It turns out, cats must have exactly 24 whiskers — 12 on each side!

Exactly 24 whiskers, 12 on each side, should be on the face of a healthy cat, and deviation from this norm signals hidden diseases. 

These whiskers, more correctly called vibrissae, are positioned symmetrically on either side of the nose on the face and are arranged in four rows, 12 on each side.

According to veterinarian, international‑category expert Vladimir Urazhevsky, if a feline has fewer whiskers than the norm, it may be a sign of serious illnesses such as fungal infections, parasites, hormonal disorders, thyroid problems, diabetes, or extreme stress.