Most cats have four kinds: down hairs, awn hairs, guard
hairs, and vibrissae. There can be up to 200 hairs per
square millimeter!
The down hairs are the closest to the skin. They are the
shortest, finest, softest hairs on the cat, and their
purpose is to keep the cat warm. If down hairs are viewed
under a microscope, they will reveal their crimps (or waves)
that help make them such good insulators. But to our eyes,
the down hairs appear straight.
The awn hairs make up the middle coat of the cat. They
partly insulate the cat and partly protect the down hairs
underneath.
The guard hairs are the protective topcoat. They are the
longer and thicker than either the down or awn hairs. They
protect the underfur from the outside elements, keeping it
dry. The guard hairs are straight and evenly tapered along
their length.
The vibrissae are greatly enlarged and toughened hairs that
are used as organs of touch. These specialized tactile hairs
are the whiskers found on the upper lips, the cheeks, above
the eyes, and on the wrists of the forelegs.
The down hairs are the most numerous. On the average, for
every 1000 down hairs, there are about 300 awn hairs, and
20 guard hairs. But their is considerable variation among
the different cat breeds. For example, Cornish Rex cats
have no guard hairs. And the size and shape of these three
types of hairs can vary by breed as well. Wirehaired cats,
for instance, have all three hair types, but all three are
short and curly. But most cats have all the hair types
described here.
Some cats barely notice when they are having their nails trimmed, while others squirm and resist relentlessly. Nail trimming is a necessary part of your pet's grooming routine. Over-grown nails drag on the ground and cause discomfort that can travel up the leg when your pet walks or runs. When dewclaws, near the pet's ankle, are not trimmed,
they can curve into the skin and trigger pain and infection. Trimmed nails are also less capable of damaging furniture or skin when the animal scratches. Cats need monthly trims. A telling sign that your pet needs a trim is a scratching noise when it walks across the kitchen floor.
