Purrfect: A Guide to Grooming Cats with Long Whiskers

posted by Stacie on August 17, 2023 // Comments Off

Purrfect: A Guide to Grooming Cats with Long Whiskers

Whiskers serve an interesting purpose. Whiskers reveal to your feline friend whether or not they can fit into a tight space. In theory, your cat's whiskers should align with the width of her body. Some whiskers, however, seem longer than average. These long whiskers can give your cat a distinct look, featuring prominently on her face. You may wonder if cats with long whiskers need a special grooming routine. Cats tend to take care of most of their grooming on their own, but they need a helping hand from time to time. Read on to find out more about the proper cat grooming routine for cats with long whiskers.

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Should You Cut Your Cat's Whiskers?

If your cat has long whiskers, you may find it tempting to cut them. After all, aren't cats' whiskers supposed to show them how wide their body is? It may seem to defeat the purpose if their whiskers grow exceptionally long. In short, you should never cut a cat's whiskers. For starters, you may not realize that your cat's long whiskers do align properly with the size of her body, and cutting them will alter her spatial awareness. Plus, whiskers contain nerve endings, make your pet feel unsafe, and cutting them can cause a great deal of pain for your furry friend.

Should You Bathe Cats with Long Whiskers?

Unless your cat is dirty or needs special medical treatment to remove parasites, there's no real need to bathe your cat. Cats bathe themselves every day, using their tongue and paws to remove any dirt or debris that accumulates in their fur or on their skin. If you do need to bathe your pet, it's important to take special care of their face. Rather than submerging their face in the water, use a damp cloth to clean around their eyes, ears, and chin as needed. You do not need to wash their whiskers in this process.

How Can You Brush a Cat with Long Whiskers?

First, take a moment to answer the question, what is whisker fatigue? When you understand what whisker fatigue is and how serious it can be, you'll realize how important it is to avoid touching your cat's whiskers as much as possible. To brush a cat with long whiskers, start with cat grooming tools designed for their coat (e.g., wire brushes for long-haired cats). Brush your cat from the nape of her neck to the base of her tail, moving from top to bottom. Do not brush the fur near her whiskers and keep the brush away from her eyes and inner ears.

Be Mindful of Cat Whisker Maintenance

Cats with long whiskers don't require special whisker maintenance. Like any cat, you should leave their whiskers alone. Because cat whiskers are packed with nerve endings and serve an important purpose, cutting or brushing them is a no-no. Looking for the best products to spoil your cat? Take a look at our shopping guides to learn about great products on the market today.