{"id":993,"date":"2016-10-24T06:00:04","date_gmt":"2016-10-24T06:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/?p=993"},"modified":"2016-11-06T19:10:59","modified_gmt":"2016-11-06T19:10:59","slug":"your-pets-whiskers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/your-pets-whiskers\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Pet’s Whiskers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fun Facts\u00a0About Your Pet’s Whiskers<\/h1>\n

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Whiskers are amazing! They\u2019re not just there for looks. Whiskers\u2014for which the technical term is \u201cvibrissae\u201d\u2014are a specialized type of hair found in many mammals, including cats and dogs.\u00a0 The long, stiff hairs, which are thicker than normal hairs and tapered at the tips, aid a cat’s or dog\u2019s sense of touch.<\/p>\n

Like other hairs, whiskers grow from follicles, which extend about three times deeper into the skin than the follicles of normal hair. Bundles of nerves at the base of each follicle make the whiskers specially (exquisitely) attuned to the surrounding environment.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s interesting that even hairless breeds of dogs and cats usually still have whiskers. They may not have hair coat but they do tend to have a normal complement of whiskers.<\/p>\n

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CATS\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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Cats have four rows of whiskers on each side of the face, with the exact pattern and number unique to each cat, similar to a person\u2019s fingerprint. There are also whiskers near the corner of the mouth and nose, on the chin, eyebrows and back side of the front legs. The whiskers behind the wrist on the foreleg are to assist with tree climbing and contact with prey. The muscles at the whisker hair follicle allow the whisker to move in different directions.\u00a0 You can gauge a cat\u2019s mood by looking at the position of his whiskers. They will generally be in a relaxed position, out to the side, if the cat is relaxed and happy. If they are forward, he is on the alert or inquisitive.\u00a0 If they are moved back and flat against his cheeks, he is nervous or upset.<\/p>\n

Your cat\u2019s sensitive whiskers have many functions. They serve as a navigation system in that they send a signal to his brain if he is going through a narrow space. Not only do they brush against the obstacles, but they vibrate with changes in air movements that are reflected by objects or walls.\u00a0 This is what helps them get around your house in the dark and what helps outdoor cats hunt at night.\u00a0 Some research shows that they can detect odors as they pull the scented current of air toward their nose.\u00a0 Whiskers are also important to a cat\u2019s equilibrium.\u00a0 If they are damaged or missing they can cause a cat to be disoriented or off balance.<\/p>\n

Whiskers can be a bit of a nuisance when a cat is eating if the bowl is too narrow as they will touch the sides of the bowl, causing discomfort.\u00a0 To prevent any discomfort, it is a good idea to provide your cat with wide food and water bowls.<\/p>\n