Your cat’s bowl is half-full, but they keep meowing hungrily until you top it off. Behaviors like refusing to eat unless their bowl is full, or showing reluctance to eat in general, can be more than just dinnertime dramatics. One possible reason for your cat’s fussiness around food could be an uncomfortable phenomenon known as whisker fatigue.
“Whisker fatigue is the idea that if cats’ whiskers are constantly activated, it can result in discomfort for the cat,” explains Joey Lusvardi, certified cat behavior consultant at Class Act Cats. “Usually it happens if the cat has to eat from a bowl that requires sticking their full face into it to eat.”
We asked veterinarians and feline behavior experts how to prevent whisker fatigue and how to spot other common reasons cats may experience pain or discomfort while eating.
What is whisker fatigue?
“Whiskers are part of the cat’s autonomic (unconscious) nervous system. Cat whisker fatigue occurs when the whiskers continually receive and transmit an overload of sensory information,” says Shannon Vawter, medical director and veterinarian for Thrive Pet Healthcare Wedgewood in Nashville, Tennessee. “Basically, the cat becomes overstimulated by its whiskers, causing stress.”
For us humans to better understand how cats may experience whisker fatigue, it’s important to recognize that their whiskers are more than just hairs. These delicate structures play a crucial role in how cats perceive and interact with their surroundings.
“Whisker fatigue occurs when the whiskers continually receive and transmit an overload of sensory information. Basically, the cat becomes overstimulated by its whiskers.”
—Shannon Vawter, medical director and veterinarian for Thrive Pet Healthcare
“Whiskers are highly sensitive and embedded deeply in the cat’s skin, with nerve endings that allow them to detect even the slightest changes in their surroundings,” says Cristy Brusoe, certified cat behaviorist at Cat Training by Cristy. “Whiskers help cats gauge the width of spaces, sense nearby objects and even detect changes in air currents, which is essential for hunting and avoiding obstacles in the dark.”
Your cat’s whiskers are, in a way, like a human’s eyelashes. Just as a piece of dust on your eyelash will make you blink, the sensation of your cat’s bowl against their whiskers may be hard to ignore.
Signs of whisker fatigue in cats
Cats are notorious for hiding signs of discomfort, so the signs of eating issues can be subtle. Brusoe points out the following behaviors as potential signs of whisker fatigue:
- Hesitation before eating.
- Only eating from the center of the bowl.
- Using paws to tip or scoop food or water from bowls.
- Acting hungry but refusing to eat.
- Agitation around mealtimes.
Is whisker fatigue a myth?
Whisker fatigue is a relatively new concept. Vawter explains that many cat experts are skeptical about whether or not this phenomenon truly exists, as it is not widely covered in veterinary textbooks or scientific journals. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that at least some cats prefer to keep their whiskers free during mealtimes.
“As a veterinarian, I have seen a few cases where whisker fatigue caused a cat’s stress,” Vawter says. “We are currently beginning to investigate the issue since we have only been made aware of its existence in the last eight years.”
Lusvardi points to a 2020 study published by the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery that evaluated forty cats for whisker fatigue. Subjects did not seem to experience eating issues when fed from a typical bowl, though around three in four cats seemed to prefer using a whisker-friendly dish. “We can’t really say one way or the other until more research has been done to provide evidence that it exists.”
How to prevent whisker fatigue in cats
Whether your cat shows signs of discomfort or you just want to ensure they have the best possible eating experience, consider feeding them from a shallow plate. “Elevated bowls can also help, as they allow cats to eat and drink in a more natural posture that reduces whisker contact,” says Brusoe.
“Elevated bowls can also help, as they allow cats to eat and drink in a more natural posture that reduces whisker contact.”
—Cristy Brusoe, certified cat behaviorist at Cat Training by Cristy
Switching from a water bowl to an automatic water fountain, too, can help improve your cat’s comfort. The flowing water is not only less likely to brush against your cat’s whiskers, but can also help your cat stay healthy and hydrated.
What if it’s not whisker fatigue?
Experts agree that many cats seem to prefer eating from a whisker-friendly plate, but also brought up an important caveat: if eating issues are brushed off as whisker fatigue, a more serious underlying issue may be left unchecked.
Issues that may be mistaken for whisker fatigue include:
- Dental pain. Around 75% of cats over age three have signs of dental disease, according to The Feline Hospital. A painful infection or abscess can make it difficult for your cat to eat.
- Competition between other pets. Your cat may need a private space to eat if they feel bullied over resources like food and water.
- Gastrointestinal issues. These are common in cats and they may experience occasional inappetence, but if your cat frequently skips out on meals or refuses to eat for more than 24 hours, it’s time to visit your veterinarian.
Lusvardi says not to worry if your cat prefers to graze, rather than finish their food at mealtimes. “Many cat parents feed their cats two larger meals, but the cat may prefer to nibble at their food during the day rather than eating it all at once,” he explains. “This could look like whisker fatigue because the cat munches in shorter bursts, but it’s not actually an abnormal behavior for cats.”
The bottom line
Based on anecdotal reports from experts and a small study, cats may experience whisker fatigue when eating or drinking from a vessel with high sides. Switching to a flat, whisker-friendly food bowl should help, but if your cat still seems to have trouble eating, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
“If you suspect your cat is experiencing whisker fatigue or any other behavioral issues, it’s a good idea to consult with a cat behaviorist or cat trainer,” Brusoe recommends. “They can provide expert advice tailored to your cat’s specific needs and help you make the best decisions for their comfort and well-being.”
