Can cat’s whiskers put them off eating? Cat whiskers and nutrition

Your cat’s whiskers play an essential role in their day to day life.

These kitty whiskers are made of a protein called keratin, are more than just a charming feature, they’re a crucial part of your cat’s body.

The hair follicles at the base of the cat’s whiskers are full of sensitive nerve endings and blood vessels, containing sensory neurons that transmit vital information to your cat’s brain.

Recently, there’s been a growing theory suggesting that a cat’s sensitive whiskers can become over stimulated from touching the sides of standard food and water dishes.

This is known as whisker stress or whisker fatigue, and might impact how much your cats enjoy their food, how much they eat, and their overall health.

Nutrition And The Role Of Cats Whiskers

Understanding Cat’s Whiskers

Cat whiskers, also known as the Latin word vibrissae, are specialized, sensitive hairs.

These whisker hairs, found on various areas of your cat’s face, are embedded deeper than regular hairs and are connected to nerves and muscles, meaning your cat is continuously receiving information through them.

The whiskers act as sensory tools for cats, allowing them to navigate their environment, detect objects and hunt efficiently.

Functions of Cat Whiskers

Navigation

In low light conditions, whiskers assist cats in determining their surroundings by detecting air currents, enabling them to move around confidently.

Hunting

Whiskers help your cat pinpoint the location of their prey when hunting, providing crucial tactile information.

Mood Indicator

Cat whiskers can express your pet’s emotions by changing position, such as extending forward when feeling relaxed and fanning out when frightened.

Spatial Awareness

Cat whiskers determine the cat’s ability to orientate themselves and measure the width of openings, ensuring they don’t get stuck in tight spot.

Whiskers can be stressed by inappropriate food dishes, causing discomfort for your cat while they eat. This phenomenon known as “whisker fatigue” can lead to food avoidance or making a mess while eating.

To prevent whisker fatigue and ensure your cat gets the proper nutrition, choose a dish designed for their comfort, such as a shallow bowl or a plate with raised edges.

This arrangement allows your cat to access their food without their whiskers coming into contact with the sides of the dish, providing an enjoyable and stress free eating experience.

This is a super simple solution. I have reviewed cat feeding bowls that are specifically designed to prevent whisker fatigue. It makes total sense when you see the bowls and so much easier or the cat to eat from.

Whisker Fatigue and Effect On Nutrition

If your cat is experiencing feline whisker fatigue, you may notice behavioral changes, such as:

• Becoming apprehensive around their food and water bowls

• Dropping food from their mouths and eating it next to the dish

• Pessimistic behavior when faced with confined spaces

• Pawing at or trying to move their food out of the dish before eating it

While some studies found no significant differences when comparing whisker friendly dishes to standard dishes, other research show cats appeared to prefer whisker friendly alternatives, possibly reducing stress when eating.

If you notice food being dropped or reluctance to eat, consider switching to a whisker friendly dish and observe any changes in their eating habits.

Keeping the brain and nervous system healthy involves offering a nutrient rich diet with enough vitamins and minerals.

Tips for Whisker Friendly Feeding

When selecting a food dish for your cat, consider opting for a whisker friendly dish.

In fact, measurements from a broad sample of domestic cats’ whiskers led to the development of dishes with the optimal shape for whisker friendly feeding.

Stay away from plastic bowls, as they can harbor bacteria and cause irritation to your cat’s whiskers.

Instead, choose ceramic or stainless steel dishes as they are easier to clean and more durable.

A whisker friendly dish should also have a non skid silicone base to reduce spills and a side cut out for easy handling when picking up the dish from the floor..

By considering these whisker friendly feeding tips, you can provide a better mealtime experience for your cat, ensuring their overall health and happiness.

Whisker fatigue Cat Feeding Bowls