Eating from a bowl that is too deep is the most common cause of whisker fatigue. As cats' sensitive whiskers rub against the sides of a deep bowl, they can become irritated and hurt.
The most common culprits behind whisker fatigue are food and water bowls that are too small in diameter and too deep. Some cats will become uncomfortable with the sensation of their whiskers repeatedly contacting the sides of the bowls.
the deeper the bowl, the deeper the cat has to reach to get to food, thus immersing whiskers in it. Wide ? an optimal choice would be a bowl that is at least 12 centimeters wide.
As the cat attempts to eat or drink, the whiskers repeatedly brush against the sides of the bowl, which can cause reactions ranging from irritation to pain, depending on the sensitivity of the cat's whiskers.
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As a cat's sensitive whiskers rub against the sides of a deep bowl, they begin to hurt. Cats prefer bowls with a wide, shallow design that allow their whiskers to remain above the bowl while they eat and drink. Look for bowls designed specifically for cats (most dog bowls are too deep) and that prevent whisker fatigue.
Your cat's whiskers are so sensitive that they can become easily fatigued by unnecessary contact, such as touching the sides of food or water bowls. This 'information overload' can cause your cat stress according to articles published by the NY Times, PetMD, and Modern Cat.
Raise your cat's dish
Cats tend to crouch when they eat because it brings them closer to the ground, where their food is usually located in the wild (and often at home). But it's actually easier for your cat to eat when the dish she's eating off of is slightly elevated, and therefore closer to her mouth.
Those who uphold the concept of whisker stress point to the following signs: Pacing in front of a food or water bowl. Acting hungry, but doesn't want to eat from a bowl. Pawing food out of a bowl and eating it on the floor.
About three years ago, a NY Times article drew attention to a problem plaguing cats around the world – a condition called “whisker stress” or “whisker fatigue.” Whisker stress is described as an unpleasant sensation caused when a cat's whiskers touch the side of the bowl as they eat or drink.
Consider the depth of cat bowls.
Cats prefer dishes and bowls that are fairly shallow and wide. When cats stick their faces too far into bowls to eat, they may experience discomfort, Krieger says. “Some cats are very sensitive to the feel of the dish around their little whiskers,” she explains.
When your cat's bowl is always full of food, she may overeat. That can lead to obesity and diabetes. Measuring her food and having several scheduled mealtimes per day are better ways to feed your cat.
"Many elevated bowls are also tilted to make it easier for your cat to eat." Cats with neck pain or senior cats with arthritis and joint pain could benefit from an elevated bowl as well, she says, because they won't have the neck strain while bending over to eat.
Whisker fatigue, also known as whisker stress, is a newly described phenomenon that refers to the overstimulation a cat experiences when their whiskers brush up against the sides of a narrow or deep bowl.
Even though your cat's whiskers don't have nerves and can't feel pain, they're essential for the health and happiness of your pet. Cats use their whiskers to get around and learn about their environment, so it's important to protect them and keep them healthy.
In Summary, Stainless Steel is the Best Type of Cat Bowl
Unlike plastic and ceramic, bacteria from leftover food and saliva cannot enter stainless steel's hard surface, so stainless steel cat bowls are more sanitary. They are also more durable and easier to clean.
While it can be tempting to touch your cat's whiskers in petting, you should not touch them often, if at all—doing so can harm a cat's spacial understanding her world. "Simply put, whisker fatigue seems to be an overstimulation of the sensory system of the whiskers," says Dr.
Some signs to watch for include pacing in front of the bowls, being reluctant to eat but appearing to be hungry, pawing at food and knocking it to the floor before eating or acting aggressive toward other animals around food.
Whiskers are more sensitive than regular hairs because the follicles from which they originate are jam-packed with blood vessels and nerves. In fact, whiskers are as sensitive as a human's fingertips. So, while a human's sense of touch is in the fingers, a cat touches the world with his face.
Separate Food and Water Bowls
Cats also do not enjoy the scent of food while drinking water. In addition, they are turned off by food particles in their water. Therefore, keep cat food and water bowls in two separate locations.
Stainless steel is unbreakable, sturdy, dishwasher-safe, and harmless to cats. It (along with ceramic bowls) is recommended by most veterinarians. Another good choice is ceramic, provided it uses a lead-free glaze.
Whiskers Don't Need Trimming!
Like other hairs on a cat's body, whiskers shed. That's normal. But you should never trim them. A cat with cut whiskers will become disoriented and scared.
Infections. Skin infections caused by bacteria or fungi can result in whisker loss as well. One possible culprit is ringworm, which isn't actually a worm but a fungal infection. A cat with ringworm will likely have round patches of hair loss, crusty skin, and broken hair.
If you've noticed that your cat tends to dunk her paw in the water and then lick it, the reason may be that she doesn't want to have squished whiskers. Choose a bowl that is not narrow and deep. Cats tend to prefer more shallow water (and food) bowls. Just make sure the shallow water bowl stays filled.