why do cats purr?

Question

why do cats purr? its really random

Answer 1

Because God has a sense of humor :-)

Answer 2

I answered one of these a few days ago.

Science has yet to discover why or how Cats purr.

It can indicate they are happy, upset, have an increased heart rate,... but most importantly the purring varies from cat to cat so for some cats none of the things I just listed are acceptable answers for that specific cat (single cat like single person,.. not like type of cat as in breed).

So in short the answer is,.. Noone Knows and Noone Can Answer This Correctly.

Every cat purrs for different reasons, no reason, or never purrs... see,,... every cat is different so no answer can hold true or as fact for every domestic cat.

Answer 3

Although we assume that a cat’s purr is an expression of pleasure or is a means of communication with its young, perhaps the reasons for purring can be deciphered from the more stressful moments in a cat’s life. Cats often purr while under duress, such as during a visit to the veterinarian or when recovering from injury. Thus, not all purring cats appear to be content or pleased with their current circumstances.

This riddle has lead researchers to investigate how cats purr, which is also still under debate.

Scientists have demonstrated that cats produce the purr through intermittent signaling of the laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscles. Cats purr during both inhalation and exhalation with a consistent pattern and frequency between 25 and 150 Hertz. Various investigators have shown that sound frequencies in this range can improve bone density and promote healing.

This association between the frequencies of cats' purrs and improved healing of bones and muscles may provide help for some humans. Bone density loss and muscle atrophy is a serious concern for astronauts during extended periods at zero gravity. Their musculo-skeletal systems do not experience the normal stresses of physical activity, including routine standing or sitting, which requires strength for posture control.


Because cats have adapted to conserve energy via long periods of rest and sleep, it is possible that purring is a low energy mechanism that stimulates muscles and bones without a lot of energy. The durability of the cat has facilitated the notion that cats have "nine lives" and a common veterinary legend holds that cats are able to reassemble their bones when placed in the same room with all their parts. Purring may provide a basis for this feline mythology. The domestication and breeding of fancy cats occurred relatively recently compared to other pets and domesticated species, thus cats do not display as many muscle and bone abnormalities as their more strongly selected carnivore relative, the domestic dog. Perhaps cats' purring helps alleviate the dysplasia or osteoporotic conditions that are more common in their canid cousins. Although it is tempting to state that cats purr because they are happy, it is more plausible that cat purring is a means of communication and a potential source of self-healing.

Answer 4

WHY CATS PURR AND WHY IT IS GOOD FOR US!
I was having a quiet read of a few newspapers the other day and found lots of interesting stuff about why cats purr and how it is good for us! Before you ask I normally read the Times and the Daily Telegraph because I think that really looks impressive (I'm a bit of a show off), if no one is looking I have been known to read the Sun!!

I always knew there was some good reason for making the terrific purring noise that I do (other than humouring the humans of course). Scientists at the Fauna Communications Research Institute in North Carolina have discovered that our purring is a 'natural healing mechanism' that has helped to inspire the myth that we all have nine lives.

Wounded cats will purr because it helps to heal and strenghten bones and organs. Cats purr at between 27 and 44 hertz (a measure of the number of cycles per second and NOT a car hire firm!), exposure to similar sound frequencies is known to improve bone density in humans. Purring is believed to have a similar effect to ultra-sound treatment on humans.

The experts say that there is no obvious reason for a cat to purr just to show contentment - what these experts do not realise is that we purr to get round humans, cajole nice tuna meals and treats, etc, out of them! Dr David Purdie, from Hull University, has a theory that the human skeleton needs stimulation to prevent it losing calcium, he says that purring could be the cat's way of providing that stimulation for it's own bones. Just goes to show what clever animals we are if you ask me!!

I am thinking of renting myself out to humans for purring duties - subject to payment of at least the minimum wage and lots of tins of Felix!

Crikey ... scary stats

Did you know that a recent study in The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that out of 132 cats that fell an average of 5.5 storeys, 90 per cent survived, including one that fell 45 storeys!! Makes me shudder to think about it - I'm off for a nap somewhere low to the ground...

Answer 5

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 6

cat purr usually means contentment, or anticipation of some thing,
or even that diabolical intention to wake you up in early morning to feed it

Answer 7

Cats purr when they are happy, we call it there happy motor.

Answer 8

Cats purr because they cannot moan in ecstacy as you and I do; it's a cat you see.

Answer 9

They do it for two main reasons:
- They're content
- They're comforting themselves

Answer 10

because its kinda like a relaxing thing they do.....well when there relaxed just like when they hiss in stress and fear for there protection!