.
A cat without whiskers is a disoriented cat. Cats use their whiskers for many things including:
- Measuring space: When your cat is trying to figure out if she can fit through a small opening, she will touch her whiskers to the sides of the hole. If her whiskers fit, then she knows her body will too.
- Communicating: A scared or angry cat may flatten her ears and pull back her lips to show her teeth. She may also bristle her whiskers out to make herself look larger.
- Hunting: When a cat is stalking prey, she will often hold her whiskers out to the sides to help her gauge distance and determine when to strike.
- Feeling things: Whiskers are very sensitive and can help a cat feel vibrations, air movement, and even tiny temperature changes. This helps them avoid danger and find food.
Do Cat Whiskers Have Nerves?
Cat whiskers are comparable to human hair. They are made of the same protein, called keratin.
Just as human hair does not have nerve endings, neither do cat whiskers. This means that they cannot feel pain when cut.
In fact, cats groom their whiskers regularly and trim them when necessary without any discomfort.
That said, whiskers are more sensitive than our hair. The base of each whisker is embedded deep within the skin and is surrounded by blood vessels and nerves.
This is why cats react when their whiskers are touched, and why cat owners should be careful not to cut their cat’s whiskers.
While cutting a cat’s whiskers may not hurt them physically, it can be detrimental to their health and wellbeing.
Whiskers are essential for a cat’s sensory system and help them navigate their environment.
Without whiskers, cats can become anxious and stressed, which can lead to health problems down the road.
If you must trim your cat’s whiskers for any reason, be sure to only remove a small amount at a time so as not to cause your cat any undue stress.
Can You Touch A Cat’s Whiskers?
Yes, you can touch a cat’s whiskers and they won’t be offended. Most cats enjoy having their whiskers touched.
However, you should be careful not to pull on them too hard as they can be quite sensitive.
Whiskers are hair follicles that are embedded deeper into the skin than regular fur. This is what gives them their special sensitivity.
When cats feel something approaching them from the side, their whiskers help them gauge the distance and determine whether or not they have enough room to get away.
So, if you do accidentally pull on a cat’s whiskers, it can hurt them just like pulling our hair would hurt us.
So, be gentle with those delicate little hairs!
Do Groomers Cut Cat Whiskers?
No, most groomers do not cut cat whiskers. Whiskers are an important part of a cat’s sensory system, and they help the cat gauge its surroundings.
Cutting them can cause discomfort and disorientation for the cat.
If you need your groomer to trim your cat’s whiskers, make sure they do it very carefully and with blunt-tipped scissors.
Also, they should avoid cutting them too short—a light trim should suffice.
Conclusion
Cats rely heavily on their whiskers for navigating their surroundings and getting a sense of their environment.
Whiskers are essential sensory organs that function much like eyes or ears in other animals.
Even a minor cut to your cat’s whiskers can upset their sense of balance and disorient them, much like blindfolding someone and then letting them loose in an unfamiliar place.
As such, you must do everything you can to protect your cats’ whiskers from harm.
When necessary, however, there may be some situations where it becomes necessary to cut your cat’s whiskers.
For example, if your cat has developed trailing whiskers due to injury or illness, the vet might recommend trimming these extra hairs as part of their treatment plan.
But otherwise, you should avoid cutting your cat’s whiskers.
Hi! I am Eleanor Price. I started this website after my cat, Louie, almost died from a case of botulism (a type of food poisoning often caused by bacteria that grow on food items). Turned out that my cat’s diet was the problem. I have made it my duty to provide the best information and recommendations about everything cat lovers need to know about their felines’ health and wellbeing. My goal is to find the most informative content on anything feline-related and share it with fellow hardworking kitty lovers.