As children, we all heard the story that after a cat's whiskers were shaved, it couldn't even catch mice anymore. Whiskers are an important sensory organ for cats. Although modern cats live a pampered life and don't have to work for themselves, their whiskers are still important. Let's take a look at the function of a cat's whiskers. 
1. Navigation function. A cat's whiskers are thicker than regular fur, with roots extending deep into the skin and filled with nerve endings, thus functioning as tactile receptors. They can also help detect changes in airflow, allowing cats to avoid obstacles in the dark, much like a navigation system.
2. Eye protection. Cats have whiskers not only around their mouths but also above their eyes. These whiskers serve a functional purpose when cats are hunting. When a cat is hunting in grass or bushes, these whiskers can trigger a blinking reflex if something is about to touch its eyes, thus protecting them.
3. Assisted Judgment. The whiskers growing next to the mouth have another special function: helping cats judge whether they can pass through a small passage. Theoretically, the width of a cat's whiskers is roughly the same as the width of its body. Therefore, if the whiskers are not bent when the cat's head passes through the entrance of the passage, it can squeeze its body through the passage.
4. Aid in hunting. In addition to the whiskers on their faces, cats also have whiskers under their wrists, which are quite helpful in hunting. When a cat catches prey with its paws, the whiskers on its wrists help it detect whether the prey is still moving and help pinpoint its location for a precise strike.
5. Observe a cat's mood. When its whiskers hang loosely on both sides of its mouth, it means that it is relaxed. If a cat is preparing to fight or is frightened, its whiskers will lie flat against its face to avoid injuring itself. When preparing to hunt or staying alert, its whiskers will point forward to help detect the presence of prey. This is also useful for owners.
Therefore, a cat's whiskers are sensory organs that should never be shaved off, so as owners, we should not shave our cats' whiskers without consulting a professional.
