They cut off the whiskers to torture the cats. A cat’s sense of balance stems from the inner ear. It is okay to touch your cat’s whiskers, but do not pull on them. As a cat myself, I know I wouldn’t want anybody cutting off my whiskers. I do not recommend cutting the whiskers. Do not groom, trim, or cut off those whiskers. They are very sensitive (hints why they use them in the night to feel what's around them) and have lots of nerves.

Carlos’s whiskers started out white, and they stayed that way. Almost whiskeys grow thick pads on the upper lips of cats. That’s normal. For example, felines may fold their whiskers back to say, “Stay away.” Although it's an old wives' tale that cutting a pet’s whiskers off will affect his balance, it can compromise his ability to “feel” around his face. These cats have no trouble with balance. That would hurt! Fit through an opening without the need to see it. Whiskers are not there for balance exactly. Myth: Cat whiskers control balance. But you should never trim them.

We had lots of cats because they were indoor-outdoor cats and none of them were ever neutered. The technical name for the the stiff and heavy hairs that grow out from your dog's muzzle and over your dog's eyes is "vibrissae."

These sensory tools help cats maneuver in the dark or in threatening situations. However, the whiskers are actually sensory organs that play no part in a cat’s balance and coordination on narrow surfaces. Animal abusers use this against the cats. They provide the cat with a sense of direction, stability, balance and location.

Cutting cats’ whiskers can hurt these follicles. “Cats that are blind can navigate rooms very well by just walking around and letting their whiskers get a sense of where they are spatially,” Cousins says. A cat with cut or damaged whiskers acts strange and disoriented — so those ever-powerful whiskers must control their balance too, right?

Cutting off a cats whiskers renders it incapable of standing up.

Don't do it - that's the general recommendation.

Thanks for the A2A. Cats rely on their long whiskers to help them navigate in low light conditions as well as helping them feel a breeze or wind. Cat whiskers can change color. I have known many (always drunk) men who cut off their cat’s whiskers for fun - the cat doesn’t fall over! 7. I have seen many cats whose whiskers have been unintentionally burned by a candle or cut by an overzealous groomer. The position of the whiskers can also clue you in to the mood of an animal. NEVER cut your cat’s whiskers. It receives movements in the environment to help cats feel other creatures around them and the location where they are. If a cat is losing balance, the vestibular apparatus sends a warning message to the brain.

"A cat's whiskers have a twofold purpose: they are precisely the narrowest width that the cat can squeeze itself through comfortably, and they are also used for balance. A cat’s whiskers, otherwise known as vibrissae, are incredibly interesting touch receptors. Yes, it can happen with aging. 6. We use them for balance so we won’t fall off when walking along something like a skinny fence top. Whiskers provide balance. Maintain balance. A cats whiskers are truly part of your cat's body. Without the whiskers, cats cannot walk or do anything, really. Cutting a cats whiskers wont hurt them at all. Whiskers allow even blind cats to find their way without walking into things. As you know, whiskers are very important to a cats senses and their balance, but the way the cat senses things with it's whiskers are at the base. It would be kind of like cutting off your fingers. We had cats. Cutting cats' whiskers can be disastrous in the results. Cat whiskers don't just look cool — they're the Swiss Army knife of your cat's sensory and communications tool kit. A cat with cut whiskers will become disoriented and scared. Without these hairs, cats become very disoriented and frightened. Cutting a cats whiskers wont hurt them at all. My friend Farnsworth said that whiskers are really important to us cats. It would be like our trying to get around without the sense of touch.

It is imperative that cats have their whiskers at full length.