Many pet owners can’t help but want to pull the cat’s whiskers when petting them. But what you need to know is that a cat’s whiskers are very fragile, and they also have the following five major functions. See how many of them you know!

Function 1. Can judge the width of the channel

The cat’s whiskers have the function of assisting judgment and can help the cat judge the width of the passage. A cat's whiskers grow next to the mouth, and the width of the cat's whiskers is the same as the width of the cat's body. Therefore, when the cat passes through a relatively small passage, it uses its head to probe into the entrance of the small passage. If the whiskers are not folded, the cat can enter this narrow passage smoothly.

Function 2. Help hunting

In fact, in addition to the whiskers on the face, cats also have whiskers on the underside of their wrists, and these whiskers play a great role in the cat’s hunting process. When a cat catches prey with its palms, the whiskers under the wrist can help the cat detect whether the prey is still moving, and can also help the cat determine the location of the prey. It is more conducive for cats to prepare for attacks.

Function 3. Can protect eyes

Cats also have whiskers above their eyes, and the whiskers in this area are also helpful for cats to hunt. When a cat is hunting in the grass, if something is about to touch its eyes, these whiskers can trigger the cat's blinking reflex, thus protecting its eyes.

Function 4. Navigation function

Cat’s whiskers are thicker than other hairs and grow deep into the cat’s skin. Cat’s whiskers are full of nerve endings, so they have the function of touch receptors. It can also help cats detect changes in airflow and help cats avoid obstacles in dark environments. It has a navigation function for cats.

Function 5. Express emotions

Cat’s whiskers also have the function of expressing emotions. Pet owners can also judge the cat’s mood by observing the condition of the cat’s whiskers. When a cat's whiskers are relaxed, it means the cat is in a happy and relaxed mood. If the cat is getting ready to show aggression or anger, the whiskers will move back flat against the face.

In addition to paying attention to the cat’s mental health, pet owners should also pay attention to the cat’s dietary health, and choose a high-quality and nutritious cat food for the cat.