Cat whiskers are a GPS, radar, and sonar all in one. These very sensitive organs allow him to find your way more easily in its environment. They greatly improve his perception of the world. It is in part thanks to their whiskers that felines are capable of the physical prowess they are credited with. In the event of a fall, the cat calculates in a few fractions of a second the exact moment to turn around in order to land on its feet. These organs also allow him to estimate the presence of obstacles or the distance between two pieces of furniture. Whiskers have the power to transmit endless flows of information directly to the cat’s brain, allowing it to cope with fortuitous situations that constantly occur in its life.
Cats can, with disconcerting ease, squeeze through interstices, under furniture or openings even when it is very dark. When it grazes the obstacles that arise in front of it, behind it or next to it, the cat is informed of the available space which allows it to pass through the most confined spaces. Thanks to its whiskers, a cat can assess wind speed and direction which are important data when hunting. It is for this reason that before pouncing on its prey, the cat seems to observe it patiently. In fact, it accumulates information about the environment to decide the best time to catch said prey. They are also used for identify the source of a smell which is carried by the wind. So even if a cat does not know exactly where its prey is, it is most likely to catch it with its hair. These organs combined with his already remarkable night vision allow him to excel in hunting.
It would also seem that the cat’s whiskers are great tools for communication and expression of emotions. These long, stiff hairs allow the cat to communicate with other felines. For example, when these hairs are fully released, it means that the cat is completely relaxed and totally zen. On the other hand, when it brings them back to the rear, it means that the cat is frightened or that there is a situation which worries it. When its whiskers point forward, the cat is on the alert for something. This often happens when he has just spotted prey, but also when he is irritated by something or when he is playing.
Let’s not forget that cats are emotional animals. Thus, each time a situation touches them, their hairs change position. Before, to know that a cat is aggressive or curious, you have to carefully observe its behavior, the position of its ears and the movements of its tail. Today, to know its behavior, it is easier to observe the position of its hairs, because the morphological expressions can be misleading. So you just have to look closely at his mustache to guess his mood. Usually, when a cat is irritated, its whiskers point forward, its ears pull back, its eyes are round, its pupils dilated and its tail keep wagging. When he shows all of these signs, it is best to leave him alone.