Cat Eyebrows: Are there really eyebrows on cats?

Not many people have stopped to wonder whether or not cats have eyebrows, but consideration of this subject often leaves people searching for answers. After all, cats have plenty of hair where their eyebrows theoretically would be, so does this hair constitute cat eyebrows?

Well, the simple answer is no–cats do not technically have eyebrows.

Why don’t cats have eyebrows?

From a biological standpoint, eyebrows are simply not necessary for cats.

As a matter of fact, few animals aside from humans have evolved to possess eyebrows. Eyebrows evolved in humans to protect the eyes from sweat and debris since the faces of most humans lack hair.

Eyebrows also help humans to convey a wide range of emotions that they may be experiencing. Given that cats and most other mammals have faces covered in fur, there was never a need for most mammal species to develop eyebrows.

Our feline friends have comparable face muscles as we humans, so they are capable of conveying fear, anger, excitement, and other emotions, but these emotions are not as apparent in cats because they lack eyebrows to help with emotional expression.

Instead, cats tend to use posture and other means related to body language to show how they are feeling.

Why do cats have whiskers on their eyebrows?

It is common knowledge that cats have whiskers on their upper lips, but as anyone who owns a cat can tell you, our feline friends have whiskers in lesser-known parts of their bodies.

For instance, some may be surprised to realize that cats also have whiskers beneath their chin and on the backside of their forelimbs, but another prominent location where cats have whiskers is in the area in which their eyebrows would be if they possessed eyebrows.

The position of whiskers on the brow region makes it appear as though some kitties have massive, overgrown eyebrows.

Of course, we now know that cats having whiskers in their brow region does not indicate the presence of true eyebrows, but what is the purpose of whiskers on this part of a cat’s face?

Most cats have between six to eight whiskers in the vicinity of their brows.

Male cats usually have longer whiskers than their female counterparts due to the simple fact that they tend to be larger than the ladies.

The whiskers on a cat’s “eyebrow” function just like other ones on a cat’s body, as they help our cat companions perceive their surroundings given that they are highly specialized and sensitive to even the slightest of touch.

Additionally, the whiskers on a cat’s brow also help to preserve a cat’s eyes, as they are specifically designed to detect potential threats to the eyes.

Why are my cat’s eyebrows falling out?

The brow region is one of the most common places for cats to lose their fur. People that have owned cats that have lost a bit of fur around their brows know that it almost appears that their “eyebrows” are falling out.

Infestation from fleas, ticks, or other pests, allergies, environmental stress, and hormonal imbalances are the leading causes of the loss of fur around a cat’s brow.

It is also important to realize that the whiskers of cats will naturally fall out at some point given that they are nothing more than specialized hair follicles.

Therefore, do not be alarmed if you notice that your cat is losing a few whiskers, as this is perfectly normal.

In a matter of weeks, the whiskers that your feline friend lost will have grown back. While it can be stressful to see your beloved kitty lose hair, all of the previously listed reasons for hair loss pose little harm to your cat and are easily treatable.

Owners who notice that their cats are losing fur around their brows may want to take their cat in to their local vet as a precautionary measure-especially if hair loss occurs rapidly or if more than a few whiskers are lost at once.

A vet will be able to diagnose the cause of the hair loss, offer treatment advice, and—perhaps most importantly—offer assurance that your cat companion will be just fine.

Do cat eyebrows grow back?

Owners of cats that have recently experienced hair loss in their brow region can rest assured knowing that “eyebrow” hair will grow back in a healthy cat.

If the hair does not grow back, it would be advisable to bring your kitty to a vet so they can assess if any potentially adverse health conditions are preventing the fur from growing back.

Even if the hair and whiskers around a cat’s brow scarcely resemble what they formerly looked like, it is no big deal for your cat.

The whiskers near a cat’s brow can certainly be helpful to a cat, but they are by no means a necessity.

In fact, it is common in some cat breeds to completely lack any sort of hair or whiskers around their brow, proving that cats can live very comfortably without it.

Do cat eyebrows vary from breed to breed?

Most cat breeds have eyebrow whiskers, though as mentioned above, there are certain breeds of cats that often lack eyebrow whiskers altogether.

With its near hairless body, it is not surprising that many sphinxes lack any sort of hair or whisker in their brow region, but they are not the only breed known to be deficient in eyebrow whiskers–cat breeds such as the Cornish and Devon Rex breeds are also known to have reduced or absent eyebrow whiskers.

While some cat breeds have barely noticeable eyebrow whiskers, other breeds are on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Cat breeds with a long fur coat typically have eyebrow whiskers that are also quite extensive.

Persians, Ragdolls, Norwegian Forest Cats and Maine Coons are a few examples of cat breeds with bold eyebrow whiskers.

Whether you call them cat eyebrows, eyebrow whiskers or just plain whiskers, one thing’s for certain: they’re just plain cute. And that is nothing to raise your eyebrows about!

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