We all know what a cat’s whiskers look like, but have you ever wondered how many whiskers a cat has?
The answer is simple.
They should have 12 whiskers on each side of their muzzle, 24 in total as a general rule.
How Many Whiskers Does a Cat Have On It’s Muzzle
Cats should have around 24 whiskers on their face or nose.
12 on each side of the muzzle.
These are not just strewn randomly across their face, but they are actually very strategically placed.
Whiskers are different from the normal hair or fur on a feline’s body, but they are longer and stronger than regular hairs are.
The whiskers on a cat’s face are in rows on each cheek, but 4 rows on each side, measuring up to around 12 whiskers on each side, and 24 in total on the entire face.
These alluring and mystical animals do not only have whiskers on their face though, but also on their jaw, above their eyes, and on the forelegs too.
Some cats have more than 24 whiskers on their face, but it is a general rule for cats to have this specific amount, and most do.
Also read: Why do cats have whiskers?
How Many Whiskers Does a Cat Have In Each Side
Like mentioned above earlier, these animals tend to have 12 whiskers on each side of their face or nose.
Their whiskers are very sensitive and are unlike regular fur in the way that the whiskers are actually connected to the nervous system of the cat and they use them to navigate the world around them.
They help the cat move around at night when it is dark, even if they do already have excellent night vision and also help the animal hunt when it is necessary to do so.
The ends or tips of the whiskers have unique sensory organs which are refereed to as proprioceptors, that can help a cat feel the texture of things, the distance of them and much more.
Having whiskers for a cat really is vital, and these seemingly plain long “hairs” have many important functions.
Just like our fingertips are sensitive and can help us navigate the world around us and feel things more closely, the whiskers work the same way for a cat.
Leg Whiskers On Cats
It is normal for cats to have whiskers on their legs as well, but they are referred to as “carpal whiskers” or “carpal vibrissae”.
These carpal whiskers are on the back of a cat’s front legs and they help the cat detect prey in their surroundings and environment, among other things as well.
If you take a close look at your cat’s feet or front legs, you will notice some whiskers growing there close to the fifth toe.
a cat’s leg whiskers are present to help the feline calculate the position of their prey, and they are a very useful tool in hunting.
Most modern cats may not have a dire need to catch their own food, but these sensitive “hairs” still remain. And for a good reason.
They are very useful to have, after all.
