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One of the cutest features of a cat might be her whiskers. A cat’s whiskers add such charm to those sweet kitty faces, but what is their purpose? Why do cats have whiskers?<\/p>\nOne of the cutest features of a cat might be her whiskers. A cat’s whiskers add such charm to those sweet kitty faces, but what is their purpose? Why do cats have whiskers?<\/p>\n
I always thought\/heard\/read that whiskers kept a cat from getting caught in a too-small space. Whiskers are a cat\u2019s guide to where they can and can\u2019t\u2014should and ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/catshowtxtiger-225x300.jpg\")
shouldn\u2019t–try to squeeze into. Isn\u2019t that what you thought? But if this is true, then how is it that cats manage to squirm into very small vases and jars and boxes like a blob of Jell-O? Have you seen the cats that ooze themselves under a closed door\u2014yes, through a space of mere inches? If the cat were to rely on her whiskers ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/cat-shopcat-vet-300x300.jpg\")
to determine the possibility of scrunching their head and whole body through that space, they\u2019d never try it. So is that bit of whisker information we’ve heard for years a myth?<\/p>\n
I suppose whiskers do help cats navigate in the dark. A cat\u2019s whiskers are very sensitive and serve as sensors to the world and atmosphere around them. Whiskers also ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/catwhiskers-300x225.jpg\")
help with balance. A cat\u2019s whiskers are radar sensors. They\u2019re sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in air currents and vibrations\u2014helping to keep a cat safe, while also alerting them to danger or nearby prey. Yes, whiskers do help to keep a cat out of trouble\u2014aiding in their navigation.<\/p>\n
So why do cats sometimes crawl and ooze into small spaces? Why don\u2019t their whiskers warn them not to do that? I guess sometimes their sense of curiosity outweighs the intelligence in their whiskers. Here\u2019s an interesting article about the cat\u2019s whiskers. It even tells us how many whiskers a cat has and how each whisker is connected to the brain. Fascinating stuff. https:\/\/vcahospitals.com\/know-your-pet\/why-do-cats-have-whiskers<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of the cutest features of a cat might be her whiskers. A cat’s whiskers add such charm to those sweet kitty faces, but what is their purpose? Why do cats have whiskers? I always thought\/heard\/read that whiskers kept a … Continue reading