Kitten whiskers breaking off

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bluemaxx - 26 Sep 2004 03:00 GMT

I have a new kitten, who's 13 weeks old, and he's long-haired, although
his long hair is still growing in. WHen I first saw him, I thought his
whiskers were cut off - they were only about an inch long when I got
him - but now that his whiskers are starting to grow longer, the ends of
the whiskers are bending at 90 degree angles and then breaking off. I
also found a whole whisker on my lap after playing with him.

Are whiskers that easily break off a sign of some medical problem I
should be aware of? He's received his first shots and eats, sleeps &
eliminates well. Thanks!

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Linda

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Mary - 26 Sep 2004 03:25 GMT

>Are whiskers that easily break off a sign of some medical problem I
>should be aware of? He's received his first shots and eats, sleeps &
>eliminates well. Thanks!

Kittens frequently play a little rough with each other, even chew on each
other's whiskers. This causes them to break off. Is there another cat in the
house who could be doing this to him? or does he overgroom himself?

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bluemaxx - 26 Sep 2004 04:52 GMT

: >Are whiskers that easily break off a sign of some medical problem I
: >should be aware of? He's received his first shots and eats, sleeps &
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
: other's whiskers. This causes them to break off. Is there another cat in the
: house who could be doing this to him? or does he overgroom himself?

Hi, Mary. I do have a 5-7 year old cat that plays with the kitten.
Most of the time, he ignores the kitten. And no, the kitten doesn't
overgroom himself - just the usual grooming after he eats. It's just
so wierd to see the last 1/4 inch of his whiskers make a 90 degree turn
and then break off. Maybe it's the way he sleeps on them? ?

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Linda

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Karen - 26 Sep 2004 06:06 GMT

> : >Are whiskers that easily break off a sign of some medical problem I
> : >should be aware of? He's received his first shots and eats, sleeps &
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> so wierd to see the last 1/4 inch of his whiskers make a 90 degree turn
> and then break off. Maybe it's the way he sleeps on them? ?

Maybe it's a nutrition thing that won't clear up until all the new ones are
in?

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---MIKE--- - 26 Sep 2004 20:48 GMT

I have a small jar in which I save "discarded" whiskers. I normally
find about one a week (from two cats).

---MIKE---

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Jayde - 26 Sep 2004 05:28 GMT

<snip>

> Are whiskers that easily break off a sign of some medical problem I
> should be aware of? He's received his first shots and eats, sleeps &
> eliminates well. Thanks!
> Linda

It's not uncommon for cats to lose whiskers or break off once in a
while. However, if "other" signs accompany, such as abnormal discharge
from eyes, or general lethargy etc., I would take my cat to a vet just
in case. ;) ~Jayde

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