What does it signify when a cat purrs?

Answer 1

LOVE. Signify's supreme love & contentment ! Can mean pleasure or pain.

Answer 2

Hi there...The reason is psychological as well as physiological--the two are not mutually exclusive of one another. Cat's purr whenever they feel content, extremely frightened and some will purr when they are dying as well.

How cats purr:
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.

The other theory is that the sound comes more from vibrating blood vessels than in the voicebox itself. The larger the vocal chords the softer the purr whereas the smaller the louder.
Source: http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/why_cats_purr.htm

The Scientific Reason WHY cats purr:

Some scientists believe when cats purr the frequency of their purring will help heal damaged bones and body organs as well as help heal humans.

All the cats had purr frequencies between 20 Hz and 200 Hz. With the exception of the cheetah, which had frequencies 2 Hz from the rest, all the species had frequencies, notably 25 Hz, 50 Hz, 100 Hz, 125 Hz, and 150 Hz, that correspond exactly with the best frequencies determined by the most recent research for bone growth, fracture healing, pain relief, relief of breathlessness, and inflammation. All of the cats' purrs, including the cheetah, had frequencies 4 Hz from the entire repertoire of low frequencies known to be therapeutic for all of the ailments.

That fact that the cats in this study produced frequencies that have been proven to improve healing time, strength and mobility could explain the purr's natural selection. After a day or night of hunting, purring could be likened to an internal vibrational therapeutic system, a sort of "kitty massage" that would keep muscles and ligaments in prime condition and less prone to injury. Additionally, the purr could strengthen bone, and prevent osteodiseases. Following injury, the purr vibrations would help heal the wound or bone associated with the injury, reduce swelling, and provide a measure of pain relief during the healing process.
Source: http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.cfm?articleID=0005CB0D-82FC-1E31-82FC809EC5880000&catID=3&topicID=3.

Answer 3

When a cat purrs it means it is happy, content and everything is right in the world. It is a voluntary action so your cat chooses to purr. here is a link to a website that talks about it: http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/cats.asp

Answer 4

Usually that they're happy, but it can be a sign of anxiety. My cat purrs when it goes to the vet!

Answer 5

Cats usually purr for two reasons:

1. Because they are happy and content
or
2. They are trying to comfort themselves after a trying situation.

Answer 6

Purring is another characteristic of a cat. Purring signifies that the cat is content.
Follow this with caution as purring does not always signify that the cat is happy.
Cats also purrs if they are ill, sick or dying.
Pay close attention to your cat, when it is purring and check for any physical signals which might suggest that it is not feeling well.

If it stops purring, that too signifies that it has some discomfort maybe it may be sick with a virus or something could be making her feel sick.
These are signals to suggest you that seek the services of a veterinarian and have your cat examined.
Non-purring may also happen when cats get older or maybe the purring is so soft that you are unable to hear them it.



As in humans, emotions play a very important part of a behavior in your cat. Fears, grief, compassion, jealously affect the behavior of your feline friends too.


* As fear is intimating to us so is it for them, it may have a fear of getting hurt or may be afraid of another animal.



* Cat would exhibit grief, when something tragic happens to it like loosing its owner, the same way as we do when we loose our near or dear ones.



* Cats have compassion for other cats.



* Your meowing and purring pet also turns green with jealousy if it has to share its owner, home, toys or food.



It is these emotions, you need to consider, when you are training your cat. It would be disturbed and might resort to excessive meowing and refuse to listen to its master.
When they show the signs of being emotional, you need to find what is affecting their behavior.



Are they hurt or are they ill or is it just their bad behavior.



Cats, being emotional, need your attention all the time. You need to observe, if they are satisfied with the location, they are comfortable with other pets or other members of the family and you should always be aware of their actions.



Training a pet is tricky. It is Time and Patience which will help you through. They are to be treated like our children, teach them good behavior and ignore their bad attitude.

Reward your cat for being good. You need to give time to your cat to teach them how to play with toys and other items which you have kept for their playing.
Always feed you cat with healthy food; these will ensure good medical condition and happy-content behavior.



Get toys which they would practically like to play with. Do not go in for toys which you would like them to play with.



Love them, Hug them and be kind to them, and you would be able to share the most beautiful relationship.


Cats can also produce a purring noise that typically indicates that the cat is happy, but also can mean that it feels distress, thus a purring cat is not necessarily a happy cat.
A cat in great pain, distress or even a female giving birth will purr. Cats purr among other cats—for example, the mother when she meets her kittens, or the kittens when suckling.

Until recently, there were many competing theories to explain how cats purr, including vibration of the cat's false vocal cords when inhaling and exhaling, the sound of blood hitting the aorta, vibration of the hyoid apparatus, or resonation directly in the lungs. Currently, though, it is believed that purring is a result of rhythmic impulses to the cat's larynx.

It is possible for a cat to call out and purr simultaneously. In addition to purring, cats may blink slowly or partially close their eyes when they are relaxed and happy.

However, purring may also be a way for the cat to calm itself down. As stated above, cats have been known to purr when hurt or distressed.

Although not proven, research has suggested that the frequency of the vibration produced by purring may promote healing of bones and organs in cats.

Answer 7

It means that they are very happy with what you are doing to them so that means if you are petting them on top of the head you should still do it. If you stop petting them on the head they might still purr but they have lowered their purring sound.

Answer 8

usually that they are content,but cats also purr when they are in distress or hurt if you don't see any reason why that would be the case, i wouldn't worry.

Answer 9

My kitten/cat book says it can mean the cat is happy or it can mean the cats is sick or uncomforbale, There is no way to be sure.

Answer 10

The cat is happy and content and is letting you know that.