Your Pet's Whiskers

by KYW's Nan Talleno

Cats and dogs alike have an amazing built-in communication device in whiskers, also known as vibrissae or tactile hairs. 

These receptors are extremely sensitive to vibrations.  They can sense the presence of nearby objects and provide plenty of information to help both dogs and cats determine the shape and size of the object, which protects them from danger. Whiskers provide a successful way for navigation in darker surroundings. And they can detect the slightest directional change in the air current, which helps with easier mobility. For dogs particularly, whiskers helps to protect the eyes as well.

For both cats and dogs, typically there are longer whiskers on each side of the face on the muzzle area and also on the cheeks.  There are shorter whiskers on the chin, above the eyes, and for cats, even behind their front legs above the paws.
  
With cats especially, whiskers can also be a way to reveal his/her mood.  When a cat is defensive, the whiskers will be pulled back, but when relaxed, the whiskers will be pushed forward.
  
It’s not uncommon for a cat to shed a whisker or two as part of the normal shedding process or possibly from typical grooming. Shedding whiskers can also occur under stress.  But if you notice shedding of a higher volume  (more than just one or two) and more frequently, contact your veterinarian immediately as this can indicate a serious illness.