Why should cats have a mustache? What are the names of a mustache in a cat?

Uses are possessed not only by representatives of the cat family, but also by many other animals such as dogs, rats, beavers, raccoons, etc. It is interesting that for a rat the mustache basically performs the function of touch, and beavers and seals are necessary for the search Food in underwater conditions.

Beautiful and long mustaches are the absolute dignity of every cat. With the appearance of a small fluffy friend in the house, children are often interested in: "Why should cats have a mustache?". But even adults do not always know their true purpose.

Often the child and strives to play in the "cat's hairdresser" and cut off the mustache of your pet. But what will be the consequences of this game? Is it possible to shear the cat's mustache? What function do they perform? How much do they need? What does a cat need a mustache? Let's try to answer these and some other questions.

Also among the many questions is the question of how cats are called mustaches. Cat's whiskers have a scientific name - vibrissae (vibrissae from Latin vibrate, oscillate) or as they are also called "tactile hairs". They are very flexible, thickened and long formations, the roots of which lead to the area of blood vessels and nerve endings. Vibrissae are dead formations, similar in nature to ordinary hair. The average length of the cat's whiskers is about 6-7 cm.

Cat's mustache in the Guinness Book of Records

The longest mustache in a cat was recorded by the Guinness Book of Records. The champion was a Maine Coon cat residing in Finland, named Messi. The length of his mustache reached 19 cm.

Mustache reflect the mood of the pet

In the direction of the mustache, it is easy to determine the mood of a representative of the cat family. If the mustache is directed forward - the animal is clearly excited and shows curiosity. On the contrary, pinned - evidence of the manifestation of aggression. At the slumbering animal mustaches are in a relaxed state.

Mustache: briefly about the main

We'll figure it out, why do we need a mustache for the cat?

It is known that the kitten, which is in the stage of the embryo, the initially developing hairs become vibrissae. This state of affairs is not accidental and it is explained by the fact that it is the mustache that firstly helps the child to establish contact with the environment he is surrounded with.

The whiskers send nerve impulses, which are recognized by the cells of the brain. By the same scheme, the visual function of the eyes is carried out. Summarizing these signals, the cat perceives the world around us.

To answer the question of why a cat needs a mustache, let us recall how graceful it is. Her grace and maneuverability are also achieved thanks to the vibrissae. It is the "tactile hairs" that make it possible to feel the direction of the air currents, which is of considerable importance in the performance of the jump, at the time of the fall and during normal movement. The information obtained by the vibrissa helps to avoid unnecessary injuries.

It is known that a cat's mustache is very sensitive. For this reason, touching the person is not very pleasant for the animal.

Whiskers are able to provide such data that can not be obtained using other senses. The difference between vibrissae and ordinary hair is that the vibrissae pass much deeper into the tissue than the simple hair. As mentioned earlier, "tactile hairs" have many nerve endings, so that the animal receives a lot of information about the surrounding world.

Whiskers help you navigate in space

Scientists, interested in the question of why a cat mustache, found that with the help of vibrating animals perfectly orientates in the surrounding space, regardless of the time of day. Vibrissae are the organ of touch and are located in the area of cheeks, lips, above the eyes, and also on the legs. Thanks to them, the cat recognizes various objects without touching them physically. The whiskers allow to determine the presence of obstacles on the way in total darkness, which greatly simplifies the movement at night.

The vibrissae are reported to the cat and whether it can pass into the narrow aperture. And also help you navigate in an unknown location. It is thanks to the mustaches that the animal will never get lost and will always find the way back. Each of us repeatedly heard stories about how the cat ran away and came back after a few months. Or about how she found her owners, who changed their place of residence. Whiskers are a kind of "compass" for the animal.

The mustache is a hunter's weapon

So, arguing on the topic "why do cats need a mustache," one can not help but mention that the vibrissae participate in the process of hunting. With their help, it is easy to recognize even a slight movement of production. A cat is a predatory animal and prefers the dark time of the day for hunting. The mustache allows you to obtain the necessary data about your future victim and with the necessary accuracy to carry out a lightning-fast striking leap that will not leave a prey for the slightest chance of salvation.

Everyone knows that the cat is able to rid the house of rats, mice and other small rodents. When an animal, after catching prey, carries it in its teeth, the tips of the mustache control the victim's condition (whether she is killed, or attempts of resistance on her part are still possible).

Mustache: features of the structure

Cat's whiskers are arranged in four rows of 12 pieces on both sides. The movement of the two upper ones occurs independently of those below. The base of the vibrissa is on the surface layer and has a good blood supply because the root of the bloody mustache is located in a bloody vial called a sinus or blood lacuna. The branches of the facial nerve are brought to the vibrissae, and the striated muscles ensure their movement. Thanks to the vibrissae, the cat will notice even the slightest fluctuations of air.

Is it possible to trim a cat's mustache

The information presented above characterizes the functional peculiarity of the vibrissa, thereby explaining why the cat needs a mustache, and explaining their necessity. Given that the whiskers are necessary for the cat to maintain balance and good orientation in space, it is strictly not recommended to cut them off. Without them, the cat is capable of experiencing serious discomfort and confusion.

There is an opinion that when the territory is divided, the cat is able to deprive the whiskers of its opponent. And she does it to make her rival feel weak and defenseless. An animal doubting its own strength will easily surrender its position, recognizing its defeat.

Considering the information on "why do cats need a mustache," it is important to mention that there are breeds with insufficiently developed "tactile hairs" or with their complete absence. Such animals need constant guardianship from the side of man and in conditions of wild nature, unfortunately, they will not be able to survive.

However, many could hear about the veterinary circumcision of mustaches. Indeed, such practice exists and is used by veterinarians. Use it in situations, if the area of germination of the vibrations was affected. Circumcision of whiskers in veterinary medicine helps to carry out decontamination treatment and exclude the possibility of bacterial contamination.

There are cases when blind cats were perfectly well informed by the information obtained with the help of vibrissae. Therefore, it is impossible to trim a cat's mustache for the sake of the animal's participation in the exhibition or through the fault of a momentary childish whim. Let the circumcised mustache and do not lead to the death of the animal, but still leave a significant imprint on the self-awareness and quality of life of your cat.

Broken mustache. What to do?

Having received an answer to the question about why a cat has a mustache, you can understand how important they are to a small predator. However, the mustache of an animal may break. If the hair bag is not damaged, the mustache can regenerate. Sometimes the damage is random. Systematic damage and loss of whiskers can be caused by the following factors:

• An improper diet, in connection with which the cat's body is deficient in calcium and other vitamins.
• The appearance of worms that eat useful substances, because of which the animal also lacks calcium and other substances.
• Fungal diseases.

The specialist of the veterinary clinic will determine the true cause of injury and loss of whiskers. He will also prescribe the necessary course of treatment and offer a diet rich in vitamins and minerals.

In the answer for those who tamed

The decision to start a pet implies a greater responsibility for the life and health of the animal. Having decided on such a serious step, it is necessary to provide the animal with comfortable living conditions and carefully monitor its health status. Your pet will appreciate the attentive and affectionate attitude, giving in return his devotion and love. From communicating with your pet, you will certainly get a lot of joyful emotions and a sea of excellent mood.

After reading the information about why cats need a mustache, explain to the child what an important role they play in the life of the pet.