Why do cats purr?
Most of us associate purring as a sign your cat is relaxed and happy. The sound of a cat purring in your lap while you are stroking them is music to a cat owners’ ears. In most cases, cats purr when they are content, happy or relaxed. However, there are also a variety of other reasons including hunger, kitten-mother communication and even self-soothing.
Content, happy or relaxed
If you are stroking your cat, they look relaxed and their eyes are half closed, they are purring for pleasure. They are happy and content. They can also be purring to communicate their enjoyment and desire for you to continue what you are doing. Consider their calming purrs like a big happy smile.
Hunger
Cats can purr around mealtime when they are hungry or when they want something. This is normally a more urgent purr combined with a higher pitched meow to get your attention.
Communication with their mother (as a kitten)
Kittens are born blind and deaf until they are around 2 weeks old, however they start purring after only a few days. This allows them to communicate with their mums. For example, to let their mum know where they are, that they are ok and to attract attention for feeding. Mums can also purr to bond with her kittens, like a soothing lullaby.
Self-soothing
The sound of a cat’s purr is comforting, which is why cats often purr to sooth themselves or cheer themselves up. This can happen when they are nervous, distressed, afraid, hurt or in pain. The purring releases endorphins and has a self soothing effect on cats. Mother cats can purr when they give birth, which can act as a natural pain relief.
How can you tell why your cat is purring?
The easiest way to understand why your cat is purring is to look at their body language and the situation that they are in. If they are sitting in your lap looking relaxed, they are most likely showing their happiness. If it is around mealtime, they are likely to be hungry. Or if you have just arrived home and they are rubbing against your leg and purring, they are possibly saying hello and expressing their joy that you have arrived home.
How do cats purr?
So how do cats purr? Purring is triggered by a signal from the brain that causes the voice box (larynx) to vibrate rapidly, up to 30 times per second. As your cat inhales and exhales, the air moves past these muscles which results in the purring sound.
Purring is one of several methods of communication cats can use to express their mood or needs. Purring can also be calming and self-soothing. So next time your cat is snuggled up and purring in your lap, sit back, relax and enjoy the calming sound together.