 Why Do Cats Have Whiskers And What Do They Do?
As a child, my parents were always very clear that I had to leave the cat’s whiskers alone. Of course, for a kid it’s difficult to understand why such a small part on a cat’s body is so important. Many adults don’t even know! So why do cats have whiskers? And what purpose do they serve? These amazing little facial hairs are really quite fascinating for numerous reasons. Have you ever wondered how your cat can wander around at night and not bump into things? How about why they stick their head into something then pull back and walk away? Or why the whiskers seem fuller when happy and relaxed? Whiskers are behind all these questions and more! How Do Whiskers Work? To be very technical, whiskers are called “vibrissae.” This word is derived from the Latin term “vibrio,” meaning to vibrate. Whisker hair follicles have a touch sensor at each end, which sends messages back to the cat’s nervous and muscular systems. These messages help cats decipher their environments. These work similarly to a lane departure system in a car and can message the cat to adjust to its surroundings. They are highly sensitive, and can even sense changes in airflow and vibrations. This helps cats navigate in the dark, sense when predators are coming, and find small hidey holes. Whiskers are cleverly placed on the cat’s face and even on the backs of the front legs. Around the face, the eyebrows, cheek whiskers and chin whiskers all have these sensory abilities. One place that is not as noticeable is around the ankle or back calf on the front legs. These are known as “carpal whiskers” and help the cat as it is climbing around or up and down. This is also one reason cats like to reach for everything. I am always careful with these during grooming as you never want to cut a whisker! This can have horrible effects on a cat and can make the dizzy, unable to walk or disoriented. In some places, this is even noted as animal cruelty (as it should be!). Do All Cats Have Whiskers? The simple answer is yes! Provided your cat is healthy and hasn’t undergone abuse, fights, or hardship, all cats should have whiskers. Whiskers first appear on kittens around one month old. As the cat ages, they will change color and usually become darker and longer. Whiskers do fall out, just as our hair and eyelashes do, and they grow back. Don’t worry if you see a stray whisker on your floor! They will grow back into a perfect symmetrical balance. Some have said that whiskers grow longer as a cat grows wider, but that may not be accurate. However, this would make sense as the whiskers are the width of the cat’s body! This is an adaptation to gauge where a cat can fit without having to test it with its entire body. What Else Do Whiskers Do? Whiskers are also a gauge for a cat’s emotions. Flat back against the face means anger, popped out and relaxed means happy, and popped out and stiff means focused. You’ll notice a cat’s whiskers are particularly at attention when they’re hunting! Given how precious a cat’s whiskers are, it’s important to take care of them. There is a condition called whisker fatigue or whisker stress, which can happen with overstimulation. One way I have heard to help your cat avoid this is to feed in a wide-open bowl or flat plate and make sure their favorite haunts are wide enough for them to easily enter and exit. Water should be in a wide bowl or fountain so as not let the whiskers touch the side of a bowl. At the cat spa, we do follow this recommendation as being away from home is enough stress on the cats there! Next time you watch your cat hunt or strut through the living room, take note of the whisker placement and you might be surprised at how unique their facial hair is!
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 Cat Kneading Explained
We’ve all experienced it. You wake up in the middle of the night, tiny little pinpricks digging into your skin, then retractracting, then skewering you again. It can happen at all hours of the day or night but it always wakes us up when the claws get involved. It’s funny, and often meant as a feline compliment. But, when it’s not relaxng it can be a legitimate pain. There are many names for this odd behavior: kneading, making biscuits, baking bread, and it’s something nearly all cats do. So, why do they do it? Why Do Cats Knead? The cat kneading a human is actually a very basic feline communication attempt. This is yet another shared trait with their big wild cat relatives, as cats of all sizes knead. Starting at birth, kittens knead while nursing to help push the milk out and to stimulate more production. Paws alternate from left to right in a rhythmic pattern. Animals other than cats also do this, but tend to grow out of the behavior. Kneading can include all four paws or only the front paws. Claw usage also varies across cats. One customer mentioned his cat will suckle on his blanket and drool when he kneads. This is also perfectly normal behavior! This ingrained kitten behavior stays with cats as they grow. It’s an indication the cat is comfortable or planning to get comfortable. There are other factors for the kneading but the most important one is that they will only do this around people they feel safe with. Should I Continue To Let My Cat Knead Me? While it may hurt us as those little needle claws dig in, it is the ultimate compliment that they really do care about us. It’s tough not to want to reprimand them or stop them, but I would suggest resisting this urge. Kneading can be a big anxiety/stress buster for cats. It takes them back to a simpler time when they were younger, and can also help them stretch their paws and release tension. Kneading can also help your cat bond with you. There are little glands in cat paws that release marking scents, indicating that your cat claims you as theirs. They’re marking you their property as they knead! Lastly, female cats in heat will use kneading as a sign to males that they are the ones chosen to breed with. Kneading is really a way of saying you’re approved by me. So, while this behavior can be a little disruptive or may ruin a delicate blanket, it’s really quite sweet.  Learn More About Feline Diabetes
Human diabetes is a well known and researched disease. However, many pet owners aren’t aware of the ways this disease can affect their cats. Cats can become diabetic and have many similar challenges to their human counterparts. Read on to find out how this disease happens, how common it is and how to take care of it. How Common is Feline Diabetes? Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine states that 0.2-1% of cats suffer from feline diabetes. However, research indicates that this could be much lower than the actual rate of diabetes, as many cases may not be diagnosed or reported. As cats age and/or gain weight, they may be more likely to develop this disease. Now, not all heavy kitties will develop diabetes. Some are prone to develop it through individual genetics and certain breed types. Diabetes is defined by Type 1 and Type 2:
Type 1 is insulin controlled while Type 2 can be controlled by food and weight management. Feline Diabetes Warning Signs There are several warning signs that can tell you if your cat is developing diabetes. These warning signs can also tell you if your cat’s existing diabetes is getting worse. The main signs to watch for with your cat are:
If you observe any of these signs, a trip to the veterinarian is key. They will diagnose your cat using insulin levels and blood work. Treating Feline Diabetes So your vet gives your cat a positive diabetes diagnosis, now what? Your vet will help plan a diet and regular office visit schedule to monitor the disease. You may be responsible for testing the cat’s blood sugar levels at home. They can recommend the proper glucose meter as human ones are not quite the same and your vet needs to approve the appropriate one. There is also a urine test kit if you want to try that method. Once you are on the proper path, it can take 3-6 months for the glucose levels to start to show improvement and level off. Have patience as it is a process! At this point, a proper diet plays an integral role in your cat’s health. My Daphne is pretty spot on with her meals but some cats are not. Having your cat eat at the same time each day will help regulate their insulin and blood sugar levels. Your vet can recommend what food is best for your cat’s individual health. However, here are a few general pointers to keep in mind.
Dry food can have filler carbs, so be careful with what brand dry food you choose. Now, wet food is typically 7% carbs or less which is the best choice. However, try to avoid the heavy gravy-like ones as gravy equals carbs and fats. Rich cooked meats such as fish and chicken are healthy, especially if you like to cook and can add some extra to the meal plan for kitty. Coming up with a game plan with your veterinarian is best as they can advise on brands, portions, exercise regimes, along with other ways to keep the insulin regulated. Diabetes won’t go away but it is very treatable, meaning your cat can live a long, full life. It is a commitment but that is the same as you made to bring them into your home and heart.  Learn More About Maine Coons
Much to my surprise, the most popular breed here at the cat spa for grooming is paws down the Maine Coon. The first few were extremely intimidating with their huge faces and almost grumpy dissatisfied stares and 3 feet long bodies! That’s not even mentioning all the fur on them! However, after a few of these gentle giants, we have come to welcome and love this breed! If you have the chance to meet one, you will love them as well. Where Do Maine Coons Come From? Surprise surprise, yes, Maine Coon cats do come from the state of Maine. They’re actually the official cat of the great state. There are many interesting theories as to how they ended up in Maine (ranging from Vikings to Marie Antoinette). Originally used as mousers, these cats are bred to handle the great outdoors. They have thick 3-layered fur coats and gorgeous paws with lots of fur on the pads to handle snow and cold. Mice should be afraid of any cat in my opinion, but Maine Coon cats actually are not an aggressive breed. If anything, they are the opposite and super chill relaxed cats. The calm cool exterior is not an act and they tend to be very friendly and tolerant of pretty much anything. We bathe them drama-free, dry them with a large dryer and they simply lay there relaxing and enjoying the attention lavished on them. Even the clippers don’t bother them! What Do Maine Coons Look Like? The first cat to win a top cat show in the US back in 1895 was a Maine Coon. Their huge lion-like mane in the front is very regal and their large plume-like tails complete the look. They have medium to large heads with fascinating and expressive faces. My favorite part is the ears. The pointy tufts on the ears simply crack me up. There are also about 75 combinations of colors for them, so they can be quite diverse! Are Maine Coons Good Pets? Maine Coon cats are an excellent choice if you have children or other cats, even dogs. They are warm, friendly and very adjustable. One might even say they behave more like dogs than cats. They love to play and can be trained to fetch balls and other activities. These cats are very smart and catch on fast! Another wonderful trait is that they are quiet, meaning no loud yowling at 5 am as my siamese Maddie used to do! Maine Coons are more about the looks that intimidate than the sounds they can make so if you like quiet, they are perfect. How Do I Get a Maine Coon? I suggest finding a reliable breeder if you want a Maine Coon. However, they can be quite rare to find! One of my customers has been waiting almost a year now for a kitten, so have patience. Another customer here found a purebred at the local shelter so you never know what one will find up for adoption. As with any breed, do the research to make sure this breed will fit your situation and lifestyle as a cat is a commitment of about 15 years. Talk to your veterinarian about genetic issues or potential health issues for your chosen breed. Then be ready for the fur to fly around your house as Maine Coons have A LOT of fur and it gets everywhere. The fur can mat easily and daily brushing and grooming must be done to keep things under control. Maine Coon cats are a wonderful breed for many reasons and maybe they are purrfect for you. |
AuthorWhen Cari has some free time from all the kitties, she likes to share her knowledge of all things cat in this bi-monthly blog. Enjoy the read! Archives
June 2024
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