If you cut a cat's whiskers, will they become unbalanced?

Question

If you cut a cat's whiskers, will they become unbalanced?

Answer 1

Yes!

Also known as "tactile hairs" or vibrissae, whiskers are the long, thick, flexible hairs on a cat's face.  These hairs are located in horizontal rows on the whisker pad, the puffy area between the top corners of your cat's mouth and the outer edges of his nose.  Whiskers, like hair and nails, do fall out and are replaced.  

In addition to having the long tactile hairs on their cheeks, cats also have shorter ones above their eyebrows, on their chin and on the back of their front legs.  Whiskers are necessary and useful for navigation, mood indication and measuring an opening, (to name a few).

- Whiskers are rooted very deep in the cat's face, in an area rich in nerves and blood vessels.  So you should never EVER trim or try to clean your cat’s whiskers - It will hinder one of your cat's 'sensing' abilities.  

- If a whisker falls out, don't worry another will grow in its place.  

Whiskers help the cat feel his way around.  Whiskers are so sensitive that they can detect the slightest directional change in a breeze.  At night, for example, this helps a cat slink its way through a room and not bump into anything.  How?  The air currents in the room change depending on where pieces of furniture are located.  As the cat walks through the room and approaches the couch, he'll know which direction to turn based on the change in air current around the couch.  

In addition to having sensory properties, a cat's whiskers are also a good indicator of his mood.  When a cat is angry or feels defensive, the whiskers will be pulled back.  Otherwise, when the cat is happy, curious or content, the whiskers will be more relaxed and pushed forward.  

But the whisker's primary use is to help a cat judge whether or not he'll fit through an opening.  A cat's whiskers are roughly as wide as his body -- sort of a natural ruler.  The whisker tips are sensitive to pressure.  You'll probably see a cat stick his head in and out of an opening before he puts his body in.  He's judging the width of the opening, and is determining if he can fit into it.  An interesting note: cats don't have a true collar bone, like humans.  This allows them to turn and twist their way through very narrow openings.  

Answer 2

yeh a real head fook  

Answer 3

Yes they definitely get unbalanced. Their balance is effected the same way yours would be if you cut off one or more of your toes.

Answer 4

what are you?  12?  you're unbalanced.  wiskers are safety devices for cats.  leave it alone.

Answer 5

I remember when I was 5 and cut my cats whiskers. 5, I couldn't even type then. Leave your cats whiskers alone. They should never be cut, ever. It messes the cat up to about the equivalent of a human with an inner ear infection. Its cruel.

Answer 6

They grow back, but it hurts them and it's cruel.  Cats use their whiskers not only for balance, but also to judge whether they can fit in an area or not.  If they pull their whiskers back and they still rub on the sides of a hole, they know they won't be able to get out, so they stop.  It also helps with several other types of sensory activities.

Answer 7

Yes, it's definitely a bad idea to cut off their whiskers. It's also a bad idea, because cats use their whiskers for their senses, not only to keep themselves balanced. So please, stay away from the whiskers.

Answer 8

no just make sure u dont cut them 2 short ok very good question  u need a yellow star i will give u one ok  

Answer 9

yes i did that to my cat when i was younger, I just thought it would be cool to trim them and it does mess with them. but theyre whiskers are also for judgement on how small of a space they can go in.

Answer 10

their whiskers are very sensitive, they help to balance them (just like the tail) to give them a sense of their wear abouts and to help keep dust out of their face.  Trimming them isn't cool, they can take care of them themselves

Answer 11

yes,because the cats whiskers,judge the opening,,how high,or narrow,or tight,the space there is..and they become unbalanced,when their whiskers are cut...so,leave them be.mary.c.

Answer 12

Yes, mine did when a neighbor kid did it. They do grow back after awhile.