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Today I found out what happens if a cat’s whiskers are damaged or clipped. It turns out, cat’s whiskers are an essential sensory mechanism. Damage a cat’s whiskers and it will cause them not only discomfort, but also to become confused and disorientated, among other negative side effects. Whiskers themselves are nothing more than a type of thick/long hair. The importance of whiskers lies in the fact that they are deeply rooted in follicles which are surrounded by a muscle tissue that is very rich in nerves and sensory cells. These nerve cells in the roots are then connected to a special area of the cat’s brain. While whiskers serve many functions, the main function of whiskers is to work as a type of environmental scanning system. Interestingly enough, cats don’t actually need to touch the objects with their whiskers to detect the object. The nerves at the base of the whiskers are actually sensitive enough to be able to pick up even small air movements which vibrate the whiskers. They are so sensitive, in fact, that cats can even pick up air movements indoors, such as air flowing around furniture, which lets the cat know there is an object there, even when it is pitch dark. This is essential for cats because they are far sighted and have trouble seeing things clearly close up. Being nocturnal in nature, this also helps them “see” more clearly at night while they hunt. Understanding the basic function of cat’s whiskers, it’s not surprising how distressing it would be for a cat to lose their whiskers or have them damaged. Research has shown that cats without whiskers have trouble estimate the size of openings and can easily get stuck. Also, due to the fact that whiskers are important to a cat’s equilibrium, without them, they have trouble walking straight and have difficulty running. They also tend to get disoriented and fall. Interestingly, experiments done with cats with whiskers cut short also show that they struggle to judge distances accurately and so will often misjudge jumping distances as well as occasionally run into things. Luckily for cats, even should someone be so cruel as to clip their whiskers or if their whiskers are otherwise damaged in a fight or the like, as with other types of hair, whiskers will ultimately re-grow as long as the follicle itself isn’t damaged beyond the body’s ability to repair. Bonus Facts: Interestingly, there is also some evidence to suggest that whiskers aid somehow in helping cats detecting odors. Like human finger prints, every cat’s whisker pattern is unique. In addition to the obvious whiskers in horizontal rows on the ‘whisker pad’ of their cheeks, there are also whiskers between the corner of a cat’s mouth and the outer corner of the nose, on the chin, and the eyebrows, and on the back of the front legs. The scientific name for a cat’s whiskers is ‘vibrissae’ which hints at their sensitivity to vibrations in air currents. The breed of cat called the ‘Sphinx’ often has little to no whiskers. As you might have guessed, blind cats rely almost solely on their whiskers to navigate. When a cat is angry or defensive, the whiskers will be pulled back. When the cat is happy, curious or content, the whiskers will be more relaxed and pushed forward. Cats don’t have a true collar bone, which allows them to twist their way through very narrow openings. ‘To be the cat’s whiskers’ is a British idiom meaning ‘to be better than everyone else’.

A Cat's Heat Can Be Difficult – For You and Your Cat Few sounds are quite as disconcerting as a yowling cat in heat. If you've ever been awakened by amorous caterwauling outside your window, you know how unsettling it can be. You might put your earplugs in, or bury your head in your pillow and hope that the neighborhood cats find another place for their noisy trysts. But when the cat in question is your roommate, you can't just cross your fingers and hope that she moves along. Thankfully, there are some tips you can follow to help ease the stress (and noise) that go along with your cat's mating season. Extra Petting and Brushings During Heat Cycle For some cats, a little extra attention may help ease the stress of estrus. Give your feline friend some extra attention around the home when she's in heat, and you may find that it calms her down and keeps her stress levels manageable. Give Your Cat a Getaway Some cats may prefer to be left alone when they're in heat, unless the attention comes from a potential suitor. She may be irritable or act aggressively, but don't take it personally. Just make sure she has a comfortable, private space such as a cat tree or the top shelf of a closet where she can escape the commotion when she needs peace and quiet. Cats in Heat May Need Some Extra Playtime For cats, the urge to mate is instinctual. So is the urge to hunt. Try to keep your cat occupied with exciting toys that stir her hunting instincts. It may take her mind off her other drives. Secure the Perimeter A cat in heat is an escape artist par excellence. Be sure to keep your home secure, and seal off any potential escape routes, such as windows, doggie doors, and easily opened screen doors. Herbal Remedies for Cats in Heat Some cat owners swear by herbal remedies, and there may be some truth to their efficacy. Rescue Remedy is a popular choice, and if catnip has a calming effect on your cat, it may be a good choice as well. However, avoid constantly dosing your cat with herbal remedies; use them only in moderation when nothing else works. Play Calming Music During Your Cat's Heat Cycle Humans aren't the only ones who love music; some animals really enjoy it, too. Fill your home with the sounds of relaxed classical, smooth jazz, or ambient electronic music. You never know—it might help your cat stay relaxed, and it could mask some of the howling. Keep the Litter Box Clean Cats love to mark their territory, especially when in heat. By keeping the litter box clean and free of cat urine, you'll encourage your cat to keep marking it, instead of marking your carpet or sofa. Also, it's wise to avoid ammonia cleaners; they may stimulate spraying behavior. Spay Your Cat to Avoid Heat Cycle Issues According to most veterinarians, spaying a cat during heat is less than ideal. It can be done, but there's an increased potential for surgical complications. However, if you have no intention of breeding your cat, consider spaying her. That way, you won't have to deal with this situation in the future, and you'll prevent the birth of unwanted litters. Be Patient When Cats Are in Heat Noisy, aggressive, prone to escape attempts: cats can be annoying when they're in heat, but it's important to be patient with your pet. She didn't ask to be in heat, and a little patience and care from you can help them get through it with minimal stress and discomfort.

In today's video, we are going to talk about some interesting facts and myths about the Nebelung Cat. Nebelungs are unique among cats, owing to the loyalty they display towards their owners. These shy and intelligent felines can sense the mood of a household very well, which is why they are considered excellent pets. It is safe to feed a Nebelung cat with food manufactured by most quality brands. However, owners should remember one thing, that feeding cow’s milk to them can cause a stomach upset. The Nebelung is a rare kind of cat breed. In German, the word, Nebelung means ‘creature of the mist’. This domestic cat is known for its dense coat. The coat is different from that of pure blue cats. The Nebelung possesses a double coat. The topcoat is silvery and the undercoat is medium-blue in color. The upper, silvery coat offers the Nebelung a ghost-like appearance. Here are a few interesting facts about the Nebelung Cat which will give you some further insight into its characteristics and temperament. 1. Nebelung Cat's History. The Nebelung cat breed was developed by Cora Cobb of the Nebelheim Cattery. Cobb was inspired by a kitten named Siegfried, the only longhaired blue kitten in a litter fathered by a longhaired black cat and born to a black domestic shorthair named Elsa. A second litter produced a female longhaired blue kitten whom Cobb named Brunhilde. Siegfried and Brunhilde became the foundation of a new breeding program and produced their first litter in 19 86. Russian Blues who carried the gene for long hair were imported from eastern Europe in the late 19 80s and contributed to the development of the breed. The International Cat Association gave the cats New Breed status in 19 87 and full recognition in 19 97. Nebelungs can be outcrossed to Russian Blues. 2. Nebelung Cat's Size. The Nebelung is a medium-sized cat with a long body. They tend to weigh in at seven to 15 pounds with females generally being smaller than males. That said, some Nebelungs may fall outside of that range. 3. Nebelung Cat's Personality. The Nebelung has a reputation as a gentle, quiet cat, somewhat shy, but don’t get the wrong idea. This cat may have a reserved nature, but they love to play, being especially fond of retrieving, and enjoy jumping or climbing to high places where they can study people and situations at their leisure before making up their mind about whether they want to get involved. Guests will not receive this cat's immediate attention and may never see them unless they decide the humans are worthy of their notice, but toward family members, especially their favored person, the Nebelung is ever loyal, following them through the house and even riding on a shoulder. The Nebelung is a sensitive cat who doesn’t like to be ignored and will be hurt if they don’t receive the same amount of affection they give. Lack of attention can cause them to become anxious or fearful. While the Nebelung loves your company, they're capable of entertaining themselves during the day while you are at work. Unlike some active, intelligent breeds, they're not destructive but move through the house with the lithe grace of a Russian ballerina. When you are at home, their subtle sense of humor and manual dexterity will never fail to entertain. Just make sure you laugh with them, not at them. They have a strong sense of self-worth and don’t like being made fun of. This is a cat who does best in a quiet, stable environment. They don’t like change, and it’s especially important to them that meals arrive on time. Count on them to be a faithful alarm clock in the morning, not so you don’t miss work, but so they don’t miss a meal. If you take the time to develop a relationship with a Nebelung, your reward will be a deep bond with this loving cat. 4. Nebelung Cat's Health. Both pedigreed cats and mixed-breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. The Nebelung is generally healthy, however. An owner’s main concern will probably be this cat's hearty appetite, which can turn them from sleek to stout in no time.