How do cats purr?

Question

Like what goes on in the body to make it purr.

what makes them purr?

Answer 1

Here's the really neat thing on this answer: We don't know 100% how they purr. This is still one of their mysteries that cats have managed to keep to themselves!

We do know that their "wiring" is different from ours in that they have connections from their brain to the muscles of their voice box that is very unique. It's believed they can vibrate these muscles, thus creating the purr we all know. Because this isn't tied to the cat's breathing in anyway, the purr seems continuous.

Cats will purr for several reasons. Kittens instinctively purr when nursing -- it helps them to draw milk from mom; domestic house cats seem to purr at the drop of a hat; they'll purr to help themselves go to sleep; and -- one of the reasons we tend to love cats -- they purr when content and happy.

On the other end of the spectrum cats will also purr when in pronounced pain or under very high stress. Many owners will relate that their cats start purring the second they enter the vets office. Under these conditions science thinks cats are inducing purring to reduce fear. The purring vibration may actually help with healing as well.

Many owners describe their cats purring as sounding like that of a little motor. Oddly that's because the sound of a cat's purr and the sound of a motor operate on the same audio wave pattern -- 26 cycles per second!

It turns out some of the big cats -- jaguars, cheetahs and even lions have the ability to purr to some degree. Around 1900 a British officer was grabbed by a lion in what is now Kenya. The lion (a rather large male) dragged him into the bush and then lay down. At this point the lion -- the officer had no other term or discription for this -- began to purr. He said the sound had an almost calming influence. Some locals drove the lion off and saved the officer so he could live to relate the story.

All-in-all cats make about 18-22 different sounds, depending on the type of cat.

Hope this helps. It was a purrfectly delightful question (sorry about that). -- Andy

Answer 2

Actually from everything I've ever read, heard or been told by my Vet they have no answer as to how a cat purrs.

But a cat will not only purr when it's happy.
Actually a very ill or dying cat will also purr, it does this to hide the fact that it's ill and also to comfort itself.
Cats are very good at hiding illness, it's something that comes from when they were in the wild.
They couldn't let other animals know that they were ill, because if they did they would soon become prey instead of the preditor.

Answer 3

In their vocal cords is a section that they can actually control (much like we sing) that causes vibration thus causing a cat to purr

Answer 4

Here's the really neat thing on this answer: We don't know 100% how they purr. This is still one of their mysteries that cats have managed to keep to themselves!

We do know that their "wiring" is different from ours in that they have connections from their brain to the muscles of their voice box that is very unique. It's believed they can vibrate these muscles, thus creating the purr we all know. Because this isn't tied to the cat's breathing in anyway, the purr seems continuous.

Cats will purr for several reasons. Kittens instinctively purr when nursing -- it helps them to draw milk from mom; domestic house cats seem to purr at the drop of a hat; they'll purr to help themselves go to sleep; and -- one of the reasons we tend to love cats -- they purr when content and happy.

On the other end of the spectrum cats will also purr when in pronounced pain or under very high stress. Many owners will relate that their cats start purring the second they enter the vets office. Under these conditions science thinks cats are inducing purring to reduce fear. The purring vibration may actually help with healing as well.

Many owners describe their cats purring as sounding like that of a little motor. Oddly that's because the sound of a cat's purr and the sound of a motor operate on the same audio wave pattern -- 26 cycles per second!

It turns out some of the big cats -- jaguars, cheetahs and even lions have the ability to purr to some degree. Around 1900 a British officer was grabbed by a lion in what is now Kenya. The lion (a rather large male) dragged him into the bush and then lay down. At this point the lion -- the officer had no other term or discription for this -- began to purr. He said the sound had an almost calming influence. Some locals drove the lion off and saved the officer so he could live to relate the story.

All-in-all cats make about 18-22 different sounds, depending on the type of cat.

. -- Huge HIM Fan


i can't take credit for this answer.
i nominate Andy for Best Answer

Answer 5

Top Answer out of 7 Read all answers

The mechanism is a "second" vocal chord. It is not a true vocal chord but tissue that mimics it. Felines will slowly push air past these tissue and the vibration (purr) is the result.

The purring usually is a sign of affection. Some speculate it helps digestion. I can usually get a cat to purr if it is in a petting mood. Many times a cat will scratch my hand when I stop. This is a sign of affection and playing. Do NOT punish the cat.

I knew that they had a second set of vocal cords, but I wasn't quite sure how it worked.

Answer 6

Something in their vocal cords when they are content or in pain.Or any other variety of things that make kitties purr. We make noises too.

Answer 7

meow lol