If you've found a cat's whisker around the house, it's not necessarily a cause for concern. We tell you from the beginning that it is normal for cats to shed their whiskers periodically. The cat's whiskers change during the molting period in the same way as the fur. However, if you notice that your cat is shedding an abnormal amount of whiskers, then you need to pay attention and start a thorough investigation.
Apart from the natural cause of shedding, cats can also lose their whiskers due to health issues. If you notice excessive whisker shedding, it could be a sign of a health problem that needs to be addressed by your veterinarian.
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Health problems that cause cats to lose their whiskers
Allergies
The most common cause is allergy. Cats are animals that are very sensitive to allergies, and it is not uncommon for cats to lose their hair and whiskers. Allergies can be caused by certain foods, pollen, dust or chemicals.
Skin infections
Bacterial or fungal skin infections can affect the hair follicles and lead to loss of whiskers and damage to the cat's fur. Dermatitis can also be a reason why cats' whiskers fall out.
Alopecia areata
This is an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss in circular areas. Alopecia can affect any area of the cat's body, including the whiskers.
Read also: Alopecia or cat baldness on the belly and other parts of the body
Stress and anxiety
Just like humans, cats can experience stress and anxiety. This is one of the main reasons why cats have excess whiskers. Changes in the environment, the presence of new animals or even changes in daily routine can cause this stress.
Poor nutrition
It is very important that your cat has a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. A diet low in essential nutrients can affect the health of the coat and whiskers.
In conclusion, if you notice that your cat is starting to lose its whiskers, it should not be a cause for concern. It is normal for them to change their whiskers periodically. However, if you notice excessive mustache shedding, often accompanied by alopecia (excess hair loss), then you should consider the possible health problems mentioned above. Your vet can determine the exact cause.
If you are wondering how many whiskers the cat has, we tell you that in general, an adult cat has 24 whiskers. The cat's whiskers are evenly distributed, 12 on each side of the muzzle, in rows of 3. Some cats may have fewer or more whiskers, with a total number between 20 and 32, but the total must always be an even number . That is, the whiskers should be equally distributed on each side of the cat's muzzle.
