Next up was the American Veterinary Medical Association, a group that represents nearly 90,000 bona fide vets and has been around since the days of the Civil War. When asked about whisker fatigue, the association’s president, Tom Meyer, noted that “while a cat’s whiskers are very sensitive, there is currently no evidence showing that whiskers rubbing against food bowls causes cats stress or discomfort.”
Yes, that might be correct, did they back it up with any studies? There is a reason for cats to eat only the stuff in the middle of the bowl and to prefer plates over bowls. I don´t say I know the answer but until now the sensitivity of whiskers is at least the best explanation I have heard. Did the American Veterinary Medical Association offer an alternative explanation? What do you think the reason is cats behave like that?
Most veterinarians doubt the existence of a syndrome known as “whisker fatigue”, but it is important that pet owners understand the structure and function of cat whiskers, and that they treat their cats’ whiskers with respect. And, yes, it is possible that some cats have particularly sensitive whiskers.
It makes sense that good cat care includes observing cats’ eating habits carefully, and if they seem to be averse to eating from narrow, high-sided food bowls, perhaps owners should consider offering food in a different type of receptacle such as a “bowl for whisker relief”, and allowing them to drink from a water fountain, even if the theory behind this is highly debatable.
Having a preference is still a different thing than getting distressed by something and thats what this is about. No one argues that some cats like plates more than bowls, some just do, what people argue against is the distress that supposedly causes.
My cat bonks her teeth on the bottom if there isn’t a Protective Layer of Kibble^tm^ on the bottom. I switched her to a silicone toddler plate ( www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FK341WP ) and she doesn’t have that trouble.
But also- stale greasy meat crackers, covered in dried cat slobber < fresh greasy meat crackers, not covered in dried cat slobber.
The toddler plate with a meal sized portion, cleaned after each use has eliminated kibble waste and fussiness.
Can someone explain to me what exactly has ever been funny about The Oatmeal? The art is hideous, and the “humor” in the strips are the most basic milquetoast observational non-jokes.
I can’t describe this well, but this happens because the cat doesn’t like eating in a way that pushes its whiskers against the bowl’s sides. Those are very sensitive nerves, so pushing its head into a metal space can hurt. so it’s basically only scraping the top. The problem is alleviated by using a shallower, flatter bowl.
I never bought that argument. They squeeze their bodies through holes that only their face just fits into regularly. That would also hurt but they do it.
Probably because the whiskers just slide in that case (I think they also fold it to the side of their face) instead of it constantly hitting the bowl while they eat
maybe cause shaking redistributes the kibble to the center, raising it some. Or because you’ve tricked them into thinking you did something about the issue, then they just push through it.
For those who don’t know it’s very possible if your cat does this, they don’t like their whiskers touching the bowl. Try using a wider bowl or something else to fix this. One of my cats is like this so we use a cat plate for their food and we haven’t had this issue for a long time
I guess not “very likely” but it’s a possibility. As your articles says cats are all different and have different preferences, mine just didn’t like dunking their whiskers into the bowl or maybe it’s easier to eat off of idk. Either way they preferred the switch and don’t bug me anymore about seeing the bottom
My old cat had the same reaction with plates as well. I think we waited too long to switch him over from bowls and he forgot why he hated seeing the bottom so much.
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