My cat's whiskers are breaking. Why do they look like they were cut?

If everything else looks normal in the area, its probably fine to monitor. Sometimes the hair cycle can sync up. As long as the whiskers are regrowing, this is normal. If you see lesions on the skin, this could indicate pathology and DMX should see his veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hello. Unfortunately, your pictures never came through, but this might be something best left to a hands on examination with a veterinarian. Hair loss could be from the burn, but it can also be due to a bacterial infection, mange mites ( demodex ), or even ringworm, which is contagious to people. More than likely, she lost the whiskers also to the burn. I do not think you trimming them caused the disappearance. If the follicle (root) was not damaged, the whiskers should grow back. And the brown discharge in the ears may just be extra ear wax & dirt, or a sign of an infection or even ear mites. So, you have several reasons to take Sofia into a veterinarian. Everything can be sorted out pretty quickly, & if she needs any medications or treatments, the right ones will be sent home. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This is often a bite wound abscess either starting or in the healing phase. Continue to monitor this area and if it swells up with fluid, it's an abscess and will need to be drained by your veterinarian. Other options are a skin infection like ringworm or mange, or an old healing scab from some kind of wound. Some cats have ear mites and they are so itchy that they scratch their face raw underneath the ear they are trying to reach.

Some hair growth issues can be caused by ringworm, and I would recommend that Miho get checked out by a vet. Other causes of brittle hair or slow growth include improper nutrition, intestinal parasites, or other health issues. After examination and a medical history discussion, the vet can make recommendations for treatment or supplements to improve the condition of her fur.

I am sorry to hear about your kitten! From the photos you show, the thinned hair in the areas in front of the ears can be a normal variation. If you notice any redness/bumps/scabs on the area or the hair thins so much that there are bald spots then this would be concerning and we would worry about things such as external parasites, ringworm (a fungal infection), bacterial infection. We may also worry about infection inside the ears from bacteria, yeast, or mites, if the kitten is rubbing/scratching at the ears there thereby rubbing the area in front of the ears as a result causing damage to the skin. If there are other pets or small children in the house I would wonder if the longer whiskers were removed from play with them, or if the kitten goes outdoors. I would, however, recommend an examination if your kitten is acting lethargic. This is a very vague symptoms so there could be a multitude of causes and a physical exam may better help the vet determine the possible cause of lethargy.

This is likely an age related change and nothing to worry about. Some animals can develop white hair or whiskers prematurely at a younger age even. Regardless, it is typically something that is not concerning. Maintain her annual exam and get her blood tested each year as a preventive screening. I hope this helps!

Cats normally shed whiskers just like they shed their other fur. So, it is normal to occasionally find whiskers, but it is a little weird to find 3 whiskers in 3 days. If there are areas in her whiskers that are appearing bare or thin or any other areas of hair loss, then I would recommend having your veterinarian examine her. If everything looks fine around her whiskers, then it might just be a fluke that you have found 3 whiskers so close together and you may not see any more for a while. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.