Cat Whiskers: 6 Facts
Whiskers are far more than decoration. Here are six facts about a cat’s most sensitive hairs.
The text version
- About 24
- A cat usually has around 12 long whiskers on each side of the muzzle, in four rows.
- Width of the cat
- Whisker span is close to the width of the body, which helps a cat judge whether it can fit through a gap.
- Super sensitive
- Each whisker is rooted deep in the skin with many nerve endings, so it can sense tiny air movements.
- Not just on the face
- Cats also have shorter whiskers above the eyes, on the chin and on the back of the front legs.
- Never trim them
- Cutting whiskers can leave a cat confused and less steady. They grow back, but never cut or pull them.
- A mood meter
- Whiskers point forward when a cat is curious or hunting and are pulled back when it is scared or annoyed.
Questions people ask
How many whiskers does a cat have?
Usually around 24 long whiskers on the muzzle, in four rows on each side, plus shorter ones elsewhere.
Do whiskers grow back?
Yes, but never cut or pull them, because they help a cat sense its surroundings.
Why do cats lose whiskers?
Whiskers shed and regrow naturally, so finding one is normal.
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