We got a year-old male tabby from a neighbour who was never home; he was a bit neglected, and has taken a while to come out of his shell.
We got him neutered, got him his shots, etc; he'd never even seen a vet. He was, unsurprisingly, eating pretty cheap cat food. Now, he gets the hyper-premium stuff.
And, lots of petting and so on; he's even starting to play -- quite a lot of improvement in a fairly short time.
Anyway, his 'father' swears he has more, and longer, whiskers than he did at first. I think he's right about this; I don't remember him having much at all over his eyes, for example -- but I'm not sure. He mostly hid for the first few weeks, and all advice here (thanks) and elsewhere said to leave him alone and let him do his own thing, so -- well, we don't know him that well just yet!
Is it likely that the better care would mean better whiskers, or is it more likely that we're just fancying ourselves as oh-so-great cat caretakers and imagining it?
2006-12-17 07:45:28 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
More whiskers is very unlikely, the healthyness and growth and shinyness of them, says something for being able to visually see them. Which is in large part due to better living conditions. It's also possible he lost whiskers at his other place due to neglect, fighting with other animals and sometimes even a low amount of good oils(lineolaic acid) in their previous food. As in, not enough to keep good fur/whisker health, so some naturally drop out. But no...he wouldnt have grown more, they would have always been there, just perhaps not visible.
2006-12-17 07:49:57 · answer #1 · answered by sabinepd 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They'll grow back. The cat won't lose his sense of smell but he may have off balance for a while. Cats use their whiskers to determine whether they can fit in an opening also.
2016-03-28 22:20:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better food better health, inactive cats have little contact with rough surfaces threfore less breakage longer whiskers. I have a long haired inactive cat that has a few 4 in. whiskers, making him look like a lobster
2006-12-17 08:13:04 · answer #3 · answered by Marian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a better diet will definitely make for better whiskers!
It's great that you are doing so much with him and I'm delighted to hear he is doing so well with your love and care.
2006-12-17 08:06:04 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can believe that healthier living conditions have made him have prettier whiskers.His fur coat is more than likely healthier as well.
2006-12-17 08:12:04 · answer #5 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋