Why Do Cats Purr?
Anybody that has been around domestic cats will know full well that they tend to purr quite often. Purring is when they make a low-pitched sound as they inhale and exhale that is clearly audible to people and other animals. It is not something to be concerned about. Indeed, it is usually a positive sign.
It is not only domestic cats that purr as some big cat species are also known to purr. There are several reasons why they do this, although we cannot be completely sure about every suggestion. Here are some of the most likely reasons for cats purring the way that they do.
1. They’re Happy
Most often when we hear a cat purring away, it will be when they are curled up on your lap being stroked, or chilling on their favorite piece of furniture. Basically, it is a sign that they are happy. Purring is a very soothing sound to people as well, potentially making us feel more comfortable. Cats also tend to dislike being disturbed as they like to think that they are the masters and get to decide where to sleep and when. If you are with a cat and it is purring away, it is best to try and leave them as they are.
2. Making a Connection
Brooding mother cats will often be purring when taking care of their litter. When first born, the mother’s purring will help to reassure the blind babies that mom is there and taking care of them. It also helps to strengthen the bonds between the mother and kittens, which helps to ensure that mom does her best in bringing them up.
You should remember that brooding cats generally don’t like for their litter to be disturbed. Allow them to make a nest somewhere quiet and away from other people and pets. Mom will likely be happy to introduce her babies at some point when she feels they have grown enough.
3. Hungry
Anybody that has kept cats will be able to tell you that they are often asking for food. They will even go asking for food from strangers despite having already been fed. Some will even go into other peoples’ houses to take food from their pets, or maybe to see what else they might find laying around. How do you know they want to be fed?
Don’t worry, they will let you know. A hungry cat will often meow and purr and hang around their food bowl. They will also often remember approximately what time they are usually fed and make sure they are home then.
4. Wants Something
Cats are generally thought of as being quite independent, and it is true that many will prefer to spend a lot of time outside doing cat things. That does not mean to say that they can’t get needy, though, and they will sometimes want to let you know that they want something. It might sometimes be that they want you to open the door to let them out.
Sometimes, it might just be that they want for you to give them some love and attention. If your cat is purring heavily and you are not sure why, check to see if they want you to help them with some of their favorite activities.
5. Stress Relief
Cats are often quite sensitive animals. They tend not to react well to loud noises and moving to a new home can be quite a harrowing experience for them. In some cases, and depending on the situation, it might be necessary to have them sedated to help keep them calm.
Cats also come with their own stress relief system: purring. Purring to themselves can help to keep them calm in stressful situations, while it can also help to keep other cats around them calm. It doesn’t work on cats only because a purring cat can also have a calming effect on people.
6. Pain Relief
All animals feel pain; cats are no exception. Many cats are also quite adventurous, especially when they are out, and are bound to get into the odd scrape every now and then. It may be that they have fallen from a height when climbing, got into a fight with another cat, or even had an unpleasant encounter with a dog.
It is thought that one way that cats relieve themselves of pain is by purring. While it obviously won’t relieve them completely, it can at least help to take the edge off and make their injuries more comfortable while they heal. Bear in mind that if your kitty is in a great deal of pain then you really should take them to a vet.
7. Healing Bones
A broken bone can be very painful for any animal to experience. Broken bones also mean that infections and other unwelcome medical conditions are more likely, so it is important that they are healed as quickly as possible. Of course, the immune system will get to work at healing broken bones right away, but cats have another trick up their sleeves.
Studies have shown that cats may be able to accelerate the healing of broken bones by purring. The vibrations and sound waves of the purring can resonate through the body and possibly stimulate the immune system into getting the job done faster.
8. Help with Breathing
When panicked, injured, or sick, it is important that any animal continues to breathe steadily. Some might begin to hyperventilate and this can cause problems for them. Keeping their breathing steady will also help them to keep calm and composed, allowing them to deal with situations better. Purring will help cats to maintain steady breathing thanks to the steady and soothing rhythm.
It is also thought that a cat’s purr can help people to breathe more easily, potentially helping with medical conditions such as dyspnea. As such, taking your kitty to bed with you at night could be just what you need to help you get a good night’s sleep.
9. Muscle Building
Cats are very effective killing machines, except maybe for a few breeds that will be more placid in nature. They are very powerful animals for their size, with tomcats in particular becoming muscle-packed predators. Of course, to become big and strong, they need to grow and maintain their muscles.
Cats are obligate carnivores and this means that they must have a diet of protein-packed meat. This protein gives them the building blocks they need to grow larger. In addition, it is thought that the sound and vibrations from their purring further helps to stimulate the growth and repair of muscle.
10. Tendon Repair
Tendons are tough, stringy tissues that allow our muscles to act upon our limbs and other parts of the body. They are found in many species of animal, and this includes all types of cats. If a tendon was to be damaged, it could cause a lot of pain and also severely limit the animal’s movement.
Cats are physically active animals and will often stretch their tendons to the limit. This can lead to injuries, while cats can also cause injuries to themselves in other ways. It is important that tendons are healed as quickly as possible so they remain mobile for as long as possible, and purring is thought to be able to accelerate the process.
