Why Do Cats Have Whiskers? The Devon Rex Answer

Most cats have long, straight whiskers that spread out from the face. The Devon Rex is not like that. This curly-coated breed often has short, crinkled whiskers, and some have only bent stubs. If you take a good look at this breed, you'll get a good answer to the question: why do cats have whiskers?

Whiskers are known as vibrissae by vets, from the Latin word vibrio, which means "to vibrate". Here are the six principal things they do, the special Devon Rex qualities, and how to protect any cat's whiskers.

Illustrative cat photo, not a Devon Rex.

Whiskers are made of keratin, the same material as normal hair, but they are thicker and grow from follicles set deeper in the skin than normal hair. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, those follicles are loaded with blood vessels and nerves, so whiskers are about as sensitive as a human fingertip.

There are no nerves in the hair itself. It works like a lever. When air moves or something touches the tip, the whisker vibrates and sends the signal to the nerves at the base. Zoetis Petcare says every whisker has a muscle attached to it, so the cat can move them.

Illustrative cat photo, not a Devon Rex.

Zoetis notes that a cat's whiskers are roughly as wide as its body, so if they touch both sides of an opening, the cat gets a clue that it may not fit. This is only an approximation and may not hold for a cat that has gained weight.

Cats are able to see in low light, but not in heavy darkness. As the cat moves, air bounces off walls and furniture, and the whiskers detect the small change. VCA says this helps the cat locate its bowl or toys at night and avoid bumping into walls.

Cats have a hard time focusing on things very close to their face. Zoetis says cats do not see as well within about a foot of their face. When a toy or prey is that near, the whiskers help the cat work out where it is and where to grab it.

The whiskers above the eyes act like an alarm. VCA says that when a speck of dust lands on one, the cat will blink or shake its head before the dust reaches the eye.

VCA describes sensors called proprioceptors at the base of the whiskers. They tell the brain where the body and limbs are, which is part of the reason cats usually land on their feet.

Adult cats also move their whiskers with their feelings. Zoetis describes these common patterns:

Zoetis says a vet may use whisker position as one clue when checking for pain. The soft slow blink your cat gives you is another one worth learning.

The Cat Fanciers' Association says a Devon Rex's eyebrows and whiskers are curly but very fragile, and may break off, leaving only bent stubs. The Canadian Cat Fanciers' Federation breed standard says these kinked or broken whiskers are not unusual and are not counted as a fault. Scientists have linked the Devon Rex's curly coat to a change in a hair keratin gene called KRT71 (PMC study).

In a Devon Rex, short or broken whiskers are a normal breed trait, not a sign of illness. Sore, reddened skin around the whiskers is still a reason to see a vet.

Cutting the tip does not hurt, because there are no nerves in the hair. But Hill's Pet says cutting whiskers can confuse and frighten cats, and that whiskers will grow back in a couple of months.

So why do cats have whiskers? They help a cat judge spaces, move in low light, sense things close to its face, protect its eyes, stay balanced and show mood. Even the curly stubs of a Devon Rex come from the same sensing system. Don't cut them, and provide a wide bowl. For more cat body language, read about why cats headbutt you.