How do cats purr?

Question

According to answers from other questions, it is thru the larynx, but i feel it in my cats chest and belly but not the throat?

Answer 1

One study determined that purring involves activation of nerves within the voice box. These nerve signals cause vibration of the vocal cords while the diaphragm serves as a piston pump, pushing air in and out of the vibrating cords, thus creating a musical hum. Veterinarian Neils C. Pederson, author of Feline Husbandry, believes that purring is initiated from within the central nervous system and is a voluntary act. In other words, cats purr only when they want to.

Answer 2

Why and how do cats purr?

No one knows for sure why a domestic cat purrs, but many people interpret the sound as one of contentment. Our understanding of how a domestic cat purrs is becoming more complete; most scientists agree that the larynx (voice box), laryngeal muscles, and a neural oscillator are involved.

Kittens learn how to purr when they are a couple of days old. Veterinarians suggest that this purring tells ‘Mom’ that “I am okay” and that “I am here.” It also indicates a bonding mechanism between kitten and mother.

As the kitten grows into adulthood, purring continues. Many suggest a cat purrs from contentment and pleasure. But a cat also purrs when it is injured and in pain. Dr. Elizabeth Von Muggenthaler has suggested that the purr, with its low frequency vibrations, is a “natural healing mechanism.” Purring may be linked to the strengthening and repairing of bones, relief of pain, and wound healing (See Web link to Felid purr: a healing mechanism).

Purring is a unique vocal feature in the domestic cat. However, other species in the Felidae family also purr: Bobcat, Cheetah, Eurasian Lynx, Puma, and Wild Cat (Complete list in Peters, 2002). Current studies show that Pantherinae subfamily: Lion, Leopard, Jaquar, Tiger, Snow Leopard, and Clouded Leopard do not have purring (Peters, 2002).

What makes the purr distinctive from other cat vocalizations is that it is produced during the entire respiratory cycle (inhaling and exhaling). Other vocalizations such as the “meow” are limited to the expiration of the breath.

It was once thought that the purr was produced from blood surging through the inferior vena cava, but as research continues it seems that the intrinsic (internal) laryngeal muscles are the likely source for the purr. Moreover, there is an absence of purring in a cat with laryngeal paralysis. The laryngeal muscles are responsible for the opening and closing of the glottis (space between the vocal chords), which results in a separation of the vocal chords, and thus the purr sound. Studies have shown, that the movement of the laryngeal muscles is signaled from a unique “neural oscillator” (Frazer-Sisson, Rice, and Peters, 1991 & Remmers and Gautier, 1972) in the cat’s brain.

Source(s):
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/...

Answer 3

There is no true explanation as to how they do it even though there a lot of theories, there has been no concrete proof as to how they purr. As to why they purr, you would have to ask the cat because they purr when they are injured in any way so the theory about them being happy when they purr just doesn't add up.

Answer 4

They have teeny tiny motors in there. I'm sure the larynx is responsible but the vibrations travel throughout the body so you feel it in the chest and belly.

Answer 5

I read this thing on one of the reasons cats purr.Some say that it's like there're singing because there're either relaxed or trying to calm themselves down.It sorta makes sence cause they purr when you pet them and purr when they give birth or when they are dying.

Answer 6

It is the blood that flows through a sack in their neck. Scientists still don't know what adsactly triggers that effect but obviously it's reactions to contentment, happiness, and sometimes fear.

Answer 7

When the air passes thu their neck it makes their vocal cords vibrate.

Answer 8

No one knows for sure. There are theories but no explanation accepted by everyone.

Answer 9

Go to Dr. Universe.com and ask her....she is very wise. AND she is a cat.

Answer 10

That is still a mystery to mankind