Human beings identify the external world through five senses (vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell). For humans, the tactile receptor is the skin. However, most of cats’ tactile receptors are concentrated on the “pads” and “whiskers”. The number of their whiskers is about 50 to 60, and they not only grow on both sides of the nose, but also above the eyes, cheekbones, and chin. , also behind the forefoot.

What is the function of cat whiskers?

·Keep balance

Whiskers act as sensors, helping cats maintain balance and sense the flow of air. They sense the distance and position of objects by sensing changes in the breeze. Therefore, they can move even in the dark.

·Protect your eyes

The whiskers above the eyes can help cats hunt. When an object is approaching, they can quickly feel it and close their eyes to protect themselves. In addition, the whiskers on the back of the forepaws can help cats accurately determine their position when observing obstacles and prevent them from stepping on them.

·Auxiliary judgment

The whiskers growing on both sides of the nose are usually 10-12 cm long, which can help the cat see whether it can pass through the entrance. When passing through a narrow place, cats will first observe whether the passage will touch the whiskers. If the whiskers can pass, they will judge that their bodies can pass.

Except them, of course.

Distinguish emotions

We can tell their mood state from the direction of their beards.

· Beard down - relax

· Beard pointing up - very happy

· Beard facing forward - curious, vigilant

· Beard close to cheeks - fear, sleeping, eating

What to do if your beard falls off?

A cat’s whiskers are replaced about once every six months. As time goes by, during the molting period, the whiskers will naturally fall off and grow again. However, due to hair replacement period, disease, age, etc., beards may be broken or messy. When this happens frequently, we should pay attention.

·Aging

This kind of situation often occurs in older cats. After they enter old age, their whiskers will break or fall off. This is a normal phenomenon and a manifestation of the decline of the cat’s metabolism. All we can do is give them More care and attention.

· Malnutrition

When cats in their prime often encounter the problem of whisker breakage, we need to pay attention to the fact that their bodies may lack vitamins and some trace elements, leading to endocrine disorders. We should pay more attention to their diet.

·Skin diseases

If a cat suffers from skin diseases due to fur infection, in addition to the hair falling out, the whiskers will also fall out.

Can I help trim their beards?

Whiskers are very important to cats. If their whiskers are cut off, they will lose their sense of balance and space, making them unable to move and jump in the dark. Never pull out a cat's whiskers just for fun, because the nerves pass through the roots of their whiskers, and the act of pulling will cause them great pain. In short, if you provoke them, the consequences will be serious.