Cats are one of Earth’s most fascinating creatures, and they amaze all of us, from head to paw. Among all their special traits, one habit they have that has been talked about a lot is purring. But what exactly is it? Why do cats purr?
Essentially, cats purr for a number of reasons, all pertaining to how they feel. Purring is how cats show their emotions and communicate with us. But before that, we’ll talk about what purring actually is, including why they do it, which cats do it more, and how it can benefit us.
Key Takeaways
Cat purring is a low-frequency vocalization, about 25 to 150 hertz, produced by rapid contractions of the laryngeal muscles.
Cats purr to communicate, express comfort, self-soothe, heal, and socialize.
It helps humans by reducing stress, enhancing healing, and supporting cardiovascular health.
What Is Cat Purring?
A cat’s purr is a continuous rhythm that is produced by their larynx and diaphragm. This happens when air passes over their vocal cords when they inhale and exhale. But how is this done?
Cats purr through a neural oscillator that comes from the brain. This sends a signal to the muscles in the throat, causing the larynx and diaphragm to rapidly contract and relax. By doing so, the opening between the vocal cords, or glottis, is constantly opening and closing.
When cats breathe, the air passes through the vibrating muscles and creates a continuous sound of about 25 to 150 hertz.
Why Do Cats Purr?
Now that we know what purring is and how cats do it, let’s talk about why cats purr.
To Communicate
Cats use purring as a means of communicating with you and other cats. When used on humans, purring acts as a signal of the cat’s emotions and feelings in the moment. The exact meaning can have several different meanings, such as a need for food, attention,
It’s also often helpful to correlate a cat’s purring and its body language to get a grasp on what it wants to say. Cats usually combine body language and purring to interact with you. For example, a cat’s purr usually translates to a greeting whenever their tail is held up straight.
To Express Comfort and Relaxation
One of the best feelings in the world is when your cat feels happy around you. When your cat purrs during moments like these, it could be possible that they feel comfortable and relaxed. This can be when they sit on your lap, lie down beside you, or even snuggle with you on the bed.
Usually, a contented cat may purr loudly. A cat purring during times like these may be accompanied by supporting body language that indicates that the cat loves being around you. This includes a relaxed posture, kneading, and slow blinking.
To Self-Soothe
Cats purr not only when there’s pleasure in their current situation, but also when they need to catch a breather. This typically happens when cats get anxious, stressed, or feel pain. They may exhibit a few behavioral changes around the house, which can also indicate that they’re troubled.
Basically, purring can be a way for cats to release the stress and discomfort they are feeling, which ultimately helps them calm down.
To Heal and Recover
It has been carefully studied that cats’ purring has some sort of therapeutic properties for them. Having a frequency of 25 to 150 Hertz, the frequency of a cat’s purring produces vibrations that could be a big help in healing from inflammation, wounds, and injuries.
Along with healing, purring has also been shown to have a part in pain relief. It’s just like their own little hospital.
To Socialize and Interact
While purring can be used to communicate with their owners, cats also purr to interact with other cats. This can be observed in mother cats and their kittens. A mother cat may constantly purr while attending to her kittens.
This helps create a strong sense of love, care, and security that comforts the young ones. Kittens can’t see or hear after birth, but they can feel their mother’s purr. This lets them know they’re safe. Cats purring with each other also form strong social bonds.
Do Some Cats Purr More Than Others?
Yes, some cats may purr more than others. It all comes down to genetics, breed variations, age, and gender differences.
Genetics
Mixed-breed cats are found to purr more compared to purebred cats. This might be due to a wider range of inherited traits resulting from crossing two separate breeds. Purebred cats are more likely to have a “long-type” gene, which comes with less vocalization.
However, this isn’t a definite reason. Genetics may just be a part of shaping the behavior.
Breed
Some cats are just more vocal than others, and some express their affection and feelings more. Breeds such as Siamese are vocal, so they tend to purr more. On the other hand, Maine Coons, Sphynx cats, and Persians tend to purr more as they’re showing their affectionate natures.
Age
Kittens usually purr to express contentment and communicate with their mothers. These are soft and gentle. Adults have stronger, louder purrs, some with deeper ones. Seniors often develop an even deeper purr, which is often used for self-soothing.
What Are the Benefits of Cat Purring for Humans?
A purring cat may also be beneficial to its owner. Here's how:
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
A cat's purr is found to be calming and soothing, helping lower a person's cortisol and blood pressure. The sound itself promotes relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety for many people.
The sound also encourages feelings of happiness by helping release hormones such as oxytocin, endorphin, and serotonin. This can improve a person’s mood and provide a sense of security.
Enhances Healing and Relief
The frequency of the vibrations produced during a cat’s purring proves to be a big factor in aiding the regeneration of bones and muscles in humans. A cat’s purr can help heal injuries in soft tissues, such as sprains, while promoting the strengthening of bones by stimulating the cells involved.
The increase in activity helps bones become more durable and have a higher bone density. This effectively provides a greater resistance to fractures and faster recoveries from bone-related injuries. Cat purring can also help with pain relief, especially for people with arthritis and chronic pain.
Supports Cardiovascular Health
Having a cat as your companion reduces your risk of heart disease. The stress-relieving capabilities of a cat’s purr place owners in a much better position to avoid this fatal disease.
The rhythmic sounds produced by a purring cat create a soft and soothing sensation, helping improve circulation and stimulate the healing of damaged tissues.
How to Respond When Cats Purr?
When cats purr, they are trying to communicate their feelings and emotions to you. The next step is to respond accordingly to deepen that bond. Here’s how you can do it:
Interpret the Meaning
Take a look around the scene whenever your cat purrs. It may be hungry, needy, sleepy, stressed, or maybe it got into a fight with the neighboring cats. Examine your cat and try to discern what the reason might be. Sometimes it’s good, other times it’s bad.
Also, take note of the volume of your cat’s purr. The volume can often indicate the intensity of the situation and their emotions.
Respond to Your Cat’s Purrs
Depending on what you’ve observed, react accordingly. If they purr and their body language indicates that they are happy or content, take steps to maintain this happiness. For example, if your cat purrs while you pet them, continue petting them slowly.
Enjoy the Purr
When you get it right, the time has come to finally enjoy and enhance the purring experience. Purring benefits both you and your cat. Enjoying the time you spend with each other gives meaningful memories for your cats due to their excellent long-term memory.
“Purring is one of the many ways our cats communicate with us.”
- Dr. Nenad Misura
Final Thoughts
A cat’s purr is certainly one full of wonder and questions, but it’s certainly worth the exploration. Purring is your cat’s way of reaching out to you. As their caretakers, it falls upon us to help our cats whenever they call, showing them the love they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it good if your cat is purring?
Generally, yes. It’s often a good sign as it indicates contentment, happiness, and relaxation. Look for other context clues to support this. However, some cats may purr to self-soothe when they get stressed or are in pain.
Do all cats do this?
Most domestic cats will purr to express their happiness and contentment, but it’s not the same for all. Some rarely or never purr, which may be due to individual personalities, lack of social learning, and physical limitations.
Do older cats purr differently?
Yes, older cats tend to purr differently compared to kittens and adults. Their purrs are deeper and sound more gravelly. Some may also purr more frequently as a form of self-soothing for pain and general discomfort.
Can deaf cats vocalize?
Yes, deaf cats may purr, as it’s an involuntary vibration rather than a sound they need to hear. Some deaf cats may even purr louder than others.
Do cats purr when they play?
Yes, cats may purr when they are very excited or engaged when playing. It’s a positive sign of social connection and enjoyment.
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