The presence of hair is one of the many characteristics that distinguish mammals from other classes of animals, such as reptiles and birds. Other characteristics include the anatomy of our inner ears, the structure of our jaws, and the presence and function of mammary glands. You’ve probably heard and used hair and fur interchangeably, along with coat, pelt, or pelage, depending on what animal you’re talking about.
From a scientific point of view, the words are the same. How we use them is more nuanced. We can refer to an animal’s “fur” or “skin” as a collective term for all the hair on an animal. We often say “hair” when referring to individual strands. Regardless of the word, they refer to the same thing. However, cats have different types of hair with special functions.
The Function of Hair and Its Evolution
Scientists hypothesize that hair and warm blood or endothermy are related. However, this is one of the earlier types of questions. It makes evolutionary sense why natural selection would favor hair because it keeps the animal warm. Being warm-blooded requires energy, and insulation allows the creature to preserve it.
Of course, hair serves many other purposes. It provides camouflage so cats can hunt and catch their prey. Also, the spotted appearance of kittens protects children from predators. Hair also helps a cat communicate with other animals. Imagine a cat’s back fur prickling or their tail wagging at the threshold of a conflict. It has a similar function for you as a pet owner.
The condition of a cat’s fur can indicate the state of the animal’s physical and mental health. A dull coat or hair loss can be a red flag of anything, from a nutritional deficiency to stress to a medical condition. It is worth noting that we are talking about cat hair collectively. Therefore, we chose fur and coat to describe this physical characteristic.
The Genetics of Hair Length
Density and length also come into the conversation when distinguishing between hair and fur, especially in dogs. We can use the former to refer to the fine, long coat of an Afghan Hound and the latter when talking about the dense coat of the Alaskan Malamute. The takeaway is that genetics determine an animal’s hair length. A short-haired cat’s fur will only grow so long, for example.
Short hair is the default for our pet cats. Scientists have identified the Near Eastern or African wildcat (Lybian wild cat) as the likely ancestor of our domestic animals.1 These animals live in a variety of habitats in the grasslands and scrublands of the continent. Being long haired will be a hindrance as it can grow faster and hinder their survival and reproductive success.
Long Haired Cat
Researchers have identified four genetic mutations that make cats long-haired. They met the oldest Turkish Angora. Three others are associated with specific breeds: the Ragdoll, Maine Coon, and Norwegian Forest Cat. Having long hair is a recessive trait. That means a kitten must inherit this copy or allele of the gene from both parents in order to express it visually.
A mitigating factor in all these variants is the role of domestication and selective breeding. Fanciers have made these cats long-haired by breeding animals with the desired traits. One could also argue that this trait is necessary for survival in the case of Nordic breeds. This is not unique to wild cats, including the snow leopard (Ounce for ounce) being a classic example.
Fur is probably a more accurate description of the thick, long animal coats needed to withstand the extreme weather of the mountains of Central Asia. It is often helpful to distinguish these physical characteristics when discussing whether cats have hair or fur. This species makes a solid case for the use of the latter term.
Types of Cat Hair
We can find other incidents where the use of hair or feathers may be more appropriate. Let’s consider the types of hair that most cats have. Guard hairs are what give your pet their color and what you stroke when interacting with your cat. Their length is quite long, depending on the breed. These coarse hairs are a protective outer coat, acting as a water-resistant barrier and helping to protect the cat’s skin from other environmental elements.
Awn hairs are the next layer. It is shorter than the above. It is multi-functional, helping to insulate and protect.
Down hairs are next and closest to the skin of the animal. Its purpose is in its name—to keep the cat warm, unlike the comforter you put on your bed. Multiple layers leave air space for additional insulation.
Beards
The most specialized of cat hairs is its whiskers. They exist on the animal’s face, above the eyes, and on their legs. They serve a sensory function through their terminal connection with nerves. They help your kitten navigate their world, even in the dark. They provide a wealth of information about the environment and environment that a cat needs to hunt and survive life’s challenges.
No one would refer to a cat’s whiskers as fur. This is a case where we can definitely say that they are hairs, although many do not know what they are. After all, they are different from what we think of as hairs. They are long and hard. Their sensory function can be seen if you try to touch them. Even the most docile pet is likely to object to this interaction.
Final Thoughts
The difference between hairs and feathers is a matter of degrees. While the two words mean the same thing, we often differentiate the two by density. The former are the individual fibers, while the latter refers to their total collection. That’s a colloquial distinction but useful in many contexts. However, whiskers are an example of specialized hairs where this terminology applies.
Featured Image Credit: Light Hound Pictures, Shutterstock
