A cat’s whiskers are possibly the most interesting part of their body. While you might assume they are just regular strands of hair, you will be surprised to find out that they are much more. There are actually a couple functions that a cat’s whiskers perform for a cat, which we will explain in the article below. We will also answer some other questions you might have about cat’s whiskers, such as why they are so long.
Why do Cats Have Long Whiskers?
The reason cats have long whiskers is because similar to fingernails, cat’s whiskers start growing the moment the cat is born and never stops. Additionally, the longer a cat’s whiskers, the more sensory information they can send to the cat’s brain to keep them safe. A cat’s whiskers will also grow back if it falls out, which is why a cat always has a lot of long whiskers. While they appear to just be hair, they actually have very important functions that help the cat stay alive, especially in the wild.
Which cats have the longest whiskers?
While the environment of a cat certainly plays a role in how long a cat’s whiskers are, the breed of a cat also has a big influence on the length of the whiskers. Traditionally, Maine Coon cats have the longest whiskers, sometimes measuring up to 7 inches long! On the other end, Sphynx cats usually have the shortest whiskers, measuring only around 2 inches long.
Why do cats need whiskers?
Cats need whiskers because they help a cat sense object in front of them. This is very important, because due to the shapes of their head and their poor eyesight for close up objects, a cat has a hard time seeing objects up close. A cat’s whiskers actually operates similar to an insect’s antennae. Each whisker has a sensory cell at the base of the hair which transmits sensory information to the cat’s brain. Each whisker actually has its own portion of the brain which it transmits information to.
Most of the time this has to do with sending a notice to their brain when the whisker comes in contact with something. This is very important, because sometimes small objects can sneak their way close to a cat’s face because their eyes are unable to see it. Therefore whiskers are very helpful for cats in the wild, as it alerts the cat when danger could be near, and can also help them hunt small rodents. Whiskers are extremely sensitive, and can even sense changes in noise vibrations. Due to their high sensitivity, it can be very painful when a cat has a whisker pulled out.
What a cat’s whiskers say about their mood
The position of a cat’s whiskers can actually be an indicator of the cat’s current mood. For example, a cat that has floppy whiskers that are hanging down is usually in a happy and relaxed state. On the other hand, if a cat’s whiskers are pointed out, it usually means a cat is in high alert, trying to sense their surroundings. A cat that is moving their whiskers around is also probably on high alert or possibly afraid.
