Purposes of dog whiskers
Nearly all animals have whiskers. The coarse, long and larger hairs found above the eyes, on the upper lip and on the chin of animals are the vibrissae or the commonly known whiskers. Dogs are furry animals and whiskers are believed to be the first hairs that puppies grow. Whiskers are longer, thicker and larger hair so that even among the fur, whiskers will be very noticeable. The roots of whiskers are set three times deeper than ordinary hair. Unlike the ordinary hairs, whiskers are considered as live hairs because the network of nerves on the roots of these hairs make them ultra sensitive receptors.
Dogs are noted for their very sensitive senses. The hearing and scenting abilities of these animals are legendary. While it is difficult for humans to see at night, foraging in the dark will be an easy task for dogs as their eyes have the ability to see better in the dark. As if these ultra sensitive senses are not enough, nature has gifted dogs with whiskers that improve the senses furthermore. Because of the sensitivity, whiskers would function not unlike an antenna when touched.
When these hairs brush against anything, the network of nerves the hairs are attached to would send a message to the brain so that the dog can sense not only the presence but the size as well of objects in close proximity. Whiskers are indispensable tools especially for dog breeds that follow prey in burrows. Dogs don't have shoulders and the body is a bit wedge shaped so that it would be easy to go in but going out would be difficult. Whiskers though are longer than the fur. If whiskers have brushed against the walls of the burrow, a message will be sent to the brain informing the dog that entering the hole is not a good idea.
Whiskers are also used as the dog's self preservation tools. Whiskers allows dogs to avoid their predators. Although this theory is up for debate, scientists believe that through the whiskers the dog can pick up the predator's worst fears. Dogs will subconsciously use these fears to terrorize the predators.
Whiskers are very sensitive thus try not to rub these hairs against the hair growth when patting the pet as this will make the dog very uncomfortable. Plucking whiskers must be avoided as not only would be it remove the hair that enhances the dog's senses but it will also cause bleeding given the fact that whiskers are deeply rooted about 3 times more than the normal hair.
Dogs are noted for their very sensitive senses. The hearing and scenting abilities of these animals are legendary. While it is difficult for humans to see at night, foraging in the dark will be an easy task for dogs as their eyes have the ability to see better in the dark. As if these ultra sensitive senses are not enough, nature has gifted dogs with whiskers that improve the senses furthermore. Because of the sensitivity, whiskers would function not unlike an antenna when touched.
When these hairs brush against anything, the network of nerves the hairs are attached to would send a message to the brain so that the dog can sense not only the presence but the size as well of objects in close proximity. Whiskers are indispensable tools especially for dog breeds that follow prey in burrows. Dogs don't have shoulders and the body is a bit wedge shaped so that it would be easy to go in but going out would be difficult. Whiskers though are longer than the fur. If whiskers have brushed against the walls of the burrow, a message will be sent to the brain informing the dog that entering the hole is not a good idea.
Whiskers are also used as the dog's self preservation tools. Whiskers allows dogs to avoid their predators. Although this theory is up for debate, scientists believe that through the whiskers the dog can pick up the predator's worst fears. Dogs will subconsciously use these fears to terrorize the predators.
Whiskers are very sensitive thus try not to rub these hairs against the hair growth when patting the pet as this will make the dog very uncomfortable. Plucking whiskers must be avoided as not only would be it remove the hair that enhances the dog's senses but it will also cause bleeding given the fact that whiskers are deeply rooted about 3 times more than the normal hair.
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