No one can deny that a cat's moustache is a charming addition to their appearance. But far beyond aesthetics, the vibrissae (as these little hairs are also called) play an important role in the daily lives of these animals, increasing their sense of direction and spatial awareness. A cat without a moustache is usually impaired in this respect, and has to adapt its other senses to compensate for the lack of hairs - or to compensate for the lack of them.that is, the cat's entire behavior is modified.

If you want to know more about what cat whiskers are for, the main care for the area and whether or not you can cut the nasal vibrissae, just keep an eye on the article below. O Paws of the House answers everything you need to know!

What is a cat's whisker? Learn more about vibrissae

Cat whiskers are scientifically called vibrissae, which are sensory organs present in various animals, especially in mammals. In humans, it is possible to find nasal vibrissae, which are those little hairs that are inside the nose. In cats and dogs, vibrissae are usually identified in the mustache part, but they can also appear in other parts of the body, such asabove the eyes and on the chin.

The vibrissae are nothing more than an extension of hair that is harder and more elongated than "normal" hair. They originate in the hair follicle and have several nerve endings that improve the cat's perception of the environment around it. There are approximately 12 hairs on each side of the moustache, arranged in four rows between the mouth and nose. This number, however, can vary from one to another.In other areas, vibrissae are found in smaller numbers.

What is the cat's whiskers for?

The cat's whiskers have different functions in the routine of pets. Vibrissae are tactile organs, with many nerves and sensory cells that help detect vibrations in the environment. As external stimuli are picked up by the whiskers, the nerve endings send the information to the cat's brain, which is responsible for decoding and generating a response. That is, for cats, the vibrissaeare basically like "antennae" that help the animal to locate itself better, as well as to make a dynamic reading of space. Other functions of the whiskers are the maintenance of balance, the protection of the eyes and the enhancement of vision. See how this works:

Spatial awareness - The cat's whiskers are much longer than other hairs, and this is not for nothing. This extension of the hairs usually corresponds to the widest part of the animal's body, and it is what enables the feline's spatial notion. That is, it is through the vibrissae that the cat can have a perception about the environment and even decipher where it can pass without hurting itself.

Balance - The vibrissae influence the balance of cats. As mentioned above, the hairs help with spatial understanding, and this is closely linked to the issue of balance. Without the whiskers, cats can feel a bit "lost" and disoriented, which also compromises their stability in the environment.

Vision at short distances - The cat's whiskers end up functioning as a kind of antenna that helps it detect a range of information about the environment, including in the dark. This allows the animal to have the ability to calculate distances and short routes more efficiently.

Eye protection - The vibrissae are not only located near the muzzle, but also above the eyes. In this case, they function like eyelashes and the main purpose of the hairs is to protect the eyes from dust and contact with other objects. This manages to prevent incidents in the area, and makes the cat's eyes safer!

Oh, and a curiosity about the vibrissae: cats can also have other perceptions, such as the strength and orientation of the wind, only with the information captured by the whiskers!

Can you cut the cat's whiskers?

But why can't you cut your cat's whiskers? The answer is simple: any interference with the cat's whiskers can seriously impair both the animal's spatial sense and its balance. In other words, the kitten will become totally disoriented, not knowing where to go or what to do. Cutting your cat's whiskers is basically making it "blind" to its environment, since it won't be able to have the rightIt is also common for the animal to start suffering falls, even when jumping short distances.

In terms of cat behavior, the animal shows great dissatisfaction and discomfort without its whiskers. It can become irritable, anxious or even sad, as it ends up losing much of its acumen with the jumps.

If trimming is necessary for any reason - such as surgical procedures - it is important to have it done by a trusted veterinarian. Only qualified professionals can trim the vibrissae without compromising the animal's well-being. If it is not an emergency or necessity, never cut your cat's whiskers (even more so on your own)!

Does the cat's whiskers fall off? Is that normal?

You already have an idea of what happens if you cut your cat's whiskers, right? With that in mind, some guardians are concerned when they notice that the vibrissae have fallen off and the cat is without a whiskers. After all, is this normal? What are the recommendations in this case, and, above all, how to ensure the animal's safety?

Well, to begin with it is important to mention that one of the cat curiosities that attracts the most attention is that the cat's mustache sometimes falls off, and it is a natural process. Just as the hair change occurs, the vibrissae undergo a similar change, so do not be alarmed to find one or more strands scattered around the house. The difference is that, because it is a natural fall, the new strands are already prepared for the new ones.are born, then when you least expect it the vibrissae are there again, intact - so much so that some owners don't even realize that there has been this exchange.

When a cat's whiskers are brittle and fall off frequently, it's a warning sign. This sign usually indicates that there's something wrong with your pet's health, and it's important to investigate this with a professional. It's worth remembering that if this happens, there are usually other symptoms present, so it's good to keep an eye out for any physical or behavioural changes in your four-legged friendpaws.

How to care for the cat's mustache?

Now that you know what cat whiskers are for and the importance of this region for the animal to locate itself in the environment, it's time to talk about the main care that involves the wires. The first is obvious: you cannot cut your cat's mustache for nothing, let alone perform it without professional supervision.

Also, you should not do this with tweezers or other tools that remove the hair from the root. This causes the cat enormous pain and makes him suffer from the situation. Leave the hair alone, and when it falls out make sure that the house is well secured for the cat, so that he will not get "lost", fall or get stuck anywhere.

It is also important to keep in mind that when it comes to the mustache, cats do not like to wet the region or touch it elsewhere. That is why instead of investing in traditional water pots, the tip is to opt for cat water fountains. Another differential of the accessory is that it offers fresh, clean and running water, further arousing the interest of the kittens and encouraging theIn the case of feeders, the size of the accessory should be large enough not to bump into the animal's vibrissae all the time, which can cause discomfort.

Finally, never touch or caress near the vibrissae. This is an extremely sensitive region because of the various nerve endings present there, so any touch is capable of bothering the animal a lot. The ideal is to know exactly where to pet the cat, because other regions besides the whiskers - such as the belly - are also not the favorite places for cats to receive themcuddles.

Behavior: what does it mean when your cat scratches its vibrissae on the furniture?

It is likely that you have at some point caught your cat scratching its vibrissae on the walls and furniture at home, and wondered why. This is a completely normal behavior, and it represents a cat marking territory. Felines have glands all over their bodies, including the head region, so when the cat rubs its head in a certain place it is because itThis serves as a type of communication between the species, since, in the language of cats, this marking of territory serves to alert other felines that that space "already has an owner".

3 curiosities about the cat's mustache

1) Cat without a mustache exists! Incredibly, not all felines are mustachioed. This happens with the Sphynx, the famous hairless cat - which, in reality, is not totally hairless as many think, but has a very short and little apparent fluff. Despite these small hairs scattered around the body, the Sphynx has no mustache.

2) In the case of a cat without a whiskers, such as the Sphynx, the breed's balance and spatial sense is not impaired as it is compensated for with other senses. However, a cat that grows whiskers and has this region cut off abruptly will not be able to develop these other senses with the same mastery as a cat that has never had vibrissae. This is why we always remind you that you cannot cut a cat's whiskers!

3) The record for the cat with the world's largest mustache, according to the Guinness Book, belongs to a kitten named Missi, of the Maine Coon breed. The cat lives with its owner, Kaija Kyllönen, in Finland and entered the Book of Records on 22 December 2005. In the case of this cat, the moustache measured 19 centimetres!