To answer the question of whether or not it is possible to trim a cat's whiskers, it is worth first finding out what they are needed for.
The thing is that whiskers, these peculiar "antennas" or "radars", grow from follicles. They are surrounded by sensory cells.
These cells serve to transmit information, much like the way fingertips send signals to the human brain.
Why does a cat need whiskers?
These hairs help animals identify solid objects.
Thanks to them, cats notice air currents when moving, catch heat waves, as well as fluctuations in atmospheric pressure and humidity.
Whiskers also serve as a guide in the dark, allowing cats to move safely both outdoors and in confined spaces, as well as when jumping.
Finally, the cat needs whiskers to hunt and communicate with both other animals and their owners.
Why you shouldn't touch a cat's whiskers
Pulling a cat's whiskers is a really bad idea. You shouldn't even pet them, because at such moments the cat may show aggression.
Although trimming whiskers does not cause pain to the pet, since the nerve endings are connected to the follicle, and not to the hair itself, removing vibrissae leads to disorientation of the animal.
And although his coordination and gait remain the same, and the cat may even retain his inherent agility during the day, he will feel less confident at night.
The sense of smell also does not deteriorate, but if the food ends up in the blind spot (the lower third of the muzzle), the cat may not immediately detect it.
This is why it is not recommended to trim a cat's whiskers.
