Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 1/14/2012

Question
Hi Dr. Gotthelf,

I have a question about my girl, Karlie. Karlie is turning 2 years old, I adopted her last year (exactly one year ago this Sunday the 15th). Since I adopted her she constantly gets split whiskers, like we get split hairs. I spoke with her doctors about this, 5 of them. I've spoken with pet store people, vet techs. Nobody has any answers why she gets them. Her one doctor suggested fish oil, which she has been on for about 6 months, but yet her split whiskers are no better. Her holistic doctor put her on something for skin and coat, but it seems like since she started this about 2 months ago they are worse.

I've had dogs my whole life (36 years, geez) and I have never had a dog get split whiskers. Karlie has had about 30+ since I adopted her, currently she has 6. No one is concerned about her split whiskers but me. To me it means something.

I feel that Karlie eats good food. She eats Halo and Blue.

Do you have any idea why my girl keeps getting split ends? Or, what I can do to maybe stop them?

Thanks,
Have a good weekend,
Ricki and Karlie

Answer
It is very common for normal cats to have split whiskers.  Some vets think that there may be ringworm issues that cause it. It is simple to put the cut end of a whisker on a fungal culture growth plate and see if anything grows.  Others say that this just helps intensify the sensing ability of the whiskers.  I would agree with your vet...do nothing.