What Are Dog Whiskers For?

There are many body parts in the animal world that seem to serve little purpose. For example, why does a lion have a mane, a human have a spleen or a dog have whiskers? Although the purpose of these might not be immediately obvious, there is a good reason why a dog has whiskers, and they play a vital role in all dogs' day-to-day lives.

  1. What do They Do?

    • Whiskers on all animals play the same role -- they act as a sensory organ in the same way as people's finger tips do. Vibrations caused by air currents make the whiskers vibrate, allowing dogs to better visualize the surrounding area. Whiskers on dogs also protect the eyes. This is why dogs have whiskers situated above the eye where a person would have eye lashes.

    What are They Made From?

    • The physical make-up of whiskers is identical to the fur on the rest of the dog, but whiskers are at least twice as thick. The roots are also much stronger and there is a blood sinus between the inner and outer layer of the follicle which is the nerve ending allowing the whisker to sense.

    Problems with Whiskers

    • Dogs rely a large amount of whiskers, especially working dogs and pets that spend a lot of time outside. Whiskers are susceptible to diseases similar to those that can effect fur and skin. Pyoderma, a bacterial infection attacking the skin, mange, trauma, burns and dysplasia all affect the whiskers. Standard dermatological tests and treatments can be used to diagnose and cure problems with whiskers.

    Should They be Trimmed?

    • Dogs that compete in dog shows often have their whiskers trimmed short to make the muzzle and face tidier and more symmetrical. This is not necessarily a problem because whiskers will grow back, but there can be problems if they are cut to short.