Because a cat’s whiskers are constantly transmitting information, there’s a theory that this can lead to whisker fatigue, writes Sarah Wooten, DVM. She explains the situations that lead to whisker fatigue and behaviors that can indicate a cat is getting sensory overload.
It is thought that contact with everyday items can lead to whisker fatigue, particularly food and water bowls.”
Source: PetMD, January 2017. Link. Not all veterinarians believe whisker fatigue in cats is a valid concern, and there have been almost no studies to determine the validity of the claim that whisker fatigue exists.