Cats are quite graceful and perfect creatures. Is it possible to imagine the face of a homely beauty without funny and long mustaches, which not only decorate and give importance, but also perform a rather important function: they help to navigate in space. In science, whiskers are called vibrissae, from the word to vibrate. The cat, vibrating its antennae, learns about the object and surroundings. People living next to these charming creatures are well aware of the functions of their pets' whiskers, but few people have thought about how many whiskers a cat has.
What is the name of the place where cats' whiskers grow?
Vibrissae - mustaches and eyebrows. Mustache, pads, “fufyrkas” are the place where the mustache grows. The seal of Mohammed is the letter “M” on the forehead of tabby-colored cats, part of the “scarab”.
Interesting materials:
How much salt do you need to put on 1 kg of minced meat? How many reps do you need to burn fat? How much service do you need to retire early? How long should pumpkin seeds be dried? How long does it take to study to become a massage therapist after 11th grade? How long does it take to study to become a hairdresser in Ukraine? How many ads per day can you submit on Avito? How many revolutions does the ISS make around the Earth? How many regular time outs lasting 30 seconds are allowed in one game? How many districts are there in Moscow Region?
Types of mustaches
In addition to the whiskers located on the cat's muzzle, there are other hairs that have a similar structure and function to those of regular whiskers, but are coarser than the animal's normal fur. These are hairs found on the cat's paw pads, above the pet's eyes, which look like eyebrows, under the chin, near the eyelids, and even on the tail. Of course, these hairs are less sensitive than the antennae located on the animal's face, but they are also important for hunting and orientation in space.
Where are they located?
One type of whiskers in cats is located on the sides of the nose above the pet’s upper lip, as children draw in pictures. It is these whiskers that are the longest and toughest; thanks to their sensitivity, they help the cat process a huge amount of information. Thickened hairs located on the cheeks, chin, and above the eyes are also vibrissae. Surprisingly, the compacted hairs located on the ankles of the paws and between the toes are also considered vibrissae.
Video review about why cats need whiskers (vibrissae)?
Sources
- https://usatiki.ru/vibrissy-u-koshek/
- https://FB.ru/article/337208/chto-takoe-vibriss-ih-funktsiya-v-jizni-mlekopitayuschih
- https://kinpet.ru/dlya-chego-koshke-usy-udivitelnye-fakty-o-vibrissakh/
- https://kipmu.ru/zachem-zhivotnym-usy/
- https://prohvost.club/koshki/fiziologiya-koshek/zachem-kotu-usyi.html
- https://zen.yandex.com/media/pro_koshek/zachem-koshkam-nujny-usy-5dfa89f46d29c199b0a549b4
[collapse]
Prevention of vibrissae loss
To ensure that your cat always maintains its beautiful and healthy whiskers, you need to follow some simple rules:
the animal must be treated in a timely manner for worms and parasites using special means; feeding the pet must be carried out in accordance with the recommendations of veterinarians; it is necessary to pay attention to the signs that indicate an allergy and promptly eliminate the factors that cause it; you cannot neglect the schedule of scheduled vaccinations and skip them; it is necessary to visit a doctor at regular intervals;
You can’t trim an animal’s whiskers; you shouldn’t even just pull them. These actions cause discomfort and contribute to the loss of whiskers. To preserve the richness of your cat's whiskers, you should:
- Feed your cat high-quality food. Cheap food will not bring any benefit and will destroy the animal’s immune system.
- Include additional vitamin and mineral complexes in the diet if the cat is on a natural diet.
- Animals on a natural diet need additional vitamin and mineral complexes, but the drug itself must be prescribed by a veterinarian
- Monitor the amount of water consumed by a pet fed with dry food.
- Before offering your cat raw meat or fish, heat the food or freeze it for 2-3 days to avoid infection with parasites.
A cat's whiskers are a significant organ, and its condition must be monitored. If you follow the recommendations of specialists and avoid the causes that cause the loss of whiskers, your pet will lead a full life for many years.
ATTENTION, TEST! Answer a few simple questions and find out what kind of owner you are for your cat:
Does your cat have a name?
How often do you play with your pet?
Do you get your vaccinations and parasite treatment up to date?
Is your kitten spayed/neutered?
What do you feed your purr?
What kind of owner are you for your cat?
Your kitty is very happy
Congratulations! Your purr is healthy and happy, surrounded by care and love. You are a responsible and good owner for your kitty.
Your pussy could be happier
Hmm... with such an owner, even the cockroaches will all die. Maybe you should have gotten a cactus instead of a cat? Yes, you are not the best and most caring owner, but you still have a chance to fix everything. Start taking proper care of your pet.
Mustache problems and their causes
As they grow older, the vibrissae break off and fall out. It's quite normal. In all other situations, it is important to timely determine the causes of this phenomenon and take appropriate measures.
Why does a cat's whiskers fall out?
If you notice that there are much fewer antennae on the face than there were before, there is reason to think about the root cause of this phenomenon. Here are the most popular:
- Lack of vitamins. It leads to partial loss of hair and whiskers.
- Self-renewal. This process lasts a lifetime and is considered normal.
- Age. With aging, the number of vibrissae may decrease.
- Development of diseases. Some diseases may cause them to fall out or break off.
- Various damages. This can happen accidentally during a fight or active leisure time.
Females that have given birth usually gnaw off the antennae of their kittens. This protects them from moving too far from their mother, and, therefore, reduces the likelihood of them getting into dangerous situations.
If you begin to observe loss of vibrissae, do not immediately panic. Contact your veterinarian for advice. He will find out the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment if necessary.
Barbel
Why do mustaches break?
Factors influencing their loss also contribute to increased fragility. In addition to them, the following reaction to external circumstances is likely to occur:
- The indoor air is too dry. This is especially true in winter, since heating devices dry it out greatly.
- Excessive bathing, as well as the use of poor quality shampoos.
- Hormonal changes during adolescence.
- Not drinking enough. Fresh and clean water should always be freely available. Refusal or excessive use of it signals the need to contact a clinic for specialist advice.
In addition, problems sometimes arise due to an unbalanced diet. In this case, the mustache loses its elasticity. This can manifest itself both with natural food and with the consumption of ready-made food.
Now you know why a cat needs a mustache. Monitoring them will allow you to notice changes in your pet’s health in time.
Some more interesting facts about cat whiskers
- The owner of the longest mustache in the Guinness Book of Records, a Maine Coon named Missy, mustache length is 20 cm.
- In kittens, whiskers appear in the womb, earlier than hair.
- Mothers often chew off the whiskers of small kittens. Without them, the baby feels insecure and stays close to the cat, so she protects him.
- Some hairless breeds lack whiskers, but their functions are performed by the sensitivity of the skin.
- The length of the whiskers in both directions is equal to the width of the cat's body.
What do cat whiskers look like and why are they needed?
A cat's whiskers are hard and fairly thick hairs, which are located several times deeper than the rest of the fur, as we found out earlier.
Scientifically, such whiskers are called vibrissae , which comes from the word to vibrate. The antennae grow individually and are enveloped in a constellation of nerve endings that have direct contact with the animal’s brain.
Each of them is individually responsible for a specific part of the cerebral cortex. Any damage or loss of one of them will cause slight disorientation subsequently of the type of functioning for which it is responsible.
Also, in addition to perceiving their surroundings, cats can express their emotions thanks to these hair formations. For example, if the antennae point down puzzled or sick about something
Another thing is when he rubs his hairs on your leg, this is regarded as a manifestation of love and tenderness for you.
In addition, there is an interesting fact when an adult cat often deliberately bites off the edges of the antennae of her kittens so that they do not run away as they grow up.
What is the length
Typically, the length of a cat's whiskers varies from 5 to 7 centimeters. But there are also exceptions. For example, cats - representatives of the Maine Coon breed - have registered truly gigantic whiskers - 19 centimeters, and in the Cornish Rex and Sphynx breeds the whiskers are not only small in size, but they are also curled, thereby making the whiskers look even shorter than they actually are . There have been cases when sphinxes had no mustaches at all, and this did not in any way affect their ability to navigate in space.
There is a popular belief that in a cat the very tips of the splayed whiskers are equal to the width of the animal. This helps them navigate when passing through a narrow opening. Having fluffed its antennae, the cat knows in advance whether it will fit into a given hole or not. As soon as he touches the hole with the tips of his mustache, he has reliable information about whether he should stick his nose in there.
The distance between the tips of the whiskers in a cat corresponds to the width at the shoulders of this animal.
A cat's whiskers are not only an attribute of beauty, but also a rather important organ. An experienced owner will determine not only the physical, but also the psychological state of the pet based on the condition of the mustache. And, if at some point the number of antennae on a cat decreases, then this is not a problem, the main thing is that you need to pay attention to your pet. With the necessary care, the broken antennae will grow back and perform their function properly.
Why is it forbidden to cut your mustache?
A cat's whiskers are an incredibly important part of their navigation system. If the mustache is damaged, orientation difficulties will arise. A cat with a trimmed mustache may bump into objects at first, and when jumping, it may even fall and get injured. Also, the animal may get stuck trying to crawl into a hole that is too narrow.
You can’t trim a cat’s whiskers yourself, just out of curiosity. If damage to the whiskers occurred through no fault of the owner or household members, it is recommended to keep the pet at home for some time. This will reduce the risk of serious injury.
Cats often chew off the whiskers of their newborn kittens themselves. It is believed that the mother does this for safety reasons, to control overly curious kids. When the whiskers grow back, after 2-3 months, the kittens are already quite strong and are able to explore the world around them without running the risk of getting injured in places that are dangerous for completely helpless babies.
There are also breeds of cats without whiskers, for example, hairless cats. They navigate in space no worse than their counterparts with vibrissae. This is due to the fact that during the process of evolution, the whiskers of such hairless cat breeds disappeared gradually, with the atrophy of the nerve fibers.
The mustache has its own lifespan. Over a certain period, they wear out, losing their natural elasticity and conductivity. Such vibrissae are gradually replaced by new ones. A cat's whisker that has fallen out has a rounded end - a thickening. While a broken or clipped vibrissa has a pointed tip.
It is important to carefully monitor the condition of not only the coat and skin, but also the condition of the pet’s whiskers. Thus, the cause of excessive mustache loss and breaking off can be both physiological and pathological reasons. Various bacterial and fungal infections, as well as injuries, must be treated promptly to avoid complications.
Preventive measures
Will help reduce the risk of your pet's whiskers breaking off. Owners can periodically treat for fleas, worms, and other parasites. The pet is given enough clean, fresh water. The room where the cat is kept is regularly ventilated and moistened. A selected and balanced diet includes supplements of minerals and vitamins. The animal is vaccinated against infections of viral origin. the number of water treatments is reduced, and the detergent must be suitable for the cat.
If the cat, despite breaking off its whiskers, remains active and cheerful, then there is no reason to panic. A consultation with a veterinarian won’t hurt, and treatment and corrective care will make your cat’s life even better.
Differences between vibrissae and hair
In search of an answer to the question of what vibrissae are, many researchers wonder whether they are hair. There are a number of differences between these two entities. Vibrissae, unlike hair, move using striated muscles rather than smooth ones. Their connective tissue capsule is more developed. They do not have sweat glands, and the sebaceous glands are underdeveloped. They lack a medulla and are not affected by general molting. After all, they serve a completely different function in the lives of animals. Indirect evidence that vibrissae and hair are not the same thing can be the accelerated development of the innervation of the former in ontogenesis.
In the photo you see a kitten in the womb. Vibrissae develop on the body of the embryo earlier than hair. This is one evidence of their earlier evolutionary history.
Diet therapy
Dental health problems occur in animals fed soft or liquid diets. To prevent the occurrence of diseases, you need to give your pet the right diet.
Water. The pet must have constant access to fresh, clean water. Ready-made food is also a source of liquid, the percentage composition depends on the type of food.
Proteins. Cats are carnivores by nature, so their diet must contain animal proteins.
Carbohydrates. During experimental observations of domestic animals, the positive effect of fiber on the body was revealed. The long fibers act as a natural toothbrush, massaging and cleaning the oral cavity.
Minerals. Microelements containing calcium and phosphorus are needed by the animal body in limited quantities. A lack of calcium leads to the destruction of bone tissue, and excess calcium is deposited in the form of dental stone.
Vitamins A, B, C , D. Lack of vitamins leads to problems: inflammation and degeneration of dental tissue and oral cavity. To avoid the development of progressive diseases, the pet must receive vitamins in the required quantities. The best balance of vitamins and minerals is found in factory-made feed. For food prepared at home, maintaining the correct balance of microelements is almost impossible.
Dental diets
Simple dry food is not able to provide complete care for an animal’s teeth. The cat bites through the granules using the tops of the teeth, and to fully clean the mouth, contact is needed over the entire surface of the dentition.
Modern animal nutrition developers pay attention to the selection of the shape, size and texture of pelleted food in order to obtain the optimal ratio for the health of cats. The saturation with microscopic fibers makes the nutrition as close as possible to what exists in nature. The individual granules are coated with layers of a substance that reduces the calcium content in the animal's saliva.
Numerous experiments have confirmed the effectiveness of such a diet in preventing problems and maintaining the animal’s oral cavity in a healthy state.
Impression of dentures
It happens that manufacturers of toys for pets (sticks for cats) advertise their product as a means to prevent oral diseases. This is generally not true. The cat owner should avoid toys:
- made of hard material that scratches the enamel surface;
- from ropes (to avoid dislocation of the jaw when playing);
- made of thin, tearable fabric that an animal can tear and swallow in pieces.
The size of the toy should be selected in such a way that the animal does not swallow the object whole and does not dislocate its jaws when playing (if the object is too large).
Cat dental care primarily involves regular brushing. The animal cannot talk about pain, so the first symptoms of problems usually go unnoticed and later lead to complications. It is possible to properly clean dental calculus only under general anesthesia in a veterinary clinic (tartar removal surgery).
Cat dental care
Cats also suffer from toothaches just like humans and can also have serious oral problems. The microflora in the mouth can be colonized by pathogenic organisms, which can quickly upset the balance and lead to dental disease.
To prevent dental problems from having a detrimental effect on the health of your four-legged furry cat, a number of preventive measures are required, which include brushing the teeth and proper nutrition for the animal.
Brushing cats' teeth
global $ads_google;
//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> Should you brush your cat's teeth ? Definitely yes. How to do it right? Simple enough.
So, let’s figure out how to brush your beloved cat’s teeth.
You need to clean both milk and permanent ones. It will be much easier to accustom a kitten to such a procedure than an adult willful purr.
Cleaning is an excellent prevention of problems with the contents of the jaw, and can be done in three ways:
- Red wine is combined with soda, applied to cotton wool and wiped on the fangs and molars, and the resulting pulp is spread over all the teeth. The wine should be cheap because it contains vinegar, which will help the baking soda remove plaque.
- You need to buy fish-scented toothpaste and a regular children's toothbrush. Despite the soft bristles, cleaning is carried out carefully and delicately, since the animal’s gums are very delicate.
- If the animal protests strongly, purchase a cleaning bone.
The cleaning process does not need to be done frequently; it will be enough to carry out this procedure twice a month. If you have questions about the need to brush your teeth more often, consult your veterinarian.
Ultrasonic cleaning of cat teeth
In addition to the manual method, there is also a completely modern one. Many veterinary clinics can clean your cat's teeth with ultrasound .
The advantages of this method include:
- painlessness;
- complete removal of all deposits.
There is one minus - the procedure is performed on the cat only under general anesthesia.
The effect of such cleaning is achieved due to the effect of ultrasound on tartar, which quickly breaks down and flakes off.
The cat's enamel color and health are preserved. At the end of the procedure, the teeth are polished and coated with a fluoride solution.
Cat dental food
The quality of food plays a huge role in the condition of an animal’s teeth: soft food contributes to weakening of the gums and incisors, the appearance of plaque and tartar. Solid food helps the enamel cleanse.
Dry food can serve as a preventive mechanical cleaning of the dental surface. The food is bitten into pieces, saliva is formed and the teeth are washed. Calcium in saliva prevents stone formation.
The content of sodium polyphosphates in dry food will also help.
