Why do cats purr?

Understanding Cat Purring

One of the most frequent noises made by cats is purring. Many people are familiar with the sounds of meowing, chirping, chattering, hissing, and snarling but not purring. Let's fix that!

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Common Reasons for Cat Purring

There are many reasons your cat may purr. Here are the most common ones:

  • An upbeat attitude: If your cat appears calm, with their eyes partially closed and tail mostly still, it's reasonable to conclude that they are purring because they are in a good mood.

  • They are hungry: When it's time for a meal and the cat is hungry, they may purr. They blend their normal purr with a "mew" when purring for food.

  • Mother-Kitten Relationship: Cats can purr as early as a few days after birth. It's possibly a way for them to inform their mothers of their whereabouts or status.

  • Relief and Healing: When harmed or in agony, many cats will purr. Similar to how a human infant will suck their thumb to feel better, a cat will purr to comfort itself. According to experts, purring expedites a cat's recovery. The body's low frequency vibrations from the purrs help develop and repair tendons, ease breathing, reduce pain and swelling, and heal bones and fractures. This could explain why cats are more resilient to high falls and experience fewer postoperative problems than dogs.

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Understanding Cat Body Language

Understanding cat body language, from the periscope tail of a friendly cat in a social mood to the wide eyes and bent-back whiskers of a cat in battle mode, may ultimately help in the search to identify the meaning of a purr. The relationship between the cat and owner can only deepen with this new understanding.

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