Can You Cut Dog Whiskers?

Do you ask yourself, “Can you cut dog whiskers?”.

You’re in the right place.

When your dog’s fur or whiskers are cut or trimmed, they will eventually grow back; however, cutting your dog’s whiskers is extremely dangerous.

Taking your dog to the groomer is similar to going to the hairdresser; every salon is unique, and the same goes for the groomer.

Grooming doesn’t mean cutting dog whiskers because the function of dog whiskers is ultimately a dog’s sixth sense and works similarly to human eyelashes.

Your dog won’t suffer harm if you accidentally cut its whiskers, but a dog without them might feel lost.

A dog’s whiskers act as sensors to navigate its surroundings safely.

Your dog might become disoriented and lose dog’s sense of direction if you are cut off.

As you know now the answer to the question “can you cut dog whiskers”, continue to read to get more information.

What happens exactly when dog whiskers are removed, what purpose they serve in your dog’s daily life, and how you can groom your dog without removing his whiskers are all covered in the following information.

What Happens When You Cut A Dog’s Whiskers

black dog white whiskers

We still don’t fully understand the exact effects of cutting whiskers or whether they are seriously harmful.

Many people think cutting will impair the dog’s ability to navigate its environment.

Your dog might become disoriented due to missing whiskers and frequently run into walls or other objects.

The sensitive whiskers on your dog’s face are typically touched when a dog approaches an object, alerting the brain’s neurons that something is in front of the dog’s head.

Whiskers are here to help your dog figure out what things are and determine objects’ size, shape, and speed.

Removing this beneficial mechanism could result in accidents, especially at night.

Whether it’s safe or not, cutting your dog’s whiskers is unnecessary, and you should discuss your preferences with your groomer to spare your pet any additional stress during grooming.

How To Trim Dog Whiskers

What can you do since you should never cut your dog’s whiskers completely and risk harming your dog?

The correct way to trim a dog’s whiskers with scissors will not harm the animal.

So the answer to the question “can you cut dog whiskers?” is no, but you can trim dog whiskers in a harmless way.

Here are some pointers:

  • Keep the scissors parallel to your dog’s face when cutting

  • Trim gradually, taking care not to cut your dog’s whiskers

  • Have a helping hand

  • Hold your dog still while you do this

  • Avoid using electric clippers because you might end up cutting too much

Does Trimming Whiskers Hurt?

Like other types of hair, vibrissae lack a nerve supply, so they cannot send pain signals to the brain.

It is comparable to correctly done nail cutting, which doesn’t hurt at all.

dog at groomer

Why Do Dogs Require Whiskers?

Pet whiskers transmit sensory data to the dog’s brain, allowing them to explore their environment better.

Dogs rely on their whiskers because they don’t have the best eyesight, especially when looking for small objects or anything close-up.

The nerves at the rounded tip of a dog’s whiskers are stimulated by any contact or air movement, sending essential signals to the brain.

Your dog uses its whiskers to identify objects and judge their size, shape, and speed.

They can even aid in night vision and determining whether they can fit through narrow openings.

Dogs’ whiskers around their eyes provide additional defense because touching something typically causes them to blink, preventing harmful objects like dirt from getting into their eyes.

Additionally, since the tiny hairs can detect nearby objects, whiskers can protect your dog from getting branches or twigs in the eyes while walking.

The first hairs to grow on a dog are their whiskers, which aid in your dog’s ability to navigate safely.

That indicates that whiskers are crucial to your dog’s life because they assist in navigation and environment understanding, compensate for poor vision, and keep your dog safe.

Do Dog Whiskers Grow Back?

Yes, dog whiskers grow back, so it’s not the end of your groomer accidentally cutting them.

Even lost whiskers can fully regrow to their original size, but hair growth rate varies, and there is no exact timeline.

The growth rate is influenced by your dog’s age, coat type, and general health.

What Causes My Dog’s Whiskers To Shed?

It is usual for your dog’s whiskers to fall out now and then, and there is no need to be concerned.

However, losing whiskers could indicate something else is wrong.

As a dog owner, you must identify why your dog is shedding whiskers.

Dogs shed whiskers due to following reasons:

Stress

Sometimes the stress can cause your dog’s whiskers to shed, especially if you have recently moved into a new home or added a new pet or miniature human to your dog’s current residence.

Your furry friend can lose some or all of the whiskers.

They will regrow, as was already stated.

But if you see this happening, it might be a sign that you should try to calm your dog down by giving him lots of time with routines and people he knows.

That can significantly lessen his stress.

Malnutrition

One of the most recent causes of a dog’s whiskers falling out on their own is malnutrition.

They will recover better and stronger than ever with the proper diet and stability!

Check with a bet to see what’s going on with this diet if you notice this happening to your dog.

Sickness

Sickness can occasionally be a sign that your dog’s whiskers are shedding.

That usually goes along with other symptoms, but if you don’t think it’s due to diet or an increase in stress, you should have your loved one examined by a veterinarian to rule out anything else.

Types Of Whiskers

dog mouth open with tongue

All dogs have vibrissae, or whiskers, on various body parts.

However, some dog breeds look extraordinary because they have longer whiskers than others.

Let’s dive deeper into the different types of whiskers:

Superciliary Whiskers

These long whiskers surround the top and outer edges of the eyes, as their name might imply.

These are also known as supraorbital whiskers.

These whiskers are primarily in charge of protecting your dog’s eyes and snout as he explores his surroundings.

Mystacial Whiskers

These are the shortest whiskers on dogs, typically.

Thick, coarse hairs protrude straight out from a dog’s upper lip or dog’s muzzle.

Their primary function is to aid dogs in locating nearby food.

Genal Whiskers

These dog whiskers are located along their jawline and on the dog’s cheeks.

They frequently have various angles and lengths.

The function of these whiskers is to broaden your dog’s field of vision.

Interramal Whiskers

These whiskers, which are under the dog’s chin and are frequently longer, help your dog see more of the area beneath them so that, even though they can’t see it, they can still understand some of what is going on there.

Before You Go…

Now you know the answer to the question, “Can you cut dog whiskers?”.

If you want to learn more, read the following articles too!

Dimitra Kokologianni, DVM
Dimitra holds a Masters’s degree in public health and a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. She is a versatile professional with over 7 years of experience. Her passion for animal welfare and preventive medicine makes her an excellent resource for our readers.