Whisker Fatigue can be a significant stressor for cats. A cat’s whiskers are more than just adornments of the face; these special hairs are vital sensory organs that cats use to navigate the world.
Whiskers help cats learn about their environment, such as their spatial orientation, changes in air currents, and the what and where in their immediate surroundings. It’s the cat’s whiskers that can tell them if they can fit into a tight spot, which direction the wind is blowing, how close they is to an object, the presence of a potential threat, or make it easier to chase after prey in a dark room.
According to Dr. Leonie Richards of the University of Melbourne’s U-Vet Veterinary Hospital, “whiskers are also a crucial navigational tool, a pointer to impending danger and even an indicator of mood.”
The position of the whiskers is also an essential signifier of a cat’s body language. When a cat is calm and happy, its whiskers appear droopy and relaxed. When there is a perceived threat, the whiskers are pinned back against the cat’s face. Whiskers that are held straight forward indicate anger.
Whiskers are present on the cheeks of cats and the eyebrows, under the chin, and on the wrists behind the front paws.
Whiskers Are Powerful Antennae
Also referred to as tactile hairs or ‘vibrissae (from the Latin word “vibrio”, which means to vibrate”). Whiskers function as high-powered antennae that receive stimuli from the surroundings which are then transmitted by the nervous system to the brain. At the base of each whisker, right at the point where they’re embedded in the skin, there is an abundance of ultra-sensitive sensory receptors called ‘proprioceptors’.
What Is Whisker Fatigue?
The whiskers function without conscious control; these specialized hairs mostly respond to a cat’s autonomic system. Whisker fatigue occurs when the whiskers receive and transmit an overload of information. In simpler terms, it simply means an over-stimulation of the whisker’s sensory pathways. Because of their heightened sensitivity, whiskers are stimulated every time your cat comes into contact with an object or if there is a change in the air current or other stimuli in their immediate surroundings. The stimulation of the proprioceptors results in the transmission of messages to the brain. The stimulation overload will eventually cause stress and agitation to your cat, a condition that is now called ‘whisker fatigue’ or ‘whisker stress’.
Signs Of Whisker Fatigue
Experts believe that one of the most common causes of whisker fatigue happens during mealtime when a cat’s whiskers keep on touching the sides of the food or water bowl every time they eat or drink. This can eventually lead to sudden changes in the cat’s behavior in association with her food and water bowl. Some signs that indicate whisker fatigue include:
- Reluctance to eat
- Pacing near the food and water bowls and approaching them with caution.
- Pawing or pulling food out of the bowl so they can eat it on the floor.
- Making a big mess around the bowl while eating or drinking water.
- Knocking the bowl contents to the floor before eating
- Refusing to eat when the food bowl is not full
- Continuing to act hungry even when there’s still food inside the bowl.
- Displaying aggressive behavior when other pets or people are around during mealtimes.
Since these behaviors can also be exhibited by cats suffering from serious health issues like gastrointestinal problems, dental disease, behavior problems, etc. it is highly recommended to have your pet checked by your veterinarian to make sure that her behavior is not caused by an underlying health issue.
Aside from causing a lot of stress, whisker fatigue can pave the way for changes in the cat’s mood and behavior, as well as a lack of appetite.
Related: Food Aggression In Cats
Tips To Prevent Whisker Fatigue
- Replace your cat’s food with one that is wide and shallow enough for the whiskers to avoid touching its sides. A flat surface, such as a plate or saucer can also serve the purpose.
- Instead of a water bowl, invest in a cat water fountain. It has been observed that cats prefer to drink from a flowing water source rather than drinking from a bowl with stale, tepid water.
According to a study that evaluated whisker stress in cats in terms of occurrence and behavior, “more cats preferred a whisker-friendly dish to a regular dish (Slovak, JE and Foster TE, 2020)”.
Can I Trim My Cat’s Whiskers?
No, don’t trim your cat’s whiskers. While some cat owners think it can help prevent whisker fatigue, trimming a cat’s whiskers can deprive your pet of a very important sensory organ and can make her confused and annoyed. It will be harder for your cat to assess her surroundings. Trimming a cat’s whiskers isn’t painful because the hair itself doesn’t have nerve endings, but your cat will feel disoriented until her whiskers grow back again. Just like the hair on your pet’s hair coat, old whiskers are naturally shed off so new ones can grow in.
Does Your Cat Need Veterinary Attention?
Whisker Fatigue is not a medical problem. But having to deal with the stress every day can make your cat unhappy during mealtime. When they start avoiding food and water, malnutrition and/or dehydration can become important health issues that can significantly impact your pet’s health and well-being.
In case making the necessary changes to your pet’s food and water bowls doesn’t get rid of any symptoms of whisker fatigue and your cat still appears stressed during mealtimes, it is highly recommended that you take your pet to your veterinarian to make sure that your pet’s behavior is not caused by more serious issues.