Can you trim your cat’s whiskers? Absolutely not – here’s why!

Whiskers might seem like a tiny detail on your cat’s face, but they play a huge role in her daily life. They may look cute, but did you know they actually work like a built-in navigation system?

A few fun facts to start with

- Every cat is born with about 24 whiskers — 12 on each side.
- On average, they’re around 7.5 cm (about 3 inches) long.
- Long-haired cats often have longer whiskers too.
- The world record belongs to a Maine Coon from Finland, whose whisker measured an incredible 19 cm (7.5 inches)!

Why whiskers are so important

Whiskers – or vibrissae – aren’t just ordinary hairs. They’re connected to your cat’s muscular and nervous systems through their roots. The whiskers themselves don’t contain nerves, so trimming them doesn’t cause pain — but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless.

The roots of the whiskers are extremely sensitive and constantly send information to the brain. They help your cat to:

- Judge distances and detect obstacles
- Determine whether she can fit through a space
- Navigate in the dark
- Feel confident and safe in her surroundings

What happens if you trim your cat’s whiskers?

If you trim your cat’s whiskers, she loses her sense of orientation.
Your cat can become disoriented, anxious, and stressed. She may even stop moving normally or start behaving oddly because she quite literally can no longer “feel” her surroundings.

Whiskers are therefore an essential sensory tool — cutting them is a bit like taking away a person’s sense of sight or balance.

Do whiskers fall out? Yes!

Don’t panic if you occasionally find a loose whisker.
Whiskers naturally fall out as part of their growth cycle, and a new one will grow back within one to three months.

In short: trimming whiskers is a big no-no.
Even if it seems harmless or tidy, never cut your cat’s whiskers. She needs them to feel safe, confident, and comfortable in her world.