Can a dog’s whiskers be trimmed?

A dog’s whiskers must not be cut off. They do more than decorate the face – they also measure distance, and the follicles at the base of the whiskers contain many tactile nerves that sense changes in temperature and air flow in the environment. Because a dog’s eyesight is not as good as a human’s, losing its whiskers easily affects daily life and the dog may get stuck in narrow places and unable to get out.

Some dogs are especially timid, and after having their whiskers trimmed they may show a stress response from severe discomfort. So unless necessary, it is not recommended to cut a dog’s whiskers.