2006-10-09 15:24:08 · 15 answers · asked by jared_dowdy2002 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
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Mood indication
Measuring an opening
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.
2006-10-09 15:28:56 · answer #1 · answered by ladyphenom77 1 · 9⤊ 1⤋
A cat's whiskers are part of its sensory system. A cat does not see in the same way a human can, their peripheral vision is limited so they need the whiskers to determine how far away an object is. People might notice that if they cut their cat's whiskers, the cat starts bumping into things.
2006-10-09 15:28:15 · answer #2 · answered by Blue Jean 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats have whiskers because they act like antennae. They use them when they are going to go into a space. It lets them know if their body will fit. If their whiskers fit then they will.
2006-10-09 15:27:31 · answer #3 · answered by Mary Smith 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Cats use their whiskers to determine lateral distance. Their peripheral vision isn't very good.
2006-10-09 15:30:08 · answer #4 · answered by renaissance man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats have whiskers because if they didn't one they would fall over and two their whiskers tell them if a space is to tight to fit in.
2006-10-09 15:37:33 · answer #5 · answered by H F 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
cats need whiskers like they need their eyes. whiskers help the cat to identify the things around them so they don't bump into them. it is like a sense. good for a few day old kitty to find his/her mum.
2006-10-09 15:32:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When they go through small spaces, it is believed that the whiskers "measure" the spaces and let the cat know if it wil fit
2006-10-09 15:32:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Measuring, balance and sensing.
The whiskers are the width of their body and they use them also to directed themselves (little homing device) and they sense air movement and vibrations with them which they also use in hunting.
2006-10-09 16:11:58 · answer #8 · answered by fierequebecoiseauusa 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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2013-10-23 20:50:11 · answer #9 · answered by William 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are for measuring..its the cats guide for how big it is so get in and out of spaces. They are as long as the cat's width
2006-10-09 15:26:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋