Why Do Cats Purr? 6 Reasons Why & How They Do It!

Have you ever sat down on your couch or bed only to have your cat jump up on your lap? It appears that as soon as you begin stroking them, they begin to purr. Some cats purr gently and softly, while others make a racecar-like sound.

What causes this purring to begin? What is going on when your cat sits in the middle of the room purring for no apparent reason? How does purring occur, and why does it appear that cats can purr indefinitely?

In this article about why and how cats purr, we answer all of these questions and more.

Cats Purr for 6 Reasons

1. They Are Happy

The most obvious reason a cat purrs is that it is content. A purr often indicates that they are content with social interaction. This purr could indicate that they are content in the presence of a human or another animal friend.

2. They're Hungry

Many cats purr when they are in need of something, most notably food. If you listen carefully, you'll notice a difference in how your cat purrs when they're happy and when they want something from you.

The mealtime purr has been perfected by domesticated cats. This purr combines their usual purring sound with a less appealing mewing frequency. It imitates the tone and pitch of a baby's cry, which is a natural signal for humans. Cats are aware that we are more likely to react to this sound.

3. They want to inform their mother that they are fine.

Kittens purr while feeding or when they are near their mothers to let them know they are fine. Purring allows them to bond with their mother. Mother cats purr back to their kittens as a lullaby to help them feel at ease and settle in. That is why you will frequently hear tiny purrs from feeding kittens and the mother cat gently purring back every now and then.

4. They are distressed and want to console themselves

Although this has not been proven conclusively, a cat in pain or fear will purr to comfort itself. When a cat is upset, he or she will frequently begin to purr. They do this to make themselves feel better and to demonstrate to the other party that they are not a threat.

5. They Indicate Peaceful Intentions

Cats who do not want to fight will frequently purr when approaching another cat. They purr when approached, whether they are friends or strangers, to signal a white flag. They have no desire to scratch it out. They only want to say hello. This is common when an older, frailer cat approaches a younger, more agile one.

6. They are self-healing.

One of the most notable reasons for a cat's purr has only recently been discovered. Surprisingly, it validates century-old veterinary myths about cats' ability to heal themselves. When a cat purrs, it can produce frequencies ranging from 25 to 150 hertz.

These sound frequencies have been shown to increase bone density and work as a natural healing mechanism. Purring has been shown in studies to relieve pain, repair bones, and heal wounds in cats.

This is one of the instinctual reasons why cats purr when they are in pain. Each purr acts as a low-dose pain reliever while their bodies repair themselves.

What Is the Purr of a Cat?

Now that you have a better understanding of why cats purr, you may be curious as to how they do it. It takes concentration for humans to make that sound, and it quickly dries out our throats. Happy cats, on the other hand, appear to be able to purr for days.

When the brain sends signals to the voice box or larynx, a cat begins to purr. Vibrations are produced by the muscles of the larynx in response to these signals. The muscles function as a valve, opening and closing the cat's vocal cords, allowing air to escape and, with it, the purring sound.

Cats can purr as a result of this when they breathe in and out. However, the method is not entirely related to their respiratory system.

What causes a cat to purr is still a hotly debated topic among animal researchers. Some scientists believe that cats purr because their brains release endorphins. That makes sense when they purr because they are happy or relaxed, but what about all the other times they purr?

Another school of thought holds that a cat's purr is the entirely voluntary use of the nervous system. That means they can purr whenever they want to communicate their feelings to those around them. Doesn't that sound like a cat?

The final modern theory proposes that specific brainwaves or rhythmic patterns of neural activity cause the cat to purr in different situations.

Surprising Fact: Not All Cats Purr

Pantherinae cats are unable to roar. Large cats such as lions and tigers are examples of this. They roar rather than purr. Their genetics have changed since their common ancestor, resulting in a lack of the necessary processes and muscles to produce a purr. Their epihyal bone, in particular, was replaced by a ligament, which made all the difference.

The majority of other cats on the planet have the ability to purr. Purring is something that all domestic cats can do. Outside of the Pantherinae family, there are many big cats that can purr but not roar. Among these are wild cats such as:

• Cheetahs

• Bobcats

• Lynxes

• Wildcats

• Pumas

Scientists believe that a cat's ability to roar or purr stems from survival instincts. In the wilderness, such as the savannah, big cats roar to mark their territory and ward off predators.

Smaller "large" cats that can't roar, such as cheetahs and wildcats, evolved differently due to their role in the ecosystem. Instead of establishing a territory, they roam and wander throughout the tundra, following their food.

In conclusion

You've discovered that cats purr for a variety of reasons, and you know how they purr. The next time you sit down to cuddle with your cat, you'll have a better understanding of why cats do what they do than ever before.

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