As a loving cat owner, I want my cat to be as healthy and happy as possible. Therefore, I give my cat the best care and make sure he is fine in all ways.
One question about cats health that intrigues many people, is whether the cats whiskers grow back if they have been damaged in some way, and how this affects the life of the cat in general.
Do Cats Whiskers Grow Back?
Cats whiskers grow back, as long as the follicles that the whiskers grow from are not damaged. Normally, it takes up to 3 months for a cat’s whiskers to grow back to the length to be functional.
Obviously, long or short, curly or straight, they are a notable part of any cat’s face. It is impossible to imagine a cat without whiskers.
However, whiskers do not just make any kitty look cute, they also serve multiple important functions. Let’s take a look at why felines have whiskers and answer the most important questions about them.
When Do Cats Whiskers Grow Back?
Normally, cat’s whiskers grow in again during the next shed/regrowth cycle.
There are also certain factors that may affect how fast kitty’s whiskers grow back, including the cat’s diet, any health issues, and breed.
Also, the older a cat is, the longer it takes for whiskers to grow. Most senior cats have their whiskers back in a few months.
More For You: Still on the subject of cats whiskers – Why are my cats whiskers bent?
What Happens If You Cut Off Cat’s Whiskers?
All kitties (including indoor cats) rely on the sensory input from their whiskers, so I understand how stressful it is for the cat to cut the whiskers.
Whiskers are actually much more important for felines than many people think. Here is what will happen to my furry family member if I decide to cut its whiskers off:
- My cat will lose its sixth sense. Whiskers are connected deep into your feline’s nervous and muscular system. By using them, a cat receives information about its surroundings and navigates the world.
Thus, it is possible to say that a cat without whiskers loses the sense of direction and cannot maneuver its body properly. This will lead to disorientation and dizziness.
- I won’t be able to understand my cat’s mood. By looking at my kitty’s whiskers, I can understand more about its mood and wellbeing in general.
According to a study conducted by the University of Melbourne, droopy and relaxed whiskers that point out to the sides of the feline’s face indicate that your kitty is calm and relaxed, while whiskers pinned back indicate that a pet is scared.
Thus, by watching my cat’s whiskers I know when your fluffy four-legged friend is happy, angry, scared, or excited. As a result, I can build a closer and more trusting relationship with your pet. - My cat will lose its ability to feel the wind. With the help of whiskers, cats also feel and detect changes in the air currents.
I always thought that this function was not important for my indoor kitty, but it actually is. For example, it will help the cat feel if I suddenly moved a piece of furniture in a dark room. - My kitty will not be able to hunt. I was surprised to find out that cats have whiskers behind their front legs too.
Unlike the whiskers on the cat’s face, they assist my feline in hunting and help it grab the prey when eyesight is not strong enough.
With all that being said, cutting off cats’ whiskers is a very bad idea, and there is no reason for doing that at all.
Cats whiskers are more important than many people and cat owners think they are, and without them, a cat will feel disoriented, helpless, and confused.
Do Cat Whiskers Grow Back If Pulled Out?
First, it is important to note that it is hard to pull cat’s whiskers out because they are rooted deep under your feline’s skin.
Therefore, pulling them out can be very painful for your kitty. Moreover, this may cause a serious infection and lead to serious health consequences.
Are your cat’s whiskers looking singed? How did this happen?
Nevertheless, whiskers will most likely grow back if they are pulled out.
It is also important to keep in mind though, that pulling whiskers out can cause damage to the roots, and hairs will grow irregularly.
Does Losing A Cat’s Whiskers Hurt Them?
Cats’ whiskers are similar to human hair, so it is not painful for a cat to lose them. Moreover, it is absolutely normal for a feline to shed whiskers, just like it sheds its fur.
Shedding whiskers is a natural process because whiskers go through a regular cycle of growth, dormancy, and shedding.
Normally, a cat loses its whiskers when it has reached its maturity. Naturally, your furry friend can lose several whiskers at the same time, so you have nothing to worry about.
More For You: When does a cat shed hair and which breeds are low shedders?
Can Sick Cats Regrow Whiskers?
In general, the answer is “yes”, but everything depends on your kitty’s health condition. Sick cats may duffer from abnormal whiskers loss that is usually caused by allergy problems or certain skin disorders, such as dermatitis for example.
There are also fungal and bacterial infections that can lead to whiskers loss by not allowing them to grow back. Also, just like humans, felines also can suffer from alopecia – a health condition characterized by whiskers and fur loss. Alopecia is actually the most common reason why whiskers never grow back.
If you noticed that your cat is losing an excessive amount of whiskers, or the loss of whiskers is accompanied by fur loss, it is better to take your four-legged family member to an animal clinic and get it checked by a vet.
Do Kitten Whiskers Grow Back?
Yes, most likely the whiskers of your young kitty will come back in a few weeks unless the follicles are damaged.
If your kitten’s whiskers do not grow back after several months, or your kitty keeps losing them, it may indicate health issues, such as allergies, alopecia, and bacterial or fungal infections.
In this case, you should get your pet checked by a veterinarian.
