Why do cats purr?
In addition to meowing, purring is undoubtedly one of the most well-known vocalizations of cats. In general, cat owners believe that their feline purrs when it feels content.
In the following, we will explain why this is not always the case and the various reasons why cats purr.
Purring in happy and relaxed cats
The assumption that cats purr out of contentment is not unfounded. They often express themselves in this way when they are being petted and enjoying the closeness of their owners.
However, there are other reasons why cats start purring. For example, you will also notice that your cat purrs when you are filling its food bowl.
Purring in kittens
Kittens can start purring after just a few days. The monotonous, vibrating sounds serve to reassure their mother that everything is fine with them. Additionally, the mother cat also purrs to strengthen the bond with her offspring and to calm the little ones.
Purring as a means of comforting other cats
Unlike meowing, adult cats also use purring to communicate with other cats. When your cat purrs at another cat, it is signaling that it is peaceful and not looking for a fight.
Why sick cats purr
In addition to the reasons mentioned, it is also believed that cats purr when they are sick. In this case, purring likely serves as self-soothing. Furthermore, the vibrations caused by purring may contribute to self-healing and help maintain the health of bones and internal organs.
It is believed that purring activates the muscles and metabolism of the cat and has a positive effect on the bone density of the feline.
Why can cats purr?
Although it is widely known that cats purr, the exact reason for the production of these low-frequency sounds has not been fully understood yet. However, there are various theories that provide possible explanations.
The following body parts are mentioned as possible triggers for purring in cats:
- The hyoid bone
- The larynx
- The false vocal cords
- The posterior vena cava
The hyoid bone theory assumes that purring in cats is caused by air rubbing against the hyoid bone. On the other hand, the larynx theory suggests that cats rapidly twitch their diaphragm and laryngeal muscles during breathing, creating the vibrations responsible for purring. Additionally, it is also possible that two folds of skin located behind the actual vocal cords (false vocal cords) start to vibrate during breathing, resulting in the typical purring sound.
Another explanation is that cats generate vibrations through the blood flow in their posterior vena cava, which runs through the diaphragm. However, since this is also observed in dogs and humans, this hypothesis is generally considered unlikely.
Domestic cats are not the only animals capable of purring. Lynxes, cheetahs, and even big cats can produce similar sounds. However, in the case of big cats, this ability is limited to exhaling, possibly due to their hyoid bone not being ossified.
Purring in Cats - Our Conclusion
As you can see, purring in cats can have various reasons. In most cases, it is indeed a sign of relaxation. Furthermore, this characteristic vocalization seems to bring health benefits as well.
Regardless of this, and although it has not been definitively determined how cats produce these sounds, purring undoubtedly plays a significant role in communication among these four-legged companions.
Therefore, there is likely hardly any cat owner who does not appreciate the purring of their cat as a sign of affection during cuddle sessions or feeding times.
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