What actually happens when cats pur and does it really mean
that they are happy. Because my cat purs 24/7. She will start at the sight of me.
2007-02-12 06:04:53 · 10 answers · asked by Queen Bee 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats purr by vibrating their diaphragms as the air passes through them when they breathe. This makes the purring sound that everyone who has a cat is familiar with. Cats aren't the only animals that can purr - many big cats can such as pumas and mountain lions, and even raccoons are able to do it.
As far as why cats purr, it's actually done both when they are very happy and when they are extremely sick or anxious. You'll most likely hear your cat purr when you are petting it. The theory on why they purr when they are injured or sick is that it acts to calm them through the rhythmic aspect of the sound. Pregnant cats will often purr when giving birth, which is probably for the same reason. Purring is something cats are born with, and they will do it as kittens when they nurse from their mothers. As adults, they will likely purr whenever you're giving attention to them.
2007-02-12 06:15:22 · answer #1 · answered by impala400sb 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
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
2007-02-12 15:57:31 · answer #2 · answered by Andy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess your cat either really loves you or if it is a baby kitten it's probably like my cat. When my cat was born he NEVER stopped purring, literally, now that he is a couple years old he purrs a lot but not 24/7. Another possibility (if you adopted this cat out of a shelter or of a street somewhere) is that is really happy to have a home and will soon stop purring but still purr on a daily basis.
2007-02-12 15:37:11 · answer #3 · answered by baboo b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I studied phonation at Uni and this question of How they purr came up... It seems to happen on inspiration as well as expiration and the Lecturer told us it could be via some sort of blood vessel???
Why they purr? I like to believe it is when my cat is happy...but have noticed that she purrs when I take her to the vet..
2007-02-12 14:39:22 · answer #4 · answered by yeahokinalittlewhile 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same my cat purrs whenever I look at him or talk to him. Cats purr whent he are happy, in pain or anxious.
2007-02-12 14:46:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no...it doesnt always mean they are happy...alot of times cats pur is while they are frustrated or mad.
2007-02-12 14:12:18 · answer #6 · answered by ƪ♥ᴀᴀᴙᴓɳ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are happy. They love you.
2007-02-12 15:47:38 · answer #7 · answered by Homer S. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES IT DOES AWWWW THAT IS REALLLY CUTE SHE LOVES YOU A LOT I HAVENT HEARD MY CAT PURR IN FOREVER AWWWW ENHOY WHILE IT LASTS!!!!=)
2007-02-12 14:14:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
she loves you
2007-02-12 14:11:46 · answer #9 · answered by the man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she probably thinks your sexy
2007-02-12 14:29:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋