What does it mean when my cat purrs????

Question

My cat purrs when you pet her but when I pet she tries biting me and starts atacking. But when she enters the house she starts purring??? So what does it mean when my cat purrs?? Does it mean that their happy or mad?????????

Answer 1

Cats purr for any number of reasons. Most often we associate it with contentment, but cats also purr when scared, hurt, overstimulated, or stressed.

I don't think it means that she's mad, but it could mean that she's a bit scared or overwhelmed by you petting her, especially since she often follows up with biting and attacking. I'd let her control the petting by allowing her to come to you and not holding her while you pet her. That way, when she gets overstimulated, she can escape on her own and go relax.

Answer 2

Why cats purr
http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/why_cats_purr.htm

Cats purr for two reasons. A high pitched, loud purr when they are content and happy, and satified with life. And a low rumbling purr that is only slightly audible when they are stressed, sick, dying, under the weather.

I really started paying attention to a cat's purr when, only in hindsight mind you, I heard Tessy's purr change to a low rumble a few days before she was diagnosed with kidney disease. She never recovered.

More recently a red flag went up when I heard Colby's purr change from his normal very loud, very boistrous purr down to something akin to purring under his breath. It became softer. A trip to the vet revealed that he had an abscessed tooth.

Your cat bites you because you're petting her too long and over stimulating her. Her "attack" is the only way she can tell you to "please stop, I've had enough'. Devin is a Applehead Siamese and he is easily over stimulated.
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1711&S=0&SourceID=28
Stop petting her when her tail starts to twitch.

The reason your cat purrs when you let her in because it is her way of thanking you. Maybe she had a bit of a stressful time outside and she is relieved that she has been allowed back into a safe place. Devin purrs loudly when I let him out of a room he has snuck into. He acts like I have saved him from a fate worse then death when I let him out.

I have one sweet little girl who purrs loudly and happily when I'm clipping her claws, giving her a bath for shows, when she's having an exam at the vet's, or anything else that would normally stress a cat out. Yep, she's a weird one.

Watching a cat's body language will also tell you how they are feeling when they purr.

I became a cat whisperer when I starting keeping cats in 1978 and showing cats for 6 years. Anytime a cat displays a behaviour I have a need to research it and find out why they do what they do.

spazrats
http://spazrats.tripod.com/family.html

Answer 3

Purring is not a part of every cat's repertoire of social communication, but it is one of the most common. Not a great deal is known about the mechanics of purring, but purring is generally associated with contentment and happiness in cats.

Interestingly, though, purring is sometimes heard in cats that are severely ill or anxious, perhaps as a self-comforting vocalization.

Vocal cats use vowel sounds to indicate their desires. The subtle differences in sound communicate commands as well as requests and complaints.

In the wild, vowel sounds are restricted to kittens, but the process of domestication has extended this method of communication well into adulthood.

Adult cats also create high-intensity sounds by changing the shape of their mouth. Hisses and grumbling are the most common examples, used primarily between cats as a means of communicating aggressive or defensive intentions. Cats in heat and feral strays also use this form of communication.

Answer 4

The cat could be happy because it did something good. I read that sometimes cats purr to relieve stress. It makes them feel good.

Answer 5

It usually means they are happy and content, but can also mean they are afraid or agitated. Sounds like she is a typical kitten and likes to play with her favorite plaything which is YOU. Biting is a group play habit, all carnivorous animals bite and play bite when playing. It is helping them build their hunting/protection skills. Don't let her use your hands, tho, make her a couple of attack toys out of old socks and stuff, and they love boxes too. Hope you and your cat have many happy years together.

Answer 6

She's happy. My cat purrs when I pet him, too, but then he bites me and carries on for awhile. As I type this, he's currently gnawing on my toes! I think this stage will pass; when he was a kitten, he used to do it constantly. He doesn't do it quite as much anymore, tho.

Answer 7

well cats can purr for several reasons. the most common is when they are content. however, you can might also purr if it is hurt to keep calm. a mother cat purrs to her kittens when they are born to let them know everything is ok .

Answer 8

if the cat purrs it happy but if you pet it and tries to bite you the nshe doesn't lie you or she want to play around

Answer 9

It could mean your cat feels happy and relaxed with you and wants to play with you, similar to puppys.

Answer 10

It means your cat feels happy and relaxed with you and wants to play with you, similar to puppys and other animals too. Also she/he feels comportable around you.