A cat's whiskers fall out or break: reasons, what to do, reviews, interesting facts

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Cat whiskers or vibrissae are not just decoration. They play the role of a kind of radar, helping the animal navigate the surrounding world. Sometimes cat owners notice that their pet's whiskers are falling out and starting to thin out. They are faced with the question of why the cat’s whiskers fall out. At the same time, it is important to distinguish in which case this manifestation is the norm, and when it is a deviation indicating health problems.

Some people wonder why a cat needs a mustache. For animals they represent the organ of touch. Their other name is vibrissae. They are located not only on the face, but also in groups throughout the body, for example on the ankles or paw pads. The mustache has an expanded functional meaning. With their help, the cat solves such complex problems :

Orientation in space.
Avoiding obstacles in the dark.
Estimation of area, speed and strength of wind.
Notifying others about your mood.
Detect the source of motion or sound.

The mustache is also sensitive to atmospheric phenomena. And for blind animals they can serve as a visual organ. Without whiskers, a cat's life becomes incomplete. In some cases, the absence of vibrissae poses a certain danger to it.

Do cats lose their whiskers?

Many people wonder why a cat needs a mustache at all, and whether they fall out. In fact, this is one of the organs of touch, it is called vybrissae. Thick hairs are located not only in the muzzle area, but scattered over the entire area of the body, even on the pads.

Functions of the whiskers in a cat:

Allows you to move in space
To prevent the animal from crashing into the dark
To estimate area, wind speed
To tell others about your state of mind
To perceive movement and sound

Pet owners may be wondering, do cats lose their whiskers ? Yes, just like people's hair, pets' fur changes throughout their lives. These processes are very sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure; in blind animals they often become the only organ with which the pet can move around the room. If a pet's whiskers are cut off, its existence becomes incomplete, it may stagger and fall. More information about what will happen if a cat's whiskers are cut off can be found here .

Cat

Why is losing a mustache dangerous?

The base of the vibrissae is located in the upper layer of the skin, and their roots are in a blood vesicle called the lacuna. The cat's whiskers are supplied with blood; branches of the facial nerve “lead” to them. The whiskers track the slightest fluctuations in the external environment and transmit signals to the animal’s brain, working as a full-fledged sensory organ.

A cat that has lost its whiskers will not die, but orientation in space and in the dark will be very difficult for it. If the animal is on a self-walk, then such walks become hazardous to health and can even threaten the lives of cats that have lost all their whiskers.

Pay attention to exactly how the cat loses its whiskers:

with the natural change of vibrissae, they fall out one at a time, the long ones remain in place;
in case of mechanical damage, the damaged mustache is noticeable, and the broken part is located somewhere later;
With the possible development of the disease, several vibrissae fall out at once, and the remaining ones look thin and weak.

Why does a cat's whiskers fall out?

If your cat only loses one hair, don’t panic. It is best to see how the pet behaves and whether a new hair grows in this place. Typically, gradual hair loss of whiskers is not a sign of pathology and may coincide with the molting period. Just like all wool, they fall out along with it and are renewed.

The fact is that old hairs become very stiff, hard and break. Often the cause of absence or baldness is the animal's aggression and competition with another male. You also need to look carefully, perhaps the animal was in contact with fire not long ago, so the hairs were burned. However, sometimes falling out whiskers can indicate problems with the pet's health.

Why does a cat's whiskers fall out? Reasons:

Disorders of the endocrine system, thyroid gland or hypothyroidism
Bacterial infections
Infection with worms, helminths
Diabetes mellitus type 1, 2
Allergic reaction to food or chemicals
Metabolic disease

Your doctor will help you determine the cause. With certain ailments, other symptoms are most often observed along with hair loss of the vibrissae.

cat

Norms for loss

Most often, antennae fall out not due to any abnormalities in the body. Adequate reasons could be:

Change of antennae. They also cannot last forever and gradually wear out. Therefore, this is a natural change of vibrissae. If the above symptoms are not present, then there should be no cause for concern either. New ones will definitely grow in place of the old antennae.
During a game or fight. You may not notice how during a super active game, embarrassment occurs and the mustache can easily get lost. And in a fight, the cat will not spare the opponent, so the loss of whiskers is a normal reaction here too.
Fire. Many people have cats who curiously look at the fire near the stove or at a campfire in nature. Due to burning, the tendril will fall off over time.

By the way, there have been cases when the mother cat herself chewed off the children’s whiskers so that they would not misbehave.

What disease causes a cat's whiskers to fall out?

Below you can find accompanying symptoms of metabolic disorders and thyroid diseases with vibrissae hair loss.

What disease causes a cat's whiskers to fall out?

If there are disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland, the coat becomes less smooth and shiny, and loses its healthy appearance, becoming matte.
The cat becomes very aggressive, active, or vice versa, sleepy. The cat eats practically nothing, or, on the contrary, eats everything that is put in his bowl. But at the same time, the weight does not increase, but rather decreases.
The animal is thirsty. Typically, all these symptoms are observed with hypothyroidism. Vomiting and diarrhea often occur along with this disease.

cat

A cat's whiskers break due to allergies

If the pet's whiskers begin to fall off, along with this there are bloody spots and wounds on the face, the animal is constantly itching, this indicates that the pet has become infected with parasites. If the pet is of mature age and often goes to the toilet, then the vibrissae falling out indicate exhaustion of the body. In adulthood, cats develop diabetes mellitus. The animal's whiskers often rash and break due to allergies.

A cat's whiskers break or fall out due to allergies, symptoms:

Itchy skin, constant scratching
Swelling, swelling of the mucous membranes
Excessive salivation
Discharge of mucus from the eyes, suppuration
Hair loss

If the cat’s temperature is high, an increased heart rate is observed, most likely the animal has a metabolic disorder.

Vibrissae

What reasons influence?

Lack of vitamins

In veterinary medicine, a cat's whiskers are also known as vibrissae, which are an important organ of touch. Often, owners notice that they have curled, turned white, or the pet is gradually losing one hair per week. Such a disorder is a consequence of a lack of vitamins A, K, E and D in the cat’s body. When the whiskers fall off due to hypovitaminosis, the cat develops other symptoms:

hair loss;
bad odor from the mouth;
brittle claws;
damage to periodontal tissue.

Allergic reaction to food

With this pathology, the animal may itch frequently.
Cats lose their whiskers or they darken due to food allergies. In such a case, not only the antennae fall off, but also increased lacrimation in the pet. When exposed to an allergen, the production of salivary fluid increases and hair loss is likely. It is also possible to recognize a food allergic reaction that causes whiskers to fall out by redness on the skin and an itchy sensation, as a result of which the pet begins to itch regularly.

Veterinarians focus the attention of owners on the fact that it is necessary to remove provoking foods from the diet, since the allergen quickly penetrates the intestines, causing complications.

Perhaps the reason lies in missing microelements?

If one of the cat's whiskers has fallen off or is very twisted, this may indicate a lack of zinc, copper, selenium, manganese and other elements necessary for the cat's body. In the pathological condition of the animal, the accompanying symptoms are disturbing:

If an animal's body lacks something, it may become constipated.

abnormalities of the liver and urinary system;
changes in blood pressure;
sleep problems;
regular constipation;
reduced immunity;
inflammation of the pancreas;
progression of diabetes mellitus;
convulsions.

Lack of taurine and collagen

With an unbalanced diet, the cat will experience whisker loss, which is associated with a low intake of such components into the body. Substances are necessary for the normal condition of the pet’s skin, coat and whiskers. The lack of taurine can be compensated for by adding meat to the cat’s daily diet, and collagen can be obtained by consuming special nutritional supplements.

Fungal infection

When a cat's whisker breaks or falls off, it is worth checking it for the presence of fungal diseases, which often become the source of such a problem. Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate into the deep subcutaneous layers, causing itching and severe irritation. The fungus gets into the hair follicles, clogs them, which is why the vibrissae does not grow normally in the future.

Disturbed diet

The symptom can develop in a pet when it is fed fish.
When a cat's whiskers split, turn black, turn white and soon fall out, the owners should carefully reconsider the daily diet of the pet. Pets that are fed exclusively low-quality dry food or large amounts of fresh fish are more susceptible to whisker loss. It is recommended to diversify your cat's diet and include foods filled with essential vitamins and minerals.

Ingestion of parasites

Parasitic diseases often lead to whisker loss in cats and cats. The following small parasites can affect pathology:

helminth;
fleas;
lice eaters.

The latter often chew through the whiskers of a domestic animal at the beginning of their growth. When helminths enter a cat’s body, they begin to actively multiply and release toxic substances, which have a negative impact on the functioning of many internal organs and systems, which is why the cat’s whiskers fall out. Also, helminth infection leads to diarrhea, vomiting and other unpleasant symptoms.

Allergies not related to food products

A non-food problem can be solved by contacting a veterinarian and taking special medications.
Often a cat's whiskers change or fall out due to an allergic reaction to chemicals, certain plants or medications. Having identified signs of an allergy, it is necessary to eliminate the effect of the allergen on the cat’s body as soon as possible. It is recommended to consult a veterinarian, since sometimes it is difficult or impossible to determine the substance that provokes allergies and whisker loss in a cat on your own. Problem areas can be eliminated with the help of antihistamine therapy prescribed by a specialist.

Metabolism problems

White or black whiskers in a kitten or adult are the result of disrupted metabolic processes in the body. The deviation is characteristic of the chronic course of some pathology. The disorder can manifest itself not only in adulthood, but whiskers also often curl in very young kittens. Diseases accompanied by impaired metabolism can be recognized by the following additional signs:

temperature fluctuations in the cat;
abnormal functioning of the heart;
constant weakness;
severe fatigue;
bald areas on the pet's face and body.

Manifestation of diabetes mellitus

With this disease, the animal drinks a lot of water.
The loss of whiskers from the roots in a cat is recorded as a result of a similar disease, which is more often diagnosed in older individuals. Violation leads to an imbalance of hormones and improper metabolic processes. The disease occurs with the following clinical picture:

weakness;
weight loss;
increased appetite;
constant desire to drink;
the appearance of wounds on the paw and other parts of the body;
frequent urination.

A lost mustache in diabetes is one of the first signs of the disease. If treatment is not started early, serious complications and rapid death of the animal occur.

Hypo- and hyperthyroidism

The diseases are characterized by increased or, conversely, insufficient production of certain hormones by the thyroid gland. If their quantity is excessive, metabolic processes are accelerated. If a cat is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the owner observes that the pet not only has lost its whiskers, but also has other symptoms:

If you have problems with the thyroid gland, your pet may become aggressive.

loss of fur;
high activity;
increased nervousness;
manifestation of aggression;
constant desire to eat, despite weight loss;
strong thirst;
diarrhea;
repeated vomiting;
labored breathing.

Diseases of infectious origin

In a cat, a white whisker followed by its loss may signal an infection. Pathogenic microorganisms enter through injuries, small cuts, scratches that were not treated in time. The animal is worried not only by the loss of whiskers, but also by other symptoms:

itchy sensations;
pain syndrome;
heat;
fever;
decreased appetite;
weakness.

Why does my cat's whiskers break, what should I do?

Some breeds are prone to hair loss and broken whiskers. This usually occurs in sphinxes, which is associated with a lack of moisture in the skin, wool, and hair. Due to excessive drying, hairs break off. If your animal's whiskers often break, there may be some health problems.

Why does a cat's whiskers break, what to do:

Vitamin deficiency. Usually, along with this, hair loss is observed, claws break and separate, and the mouth also smells bad.
Inappropriate diet. This may be cheap economy class food, which does not sufficiently compensate for the deficiency of proteins and vitamins.
Fungus. Oddly enough, it affects not only the claws, but also the fur and whiskers. Therefore, if the fur falls out in patches or breaks off, most likely the animal has a fungal disease.
Presence of parasites and lice eaters. Lice eaters destroy not only wool, but also whiskers.

Kitty

What are vibrissae

Vibrissae are called cat whiskers. Yes, they have their own official name. Vibrissae are the main organ of touch, and without whiskers, a cat, like without paws, cannot do anything. The mustache grows in groups: first, the longest ones are above the upper lip. Next, the antennae extend under the eyes, on the chin, and on the cheeks.

The most sensitive areas are above the upper lip. They help to perceive information from the outside, orient in space, and are susceptible to weather conditions. Here is the answer to the most important question: “why do cats navigate in the dark so easily?” Yes, because the antennae serve as a kind of companion for them.

The vibrissae are equipped with blood and are connected to the nervous system.

You can use them to judge your cat's mood. If the whiskers are pressed tightly to the muzzle, it means the cat is aggressive. If the antennae are directed forward, then the cat is ready to communicate with you.

Many owners, when they find whiskers at home for the first time, wonder whether cats lose their whiskers. Yes, a cat's whiskers can fall out, and this is normal in exceptional cases. In some cases you will have to undergo treatment.

Vibrissae also grow throughout the body, and can even be found on the pads of the paws.

My cat's whiskers are falling out, is this normal?

Please note that animals that eat low amounts of meat suffer from collagen and taurine deficiency. Along with this, loss of antennae is observed. In this case, it is necessary to prescribe vitamins and minerals to your pet.

Why is a cat's whiskers falling out? Is this normal?

Very often, the owner himself becomes to blame for the baldness of his mustache. Some owners themselves shorten the animal's whiskers, cutting them off completely so that they grow thicker. Under no circumstances should this be done, as the animal may get sick.
There are several other reasons why an animal’s whiskers fall out. This could be due to excessive dryness in the air in the room. Oddly enough, not only children need an air humidifier, but also cats. Try to purchase a humidifier, or ventilate the room during the heating season, and hang wet towels on the central heating radiators.
Often, a female who raises kittens can shorten their antennae. This is done with the goal that the babies run away from their mother as little as possible and stay near her most of the time.
After shortening the hairs, the kittens become calmer, more docile, and spend most of their time near their mother. Therefore, there is no need to worry if the kittens that your cat recently brought in have short whiskers. They may periodically decrease in length. Perhaps the cat shortens them on her own.

Mustache

Mustache: briefly about the main thing

Let's figure out why a cat needs a mustache?

It is known that in a kitten in the embryonic stage, the first developing hairs are the vibrissae. This state of affairs is not accidental and is explained by the fact that it is the mustache that first of all helps the baby establish contact with the environment with which he is surrounded.

The whiskers send nerve impulses that are recognized by brain cells. The visual function of the eyes is carried out according to the same scheme. By summing up these signals, the cat perceives the world around it.

To answer the question of why a cat needs a mustache, let’s remember what a graceful animal it is. Its grace and maneuverability are also achieved thanks to the vibrissae. It is the “tactile hairs” that allow you to feel the direction of air flows, which is of considerable importance when making a jump, at the moment of falling and during normal movement. The information received by the vibrissae helps to avoid unnecessary injuries.

It is known that a cat's whiskers are very sensitive. For this reason, human touching them is not very pleasant for the animal.

The whiskers are capable of providing data that cannot be obtained using other senses. The difference between vibrissae and regular hair is that the vibrissae go much deeper into the tissue than regular hair. As mentioned earlier, “tactile hairs” have many nerve endings, thanks to which the animal receives a lot of information about the surrounding world.

What to do if your cat's whiskers fall out?

To choose the right treatment, it is necessary to establish a diagnosis. For these purposes, it is worth contacting a doctor so that he can examine the animal and take the necessary tests. After the doctor receives the test results, he will prescribe the necessary medications to prevent mustache loss.

What to do if your cat's whiskers fall out:

If the cause of hair and whisker loss is disease, then after treatment, hair growth on the animal’s body will be restored. If the whiskers fall out due to lack of nutrition, a diet may be prescribed that excludes the allergen and includes foods rich in proteins and vitamins.
The doctor may also prescribe a nourishing shampoo, as well as avoiding chemicals used to clean the house. Animals are often allergic to these drugs. Oddly enough, a new bed can cause your pet's whiskers to fall out.
Modern beds, which are ordered on Chinese websites, can be made from low-quality materials, using glue containing formaldehyde and acrylic. Often the animal is allergic to these substances, causing whiskers to fall out.
If a malfunction in the endocrine system is detected, hormonal drugs and tablets are prescribed to help normalize the concentration of hormones in the blood.

Black cat

How to solve a problem

If there is excessive loss of whiskers from the roots, the cat should be taken to a veterinary clinic. The specialist will conduct a series of tests and, depending on the cause, develop a treatment regimen.

If the loss of whiskers is associated with the development of the disease, the veterinarian will prescribe medication to the animal. When a food allergy is detected, the cat is not only advised to take medications. The owner will need to eliminate the product that caused the reaction from his diet and switch the pet to hypoallergenic food. If an allergy to any substance is detected, the owner must protect the cat from contact with it.

How to prevent a cat's whiskers from falling out?

To do this, you must adhere to certain rules.

How to prevent your cat's whiskers from falling out:

Be sure to use anthelmintic drugs for prevention.
Give your pet food that is appropriate for its age and needs for vitamins and minerals.
You should not feed your animal exclusively with economy-class dry food, since it contains little protein, a lot of carbohydrates and a decent amount of preservatives and allergens.

There are many interesting facts about cat whiskers. Oddly enough, not all animals can boast of having vibrissae. For example, there are breeds, such as the Sphynx, that do not have coarse hair at all. Scientists have not fully figured out how a cat senses objects and navigates in space. Presumably she does this using her bald skin, which is very sensitive.

Maine Coons are the most mustachioed. This breed has hair that reaches 20 cm in length. Thanks to this feature, the breed was included in the Guinness Book of Records. It is also necessary to take into account the genetic characteristics of some animals. For example, sphinxes are distinguished by thin skin and the presence of minimal hair on the skin. In this regard, the antennae are very soft, quickly break and curl. It is these cats that most often experience whisker loss, but there is nothing wrong with that.

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How can an owner harm a pet?

Very often the owner himself is the cause of the animal’s poor health. He provokes this by doing the following: :

Mustache plucking.
Shortening of the vibrissae.
Trimming your mustache to make it grow faster and thicker.

Such actions can damage the animal's mental state. The cat will have difficulty oriented in space, sleep restlessly, limp, and experience discomfort. A cat's whiskers are removed only if prescribed by a veterinarian. A common reason that forces the use of this measure is ingrown mustaches into the skin or fungal infections.

Why cats' whiskers fall out: reviews

Almost every owner of a purring friend has encountered this problem. Below you can read reviews from cat owners.

Why cats' whiskers fall out: reviews

Elizabeth. I have a Maine Coon, a very cute, unusual breed, with long whiskers. One day I noticed that on one side the hairs became much shorter. As it turned out later, the cat took a walk near the fire, so it singed its whiskers. This significantly affected his orientation in space; sometimes he did not quite correctly calculate the trajectory, fell out of bed, and hit the bedside table. When the hair grew back, everything returned to normal.
Oksana. I had some trouble, the children were playing pranks and cut off our Musa’s mustache. She behaved quite strangely for a long time, swayed from side to side, and could not jump onto her favorite chair. As soon as new antennae grew, everything became as before.
Valery. We have a Sphynx, and he has a very short mustache. From time to time they fall out and are replaced with new ones. I didn't notice any change in behavior. The cat, as always, is very cheerful and active.

Many interesting articles for breeders can be found on our website:

Is it possible to give cats human tablets, No-shpu, Valerian tablets?
What can you feed a 1-6 month old kitten without a cat and how many times a day: list of feeds, products and dishes, feeding regimen
Is it possible to leave a cat alone for a day, 5 days, a week, two weeks?
Why does a cat itch and lick itself, but there are no fleas? The cat is constantly itching: causes, methods of treatment

Be sure to pay attention to signs of allergies when changing your pet's diet. When introducing a new food, record accompanying symptoms, such as lacrimation, swelling of the mucous membranes. Be sure to get your cat vaccinated to avoid viral and bacterial infections. Your veterinarian and vaccination schedule will help you with this. Be sure to bring your animal to the veterinarian for examination every few months. Provide the cat with the necessary food, a place to rest, and toys. Proper care prevents hair loss and helps restore your pet's health.