Ever wondered why your pet has Whiskers – what they are for and what do they do?
Whiskers are a type of hair found on a number of mammals, they are typically characterised by their length. You will find them on cats, dogs, mice and rats as well as other mammals.
Tactile Vibrissae is another name given to these long hairs which grow around the muzzle, jaws and eyebrows and which are used as tactile organs.
These hairs are different to other hairs on your pets body because they are thicker and stiffer and more deeply implanted. The follicles at the base of these hairs are packed with blood and nerve rich endings which allow the vibrissae to work like antennas that are hugely sensitive.
Dogs and Cats don’t need to make full contact with surfaces to know that they are there. The vibrissae are also an early warning system that allows your pet to navigate, especially at night.
They provide an awareness of both size and shape that prevents your pet from colliding with objects that may damage it’s eyes or face, because vibrations travel down the hair follicle and send messages to the sensory parts of the brain.
The Whiskers also make your pet aware of blind spots and changes happening around them, as they can pick up slight differences in air currents which can alert them to any coming dangers. In cats, the whiskers also detect movement even when they are in hot pursuit which makes them such amazing hunters.
Cats also have special sensory organs at the ends of their whiskers that give them information about their own body and limbs and this, along with their vision, helps them make such death defying leaps from one place to another. If you trim a cat’s whiskers, they often will become disoriented and have trouble moving around.
Cutting a cat’s whiskers is like cutting off the ends of our fingers, and even though the whiskers will often grow back, they should never be cut.
Your Pets Are Just Amazing And Deserve The Very Best Of Care!!
Scamps and Champs offer a range of pet care services which are designed to support you and your pet.
Whether you need dog walking, pet visits, day care or home boarding we are here for you, and we work around your shift patterns, shopping days or get togethers. Discounts and packages available.
We also offer a fabulous range of Vet approved and Specialised Pet Food.
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