Why do cats purr?
I know that cats purr for a variety reason. They purr while content, when anxious, while giving birth, and even just before death. I’m also familiar with the healing properties of purr frequencies.
We just adopted a few cats and one of them purrs at nearly every opportunity. I suspect this is an expression of the anxiety of exploring a new home and adapting to new owners.
Out of curiosity though, does your cat purr for seemingly random reasons? What strange situations have elicited purrs from your feline?
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According to veterinarian Bruce Fogle, author of The Cat’s Mind, the original function of purring was to enable a kitten to communicate with his mother that things are well. A kitten is able to purr by the second day of life, and although he can’t meow and nurse at the same time, he can purr and nurse. And the mother cat often purrs back, probably to reassure the kitten. source
@syz hmm! Hadn’t heard that one before. Makes sense though.
My boy purrs when he’s content. Also, when he gets himself into mischief (jumping up onto places where he has a hard time getting down, for example) he’s purrs. When he’s at the vet and while he is getting his yearly vaccination, he purrs.
My ex g/f and I went in when the vet had to put her one cat down. He had a type of cancer that they were unable to treat. He was obviously very sick and in pain. The whole time that he was on the vet table, he purred, right up until his injection.
They’re lulling you into a false sense of security!!!
As an aside, tigers (who cannot purr) will chuffle from the first hour of birth. A chuffle is a friendly greeting, a sign of non-aggression.
I seriously can look at my cat from across the room and hear her purr. Totally hilarious.
My boy purrs at the vet as well. I think he does it to endear people, so they don’t hurt him. It a great manipulative tool. Who can resist taking care of something so sweet?
@jmah Secretly, this question’s sole purpose is to collect photos and video clips of adorable kitties. :P
lol. Just wanted to post a video of my boy. :)
My cat purrs when he is happy and when he is in pain. After I took him to get fixed, he purred like crazy post-surgery. The vet assured me it was normal, and said that cats purr when in pain and when content.
Did you know that the only other animal that has the ability to purr besides felines is elephants?
:)
@CatLover002 Elephants purr!?! Whoa!
ETA: Went and looked for some purroof. Found a video (First instance is 0:42–0:48.)
I guess it’s an elephant sound you just take for granted!
@Beta_Orionis: I guess it’s an elephant sound you just take for granted!
True. I rarely pay attention to my elephants’ vocalization.
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