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7 Cool Facts About Cat Whiskers

Image: Pixabay

Why do cats have whiskers? Cat whiskers don’t just look cool — they’re the Swiss Army knife of your cat’s sensory and communications tool kit. Not only do they help her figure out where she’s going, they also tell her whether she’ll fit through openings, and they serve as an obvious demonstration of her mood. Here are seven interesting facts about cat whiskers — why cats have them and what exactly they do!

1. Cat whiskers are exquisitely sensitive

Cat whiskers are rooted much more deeply in her skin than her ordinary fur, and the area around them has a very generous supply of nerves and blood. This makes the whisker tips so sensitive that they can detect even the slightest change in the direction of a breeze. Because of that sensitivity, it can actually cause your cat pain if you mess with her whiskers. Eating out of a bowl that presses on your cat’s whiskers can also be disturbing, so consider feeding your cat on a plate or buying her a wide, flat feeding bowl.

2. Cat whiskers aren’t just on the nose

In addition to the eight to 12 whiskers your cat has on either side of her nose, she also has shorter whiskers above her eyes, on her chin, and on the backs of her lower front legs.

3. Whiskers help her figure out where she’ll fit

The whiskers on your cat’s nose are generally about as long as your cat is wide, so they help her to figure out how wide an opening is and whether she’ll fit through it. Some people say that if cats gain weight, their whiskers get longer; I haven’t seen enough evidence to know whether this is true.

4. Whiskers help your cat position her prey

Cats are farsighted — they can’t see well up close — so when they catch their prey, whether that prey is a mouse or their favorite feather toy, they need some way to sense that their prey is in the proper position for the fatal bite. The whiskers on the back of your cat’s forelegs, and to a lesser extent, those on her chin and the sides of her nose, are crucial for that purpose.

5. Cat whiskers are an emotional barometer

The position of your cat’s whiskers can be an indicator of her mood. If her whiskers are relaxed and sticking out sideways, she’s calm. If they’re pushed forward, that means she’s excited and alert. And if they’re flattened against her cheeks, she’s angry or scared. Of course, you’ll need to check her “whiskergram” against her other body language, such as the position of her ears and tail, to confirm what the whiskers are telling you.

6. Cat whiskers should never be cut

Although your cat does shed a couple of whiskers from time to time, you should never trim your cat’s whiskers. She’ll become disoriented and may begin acting dizzy and confused because she’s no longer receiving those vital navigation signals. Imagine if somebody grabbed you and put a blindfold on you and you couldn’t take it off for a few weeks — that’s about what it’s like for a cat whose whiskers get cut off.

7. Cat whiskers can change color

Don’t be surprised if you find a white whisker growing in your pure black cat’s fur as she ages: Cats do start going gray with age, but it’s not noticeable unless your cat’s fur is a dark, solid color.

Source: Catster

 

Deciphering your cat’s ear language

Cat

Deciphering your cat’s ear language

Cat Ear Emotions: How Cat Ears Move With Their Mood

Cats are expressive creatures who use verbal and nonverbal language to communicate with their pet parents. Learning how to interpret your feline friend’s behaviour will reveal a lot about their cat ear emotions and the important role ears play in conveying information.

Just as cat tail language reveals what a cat is thinking and feeling, cat ears move with emotion, too. “Like a sophisticated satellite dish turning to pick up a signal, the cat’s external ear, or pinna, rotates up to 180 degrees to locate and identify even the faintest of squeaks, peeps or rustling noises,” said Animal Planet.

With close observation, you’ll notice a pattern of various cat ear emotions revealed by even the subtlest gesture.

Neutral

When a cat’s just being a cat, their ears are facing forward in what’s called the neutral position. Neutral ears indicate that a cat is feeling happy and relaxed and wants to chill out. When your cat’s ears are in neutral, it’s a great time to take advantage of their friendly mood, so now’s the time to carefully pick up that cat and get your snuggles!

Cat

Straight Up and Forward

A cat will move its ears into this alert position when they want to pay closer attention to what’s going on around them. Your cat wants to know, “What’s that noise? Who’s there? What’s going on?” Sometimes, their ears are even facing different directions! Cats who are inclined to patrol their home exhibit this ear position and make great guard cats. In addition to “confident, curious cats,” pointed out PAWS Chicago, “a cat who is hunting or playing will also keep [their] ears forward to collect as much auditory information as possible to execute a successful pounce.” Are your cat’s ears pointed up? Engage them in some fun.

Twitching

A cat whose ears rotate with quick, sudden movements is a cat who is on a mission. As an extension to the “straight up and forward” move, a cat will move their ears back and forth (and shake their backside) when they’re ready to execute the attack. This is another great opportunity to indulge your cat’s hunting instincts, being sure to direct their attention to toys and not your feet. If your cat twitches frequently and paws at their ears, contact your veterinarian to rule out ear mites or other underlying health problems.

Low and Sideways

If your cat’s ears are flattened against their head in “airplane mode” — as if they’re about to take off in flight — it means that they’re frightened or nervous, and it could lead to aggressive behaviour. When a cat’s ears are in this position, the cat is telling you that they’re uncomfortable and need some space. Your cat may hide in their favourite spot until they’re feeling more secure, so it’s important to respect their bubble and their privacy.

Low and Facing Out

In this position, a cat may be signalling that they’re not feeling well, said Best Friends Animal Society. Cats are experts at hiding an illness, but this ear position helps to identify if they’re under the weather. If you suspect that your cat isn’t feeling so hot, pay close attention to other possible signs of illness, including observation of their eyes and tail, and share your concerns with your veterinarian.

Cat

Low and Flat

There is no doubt about which cat ear emotions are associated with this position. Basically, it translates to “step off” and is indicative of potential aggressive behaviour to come, including biting or scratching. In multiple cat households, you may see this when cats are tussling. If it happens, keep an eye on the cats and discourage aggressive play. It’s in the best interest of humans to walk away from a cat when their ears are in this position, or you could risk getting injured.

When it comes to understanding a cat’s body language, the ears have it. Cat ears move with emotion and purpose, opening up the lines of communication between you and your furry friend.

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Cat Ear Emotions: How Cat Ears Move With Their Mood

Ear

Cat Ear Emotions: How Cat Ears Move With Their Mood

Cats are expressive creatures who use verbal and nonverbal language to communicate with their pet parents. Learning how to interpret your feline friend’s behaviour will reveal a lot about their cat ear emotions and the important role ears play in conveying information.

Just as cat tail language reveals what a cat is thinking and feeling, cat ears move with emotion, too. “Like a sophisticated satellite dish turning to pick up a signal, the cat’s external ear, or pinna, rotates up to 180 degrees to locate and identify even the faintest of squeaks, peeps or rustling noises,” said Animal Planet.

With close observation, you’ll notice a pattern of various cat ear emotions revealed by even the subtlest gesture.

Neutral
When a cat’s just being a cat, their ears are facing forward in what’s called the neutral position. Neutral ears indicate that a cat is feeling happy and relaxed and wants to chill out. When your cat’s ears are in neutral, it’s a great time to take advantage of their friendly mood, so now’s the time to carefully pick up that cat and get your snuggles!

Straight Up and Forward
A cat will move its ears into this alert position when they want to pay closer attention to what’s going on around them. Your cat wants to know, “What’s that noise? Who’s there? What’s going on?” Sometimes, their ears are even facing different directions! Cats who are inclined to patrol their home exhibit this ear position and make great guard cats. In addition to “confident, curious cats,” pointed out PAWS Chicago, “a cat who is hunting or playing will also keep [their] ears forward to collect as much auditory information as possible to execute a successful pounce.” Are your cat’s ears pointed up? Engage them in some fun.

Ear

Twitching
A cat whose ears rotate with quick, sudden movements is a cat who is on a mission. As an extension to the “straight up and forward” move, a cat will move their ears back and forth (and shake their backside) when they’re ready to execute the attack. This is another great opportunity to indulge your cat’s hunting instincts, being sure to direct their attention to toys and not your feet. If your cat twitches frequently and paws at their ears, contact your veterinarian to rule out ear mites or other underlying health problems.

Low and Sideways
If your cat’s ears are flattened against their head in “airplane mode” — as if they’re about to take off in flight — it means that they’re frightened or nervous, and it could lead to aggressive behaviour. When a cat’s ears are in this position, the cat is telling you that they’re uncomfortable and need some space. Your cat may hide in their favourite spot until they’re feeling more secure, so it’s important to respect their bubble and their privacy.

Low and Facing Out
In this position, a cat may be signalling that they’re not feeling well, said Best Friends Animal Society. Cats are experts at hiding an illness, but this ear position helps to identify if they’re under the weather. If you suspect that your cat isn’t feeling so hot, pay close attention to other possible signs of illness, including observation of their eyes and tail, and share your concerns with your veterinarian.

Ear

Low and Flat
There is no doubt about which cat ear emotions are associated with this position. Basically, it translates to “step off” and is indicative of potential aggressive behaviour to come, including biting or scratching. In multiple cat households, you may see this when cats are tussling. If it happens, keep an eye on the cats and discourage aggressive play. It’s in the best interest of humans to walk away from a cat when their ears are in this position, or you could risk getting injured.

When it comes to understanding a cat’s body language, the ears have it. Cat ears move with emotion and purpose, opening up the lines of communication between you and your furry friend.

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition