Cat Whiskers Falling Out: Normal Shedding vs. Warning Signs (and Can You Keep Them?)

You bend down to grab a sock by the couch, and there it is. One long white whisker, curved at the tip. Your first thought is "is she okay?" Your second might be "can I keep this?"

Here's the short answer. Cat whiskers falling out one or two at a time is normal. Cats shed them like other hair, and they grow back. Many at once, broken whiskers, or whisker loss with bald patches or scabs is a reason to call your vet.

Below: what whiskers do, how to tell normal from not, and kind ways to keep the ones you find.

What Do Whiskers Do?

Whiskers are touch sensors, and your cat uses them all day. Cats Protection explains that each whisker links to her muscles and nerves. A sensor at its base picks up anything the whisker touches. It also picks up movement in the air around it.

That matters because cats struggle to focus on things closer than about 30 centimeters (about 12 inches), Cats Protection notes. So her whiskers help her up close. VCA Animal Hospitals says whiskers sense small changes in air currents. They pass on the size, shape and speed of nearby things.

Whiskers show mood, too. International Cat Care (iCatCare) describes three positions:

• Relaxed: whiskers point straight out and are less spread out.
• Tense or alert: whiskers fan out and point forward.
• Frightened: whiskers lie flat against the face, bunched together.

Next time she dozes in the sun, take a peek at hers.

Is It Normal for Cats to Lose Whiskers?

Yes. Losing one or two now and then is normal. Cats Protection puts it plainly: "It's normal for one or two cat whiskers to fall out every so often." Cats shed whiskers the same way they shed hair.

PetMD agrees. Normal whiskers are shed now and then, it says, "though never more than 1-2 at a time."

Washington State University's Ask Dr. Universe explains why. Shedding is how the body gets rid of dead skin and old hair.

So one whisker on the bed, the rug or by the food bowl is usually just that. An old whisker came loose, and a new one will take its place.

Do Cat Whiskers Grow Back?

Yes. A shed whisker grows back, slowly. Cats Protection says: "Whiskers usually take between six weeks and three months to grow back."

PetMD gives the same range. That's how long it can take a face whisker to grow back long enough to work.

Want to check? Note the date you found it. In two or three months, look at that side of her face again.

Should You Ever Trim Whiskers?

No. Never trim, cut or pull your cat's whiskers. Cats Protection says: "You should never trim, pluck or cut a cat's whiskers." Cutting them, it adds, could leave your cat feeling disoriented or stressed until they grow back.

VCA gives the same advice for grooming days. Avoid cutting the whiskers, since it may cause confusion. Ask Dr. Universe says the same: never pull or cut them.

That goes for curly whiskers, uneven ones and loose ones, too. Let a loose whisker fall out on its own time.

When Is Whisker Loss a Vet Problem?

One whisker now and then is normal. A pattern is worth a call. Cats Protection says a cat who loses a lot of whiskers at once "could be unwell or injured." The same goes if her whiskers are damaged or don't grow back. It says to get her checked by your vet.

The PDSA lists losing whiskers among the coat changes to report to your vet. Its list also has scabs, itchiness, over-grooming, sleeping more and drinking more. The ASPCA advises a vet exam as soon as you notice skin changes. It names excessive hair loss, flaking, redness and bald patches.

So check the skin around her whiskers, too. If you notice redness, discharge, swelling, squinting or persistent scratching, stop and see your vet.

Whisker loss can have more than one cause. Catster notes it could be a sign of an allergy, to a food or to something around her. Ask Dr. Universe says stressed cats sometimes lose hair or whiskers, for example after a move or a new pet. Cats with allergies sometimes do, too.

PetMD adds that diseases that affect the coat can also affect whisker roots. Only your vet can tell which it is.

Bring notes to the visit. Write down when you found each whisker and how many. A photo of her face helps, and so do the whiskers themselves.

Can Bowls Bother Whiskers?

A wide, shallow bowl is easy to try, but the evidence behind "whisker fatigue" is thin. Cats Protection says cats prefer wide, shallow food and water bowls. VCA suggests flatter dishes, so her whiskers don't touch the sides each time she eats or drinks.

You may have read about "whisker fatigue." That's the idea that whiskers brushing the sides of a deep bowl over and over can overstimulate a cat. It might even put her off her food. Some sites call it a real issue. The research is less sure.

At Tufts University, vet nutritionist Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, wrote about that study on Petfoodology. Her verdict: "It has not been proven that this condition exists…"

So if your cat seems fussy at meals, a flatter dish costs little to try. If she picks at her food or scoops it onto the floor, PetMD suggests you mention it to your vet. For materials and shapes, see our guide to stainless steel vs. ceramic cat bowls.

Is It Weird to Keep Shed Whiskers?

Not at all. Keeping a whisker your cat shed on her own does her no harm. Catster even notes that finding one "can certainly feel lucky."

There's one rule. Only keep whiskers that fell out naturally. Never pull or trim one to add to a jar.

1. 1

   Pick it up gently

   A fingertip or a bit of tape lifts it off the rug.

2. 2

   Let it dry

   If it landed by the water bowl, let it air-dry first.

3. 3

   Use a small container

   A paper envelope, a small jar or a tin all work.

4. 4

   Label it

   Write the date and your cat's name.

5. 5

   Store it up high

   Keep it dry and out of reach of kids and pets.

The dated label doubles as a record. If you ever need to tell your vet how many she lost, it's right there.

You could also tape one into a memory book next to her photo. Add a pinch of soft fur from the brush, too. iCatCare's grooming guide suggests grooming short-haired cats at least once a week, and long-haired cats at least daily. If brushing is a battle at your house, here's how to brush a cat that hates it.

For something on the fridge, the LitterBond Fur & Whisker Keepsake Magnet is one option. It's a clear, cat-shaped shell about 3.1 inches across, and it arrives empty. You push brushed fur in through a hole in the back, then close it with a silicone stopper. A small vase on the side holds whiskers she shed on her own, never trimmed ones.

It's a keepsake for you, not a toy for her. It has a magnet and small parts, so keep it up on the fridge, out of reach of kids and pets. The clear shell can crack if it falls, so pick a spot where it won't get bumped.

Back to that whisker by the couch. Slip it into an envelope and write today's date on it. One whisker is just a whisker. If you start finding more than one or two at a time, call your vet.

More questions about cat whiskers

How many whiskers does a cat have?

Usually about a dozen on each upper lip. PetMD says most cats have around 12 whiskers on each upper lip and 3 over each eye. There are a few shorter ones on the chin, and a few on the back of the wrists.

Do all cats have whiskers?

No. International Cat Care notes that the Sphynx has no whiskers or eyelashes. Most other cats do.

What if my cat's whiskers got cut by accident?

They will come back. Blue Cross says a cat's whiskers will eventually grow back. Until then, it explains, she can't feel what's in front of her as well. Leave the rest of her whiskers alone while she adjusts.

How should I set up her water bowl?

Pick a wide bowl and fill it to the brim. Blue Cross says cats don't like their whiskers to touch the sides of a drinking bowl.

Related reading

• Stainless Steel vs. Ceramic vs. Plastic Cat Bowls: Which Is Best?
• How to Brush a Cat That Hates It: A Slow, Step-by-Step Plan