Whiskers gone

[Jade]

!!!! Elvis chewed off Kizmet's whiskers!!!! They're really short now!! I can only imagine it hurt ... those are for sensory purposes!! Anyone know if they'll grow back? She looks so pathetic!

[Sassy]

It happens alot, babies will chew each others whiskers too, I think when they are cuddling they rub on the other and they bite them, they will grow back eventually,
Poor Kizmet, Bad Elvis

[Jade]

Thanks Sass! I won't worry too much then. Elvis got a good talking to, that's for sure!

[Christi]

Nah, I doubt it hurts. I think they're mostly like our eyelashes and brows, to help keep out dust and dirt and bacteria and stuff. I have heard that non breeding chins always have MUCH longer whiskers than breeding ones.

[Jade]

Oh thanks Christi ... I was REALLY feeling bad about putting her in that situation! whew!

Actually, there is a lot of sensory input perceived through the whiskers, so there are nerve endings, and there must be pain. I'm thinking maybe like the pain you'd get if someone pulled one or a couple of your hairs out- it stings real bad, then fades. Hopefully, that's all!

[Christi]

Does sensory perception necessarily mean feeling/pain?

[Sassy]

I agree with CT I don't think it is painful when their whiskers get chewed, but if it pulled out it will sting. I have noticed that baby chins will chew each others whiskers off, they don't seem to have any discomfort at all.