Cat's only ever seem to purr when they're stroked.?

Question

Did they invent purring when people started to domesticate them? Or did they purr for other reasons?!

Answer 1

Cats purr when they are happy or sad. Our cat purred when she was shot by the neighbor. She purred on the way to the Vets and on the table. She purred at dinner and bed time and petting time. She purred when I told her goodbye.and hello. She purred when the dog knocked her off the couch. She was purring when she slapped him for the knock off the couch. She quite one day and never purred again, she passed that night. I missed the noise.

Answer 2

I've had cats that purred regardless if they were being touched or not.

It's a way of expressing contentment. Some also purr when they're injured. Unless you have the ability to communicate with them (meaning you and they speak the same language and you both fluenty understand each other), the full extent will always be a mystery.

While I've never been around a wild cat to find out and I don't want to get that close to one honestly, I don't believe that purring was invented due to domestication. An outdoor cat who runs wild in the neighborhood will purr for the same reasons and with the same abilities that an indoor house cat will. So for that reason, I don't see why a big cat who is in the wilderness and never been domesticated couldn't do the same for the same reasons. Only difference is that no one is going to be petting the wild cat if they want any of their body parts intact.

Check out the "Everything Cat Book" if you haven't already as it is very informative.

Answer 3

No, cats purr for many reasons different from stroking.

Cats have been known to purr when severely wounded, and in pain, to calm themselves. Cats also purr, I have read, when they have sexual intercourse. So no, I don't think cats inventer purring when people started to domesticate them. My kitten also purred the first few days when he came to me, when he was so scared he didn't come out from under the bed unless I was either asleep or away; never ate, and never let me touch him - just to calm himself, I guess.

Answer 4

Hi Emily...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. Both domestic and exotic cats purr with the exception of the largest cat such as the lions.

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 5

My cat only purrs when she is snuggled up next to me being petted, she also pushes against my chest adn tries to feed but thats another point!! She gets excited adn freindly when her dinner is due, ie: rubbing against me etc but ive read that too do with scents they secrete? but doesnt purr
It seems reading the other posts it an individual thing, mainly done during times of happiness, I hope I never have to find out if she does in when shes in pain.
One thing that does amuse me is when we are in bed adn she is snuggled up adn purring, if i push harder on her head when I stroke her she purrs louder adn deeper, we are working on a cat symphony lol (before anyone says im being cruel, im not that hard, she could leave if she doesnt like it, in fact it makes her go all gooey) so funny.
To get the answer to ur question ( im like a lot of cat lovers, just wanna talk about mine!) Maybe u could contact ur local zoo, cat keepers love to answer questions like this, knowing what wild cats do might give u some insight.

Ive just read the post from the cat trainer, its interesting that he says they purr when dying which makes me think its a voluntary thing they can control , but as death is close they lose the ability to control it, would also apply when they were in pain.

Answer 6

one of my cats has the habbit of jumping on my bed as soon as I open my eyes in the morning (usually they are not aloud to do so but morning is the exception). if i am not awake he waits patiently nearby and jumps on only when he is sure I am not asleep anymore. And then he cuddles up at my hand or under my armpit and he purrs! it goes on for about 5 minutes before I have to get up and often I have no energy to stroke him being half asleep but he purrs anyway - with or without stroking! i have no idea about the pre-historic reasons of purring though, sorry!

Answer 7

I have a cat who purrs almost nonstop whether I'm petting him or not. Also,kittens purr as they nurse and a cat who is frightened or in pain will sometimes purr. Scientists aren't positive HOW they do it, much less why.

Answer 8

All cats purr...from Lions to domestic cats....its just the way cats are

And cats dont just purr when they're stroked...my female cat never stops purring...she purrs all day and all night lol she's a sweetheart though

Answer 9

I have 2 rescued sister cats who sleep on my bed, and they purr all night!!! Even though they are not being stroked, they just purr and purr; in stereo!! Its lovely!

Answer 10

Nah - - - haven't you ever seen your kitty purr when he/she is having a good dream? Yes they love our attentive fingers and may increase the volume to let Us know but they can purr on their own without our help. When my PUMA CAT is sending out Good Dreams he purrs up a storm. Peace.