Why do cats purr?

Cats begin to purr from a very young age, moreover, after a week of life, their purrs can already be appreciated, which they use to communicate with their mother, and when they suckle they also produce these vocalizations. These are the main reasons why cats purr and their meaning:

• When a cat gives birth, the purr is used to communicate with her puppies and calm them, as well as to signal them to suckle. On the other hand, puppies purr to communicate to their mother that they are pleased or need something.
• Purring is the most obvious sign that the cat feels good and comfortable although sometimes this is not the case, and therefore it is not strange to see that cats purr when they sleep or rather when they begin to fall asleep, before reaching a deeper sleep.
• When a mother cat nurses her children, she may also purr, both she and the kittens.
• When two cats interact if these vocalizations occur it means that it is a friendly interaction. In the same way, it happens when they relate to people and, therefore, they purr when you pet them and it is a way of showing you that they appreciate you. Here you can know 10 signs that my cat loves me.
• Cats may purr to beg for food, water, or attention.
• Another situation where this can be seen is when cats perch on a blanket and knead it, signifying relaxation and that they are comfortable. Here you can learn more about why cats knead.
• Because other signals of well-being and calm are expressed when cats purr, such as closed eyes, relaxed muscles, and slow blinking, it has been thought that these vocalizations appear in pleasant situations, but it has been discovered that this is not always the case. Cats purr to unpleasant circumstances, pain or restlessness. This can happen, for example, in a situation where the veterinarian performs a check-up and the cat is in pain or nervous.

In conclusion, cats purr in the face of intense emotions, both bad and good.

If you have noticed that your cat purrs too much, not only when you caress him, but also when he spends a lot of time purring, don’t worry. Although sometimes cats purr to express pain and maybe letting you know that they are sick, most of the time it only indicates happiness and that they are comfortable.

If you notice that your cat goes after you purring continuously, it may be that it wants something, make sure that it has food and water at its disposal, or, pet him and play with him, since maybe he just wants to call your attention. However, if you see any other symptom that something may be wrong with your health, then the long purr may be due to discomfort or pain.

In reality, the exact origin of the cat’s purr is unknown, although currently two are still being considered. theories about how cats purr:

• The muscles of the cat’s larynx quiver very quickly, causing the glottis to dilate. This causes vibrations when the cat inhales and exhales air when breathing. All this mechanism causes your cat to purr.
• There is another theory, although the one described above is currently the most widely supported. This theory is that the purr originates in the posterior vena cava, at the level of the diaphragm, where the muscles compress the blood flow and cause vibrations that are transmitted through the bronchi producing the purr.

The purring of cats can not only help you understand your feline friend, but it can also help you a lot. The benefits of cats purring for humans there are several:

• It makes you feel good, comfortable, and calm.
• It reduces stress. Petting your cat when she purrs can help you relax.
• Help your immune system. Because the purring of cats can help reduce your nerves, which is one of the most common reasons why your defenses can weaken, it helps to facilitate the good state of the immune system.
• Decreases the chances of having a heart attack. Various studies indicate that cat owners are less likely to suffer from heart attacks.
• The vibration they emit helps to heal the muscles and relieve inflammation.

Cats have different ways of purring and thus express one state of mind or another. It is necessary to know the different types of purr of your cat to know what it is trying to express to you, so we will tell you what are the different tones and frequencies with which your feline friend can purr, so you can understand it better.

• If the cat purrs regularly and loudly, it will probably try to ask you for something it needs, such as food or water.
• If he purrs irregularly it means that he is very pleased. This type of sound usually occurs while petting your pet.
• If your feline’s purr is very noisy, make sure it doesn’t have other symptoms that could be warning of some pathology, since cats produce this type of purr when faced with diseases to show you that they are sick and need your help.
• If the cat’s purr is very rhythmic, it is possible that he is trying to end some situation that is uncomfortable for him.

If you think that your cat purrs strangely, it is probably due to one of the circumstances described above. You should keep in mind that not all cats have the same purr, as well as the sound of the voice, which can be higher or lower, slower or faster. Therefore, we recommend that if you notice that his purr is very different from what he usually does, contact your trusted veterinarian, especially if you also detect any other symptoms.

Did you know that there are cats that do not produce this sound or stop doing it? Here we tell you more about Why my cat does not purr.

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