Why do cats have whiskers?
Cats use their whiskers as touch sensors to judge spaces, detect movement and navigate in the dark. Whiskers are deeply rooted and connected to many nerves.
Whiskers, or vibrissae, are thick, stiff hairs found on a cat's muzzle, above its eyes, on its chin and on the backs of its front legs. Each is set deep in the skin and surrounded by nerves and blood vessels, making it extremely sensitive. They can detect slight air movements, helping cats sense nearby objects and prey in darkness.
The whiskers on a cat's face are roughly as wide as its body, helping it judge whether it can fit through a gap. Cats also use whiskers when hunting, because they cannot see well up close. Whiskers on the legs help them sense prey they are holding.
Mood signals
Whisker position shows a cat's mood. Relaxed whiskers point sideways, whiskers pulled back can show fear or stress, and whiskers pushed forward show interest or excitement. Cutting a cat's whiskers can confuse it and should be avoided.
Did You Know?
Most cats have about 24 whiskers on their muzzle, arranged in four rows on each side.