The whiskers of cats are very sensitive thick hairs that help these magnificent animals to know more about the environment that surrounds them. They have them, not only on the muzzle, but also on the chin, on the back of their front legs, and above and at the ends of the eyes.
Let's learn more about the importance of cat whiskers.
The whiskers of cats, known as vibrissae, they are very sensitive as they have many nerve receptors and receive a lot of blood supply, so much so that they are able to detect small air currents. In this way, these animals can receive much more information about the environment, thus allowing them to act according to the circumstances. For example: before going into a tunnel, what they will first do is check if they fit or not. How?
Very easy: the length of their vibrissae is like the width of their body, so if they do not rub against the walls of the tunnel, it means that they can get into it without problems.
But also they are very helpful to communicate. In fact, when they are calm, the whiskers remain on their side, while if they feel very tense and / or intend to attack, they will arrange them back, showing their fangs.
With all this in mind, it is highly recommended to feed them in wide and shallow bowlsIt often happens that they do not like at all that their whiskers constantly rub while they are eating. What's more, it can become so annoying that they can choose to remove the food from the feeder and then eat it, or wet their paw and then drink from it, as my cat Benji did.
Finally, I would like to end this article by saying one thing that is of the utmost importance: you never have to cut their mustaches. If it is done, the cats will not be able to orient themselves, or even move as they should.
Let us love them as they are.