If you have to cut your cat's whiskers, will they grow back?

Question

My cat loved our Christmas tree; unfortunately, she stayed under it so much that her whiskers got all sticky from the sap. I've tried to clean them off, but they're all just stuck together. :(

Answer 1

Your cat may not like it, but try using a washcloth with very warm water on it to get the sap off her whiskers. Hold it there so the sap softens then gently wipe/pull (not so hard the whiskers come out!)

If this doesn't work, you may call a vet and see what they suggest. Whiskers do fall out naturally and regrow (like human hair). They are extremely sensitive to touch/pressure, so cutting them isn't going to be pleasant for the cat. However, many a cat has had its whiskers trimmed by a child eager to demonstrate his/her haircutting skills, and all stories have ended happily with the whiskers growing back within 1-2 months.

Answer 2

Yes, the cat's whiskers will grow back. But don't cut them just for having sap on them. The sap will dry and fall off much faster than the whiskers will grow back.

Answer 3

They will eventually grow back, but if you cut some from one side, try to cut the other side evenly. Cats derive some of their spatial sense from their whiskers and may become disoriented if they are too uneven. You may want to try peanut-butter, crisco, or butter. These may work to break down the sap and help it slide off. Also, if you can think of a safe way to get the sap cold (ice pack may work), it may become brittle and break away from the whiskers as well. I would try one of these options before cutting the whiskers if at all possible.

Answer 4

You should never cut a cat wiskers off because it helps them find there way throough the dark. Kinda like a bugs antenie. If you cut them off you may wake up one morning and you cat is stuck. If you have noticed your cats wiskers are the same length as they are wide. Here is a remedy to remove tree sap safely from you cat. Peanut butter, margarine or something oil based that will break down the sap but will not harm your cat. Even olive oil can work. It may take a couple of times but it will come off. Good luck and don't cut them off it is not safe for the cat.

Answer 5

of course they will grow back. i was told that if you cut a cat's whiskers that the cat would be more likely to stick close to home when they got outside because their whiskers are where their senses are, and without them they wont roam too far away. so i did just that i cut my cat's whiskers and they grew back in no time like any other form of hair/fur.

Answer 6

Have u tryed Dawn dish soap yet? If they can use it for our wildlife in oil spills, why not try it. Just make sure that u rinse it off thoughly. DO NOT TRIM THE WHISKERS OFF. It will really mess up ur cats balance.
And from now on, if i were u, i would make sure that in Christmas's to come, that u try and keep ur cat from getting near the tree, so u won't have to go thru this again.

Answer 7

Please just gently wash the whiskers or take the cat to the Vet to clean them off. DO NOT CUT THE WHISKERS they are like one of the cats senses. They help a cat feel where they are in terms of space.

Answer 8

Cat whiskers will grow back. My cat walked into a lit candle and burned some of his and they are fine now. Not sure cutting them is the best solution but they should grow back.

Answer 9

DO NOT CUT THE WHISKERS OFF. I REPEAT - DO NOT CUT THE WHISKER OFF. DO NOT TRIM THE WHISKERS. It is their way of telling where walls are and their basically is their sense of balance. Take the kitty to a professional groomer. Thanks for asking before you made a huge mistake.

Answer 10

Please run this by your vet before doing any cutting. It might be better to let it "grow out" or wear off before cutting the whiskers. That can be very drastic and disorienting for the cat.