Cat fur...and dogs, rabbits, whatever?

[susiebryce]

Why does it only reach a certain length? I'm aware that it grows, sheds and is replaced by new fur, but how does it know to stop growing at that uniform length, and why? It would be funny to see cats with hair trailing along the ground, but it could go a bit longer...like male lion's manes...why isn't my cat's head all shaggy?
Question asked by my son...don't let me down!

 

[JennyS]

Well its one of those conundrums in life.

But DNA, probably has something to do with it.

But my dogs hair grew really long around the neck when we moved to scotland from the tropics, so there is probably some controls, but obviously not very much.

You son would be pleased to know, (maybe or maybe not) that now due to the long hair around her neck she does look a bit like a lion dog!

 

[leek_girl_14]

Something to do with genes
every ones hair has different life expectancy
so if it dies quick (3 week) it will have short hair