why do cats pur ?????????

Question

my two 6 week old kittens pur all the time i would like to know what they mean

oh they keep licking things do they miss there mom

Answer 1

Humans usually interpret the purring of a domestic cat as an expression of some type of friendliness or contentment. This assumption is based on the observation that cats often (though not always) purr when being stroked by humans, combined with the experience that human children tend to enjoy stroking by their parents and interpret it as a gesture of affection. Consequently, most humans enjoy listening to or holding a purring cat.

It is, however, not entirely clear to scientists whether this really is one of the cat's reasons for making the sound; it is well-established that a cat also purrs when it is uneasy, nervous or in great pain, perhaps to comfort itself or to express submission. Other theories suggest that a cat purrs when it wants, needs, or is receiving attention, whether it be affection or medical treatment. Purring may also reduce pain, help a wounded cat to heal, or even help to keep a cat's bones strong[4]. When cats purr while also lightly clawing the ground it may mean they are trying to relieve stress or comfort themselves. An example is when a female cat is nursing kittens; as humans may find with children, cats may also become stressed from the attention of their young and therefore start to purr and lightly claw the ground. This may also be associated with "kneading" behavior, in which the kittens' pawing helps release milk from the nursing mother's teats. Adult cats knead (also called paddy-pawing, making muffins, making bread, or treading paws) as a sign of contentment and to relax.

Ethologist Paul Leyhousen, in his book Cat Behavior, interprets purring as a signal meaning "I am not a threat" to explain the otherwise differing circumstances that elicit the sound.

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Other examples of purring
It is not clear quite how and when purring is used between cats themselves, which is probably a more important issue bearing on its primary purpose than how and why it happens when humans are involved. One speculation is that it is a signalling mechanism between mother cat and nursing kittens. Female cats are known to purr while giving birth, and this may be to reduce the pain and also assist post-natal healing. Kittens purr while nursing, presumably as an "all's well" signal to their mother.

Some cats, usually more vocal ones, are able to meow or hiss without interrupting the purring sound.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purr

All domestic cats are born with the purring ability. Kittens instinctively purr when nursing, and your adult cat will purr at the drop of a hat whenever you're near. Cat purrs will range from a deep rumble to a raspy, broken sound, to a high-pitched trill, depending on the physiology and/or the mood of a cat. A cat will often "wind-down" when going to sleep, with a long purring sigh that drops melodically from a high to a low pitch. Does your cat purr sound like an idling diesel engine? That's because it's roughly the same velocity--about 26 cycles per second. But I'd much rather hear a cat purr, personally, thank you.
By the way, a cat's purring does not always denote happiness. A cat will purr when in extreme pain, or frightened or stressed. Have you ever heard your cat purring to beat the band on the table at the veterinarian's office? It's like they're saying, "Don't hurt me. I'll be good"

http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/how_cat_work_3.htm

I had a cat that was purring while it was dying.

Answer 2

Why Cats Purr
Why Cats Purr

Ever wonder why a cat starts purring when you pet it? Or why some cats will start purring before you even pet it? It's not just because the cat is happy. Your cat might even purr when he's dying.
The older a cat gets, the more its purr changes. Newborn kittens purr while they feed. When they get older, some cats purr when they're happy. However, really scared cats purr, sick cats purr and female cats purr while giving birth. Some cats even purr when they are close to death. Scientists believe that stressed cats purr to reassure or comfort themselves - kinda like when we sing.

Most scientists think purring is a vibration of the muscles of the larynx and diaphragm. Others think blood flow to the soft palate at the back of the mouth causes the vibrating noise. Purring happen when nerves are activated within the voice box. Apparently, cats purr only when they want to.

Did you know that lions, leopards, tigers and jaguars can't purr but raccoons can?

Answer 3

Cats actually purr for two reasons. The first is contentment which is the one everyone knows. Cats also purr when they are stressed or injured - there is scientific evidence that shows the resonance of the purr frequency has a stimulating effect on a cellular levle so it is thought to be a healing thing.
Licking things is not normally associated with missing mother cat - that is more likely when they suck on your skin or clothing. Although the usual age for taking kittens away is 6-8 weeks, animal experts recomend a minimum of 8 weeks for cats or there can be some separation anxiety.
Cats are also notorious for developing "pica's" - weird fixations. One of mine is in love with plastic! She will lick carrier bags and anything plastic in the house! There is no concusive answer on what this is about - it's just one of the weird and wonderful aspects of cat owning!!

Answer 4

the truth of the matter is no one even vets do not know the reason. Most cats that I have encountered purr when they are content but I also found a cat that had been hit by a car and the cat was purring.

Answer 5

Because they looooooooooove you. At such a young age like yours they are going to be quite babyish. Sometime they stop the licking later in life other times they have it always. It could be that they miss mama but they'll be ok. They have you.
But they are 6 week. That is quite early to leave their mother. 10 weeks would have been better.

Answer 6

A cat's purr can mean a few things, they purr sometimes to relax, they also purr because they are content (happy) and sometimes they purr to calm themselves or someone around them. But most likely with your kittens, they are probably just happy. I've raised many cats from babies, they always purr, especially when they are kittens!

Answer 7

For the most part, cats purr because they are happy. However there is evidence that cats purr when they are hurt or distressed.

In your six week old kittens I'm pretty sure they are just happy.

Answer 8

It's quite odd actually, cats will purr when they are happy or content, but also sometimes when they are dying. I highly doubt that your 6 week old kittens are dying though, so they are probably just very happy.

Answer 9

Actually cats can purr for two reasons. One and usually the case is contentment. The other can be pain. In your case though it is highly likely your kitty is just happier than a lark.

Answer 10

i heard something different to what Forlorn heard. In the wild, all cat species purr, but only domestic cats can purr on an inbreath AND on an outbreath. Others purr only on the outbreath, I think. Why? dunno. Is it some kind of communication? or just relaxed muscles?