Cats are the most common pets as pets. When he was little he was cute and his behavior was adorable. But have you ever idly plucked or cut his mustache? That’s no ordinary mustache, guys. Here is the function of a cat’s whiskers:
1. Whiskers function as sensory like the tips of human fingers
Cats are carnivorous animals. That’s why his instinct is to hunt. Cats have weak eyesight despite their strong sense of smell and hearing. He can’t focus on close-up objects. But can feel nearby objects thanks to the help of a mustache.
Reported VCA Hospitals, his whiskers are like receptors for touch. Its function is more like the tip of a human finger. A cat’s whiskers contain many nerves that work to provide information about the condition and air pressure, as well as other objects it touches. This helps sharpen your cat’s hearing and eyesight.
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2. To measure the width of the room he will enter
Illustration of a cat (IDN Times/Dwifantya)–
Have you ever noticed a cat looking around first and sticking its head in before entering a tight space? That’s because the cat is trying to measure the width of the space with its whiskers.
Reported from Purina, the width of the whiskers from both sides describes the width of the cat’s body. So the cat will know whether his body is fit or not to fit into the space. So, what if the cat is obese?
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3. Help navigate in the dark
illustration of a cat hunting in the dark (unsplash.com/Gijs Coolen)–
In addition to his eyes being able to see in low light conditions, cats still navigate smoothly because of the whiskers. Reported from LiveScience, cat whiskers can provide information about air currents associated with the location of objects around the body.
The information is then relayed to the brain and the cat will know where to go without hitting the objects.
Also read: 5 Benefits of Sterilization for Cats, Make Cats Live Prosperous!
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4. Mood Cats can be seen by their whiskers
pexels / buenosia carol–
If you want to know how an emotional cat looks like, just look at the whiskers. The position of the mustache will change according to the situation he is experiencing.
Quoted from PurinaThe mustache will be flat, stiff, and gather around the face when frightened. When they are alert or curious, cats will point their whiskers forward. But when you’re relaxed, the mustache will point outward and not be too spread out.
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5. As an indicator of the cat’s age
ilustrasi kucing tua (unsplash.com/Jacco Rienks)–
Reported Purina, the cat’s whiskers will change color when they are old. Just like humans. It’s just that the difference is not white, but changing color to dark gray or black.
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6. This is the most important thing, cat whiskers should not be cut!
unsplash.com/Yerlin Hair–
According to reports from VCA Hospitals, 40 percent of the sensory areas in the cat’s brain are interconnected with information from the body overgrown with whiskers. That’s why you can’t cut a cat’s whiskers. He will feel pain and lose most of his sensory abilities. It’s different if the mustache comes off on its own. Because it will definitely grow back.
So you know the function of a cat’s whiskers? You don’t have to rip or cut the mustache for fun.
Also read: 6 Facts About Bengal Cats, Rare Cats from America
This article was first written by Ratna Kurnia Ramadhani at IDN Times Community with the title Can’t be cut, these are 6 important functions of whiskers in cats
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