Whiskers?

**cubby31682** · 08-22-2003, 02:04 PM

My kitty, has these long hairs almost look like little whiskers on his front legs, I noticed these a few days ago but when I went to look at them he wouldn't let me. So just a few minutes ago he let me look and they look and feel like little whiskers sticking out of the middle of his front legs. It's kinda weird I have never noticed these before. Does your cats have these?

Katie

**Maresche** · 08-22-2003, 02:19 PM

Yep, all three of my girls have them. I think they are just like whiskers for the rest of the body (they have a few longer hairs on their backs and sides too). I think they help the cat judge where things are just like the whiskers on either side of their nose or above their eyes do.

**cubby31682** · 08-22-2003, 02:23 PM

Hmm. None of my other cats that I had growing up had these thats why I was wondering. But they were all indoor/outdoor so they problem fell off with them roaming around all the time.

Cubby has whiskers on his chin as well. It looks like a little goatee. (?sp) And he has them coming out on the side of his nose. Not the ones right about his mouth but in the middle of his nose they are very short you almost can't tell they are there except when he rubs his face on your hand or when he wants cuddles and rubs his face where ever he can on you telling you where to pet.

Katie

**RedHedd** · 08-22-2003, 03:31 PM

Those hairs are normal cat "sensors" on their legs. They work just like the whiskers on their faces to help them judge the size of spaces they try to get into and maneuver around safely in the world.

**neko1** · 08-22-2003, 03:33 PM

Yep. My guys all have them too.

**PayItForward** · 08-22-2003, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by neko1
Yep. My guys all have them too.

Ditto, all my adult cats have these hairs. I thought, they were known as guard hairs.

**Uabassoon** · 08-22-2003, 04:30 PM

I've never noticed that before. I should check my kitties, I'd do it now but they are too busy wrestling and I don't think I want to get my hands into the middle of that.

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 08-22-2003, 04:54 PM

Wow! I never knew about these before! The only whisker that is not on their noses is Tubby has one that comes out the side of his head - and it's pure white!

I've always heard that the whiskers are their sensors, and they won't go into a spot that their whiskers don't fit into. So I figure Tubby had to grow this extra white one as a sensor for his extra wide back end.