Do Cat Whiskers Hurt When Cut?

If you’re a cat owner, you might be wondering: do cat whiskers hurt when cut? There are several reasons that this might happen, and the first one is simple: cats use their whiskers to measure gaps, which is why it can get stuck in odd places without whiskers. This can happen when a cat is caught between the bars of a gate or fence, for example. So, in order to avoid this kind of occurrence, you should make sure that you remove your cat’s whiskers as quickly as possible.

Overstimulation

Cats’ whiskers are extremely sensitive. Occasionally, they will scratch themselves on your furniture, clothing, or even the bottom of their food bowls. While they are not prone to scratching humans, cats’ whiskers can hurt when overstimulated. Keeping your cat inside will help prevent such problems. But before you try trimming or cutting your cat’s whiskers, keep reading to learn more about cat whisker pain.

Nerves

Cats have incredibly sensitive whiskers that are attached to their muscle and nervous systems. These specialized paws not only aid in navigation, but also help the feline sense danger and gauge distance. Similarly, their whiskers can tell whether a predator is nearby. Therefore, cutting the whiskers of a cat can be extremely stressful for the animal. However, this does not have to be the case. Here are some tips to help you keep your cat calm.

Functions

A cat’s whiskers are the most prominent feature of its face and are responsible for transmitting signals to the brain, acting like a built-in GPS. They are made up of long flexible hairs that are located in strategic locations on the cat’s face, including the corners of its mouth and the edges of its nose. The whiskers can also be found under the chin, above both eyes, and on the hind legs, as these regions contain high levels of nerves and therefore are sensitive to the touch.

Disorientation

For a cat, disorientation is an extremely unpleasant experience, and cutting its whiskers is no exception. Though not technically hairs, the whiskers are connected to sensory receptors that serve as a cat’s primary sense of space. By cutting its whiskers, the feline will be left unable to sense his surroundings and may become disoriented and scared. To reduce disorientation in cats, ensure the surrounding environment is safe, with easy access to food, water, litter box, and comfortable bed.

Growing back

If you accidentally clipped your cat’s whiskers, don’t worry. Luckily, cat whiskers grow back naturally, even if you cut them off. Cats use their whiskers to help them navigate and judge the size of their surroundings, so removing them can cause emotional and physical distress. But if you don’t want to risk your cat’s wellbeing, there are some things you can do to make the process a little less painful for your feline friend.

Clipping

If you’re considering clipping your cat’s whiskers, you may be wondering: does it hurt the cat? Cat whiskers are hair, and just like all other hair, they’re going to get brittle and old over time. This causes your cat a great deal of stress, so it’s important to remember this fact before getting your cat’s whiskers clipped. Here are three reasons why cats shouldn’t get their whiskers clipped.

Regrowth

It is natural to think that cat whiskers hurt when you cut them. However, it is important to remember that they are a type of hair. All hair has a natural lifespan, so cats’ whiskers will naturally get older and become brittle. The daily activities that cats engage in will pull out the whiskers, and you will notice that they will be less voluminous. A cat’s whiskers will grow back over time, so it is important to let them grow as long as possible.