Whiskers!

[hammishsqueak]

Does anyone know if cat whiskers ever just, um, randomly fall out?

About a month ago I noticed that two of my kitten's whiskers on his right side appeared to be mostly cut off. It looked as if someone trimmed them! Nobody was ever around Bailey who would ever do such a thing, so I figured it was when he, being the genius that he is, decided to sleep on the edge of my desk, rolled off in the middle of the night taking down several items on the desk, and freaked out in shock.

Now I notice that two of his left side whiskers are completely gone and the two whiskers that appeared to be cut are gone! Bailey is a strictly indoor cat. Could he be pulling them out? Will they ever grow back?

 

[Finofan]

They can and will shed them they should grow back..

 

[hammishsqueak]

Weird! I never knew that cats shed whiskers! That's good, though- he looks cute with his whiskers.

 

[CandaceMM]

I find Gemma's whiskers from time to time.

She has mostly white whiskers, but some of her's are black at the root and are white at the end.

 

[Inkpen]

The whisker is a speciality hair. Grows from a folicle just like people.
They break, get worn, and they shed them as new ones grow in.
WE all shed our hair, fur, feathers ( birds loose feathers and grow new ones in a molt).
I have found many of my cats whiskers..and a lot of their fur too!!

Kittens will break whiskers in play and look like they have been all cut off...but no worry..they grow new ones as they grow!!

 

[Mousebaby]

They also shed the sheeths off of their claws from time to time, so don't freak out if you find what looks like a perfectly good claw lying around. Just thought you should know!

 

[hammishsqueak]

They also shed the sheeths off of their claws from time to time, so don't freak out if you find what looks like a perfectly good claw lying around. Just thought you should know!

Ugh! That sounds gross Bailey is my first cat. I couldn't have dogs/cats as a kid or teen because my dad is very, very allergic! Even my guinea pig would set him off!