I heard this on the radio the other day. It would explain why my kitty is sometimes purrring away then suddenly SNAP goes the mouth to try and bite us. Anyone know if this is true?
2006-11-06 03:32:17 · 9 answers · asked by cream 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes, sometimes they'll purr when they are angry, disturbed, etc. The biting you're talking about is typical too. Some cats just can't handle heavy petting and get a little too excited. Very gentle soft strokes shouldn't produce any teeth or claws. The minute the cats starts to turn its head to look at your hand, I would ease up on the petting and let the cat relax for a few seconds before continuing.
2006-11-06 03:35:13 · answer #1 · answered by LokiBuff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recently read in a book called the cat encyclopedia that cats purring is a reflex and that not all cats purr just because they are happy, some cats purr when scared or being aggressive. Other ways to know if a cat is happy or being aggressive is the ears, when the ears are upright, they are happy and content. When the ears are side ways, mostly folded back, means they are being aggressive.
Have a great day.
2006-11-06 14:11:43 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle Lynn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats also purr when they are stressed out.
"...kitty is sometimes purring away then suddenly SNAP goes the mouth to try and bite us."
A few cats, particularly un-neutered males, can be over-stimulated by petting and will react w/ sudden biting and attacking behavior.
See your vet and spay and neuter your pet.
2006-11-06 11:54:57 · answer #3 · answered by shasinc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the first answer is wrong. Cats purr when they are very happy, and they also purr when they are in extreme pain, e.g. injury or labor. When cats are angry or perturbed, they'll wag their tail, hiss, and sometimes growl. Your cat is probably purring when it is happy, but I read somewhere that the whole snapping when it is being loved is just becuase of overstimulation. Sometimes the cat can have enough petting and will resort to predatory behavior to get you to stop. Cats are just weird like that.
2006-11-06 11:44:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats will also purr when they are afraid. Mine always purr up a storm at the vet's, and I know they are not happy to be there.
2006-11-06 11:51:45 · answer #5 · answered by BVC_asst 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know from experience that injured cats purr very loud and get an intense look on their face.
2006-11-06 11:44:20 · answer #6 · answered by MrLee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats can be overstimulated by too much petting or holding and they will then use their mouths to let you know they have had enough. Usually when the tail starts switching you will know they have reached their "breaking" point and it is time to turn your attentions elsewhere and let the cat go off by itself.
2006-11-06 11:38:37 · answer #7 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it's true...it's common for cats to purr even as they die...why exactly they do purr i don't know tho...it's an interesting topic
2006-11-06 12:15:46 · answer #8 · answered by SNAP! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no cats perr when happy
2006-11-06 14:21:50 · answer #9 · answered by angel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋