He’s weird, but then he’s a cat. A senior cat is peeing outside of the litter box is, unfortunately, a common complaint among cat owners. If u r worried speak to your vet. Cats may also feel insecure, as they will be less confident to move about. Whiskers do fall out sometimes. Its normal for kitties to lose whiskers occasionally. Helping Your Cat Age Gracefully. It is possible that your cat is losing its whiskers due to a bad fungal infection. When whiskers are lost, cats can become avoidant, and would rather hide to lessen their feelings of disorientation. While trimming whiskers is bad for cats and should be avoided, whiskers break off on their own naturally. Due to disorientation, a loss of whiskers can also cause a change in behavior. Nutrition for old cats. The cat will need to be spayed when her cycle ends. Are they mostly intact? There are a dozen whiskers on each side of most cats’ cheeks, placed in rows of 4, with 24 whiskers in total. Although treatment options do exist, they're limited and costly. In addition to taking your cat in for a veterinary exam, you can take a few palliative steps to reduce the discomfort your cat may be experiencing. He doesn’t eat dry cat food as much as he used to, so we have been feeding him wet food. In short, a cat’s whiskers can be likened to radar and this is the reason why you should never cut the whiskers. It is not a cause for concern, unless your cat suddenly sheds more whiskers than usual. You can delay the process, though. Cats should be fed a protein-rich diet, with specialist cat foods providing all of the essential vitamins and nutrients needed to thrive. My cat doesn’t seem to have any adverse effect. One of my fosters have all his whiskers broken on one side. Loss of whiskers can be due to normal shedding, illness, or if they’re losing weight too quickly. Q-My 2-year-old cat has lost eight whiskers in two months. My two Bengal cats are almost 14 years old now. However, there are some situations where broken whiskers can be a cause for concern. Cats’ broken whiskers are usually due to rough play or natural shedding. You may notice that your cat sheds fur and whiskers. Unlike cats however, the number and arrangement of I believe my cat, Tyger has lost one of his incisor teeth. I'm not sure if it's normal or not. Just make sure that your cat’s surroundings are comfortable, and ensure that there aren’t places where it would be difficult for a cat to get out of. Just as humans shed their hair and eyelashes, so too do cats lose their whiskers every now and again. What to feed your senior cat A senior cat’s diet is very important in order to help your cat stay happy and healthy. However, if your cat’s appetite problems go away with a new food bowl, then you likely have nothing to worry about. But what do whiskers tell a cat? Since the white whiskers stand out against her black fur, it is more noticeable when she loses and grows another one. Your cat may experience issues with standing on all four legs, and you may even notice your cat leaning or falling over at times, which can be a frightening sight. As such an important sensory organ, having no whiskers may be equivalent to a lost limb. with That’s interesting, but neither cat grooms the other. This is most common in cats that are young and full of energy. Cat hair loss or thinning hair down the … She grew up having many pets–including a Chow Chow, a ringneck parrot, rabbits, and cats; and also loved working with horses. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. To ease the itch , they’ll lick their fur until there are bald spots. Both are necessary to keep your senior cat in the best possible health for the longest possible time. Generally, if your cat has a reaction to the rabies vaccine it will be minor. Taylor Lunsford. You probably do not want to pet a cat that looks like this. This happens to cats that are fed meals in small bowls, or bowls with high sides. Both are necessary to keep your senior cat in the best possible health for the longest possible time. According to the New Zealand Veterinary Association, the length of a cat’s whiskers doesn’t change due to the aging process or body size. The issues associated with getting old stink, and it's no different for your cat. These are responsible for handling information about mechanical pressure. For a cat to show this level of…, Space requirements for cats aren't what you'd expect. Her coat seems healthy and shiny. It is normal for a cat to lose and regrow whiskers as a result of natural shedding. If your cat is losing their whiskers and/or their fur, it is important to have them checked out by your vet in order to get to the bottom of the issue and begin the appropriate treatment. I do not believe that losing whiskers is normal in a cat’s old age. It can have other causes, such as poor diet or sickness. Tactile sensation enables cats to do the following: The main function of whiskers is to allow cats to sense their surroundings. A cat losing weight but still eating is a reason for concern. I do not believe that losing whiskers is normal in a cat’s old age. Whiskers are harder, thicker, and firmer hairs on a cat that allow a cat to sense what’s around them quickly and easily, which makes getting into small spaces, gauging whether their bodies can even fit, even determining how windy it is much easier due to the sensory data they get out of their whiskers. Whiskers help them to balance, and they can even help a cat “see” up close. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled. To solve this issue, you need to ensure that your cat’s food bowl doesn’t brush against its whiskers. Cats’ whiskers are made of keratin, which is what also makes up human hair and nails, feathers, horns, and claws. This means a 7-year-old cat has reached middle age, and is around 45 in human years. Until this occurs, the yowling will continue every time the cat begins a new cycle. This is the second time his whiskers break but last time, if I remember correctly, they broke on both sides and not as short as this time. He is the proud owner of 5 adult cats (all adopted strays), including a senior cat who is now 20. Her whiskers are exceptionally long compared to … Cats use their whiskers to feel their way around objects and explore their environment. I have a solid black cat and she is getting older now, so she has started to grow white whiskers which it probably her senior "gray hair". The amazing feline sensory devices. We are an IRS 501(c)(3) charity. Her whiskers are exceptionally long compared to those of other cats. Sure, humans feeling about in the dark can be a chaotic affair. There are food bowls available that are designed to avoid whisker fatigue. What vets can agree on is that a lack of appetite is often indicative of a health issue. Not all cat weight loss is caused by cancer, but it is a fairly common diagnosis. 4.1K likes. Last Updated on February 10, 2021 by Julia Wilson. 0 0 Anonymous 1 decade ago You should call your vet. Why is my cat losing whiskers? There is no way to stop a cat from losing its hearing in senior years. Whiskers provide cats with crucial information about their surroundings, allowing them to be stealthy, agile, and perceptive. Ringworm , which actually isn't a worm at all but a fungal infection, is more commonly seen in kittens but it is not out of the realm of possibility for an adult cat … Richard earned his degree in journalism in 2008. This breakage does not cause cats physical pain, and their whiskers will grow back. Your cat may also become disoriented and stressed. Well, I've noticed in the past few weeks my cat has been losing a few whiskers. Most of the broken whiskers are one on side - Answered by a verified Cat Veterinarian. W. Mark … An important difference between human hair, fur, and whiskers is that it is uncomfortable for a cat to have their whiskers clipped, so that is something Keep in mind that the whiskers tend to stick out as far as the cat is wide. A sudden absence of whiskers can be disorienting. New York State Registered Rescue #RR-304 I have noticed this over the past 6 months and it seems to be on the left side. Any physical injury or trauma can also increase the likelihood of stress. However, if a cat suddenly loses more whiskers than usual, it may be a sign of a health problem. This will speed up wear and tear to the ear. Cats rely on their whiskers (vibrissae) to negotiate the world and remain safe.…, Owners are often curious as to why their cats constantly scratch at windows. Why is my cat losing its whiskers - Answered by a verified Cat Vet We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Other than the more prominent set on their cheeks, cats also have whiskers in the corners of their mouth, nose, chin, eyebrows, and the back of their front legs. Watch your cat’s walk. As a cat moves towards their senior years, age-related diseases become commonplace. Watch and laugh as Mikey tattles to Mom that any future damage to any of the blinds can be explained as "The Cat Did It!" While your limbs aren’t what you use to balance yourself, their absence can be disorienting, and may cause you to lose your balance. It may be feeling its way with its nose and whiskers. The loss of whiskers can cause even more stress for your cat because it becomes disoriented and lacks its tactile sense. More often than not, there is no need to worry about broken or shed whiskers. In an aging cat, physical changes can be slow and subtle. If a cat’s whiskers are flattened against her face then she’s trying to tell you she’s not happy. Ringworms have been known to cause the loss of fur and whiskers. Like people, your cat can be allergic to food, insect bites, medicines, dust, or pollen. The results are suffering pets, heartbroken owners, and a higher financial cost. Our mission is to provide love, care, and a safe haven for senior and hospice cats with the help of long-term senior and medical fosters. Need to place this sweetie with a new family ASAP. However, this information is disputed. Natural shedding is a common reason why sedentary cats lose their whiskers. A good senior cat diet provides concentrated high quality protein, controlled levels of fat, and easy-to-digest carbohydrates for energy. If your own cat has birthed a litter, rest assured, she will take excellent care of…, Cats spray urine to mark territory and find mates. However, there may be instances when your cat’s whiskers are cut. If your old cat is losing weight but eating well this could also be the sign of a problem and you should take them to the vet for a health check-up. Many loving cat owners wait too long to take their kitties with feline illnesses symptoms to the veterinarian. But rather than feel out objects, whiskers pick up air currents. He has had an occasionaly sneezy/snifflly/allergy over the past 15 months with a I have noticed this over the past 6 months and it seems to be on the left side. Like your extended hand, cats use their whiskers to ensure that they don’t bump into objects, and can feel out objects to get where they need to go. If it isn't, I'll look into it. While they may look small, each whisker is made up of tiny tactile receptors called mechanoreceptors. However, that doesn’t mean clipping the whiskers doesn’t cause any ill-effects. Likewise, this is how blind cats can still move about, seemingly without much difficulty. Wear and tear from day-to-day life means that it is natural for cats to break or lose whiskers. Observing how a cat’s whiskers are positioned, along with the rest of its body, can provide insight into a cat’s emotional state. To owners, broken whiskers can be a worrying sign. You may notice more lost whiskers in younger cats, specifically in cats that are about 11 weeks old. The roots of whiskers have blood vessels and nerve receptors. A sudden loss of whiskers can be due to trauma to the area where the whiskers are located. Our goal is to save and provide loving homes for senior and hospice cats in Southern Nevada. If my whiskers don’t fit, I’ll have to find another way. Some cats get grumpy and whiskers will help show it. A cat typically has between eight and 12 whiskers on each side of her face, as well as shorter whiskers on her chin, above her eyes, and even on her legs. Note if it is crouching closer to the ground. This may be it. Cats’ fur and nails are made of keratin. Fortunately, they can be treated and gotten rid of quite effectively with the right Senior cat nutrition doesn’t have to be confusing. We will be focusing on kittens and cats losing whiskers where we will look at the abnormal or excessive loss and not the normal shedding. Weight loss can be an early sign of illness, so check with your vet. He is healthy and active, but can’t help wonder if this is doe to old age, or perhaps some other problem? Like shedding, it's natural, but tweezing or cutting whiskers is unnatural. There have been cases, though, where the reaction is life threatening. In studies where animals were temporarily deprived of their sense of whiskers, like this study published in Science Magazine, they were shown to have a lessened ability to sense their surroundings. Stress is often just the symptom of the problem. If it’s bothering you, maybe call the vet. Other symptoms tend to include loss of appetite, lethargy, and hiding. It’s natural to assume that your cat would want as much room as possible, but cats are less concerned about space and…, Few mammals are more maternal than felines. Address any change in Cat whiskers may look like whimsical wisps of adorability, but they give felines a deep connection to the world around them. Cats, on the other hand, can maintain their stealth by feeling out air rather than objects. This is how cats use their whiskers to move about in the world. However, there are common diseases of the whiskers that can cause abnormal shedding, including bacterial infections, mange, burns, trauma due to stress or injury and genetic hair follicle dysplasia. My cat has broken off his whiskers. If your vet suspects your cat is losing her whiskers because of a skin infection, they will want to prescribe medications to help treat it. Additionally, young cats will play rougher and explore their surroundings more often, leading to more broken whiskers. Each treat is designed to not only create a great bonding moment, but also give your cat the health boost they need. You can delay the process, though. This line of reasoning is often supported by how cat whiskers are the same width as the cat’s body. Cats’ broken whiskers are usually due to rough play or natural shedding. Cats’ whiskers may seem small and unimportant, but they fulfill an important function. Shedding is a normal cause of whisker loss. Cats…. Prepared by the Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York 14853-6401. Whiskers serve to inform animals everything they need to know about their immediate environment. Why are my cat’s whiskers falling out? Unlike hair, cats’ whiskers have touch receptors, and roots containing blood vessels and nerve receptors. Common Causes of Cat Hair Loss and Related Symptoms. This is not because whiskers are used for balance, but it is disorienting to cats. Cat Illnesses are too often diagnosed late in the course of the disease. In my opinion, whiskers should never be tweezed. However, they have two main functions: tactile sense and body language. Why is my cat losing so many whiskers. Answer (1 of 6): If your cat has only lost a few whiskers and seems to be healthy otherwise, then it's not likely that he's sick. I need to ask a question regarding my older cat. One of the popular anecdotes about cats’ whiskers is that cats use them to gauge the size of an opening to see if they can fit. Watch and laugh as Mikey tattles to Whiskers grow around a cat's nose, chin and eyes. Stress can be one of the most common reasons for abnormal breakage in cats, and it can cause multiple whisker loss in a short amount of time. Many senior cats develop dental problems which, if left untreated, can make it painful or difficult for your cat to eat. Female senior Pitty Here is what we are told.. email LBredfire@sbcglobal.net to help. This is the age when kittens are most likely to shed their first whiskers. Scientifically referred to as ‘vibrissa,’ whiskers are an integral part of many mammalian animals’ anatomy. These studies show that whiskers are used to locate objects, detect movement, discriminate between different textures, maintain balance, swim, and locate food. It may include full or partial loss that appears in asymmetrical or symmetrical patterns in your feline's fur coat. A cat losing hair — also called alopecia in cats — can be complete or partial and happens in felines for a variety of reasons, the most common of which is skin allergies, experts say. But in this case, your other cat could be eating his whiskers (someone else posted a thread here stating that this was happening with their cats–can’t find it at the moment though). As long as your cat isn’t exhibiting other symptoms of poor health, like a lack of appetite, sluggishness, aggressiveness, and avoidance, then your young cat or kitten is perfectly healthy. One of my fosters have all his whiskers broken on one side. These thin parts of a cat's anatomy are more than decorative. While some cats can die very suddenly, many of these diseases are slow and progressive, and with veterinary … Odd, won’t worry as long as he is still vigorous, just wondered. The whiskers on this side are all different length but all are rather short, some less than 16th of an inch. However, there may be instances when your cat’s whiskers are cut. On the other side they are all normal. Other signs to watch are if your cat is walking with its head down or is moving its head up and down to figure out distances. Of course, some cats are more prone…, If your cat kisses you on the lips, it's showing affection for you. The cord for the blinds is amazing for flossing his teeth and whiskers and it makes a pretty good toy too. Whiskers should regrow after the injury has healed. In fact, you may have to look closely to even see the whickers! Cat Losing Whiskers Source(s): https://shorte.im/a9gxt 0 0 chevellss1966 Lv 4 1 decade ago This is probably a sign that your cat is sick. A cat will become very distressed if his whiskers are cut or damaged. On the other side they are all normal. They serve more purpose than mere aesthetics, though. But in this case, your other cat could be eating his whiskers We also have whiskers on other parts of our body besides our face. For a short time its not an issue but as the time lengthens it could be a sign that there is a In their senior years, more than ever, your cat should eat a high quality, tasty diet with easy-to-digest protein and a careful balance of key nutrients. Think about the last time you were in the dark, and extended your hand. Maybe your cat likes getting brushed, too. Cat Care and Treat Spend more quality moments with your cat and watch them flourish. Every day, scientists continue to discover what whiskers can and can’t do. For example, a blow to the cheek can cause the whiskers on that cheek to fall off because the hair follicles located in that area have been damaged. Age brings new health issues and physical limitations that affect her everyday life, resulting in new behaviors you may find annoying. In a study for the Journal for Neuroscience, rats have been determined to use their whiskers to determine opening sizes to within 5-10% level of accuracy. This can start a vicious cycle, as stress can lead to the loss of further whiskers. I find them throughout the house. Owner passed away. These receptors are located along their fur and whiskers, increasing their sensitivity to the world around them. Cats’ ability to balance is provided by a structure in their inner ear. Can you help me get her into rescue if possible. Senior cat nutrition doesn’t have to be confusing. However, if a cat suddenly loses more whiskers than usual, it may be a sign of a health problem. Jessica brought 15 years of experience in the service industry (working for Marriott International) and 30 years in personal pet care to the company when she started Whiskers at Home. I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. They have whiskers to rely on, as well as other sensory organs, like their hearing and smell. It grows another one. This allows information to be picked up by the whiskers and sent straight to the brain, giving cats their lightning-fast reflexes. Pay attention to your cat’s walk. You may notice more broken whiskers in very active cats than cats that spend most of their time sleeping. Each whisker is essentially set up to transmit information about pressure being applied along its length to … Silver Whiskers Feline Rescue, Las Vegas, Nevada. I'm experienced in all cat health-related matters, behavioral issues, grooming techniques, and general pet care. Address any change in behavior, as it could indicate an underlying problem. It is possible for a cat to lose whiskers on one side or both sides of their face as well as lose those behind their forelegs just below the wrist, those on their chin, or even those on top of their eyes. The animal’s equilibrium will be affected, and he will have trouble walking or running to the point of becoming disoriented and even falling over. Silver Whiskers Feline Rescue is a Nevada registered nonprofit. However, whisker loss is usually nothing to worry about. It’s weird that it’s happening all of a sudden, but my male cat has no whiskers for the reason rachelellogram suggests - his sister gnaws them off when she aggressively licks him. Honey 8 year old Pittie mix Spayed Friendly Likes cats/dogs Been indoor dog They can be light or dark in color. How are the rest of his whiskers? In short, a cat’s whiskers can be likened to radar and this is the reason why you should never cut the whiskers. A loss of balance commonly occurs when a cat is suffering from vestibular disease.