2006-08-13 16:04:45 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Please Don't !.. Whiskers should never be cut or trimmed, they are also known as "tactile hairs". Whiskers help the cat feel his way around. Whiskers are so sensitive that they can detect the
slightest directional change in a breeze. At night, for example, this helps a cat slink its way through a room and not bump into anything. How? The air currents in the room change depending on where pieces of furniture are located. As the cat walks through the room and approaches the couch, he'll know which direction to turn based on the change in air current around the couch.
In addition to having sensory properties, a cat's whiskers are also a good indicator of his mood. When a cat is angry or feels defensive, the whiskers will be pulled back. Otherwise, when the cat is happy, curious or content, the whiskers will be more relaxed and pushed forward.
But the whisker's primary use is to help a cat judge whether or not he'll fit through an opening. A cat's whiskers are roughly as wide as his body -- sort of a natural ruler. The whisker tips are
sensitive to pressure. You'll probably see a cat stick his head in and out of an opening before he puts his body in. He's judging the width of the opening, and is determining if he can fit into it.
An interesting note: cats don't have a true collar bone, like humans. This allows them to turn and twist their way through very narrow openings.
2006-08-13 16:07:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 3⤋
Way back, I knew of someone that DID cut the whiskers on their cat - who knows why. And as someone else reported, his balance was off, making his life pretty miserable while they grew back.
Since the whiskers are an integral part of the cat's sensory system (I don't have the right terminology here, but you probably get what I mean), I'd say it would be like stuffing cotton in our own ears or wearing blinders. Don't think we would like to see the world like that. Definitely not the thing to do.
2006-08-14 01:55:49 · answer #2 · answered by Isthisnametaken2 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A cats whiskers are always as long as the cats body is wide. They let the cat know when he can fit in a space or not. Don't cut them.
2006-08-13 23:10:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Cat's use their whiskers to help them feel in the dark. They need them. Don't cut or trim them!
2006-08-13 23:08:40 · answer #4 · answered by bcringler 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Cat's use those whiskers to detect where they can go. It tells them if the touch between to points their not going to fit, so they can't get stuck in small spaces. That is just cruel and unusual punishment.
2006-08-13 23:24:10 · answer #5 · answered by sfcduggan 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The whiskers have nerves in it so that the cat can use these in dark and confined spaces where they can't see so basically, you cut them and it hurts, just like cutting your finger. It can also throw off their sense of balance.
2006-08-14 00:04:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because it would be like cutting your fingertips off when all you wanted was a nail file. Don't touch the whiskers! EVER!
2006-08-13 23:44:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It would be like taking away part of your sight or hearing. Cats use their whiskers to explore their environment and is important in their reaction to things around them.
2006-08-13 23:09:08 · answer #8 · answered by sukditup 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Why would you want to?
Cats whiskers are like nerve extensions, they use them as a sensory receiver and are important for them...
...and once again...why would you want to?
2006-08-13 23:11:32 · answer #9 · answered by Heather 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
those are the cats feelers if you cut them off they won't be able to feel ways thru holes and tight spaces and cats look funny without long whiskers anyway please don't do that to ur cat
2006-08-13 23:10:27 · answer #10 · answered by summergirl4301 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋