Cats may also lose their whiskers due to: Stress. Things that cause stress in cats may include moving or changes within your household, like a new family member or pet. Focusing on helping your cat feel safe and secure can help them get back to their happy place.
Allergic Reaction
Your cat may be experiencing an allergic response if they are shedding multiple whiskers. It could be a food or environmental allergy they are responding to. Grass, pollen, or mold can be irritating to them and trigger whisker loss. Some of the symptoms your cat has an allergy include:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Red or dry skin
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Excessive grooming
Seasonal allergies could be the cause if your cat gets a cold at particular times of the year. Additionally, your feline may be irritated by fleas due to a sensitivity to them. Unbelievably, fleas can infect cats just like they can dogs. Cats frequently exhibit allergic reactions as well, manifesting as skin inflammation or dermatological problems.
Why Do Cats Shed Their Whiskers?
The majority of indoor cats shed their fur at low levels throughout the year, and new hair grows in to replace it several times. While your four-legged friend won’t lose their whiskers as frequently as they lose their fur, the process is still the same: damaged or scruffy whiskers fall out to make room for new, healthy ones to grow.
It’s crucial to understand that your cat won’t shed their whiskers all at once because it’s not a seasonal phenomenon. Every few months, a single whisker will shed, and at any given time, each whisker will be in a different stage of the shedding cycle.
Cats naturally shed their whiskers, and some folklore even holds that discovering a whisker on a cat is auspicious!
Bacterial or Fungal Infection
In cats, bacterial and fungal reactions can result in hair loss. The whiskers on your cat may fall out if they become infected in the area where they are located. A cut or injury to your cat’s skin may result in a skin infection. Some of the indications of skin infection are:
- Itchiness
- Crusted skin
- Small, raised lesions
- Dried discharge in an infected area
Because the infection may affect the skin’s epidermis layer, your cat’s skin is not as protected and is more prone to losing whiskers. Infection of a deep skin wound in the inner folds of the skin is another possibility.
Suppose there have been considerable changes in your living environment, such as a move to a new home or another pet or family member passing on. In that case, it can cause extreme stress, leading to some whiskers coming out of your fur baby’s cheeks. Some other symptoms of stress in cats include:
- Hiding more than usual
- Urinating outside the litterbox
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Excessive vocalization
- Excessive scratching
- Lack of appetite
You might also observe your cat acting aggressively toward people or other furry family members if they are under stress. By giving your cat a consistent schedule, like regular playtime and couch cuddles, you can help them reduce stress.
Shading may occur during a fight or during rough play if your cat and another cat lover in your home have a history of fighting. This is particularly true if your cat is let outside and gets into an altercation with another cat.
Another possibility is that your cat’s whiskers may come out if they rub against trees or other objects with sharp edges. Making sure your lovely cat stays inside is the best way to protect them from physical harm. If you notice aggressive play between cats, you should also stop it.
Just like humans, cats can get acne. Your cat’s chin is where outbreaks most frequently occur. If your cat’s acne is particularly bothersome, it might be located near to its whiskers, which could hasten the loss of whiskers. The following are a few things that can cause feline acne:
- Hyperactive sebaceous glands
- Viral, fungal, or bacterial infection
- Eating or drinking from plastic containers
- Suppressed immune system
- Hormonal imbalance
- Poor hygiene
The greatest defense against feline acne is to use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel water and food bowls. Plastic food and water bowls corrode your cat’s skin and cause whisker loss due to bacteria and dirt getting trapped in the cracks and scratches. This results in acne on your cat’s face.
FAQ
What causes cat whiskers to fall out?
How do you know if your cat has whisker stress?
What does whisker fatigue look like?
Why are my cats whiskers breaking off?