Are they trying to tell us something when they do?
2006-06-20 03:36:14 · 12 answers · asked by Sam L 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Most experienced "cat wranglers" now know that cats don't purr only when they are content and happy. They also purr during tense or traumatic moments. When suddenly and violently injured, even at moments near death, a cat will often purr.
I've often likened this to saying, "Please don't hurt me any more. I'll be good," but recent studies have put a more scientific spin on this seeming anomaly.
It seems that the measurable Hertz of a cat's purr lies between 25 and 150. Coincidentally (or not) it has been found that sound frequency in this range can stimilate bone growth and healing. ¹
That cats have remarkable endurance, and are quite stoic to trauma is well known to veterinary professionals; it is not unlikely that this instinct to purr under duress is directly related.
Purring under stress has more colorfully been described as the cat's mantra, e.g., a self-soothing, self-healing, relaxing, vibrating sound (sort of like the Ommmm one might hum while in the lotus position. Notice the vibration in your lips, nose and throat? I bet most of us, if we had our "druthers," would much rather be able to purr!
2006-06-20 03:43:04 · answer #1 · answered by Stick to Pet Rocks 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
cats will purr if they're very happy and content or if they are hurt or sick. some scientists think they purr as a healing factor. if they've hurt themselves the vibrations they create when purring increase the rate of healing or to relax themselves after a rigorous day of running around.
2006-06-20 13:40:49 · answer #2 · answered by sabrewulf01 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time a cat will purr when he or she is content.
2006-06-20 10:39:19 · answer #3 · answered by smgray99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Neils Pedersen of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California at Davis, the official language describes purring as “caused by pronounced, cyclic and rapid pressure changes in the trachea that are superimposed upon normal breathing.”
The pressure changes are caused by the stimulation of muscles in the larynx and diaphragm that controls the widening and narrowing of the glottis (the opening between the vocal cords).
2006-06-20 10:52:12 · answer #4 · answered by roblaw05 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I have read they say they do not know why cats purr. It is still something scientists have not figured out yet.
We, however, think they do it because they are happy.
2006-06-20 10:40:23 · answer #5 · answered by Angelia O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kittens, and cubs of the larger cat families developed the ability in order to cause their mothers milk to start. They evolved so that the ability remained with them through adulthood!!!
2006-06-20 11:03:53 · answer #6 · answered by Everand 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To lull you into a false sense of security before they strike. Don't really know the answer, but all you have to do is look in my cats direction and they start purring.
2006-06-20 10:40:15 · answer #7 · answered by Bryan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one really knows...happens when cats are happy and content, or trying to relax.
2006-06-20 10:44:34 · answer #8 · answered by elec_tro_lux 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are telling you they are very content and happy...thats why they purr....
2006-06-20 10:39:56 · answer #9 · answered by SuNnY BlOnDe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they never learned to speak english or bark
2006-06-20 10:39:09 · answer #10 · answered by jirachii 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋