My two-year old nephew loves to ask a lot of questions--sometimes ones I don't even know the answer to! So, when he asked me, "How many whiskers do cats have?", I had to turn to Google.
And, I decided to share what I found with you guys!
How Many Whiskers Do Cats Have?
On an average, cats have 24 whiskers on their cute little muzzle. They also have shorter whiskers on their chin, above their eyes, and on the back of their forelimbs--these are also known as carpal whiskers.
Why Do Cats Have Whiskers
There are a lot of reasons why kitties have whiskers. Take a look:
- They help kitties when they're out hunting. The Carpal whiskers help cats determine the movement of the prey and whether or not the prey is in the right position for a fatal bite
- They help cats measure openings
- The whiskers near your cat's eyebrows help protect your kitty's eyes in bushy or grassy places
- They can help detect changes in air flow and also help cats manoeuvre in the dark
- The tips of a cat's whiskers are extremely sensitive
Cat Behaviour and Whiskers
Did you know that your cat's whiskers can help give you insight about your kitty's state of mind?
Relaxed whiskers, pointing away from the face mean that your kitty is happy and content while taut whiskers, pulled back across the face, is a good indication that your feline friend feels threatened.
Did you know this? Let me know in the comments!
