A cat's whiskers: ensuring safety in everyday life

When a cat approaches something new, the first thing it gently extends is neither its eyes nor its front paws. It's the whiskers spread out on either side of its face.

Whiskers are not like ordinary hair. They are rooted about three times deeper in the skin than regular fur, and their bases are densely packed with capillaries and nerve fibers, making each whisker function like a small sensor. In a review by Dr. Ahl published in Veterinary Research Communications in 1986, it was noted that cat whiskers serve as the "front line of touch" in various aspects of their lives, such as finding food, detecting prey movement, communicating with other cats, and understanding their spatial surroundings. They can interpret information that the naked eye cannot perceive, including subtle air currents, the contours of approaching objects, and even the texture of surfaces.

In other words, cats examine the world with their whiskers before seeing it with their eyes. When we rephrase it this way, their usual casual gestures might appear a little different.

In recent years, a phenomenon related to cat whiskers, known as "whisker fatigue" or "whisker stress," has become a topic of discussion in veterinary medicine. There are reports of cats experiencing discomfort due to their whiskers repeatedly touching the edges of narrow, deep bowls, leading them to leave food uneaten or take a step back from their bowls. A study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery in 2021 by Dr. Slovak and colleagues found that when given a choice, cats tended to prefer shallow, whisker-friendly bowls.

Whiskers don't only work during mealtime. They're active the moment a cat tries to squeeze into a gap between furniture, the moment it assesses the edge of a climbing post, or the moment it steps a paw into dim light. In every aspect of a cat's life, whiskers seem to be reading the hardness, slipperiness, and stability of materials.

For materials with little surface information, such as shiny polished metal or glass, or smooth plastic, the whisker sensors may have extremely few clues to grasp. It seems that the whiskers might be subtly and busily working during those few seconds when a cat hesitates before climbing onto a sofa or piece of furniture.

Considering this, cardboard seems to be a very easy material for cats to "read." It has fine fibrous irregularities, moderate friction, and a slight softness that gives a little when pressed, providing rich information when touched by whiskers. It's not too cold, not slippery, and has appropriate resistance. Such materials likely make it easy for cats to determine, "This place is okay."

By the way, when a cat's whiskers are spread out wide on the sides of its face and pointing forward, it is said to be relaxed and curious. Conversely, whiskers flattened against the cheeks are a sign of tension or caution. If a cat enters furniture and begins grooming leisurely, or if its whiskers are gently fanned out to the sides, it's safe to assume that the cat perceives that location as a safe place, even at the whisker level.

When choosing furniture, we tend to focus on "elements visible from a human perspective," such as design, color, ease of cleaning fur, and durability. However, a cat's first encounter with furniture begins by testing the material with its whiskers. Reconsidering this might slightly change our criteria for choosing furniture.

When a cat's whiskers are gently spread out to the sides, it's a sign that the cat has deemed the place "safe." By bringing a piece of furniture into your home, you gently add one more option to your cat's life. We would be delighted if you thought of Cat Cellar in such a way.

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※Reference: Ahl, A.S. The role of vibrissae in behavior: A status review. Veterinary Research Communications, 10(1), 245-268, 1986. ／ Slovak, J.E., Foster, T.E. Evaluation of whisker stress in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2021.