Cats have some physiological attributes that give them athletic abilities. One of the leading whiskers. A common false belief is that cat whiskers and human hair are alike. However, the whiskers are actually touched receptors, that are connected securely to the sensitive muscular and nervous systems, sending, to the cat’s sensory nerves, information about the surroundings. In short, whiskers enable cats to gauge and make sense of their environment.

Whiskers can be found on either side of its nose and upper facial lip. But, you may be also able to see shorter whiskers above the eyes, on their jawline, and on the back of their front legs!

It is a huge mistake trying to trim whiskers, as, without this tactile hair, cats become very disoriented and frightened. Whiskers will grow back naturally and should be left untouched as cats need them to remain intact. Cats use their whiskers the same way we use the touch receptors in our fingertips to perceive our way around in the darkness and to alert us to potentially painful situations.

On the whiskers, there is a sensory organ called a proprioceptor that is related to the position of the body and limbs and sends tactile signals to the brain and nervous system. The proprioceptor is really important for knowing where every part of the body is, in order to understand whether fits or not in narrow places. The proprioceptor is very sensitive as well to the smallest change in the cat’s environment, especially when the cat is chasing prey.

Moreover, they also serve as a way to visually measure distance, which is why they are able to leap so quickly and gracefully onto a narrow ledge or out of harm’s way.

Finally, whiskers act as a kind of indicator of the cat’s moods. When a cat is resting its whiskers will be mostly immobile, but if the whiskers suddenly bunch up that may be a sign that the cat is scared.

When playing “chase the toy” its whiskers are pointing forward. This is probably a sign that your cat is in hunting mode or when a cat is startled or excited whiskers will point almost completely forward.

Whiskers are a vital part of a cat’s mobility and sense of security and without them, cats would not be able to achieve the marvelous acrobatic feats and reflexes that also protect themselves from dangerous situations.

Whiskers are a vital part of a cat’s mobility and sense of security and without them, cats would not be able to achieve the marvelous acrobatic feats and reflexes that also protect themselves from dangerous situations.

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Photo: Caleb Woods