why do cats purr?

Answer 1

Go to this page here, this will tell you about cats purring:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/question394.htm

Answer 2

Hi Kelli...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 pump, pushing air in and out of the vibrating cords, thus creating a musical hum. Some veterinarians 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 when they are either content, happy or even in tremendous pain.

Some cats whose health is failing will even purr when they are dying.

The other theory is that the sound comes more from vibrating blood vessels than in the voicebox itself.

Answer 3

Purring is part of every cat's repertoire of social communication, apparently created by the movement of air in spasms through contractions of the diaphragm. Interestingly, purring is sometimes heard in cats who are severely ill or anxious, perhaps as a self-comforting vocalization. But, more typically, it is a sign of contentment, first heard in kittens as they suckle milk from their mother.

In adults, purring is heard in domesticated cats when they are petted, and in feral cats during sexual or other social contexts. Like submissive posturing among dogs, purring may be a signal of appeasement to other cats or to people, a way to communicate that the purring cat need not be threatened.

As with many behaviors in dogs and cats, the original presumed purpose of the behavior may not be directly relevant in a pet home. But we do believe that, when our healthy pet cats purr, they are happy and at peace.

Answer 4

Yes they do purr when they are content and happy but my cat has been known to purr when she was sick so who really knows ask your kitty

Answer 5

They purr when they are happy but also one of my cats was knocked down by a car and was shaken up badly and she was purring then. So they purr when they are in shock or pain also. (she recovered ok).

Answer 6

They do it to get attention. When they are happy but also when ill or injured. Every cat I have seen through working with a rescue that has been hit by a car/otherwise badly injured has been brought in purring - and they are NOT happy when that happens.

It's an attention seeking device :) When you stroke them and they like it they want the attention to keep going so they keep purring, and so on :)

Answer 7

Why they purr is because they're content and happy. How they purr, no one knows.

Answer 8

cats purr when they are happy/content

Answer 9

Because when a cat is relaxed, it's uvula relaxes and vibrates with the cat's breathing pattern. We hear it as the cat purring.

:)

Answer 10

cats purr when they are happy, content, sleeping, its a sort of relaxation noise i suppose......