What is Whisker Fatigue, and How Can You Help Your Cat?
Whiskers are not just an adorable feature of your cat’s face; they play a vital role in helping them navigate the world. Did you know there’s a condition called “whisker fatigue” that affects many cats and can make their lives pretty difficult? Understanding what whisker fatigue is, and how to alleviate it, can lead to a happier and more comfortable life for your cat.
What is Whisker Fatigue?
Whisker fatigue, also known as Whisker Stress, occurs when a cat’s sensitive whiskers become overstimulated from excessive touching or stimulation. Let’s be clear. All whiskers are incredibly sensitive. They’re packed to the brim with nerve endings to help a cat engage its surroundings in a safe and advantageous way.
As both predators and prey, cats maintain a strong sense of their surroundings at all times. Whiskers greatly improve this ability by picking up things like changes in temperatures, wind, and most importantly, physical environment. Whiskers can detect the density of the objects they touch, and they’re designed to let a cat know if an opening is wide enough for them to fit through.
When a cat experiences whisker fatigue, it’s akin to sensory overload. Imagine being in a noisy, crowded place for too long. In that situation, we can all relate to feeling overwhelmed after a period of time, wishing for a bit of quiet afterward. Cats with whisker fatigue may display similar behaviour. They might favour spending time quietly, alone without anything to bother them or their whiskers.
Signs of Whisker Fatigue
Avoiding Food Bowls: This is a common one. Many pet owners feed their pets using vessels a person would choose. A bowl, for example, is the most common. This is a human invention to hold food in one place while you eat it. Cats have long, sensitive whiskers that end up pressing against the sides of the bowl – which can be uncomfortable!
If your cat suddenly starts pushing food out of their bowl, or they frequently pick it up with their teeth and move it to the floor, there’s a strong possibility they might be experiencing whisker fatigue. See our solutions further below.
Pawing at the Face: Cats with whisker fatigue may paw at their faces, trying to relieve the discomfort they’re feeling in their whiskers. Like scratching an itch, this is only a temporary solution and if it’s becoming more frequent, talk to your vet.
Avoiding Tight Spaces: Your cat might avoid tight spaces or become hesitant to pass through narrow openings because their whiskers touch the sides. While cats can be odd creatures who enjoy taking the less travelled path to places around the house, keep an eye on how often they purposefully avoid a tight squeeze.
Irritability or Aggression: When whisker fatigue is left unaddressed or untreated, some cats may become irritable or even aggressive. This change in behaviour is born of their frustration with the physical discomfort they feel every day, and a trip to the vet is likely due at this point. The good news is, if you can help alleviate their symptoms, they might be able to calm down over time!
How to Help Your Cat with Whisker Fatigue
Wide and Shallow Food Bowls/Plates: If your cat is suffering from whisker fatigue, it is time for a new food dish. Opt for wide, shallow food dishes that allow your cat to enjoy their meal without their whiskers touching anything. This can have a huge impact by making mealtime more comfortable for them.
Provide Adequate Space: Generally, ensure your cat has plenty of space to move around at home. A cluttered home might not be a big problem for people or children, but for a cat with sensitive whiskers, it can be a minefield. Try to eliminate any places where they have to squeeze to get in. If there are favourite areas, like sunspots or window ledges, try to make sure the paths to them are clear and free!
Gentle Handling: Some cats love hard head scratches and petting, but if you’re worried about your cat’s whiskers, you need to be more deliberate about how you interact with them. Avoid excessive touching or rubbing of their whiskers and the areas around them, and when you pick them up, make sure you aren’t folding their whiskers as you lift them to your shoulder/chest.
Quiet Time: Whisker-fatigued cats should be allowed plenty of undisturbed quiet time. If they don’t have some already build resting spots around your home where they can retreat to when feeling overwhelmed. These would be spots where most humans can’t get to them or will leave them alone. Cats often need a break from sensory stimuli, in general, but more so when they are physically overwhelmed.
Stress Management: Like many illnesses in the world, human or feline, whisker fatigue can be exacerbated by stress. If your cat is already struggling with sensitive whiskers and overstimulation, the best thing you can do is ensure your cat’s environment is as stress-free as possible. You can help foster this by ensuring emotions don’t run high around the house, keeping as consistent a routine as possible, building hiding spots for your cat, and providing them with engaging toys.
Final Thoughts
Whisker fatigue is just an unfortunate reality some cats face, but as their owners, we can help them mitigate their discomfort. It starts with keeping a close eye on your kitty’s behaviour and knowing them well enough to detect changes. If you suspect they are experiencing whisker fatigue, you can make the necessary adjustments to create a more comfortable and enjoyable living environment for them. With that in mind, a trip to the vet should be first on your list. They will let you know how much discomfort your cat might be experiencing, and they can tell you what should happen next.
The Hervey Foundation for Cats is a cat rescue located in Alberta, Canada.
Written by Dan Huen
Image from ChoiceOMG