Why do LaPerm whiskers look like they are participating in the hairstyle?

The LaPerm's whiskers actually grow from the same genetic mutation that gives them their curly coat. Unlike most cats, where whiskers are straight and rigid, a LaPerm's whiskers are often crimped or wavy, which makes them blend right in with the curls on the face and head. It's not that the whiskers are trying to match the hairstyle-it's that the same gene affects all the hair on the body, including those specialized tactile hairs.

From a practical standpoint, this can be a bit of a quirk. Wavy whiskers might not be as efficient for sensing narrow spaces, but I've never seen it cause a problem for my LaPerms. They still navigate just fine, and honestly, the curled whiskers just add to their already charming, tousled look. It's one of those features that makes the breed so endearing-they always look like they just rolled out of bed, whiskers and all.

The curly or crimped appearance of a LaPerm's whiskers is simply a result of the same dominant gene that creates their wavy coat. This gene affects all hair follicles, including the vibrissae (whiskers), so they grow with a natural wave or kink instead of being straight. It's not that the whiskers are trying to match the hairstyle-it's that they're made of the same curly hair fibers. In practice, this means their whiskers can be slightly less stiff than a typical cat's, which sometimes makes them look a bit disheveled or like they're blending in with the face curls.

The confusion here usually comes from assuming whiskers are a separate type of hair. In LaPerms, the same dominant gene that creates those soft, rippling curls on the body also affects the vibrissae. Whiskers aren't styled to match-they're simply made of the same curly fibers, so they naturally take on a crimped or wavy shape. If you look closely, a LaPerm's whiskers are often more brittle and prone to breakage than straight ones, which can also make them appear shorter or more "styled" over time.

Back in the days when I first started seeing LaPerms, folks would ask if the whiskers had been permed too. The truth is, that curly coat gene doesn't discriminate-it affects every hair follicle on the cat, including the whiskers. So what you're seeing isn't a fashion choice; it's the same genetic wave that puts those ripples all over the body, just showing up on the face.

I recall a fellow breeder who used to say the whiskers were "borrowed from a poodle." But really, it's simpler than that. The whiskers grow in with that same soft crimp, so they naturally curl and blend right into the facial curls. It's not that they're trying to match the hairstyle-they're made of the same curly stuff, plain and simple.

That's such a lovely way to put it, and honestly, it's one of my favorite things about the breed. When I'm grooming my LaPerm girl, I always smile at how her whiskers curl right along with the waves on her cheeks and forehead. The reason is that the same gene responsible for that soft, rippling coat also affects the whisker follicles, so they grow with a natural crimp or wave instead of being straight and stiff.

I've noticed that this gives their faces a wonderfully soft, tousled look that feels so different from the sharp, clean lines of a typical cat's whiskers. It's not that they're trying to match a hairstyle-it's just that every hair on a LaPerm, from the tip of the tail to the tip of the whisker, is part of that same curly family. In my experience, those wavy whiskers are also a bit more fragile, so I'm extra gentle when wiping her face after meals. They really do feel like they're in on the whole curly "do," and that's part of what makes each LaPerm so delightfully unique.

Because the LaPerm’s curly coat is caused by a dominant gene that affects every single hair follicle on the cat, including the whiskers. Those whiskers aren’t styled to match-they’re literally made of the same kinked, crimped fibers as the rest of the coat. So what you’re seeing is just the genetic wave showing up on the face, plain and simple.

In practice, this means a LaPerm’s whiskers are often more fragile and prone to breaking than straight ones, which is why you might see them looking a bit shorter or irregular. It’s not a fashion statement-it’s just the same mutation that makes the body curls, doing its thing right on the muzzle.