If you’ve found a cat whisker around the house, it’s not necessarily a cause for concern. Let us assure you right from the start that it is normal for cats to lose their whiskers periodically. A cat’s whiskers shed during the molting period in the same way as fur. However, if you notice that your cat is losing an abnormal number of whiskers, you should pay attention and start a thorough investigation.
Besides the natural cause of shedding, cats can also lose their whiskers due to health issues. If you notice excessive whisker loss, it could be a sign of a health problem that needs to be addressed by a veterinarian.
Health Issues That Can Cause Cats to Lose Their Whiskers
Allergies
The most common cause is allergies. Cats are very sensitive to allergies, and it’s not uncommon for them to lose hair and whiskers. Allergies can be triggered by certain foods, pollen, dust, or chemical products.
Skin Infections
Bacterial or fungal skin infections can affect hair follicles, leading to whisker loss and deterioration of the cat’s fur. Additionally, dermatitis can be a cause of whisker loss in cats.
Alopecia Areata
This is an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack hair follicles, leading to hair loss in circular patches. Alopecia can affect any area of the cat’s body, including the whiskers.
Stress and Anxiety
Just like humans, cats can experience stress and anxiety. This is one of the main causes of excessive whisker loss in cats. Environmental changes, the presence of new animals, or even changes in daily routines can cause this stress.
Poor Nutrition
It is very important for your cat to have a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. A diet lacking essential nutrients can affect the health of the fur and whiskers.
In conclusion, if you notice that your cat is starting to lose whiskers, it’s not necessarily a cause for concern. It is normal for them to shed whiskers periodically. However, if you notice excessive whisker loss, often accompanied by alopecia (excessive hair loss), you should consider the potential health problems mentioned above. A veterinarian can determine the exact cause.
Related: Why does the cat bite or pull on its claws
If you’re wondering how many whiskers a cat has, we can tell you that, in general, an adult cat has 24 whiskers. A cat’s whiskers are evenly distributed, with 12 on each side of the snout, arranged in rows of three. Some cats may have more or fewer whiskers, with a total number ranging between 20 and 32, but the total should always be an even number. This ensures that the whiskers are evenly distributed on both sides of the cat’s snout.
