Do All Cats Have Eyebrows? Feline Anatomy Facts
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Domestic cats have several remarkable traits inherited from their wild cat ancestors. Their retractable claws help them climb trees, night vision gives them an advantage over prey, and their whiskers help them navigate the environment. One feature that wild felines and domestic cats lack is eyebrows. No, cats do not have eyebrows, but they have whiskers above their eyes.
The whiskers of some breeds are not as prominent as others, but the ragdoll, Persian, Norwegian forest cat, Maine coon, and Siberian have thick bushy whiskers above their eyes. Hairless cats like the Sphynx can have thinner, smaller whiskers or none at all.
How Whiskers Benefit Cats
Compared to the hairs on a cat’s coat, the whiskers are thicker, with roots three times as deep as ordinary hairs. Most felines have 12 whiskers on their upper lips, a few on their chins, three above each eye, and a few strands on their paws. Each whisker follicle is located around sensory cells that transmit information to the brain. The tactile hairs respond to tiny vibrations and help the farsighted cats navigate their environment.
1. Maintaining Balance
The whisker’s sensory cells react to the pull of gravity and help cats determine how they’re positioned in relation to the ground. When a cat leaps and twists in midair, their whiskers help them land on their feet.
Cats have enhanced senses of smell and hearing, but their sight is not as advanced. They’re farsighted and could not move as gracefully without their whiskers. Although they cannot focus on objects in front of their faces, cats rely on their whiskers to react to air currents around them and send data to their brains. Like a radar station, the whiskers identify changes in air currents from slight vibrations.
The thick hairs allow felines to judge whether they can squeeze through a tight space or avoid a scorpion that’s a few inches away. When a feral cat forages at night, their whiskers can alert them to approaching prey and help them zero in on the next meal. Without whiskers, the cat would be a clumsy hunter with poor night vision.
3. Protecting the Eyes
Eyebrows prevent water and debris from disturbing a human’s eyes, but cats only sweat through their footpads, so they do not need eyebrows to keep their eyes healthy. However, their whiskers provide a similar function by protecting the eyes from dirt, debris, and other foreign objects. A cat that runs in an overgrown field can thank their whiskers for protecting their eyes from sharp grass blades and sand spurs.
4. Expressing Emotions
Because their faces are less expressive than canines, cats are often accused of displaying fewer emotions. Although their body language is subtle, cats express fear, anger, and apprehension with their face and body.
When a rival cat or potential predator approaches, the cat will flatten their whiskers across their face and then point them at the threat. They’re relaxed when the animal is calm, and they stand up when the cat is involved in games with its owner.
How To Keep Your Cat’s Whiskers Healthy
Whiskers fall out and are replaced by new ones like ordinary hair follicles, but they typically only fall out one or two at a time. It can take several weeks or up to 3 months for whiskers to grow back entirely, and some hairs will grow back a different color. White whiskers can become black and vice versa, but the color does not affect their functions.
Pet parents should never pluck or cut their cats’ whiskers, and those who use grooming shears must be careful not to disturb them. Removing or trimming whiskers can deprive cats of essential sensory points and make navigating their homes at night harder. When you brush your cat or pet their face, be careful around the whiskers.
Cats can experience whisker fatigue when the hairs are bent or damaged. Using shallow food and water dishes can prevent damage to the whiskers and relieve felines suffering from whisker fatigue. Some veterinarians do not believe whisker fatigue is something pet parents should lose sleep over, but most agree that shallow bowls are better for keeping whiskers intact.
If your pet’s sensory hairs are not growing back, visit the veterinarian to determine if a medical condition is causing the problem.
Medical Conditions That Affect Whisker Development
If a cat loses whiskers in a fight with another animal, the hairs will grow back as long as the roots are not damaged. However, some conditions can inhibit whisker and hair growth if left untreated.
1. Infections
Parasitic, fungal, or bacterial infections in cats can cause whisker and hair loss. Parasitic mites can irritate the cat’s skin and lead to mange. Cats are less likely to get mange than dogs, but the condition is highly contagious and can be passed from dogs to cats. Although it’s not a disease, mange can cause itching, irritation, and hair loss.
Young cats often have problems with fungal infections like ringworm, but the condition also affects older cats exposed to the fungus. Ringworm infects the root of the whisker and makes it more fragile. When the hair falls out, it leaves a bald spot. Luckily, ringworm medication can eradicate the fungus and allow the follicle to regrow.
2. Allergies
Cats can have allergies to food, plants, chemicals, and parasites. If a cat has an irritating allergy on their face, they may scratch and rub the area excessively. This action can cause the whisker to break and fall out, but the hair will grow back after a veterinarian adequately treats the condition.
3. Acne
When a cat’s hair follicles on their chin produce too much keratin, the pores can become blocked and cause acne. Felines with minor cases may only have blackheads or red bumps on their chins, but chronic acne can cause swelling, soreness, and hair loss.
Some cats experience only a single bout of acne, but others may have recurrent outbreaks that require veterinary treatments. Vets typically treat acne with antibiotic injections and topical treatments, but pet parents must also wash their cats’ faces and use medicated shampoo to eliminate the bumps.
4. Nervous Disorders
If your cat suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or another nervous disorder, it may groom its fur excessively until it falls out. After ruling out parasitic infections and other severe diseases, veterinarians will try to determine the source of the stress causing the behavior.
Owners can help their cats reduce overgrooming by creating a calm environment, maintaining a routine feeding schedule, and rewarding the cat when they avoid compulsive behavior.
Final Thoughts
Although cats do not need eyebrows to keep sweat or water out of their eyes, their whiskers play a similar function by protecting the eyes from dirt and debris. Whiskers are more than cosmetic features; they help cats navigate at night and land safely after jumping. If you notice whiskers that do not grow back, it’s vital to visit the veterinarian for treatment. The thick hairs are essential to the cat’s mobility and overall health.
Featured Image Credit: SZ-Art_de, Pixabay
