What Are Dog Whiskers For?

  Estimated Read Time: 3 minutes Summary: You may have noticed that your dog has whiskers! In this blog we learn what dog whiskers are for, if they fall out, whether you can trim them, if they’re sensitive and why they exist…   We know that dogs are covered in hair but did you know […]

4 min read·Updated: Mar 06, 2025
What Are Dog Whiskers For?

 

Estimated Read Time: 3 minutes

Summary: You may have noticed that your dog has whiskers! In this blog we learn what dog whiskers are for, if they fall out, whether you can trim them, if they’re sensitive and why they exist…

 

We know that dogs are covered in hair but did you know that dogs have whiskers!? We usually associate whiskers with our feline friends, but your dog actually has whiskers too! But, why? What’s the purpose of a dog’s whiskers…?

What Are Whiskers?

Whiskers on both cats, dogs, and other animals, are long, thick hairs that are located on the chin, above the eyebrows, and on their upper lip/muzzle. The exact positioning of whiskers vary breed to breed but what’s shared between all dogs is how sensitive they are…

The roots of a whisker goes three times deeper than any other hair on their body! This is because the follicles they are connected to are surrounded by nerves and blood vessels; essential for their function. They’re quite wiry to touch and are naturally present on a dog at every stage of their life.

What Are Dog Whiskers For?

Whiskers are primarily a sensory navigational tool, similar to insect antennae. They help your dog detect changes in the environment, movement and sense objects. Their whiskers will tell them when spaces are too narrow to get through and whiskers can aid in detecting debris which can trigger the closing of the eyes and shaking of the body. Closing the eyelids protects the eyes from foreign bodies and a body shake helps rid them of unwanted and potentially irritable debris, dust, sand and dirt.

Whiskers are also thought to play a part in communication (like their tail!). Some studies suggest that whiskers rise when a dog is happy and content and if they’re anxious or feel threatened, the whiskers may flare in the direction of the potential hazard. 

the profile of a white dog's snout as they pant. you can visibly see their whiskers

Can You Cut Dog Whiskers?

Cutting, trimming or plucking a dog’s whiskers can cause them to become very confused and is completely unnecessary. Plucking would cause pain for your dog too. It will leave them less able to sense the world and space around them, communicate and can also leave them vulnerable to eye injuries. 

Cutting a dog’s whiskers is not an advisable thing to do as whiskers are a functional part of their body – they’re not just for aesthetic purposes. An owner would only be satisfying their vanity around the appearance of their pup if they choose to cut them; this choice would not be in the best interest of the dog. 

If you have your pup groomed, your groomer may trim around the whiskers which is fine but they also should never mess with the length of your dog’s whiskers. 

Whiskers Falling Out

It is common for the occasional and odd whicker to splinter or fall out completely. As long as it’s not triggered by human interference or disease, this is normally nothing to worry about. If it seems like a lot of whiskers falling out, contact your vet.

Do Dog Whiskers Grow Back?

If your dog’s whiskers have fallen out or they’ve been cut, yes, they should grow back. But remember, cutting them can cause your dog to become confused, so be patient with them whilst they grow back if this is the case. If you have any concerns about your dog’s whiskers, contact your vet.

Sources

Author Taffer, Marissa “Why Do Dogs Have Whiskers?” Sep 14. 2021, Dog-Eared https://blog.myollie.com/why-do-dogs-have-whiskers/

Authors Llera, Ryan BSc, DVM and Buzhardt, Lynn DVM ”Why Do Dogs Have Whiskers?” VCA Hospitals https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-do-dogs-have-whiskers

Becca TriggB
Written by

Becca Trigg

Becca Trigg is a content creator and pet-industry writer, with over 5 years of experience at PetLab Co. She is an all round animal lover, with a keen interest in canine joint health, dental hygiene and nutrition. When she’s not typing away in the office, she can be found sitting in a country pub, growing chillies or cuddling up with her family dog Maggie, a chocolate Labrador.

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The information contained within this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice. PetLab Co. is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If your pet has, or you suspect your pet has any medical condition, you are urged to consult your veterinarian. Medical conditions can only be diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Results May Vary. Not intended for human consumption. Please consult your veterinarian regarding any change in treatment or supplementation.
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