Why do cats purr?

WHY DO CATS PURR?

      
I have a question for all your cat lovers out there… Did you ever ask yourself why the purr of a cat has such an effect on humans?  How great is it to come home after a long day and have some special cuddle time with your furry purr machine? Doesn’t the stress of your day melt away while your cat is curled up and purring on your lap? This purring sound seems like a tale-telling sound that is unique to cats.

We know that cats make other sounds like meowing, chattering, growling, and hissing, but why do cats purr. Let’s explore why cats produce purring sound and what it means for them and us humans?
 
Do purring sounds indicate a happy cat?
 
Cats purr when they feel relaxed in an environment and are calm. It is a common perception that cats purr when they feel contented and happy, but this is not always the case. Cats may also produce purring sounds to express other needs and communicate when they are frightened, injured, or hungry. For example, if you pick your cat up, she can produce a purring sound for two reasons, whether she feels nervous or she may like it.
 
Cats start purring, and hearing purring, from infancy. Mother cats purr to lead their kittens—which are blind and deaf when they’re born—to them for food and warmth. In turn, vets believe, kittens purr to show they’re OK and help them bond with mama cat

Five reasons your cat may purr: 
 
Your cat may be happy
Purring, along with other body gestures, is indicative of a happy mood in cats. If your cat has a still tail, half eyes are closed, and the cat looks relaxed, you can assume that your cat is in a pleasant mood.

Your cat may be hungry 
If the cat produces a combined sound of purring with meowing, and also it's a mealtime, you can assume that your cat is demanding food and is hungry.

Motherly instinct 
Cats hear purring from infancy. Mother cats purr to communicate and guide their newborn kittens. Kittens are blind and deaf when they’re born. The vibration of the purr leads them to their mother and to food and warmth. Kittens purr in return to show their mama cat that they’re Okay and it helps them bond.
 
Symbol of relief
When cats are hurt or in pain, they can produce purring sounds similar to human babies, which may suck their thumb to soothe themselves if getting hurt.

Purring aids in healing
Many experts believe that the purr of a cat helps a cat to heal at a faster rate. Purring produces vibrations in the body, increasing bones and wounds' healing speed, repair tendons, breathing easier, and decreasing the swelling and pain.
 
 

  
The effect purring has on humans:
Owning a cat is a stress reliever for humans, not only due to their cute looks and soft fur but also due to the positive effects their purring has on us. A domestic cats purr at a frequency of 18 to 20 Hz. This frequency range falls within a therapeutic sound range that loosens nerves and brings a feeling of ease.
 
Cat owners are usually less prone to increased blood pressure than non-cat owners, and it is claimed that sitting next to a purring cat helps ease migraines.
Did you know that studies have shown that the purr of a cat can help build up bone strength and supports the healing of the fracture? It is believed that the frequency between 25 to 50 Hz promotes bone strength. The purr of a cat reaches 20 Hz which is not quite 25 Hz but it comes close which supposedly is enough to promote bone healing
That’s not all! The study at the University of Minnesota compared 4,435 Americans aged 30 to 75 and found that non-feline fans were 40 percent more likely to have a heart attack.

Do all cats purr?
 
Interestingly, the scientific community is divided. Some biologist believes that any big cat that can roar such as lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars cannot purr.  This is based on the believe that the physical traits (a length of tough cartilage runs up the hyoid bones to the skull) that allows the roaring sound precludes the ability to produce a purr. Others believe that they are able to do both, roar and purr. I personally have not come close enough to any roaring cat to confirm their ability to purr. There is no disagreement that other large wild cats, such as Cheetah, Bobcat, Puma, and mountain lions purr but they don’t roar.
 
Let us know if you ever heard a purr from a large roaring cat and share a purr-tastic story with you!!! We would love to hear from you.
 
 
In the meantime, enjoy the relaxing sound and healing vibrations of your cat.