I have been wondering why 3 cats I rescued are constantly tipping over their food dishes = WHISKER STRESS - who knew!!!???
Lymerick

By Melissa Breyer
Updated March 19, 2023

Whether cats are cute because of their whiskers or whiskers are cute because they come on cats, one thing is certain: The two make an irresistibly adorable combination. Some whiskers are exuberant, like the grand mustache of a Victorian gentleman, while others are demure and flirtatious. Whatever form they take, these feline facial bristles are so much more than vestigial accessories; in fact, cats would be hard-pressed to perform many of their formidable feats without them.

Here are some little-known facts about these spectacular, specialized hairs.

1. "Whisker" Is an Old Word

The word “whisker” dates back to around 1600. It was formed from the Middle English word “wisker,” anything that whisks or sweeps, and was originally used to describe a human mustache or beard. Not long after, it also became the word for the antennae-like hair of animals—and why not? Your cat’s facial hair is, by all accounts, like a miniature broom.

2. They Are Thicker Than Hair

SNIP