{"id":9982,"date":"2022-03-23T11:17:29","date_gmt":"2022-03-23T11:17:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=9982"},"modified":"2022-03-25T12:05:09","modified_gmt":"2022-03-25T12:05:09","slug":"why-do-cats-purr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/why-do-cats-purr\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Cats Purr? Purrfect Facts and a Purring Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why do cats purr<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? There are many explanations. Although most people only connect purring to satisfaction, it\u2019s not always the case. Purring is much more complex and interesting than you might think. Keep reading to learn more.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='most-fascinating-purring-stats-and-facts'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most Fascinating Purring Stats and Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cats\u2019 purr frequency is 25\u2013150 Hertz.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Domestic cats&#8217; purring is 25 decibels loud.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats start purring by week 3.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The current purring champion can produce a purr of 67.8 decibels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats can either purr or roar, not both.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id='how-does-purring-work'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Does Purring Work<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat purrs come from their larynx \u2014 voice boxes. When cats breathe, their glottis (the space between the vocal cords) expands and narrows very fast in a rhythmic manner. As a result, the air vibrates over the muscles of their vocal cords, creating purring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most cats purr but don\u2019t worry if yours doesn\u2019t. It doesn\u2019t mean that there\u2019s something wrong with your cat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if your cat usually purrs a lot and then suddenly stops purring entirely, it may signify that something is wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='why-do-cats-purr'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Do Cats Purr<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat\u2019s purring and meowing are mainly connected to showing affection, calmness, and relaxation. However, even if you\u2019ve never witnessed it yourself, you should know that cats purr in many different situations \u2014 and not always positive ones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some potential causes and meanings of purring:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='pleasure-and-happiness'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pleasure and Happiness<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats most often use purring to express enjoyment and happiness. So, if you\u2019re petting your cat and it starts purring, it\u2019s a sign that your cat is relaxed and enjoying what you\u2019re doing. Similarly, cats will purr when grooming each other for the same reason.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some cats might also start kneading you while purring, which is another way to tell you that they are comfortable around you. Finally, cats might purr when playing and eating, and in this case, it just means that they are happy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='mother-and-kitten-connection'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mother and Kitten Connection<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For cats, purring is a means of communication. Therefore, kittens will often purr to tell their mom where they are and to show her that they are alright.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Purring also helps them bond, and a mother cat will use purring to soothe her kittens \u2014 purring is like a lullaby to them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='hunger-and-attention'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hunger and Attention<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When they are hungry or want you to throw something off your plate, cats might combine purring with a childlike whine. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/9\/11\/878\/htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sound is less pleasant than a normal purr, more urgent-sounding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and very difficult to ignore for most people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, suppose you don\u2019t ignore it and give your cat attention instead. In that case, you\u2019ll only teach it to repeat the behavior whenever it wants something.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='injury-and-healing'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Injury and Healing<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When an injured cat is purring, it\u2019s actually healing itself! The purring frequency gives <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cats healing powers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For example, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/pet-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purring can help cats maintain their bone density<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are also many other healing benefits of purring, some of which are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain relief<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bone healing\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easier breathing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced swelling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle relaxation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id='pain-and-stress'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain and Stress<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surprisingly, when cats are stressed out or in extreme pain, they\u2019ll also purr. This kind of purr is loud, raspy, and deep. It also tends to last for a long time, so if your cat looks distressed and keeps purring in the described way, take it to the vet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The scientists have a number of theories about this, some of which are:.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019re pretending to be okay by purring, which signals the predators to stay away from them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another reason might be that cats are simply asking for help.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They might also be trying to calm themselves down.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When they\u2019re dying or getting euthanized, they produce the same deep and loud raspy purr for probably the same reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='dreaming'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dreaming<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your cat is purring while sleeping, it\u2019s probably because they\u2019re actually dreaming.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, as we mentioned above, it might also mean that they are stressed out \u2014 if the dream they are having is a bad one. Or it might mean that they are in pain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, if they purr while sleeping next to other cats, it\u2019s probably a sign of close bond and comfort.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='anger-or-fear'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anger or Fear<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surprisingly, cats may also purr when angry or afraid. When angry, purring will be accompanied by other signs, such as wide-open eyes, bent whiskers, and raised tail. They can also be seen purring after a scary encounter with a dog, as they are trying to calm down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, they might suddenly bite you just moments after they\u2019ve been purring comfortably. Some people call them \u201clove bites,\u201d but these bites are actually signs of overstimulation (not aggression).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, they mean that your cat has had enough, and you\u2019ve been ignoring the other signs that usually come before the bite. Such signs include twitching fur, ears folding, and tail swinging hard. They might also push you away with their legs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='other-reasons-why-cats-might-purr'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Reasons Why Cats Might Purr<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greeting \u2014 A study has found that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0185599\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cats welcome their owners with purrs after being separated for a longer time<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communication \u2014 Cats use purring <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/10\/7\/1107\/htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to communicate with other cats<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Similarly, when talking to them, they might respond by purring instead of meowing if they\u2019re really relaxed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exploring new environments \u2014 They will purr loudly during their house explorations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pregnancy and giving birth \u2014 When they are ready to give birth, cats will start purring a lot to calm themselves down. Also, after giving birth, purring is one of the ways of communication and calming down their newborn kittens.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id='purrfect-stats-and-facts-you-need-to-know'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Purrfect Stats and Facts You Need to Know<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve collected some numbers and most interesting facts about purring. So, let\u2019s dive in.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='the-cats%e2%80%99-purr-frequency-is-25%e2%80%93150-hertz'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cats\u2019 purr frequency is 25\u2013150 Hertz.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Wild Conservation Network, 2019)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People can hear anything between 20 and 20,000 Hz, so cats\u2019 purrs fall into really low-frequency sounds. Interestingly, this frequency is that it\u2019s healing not just for cats but also for their owners.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cat purring effect on humans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not yet fully understood. Still, low-frequency sounds have been found to have healing effects, like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/pet-ownership-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lowering the risk of heart disease or stroke by 31%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In addition, most owners can confirm that the sound and vibrations they produce are also beneficial for psychological health.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='domestic-cats-purring-is-25-decibels-loud'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Domestic cats&#8217; purring is 25 decibels loud.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(CatTime, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is an average, and some cats can produce much louder purrs. However, wild cats roar at 114 decibels, so domestic cats are much quieter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='cats-start-purring-by-week-3'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats start purring by week 3.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Hill&#8217;s Pet Nutrition, 2018)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, most cats start purring much earlier. For example, kittens often purr only a few days after they are born, as this is their way of communication with their mother.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='the-current-purring-champion-can-produce-a-purr-of-67-8-decibels'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The current purring champion can produce a purr of 67.8 decibels.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Guinness World Records, 2015)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of 2015, Merlin, the cat from the UK, holds the world record for the loudest purr produced. Since the average purr is only 25 decibels, Merlin is more than twice louder than the average cat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='cats-can-either-purr-or-roar-not-both'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats can either purr or roar, not both.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Live Science, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It turns out that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/cat-facts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purring and roaring are mutually exclusive because of the cat throat anatomy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But, house cats are not the only cats that purr. For example, Bobcat, ocelot, lynx, cougar, and cheetah are wild cats, but they can purr. Lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards, on the other hand, can roar but not purr.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Snow leopards, however, can neither purr nor roar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='faq'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 id='are-cats-happy-when-they-purr'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are cats happy when they purr?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In most cases, yes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, not every purr is a happy purr. It can be a sign of many other things, some of which we\u2019ve explained above.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='what-does-it-mean-when-a-cat-is-purring'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does it mean when a cat is purring?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Purring is mainly associated with happiness and relaxation. But, it can mean that your cat is injured, angry, hungry, or just trying to tell you something.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To know how to differentiate between these purring types, pay attention to other signs that may accompany a purr.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='can-cats-control-their-purring'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can cats control their purring?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, they can. Although purring is instinctive behavior, they can control it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='why-do-cats-purr-when-they-see-you'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why do cats purr when they see you?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your cat purrs when they see you, this shows that they are relaxed around you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only if they\u2019re showing some symptoms of distress or are purring in a different way than they usually are it\u2019s a sign that they\u2019re looking for help from you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='conclusion'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, purring is a more complex matter than was initially thought. Although purring is usually a way of expressing happiness, it can mean so much more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, in the end, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">why do cats purr<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? \u2014 to communicate, heal, and express their feelings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='sources'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wildnet.org\/theres-magic-in-that-purr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wild Conservation Network<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/why-house-cats-cannot-roar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Live Science<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guinnessworldrecords.com\/world-records\/loudest-purr-by-a-domestic-cat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guinness World Records<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/amp\/s\/amp.hillspet.com\/cat-care\/new-pet-parent\/kitten-growth-timeline-by-week\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hill&#8217;s Pet Nutrition<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cattime.com\/cat-facts\/10019-purrs-vs-roars?amp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CatTime<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are cats happy when they purr?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"n most cases, yes.\u00a0\\n\\nHowever, not every purr is a happy purr. It can be a sign of many other things, some of which we\u2019ve explained above.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What does it mean when a cat is purring?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Purring is mainly associated with happiness and relaxation. But, it can mean that your cat is injured, angry, hungry, or just trying to tell you something.\u00a0\\n\\nTo know how to differentiate between these purring types, pay attention to other signs that may accompany a purr.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can cats control their purring?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, they can. Although purring is instinctive behavior, they can control it.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why do cats purr when they see you?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"If your cat purrs when they see you, this shows that they are relaxed around you.\u00a0\\n\\nOnly if they\u2019re showing some symptoms of distress or are purring in a different way than they usually are it\u2019s a sign that they\u2019re looking for help from you.\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why do cats purr, and does it mean they\u2019re happy? Not always. There are many reasons why a cat might purr. Read more to find out. [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/why-do-cats-purr\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from Why Do Cats Purr? Purrfect Facts and a Purring Guide<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":9983,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-stats-and-facts"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9982"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9982\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9983"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}