what makes a cat purr??

Question

what is it that makes a cat purr??

Answer 1

Cat's purr because of the blood vessels located close to the voicebox. These blood vessels "quiver" if you will, and they quiver because of instinct. It is the cat's emotion that make this possible. This deals with the technique of mother cat's taking the "breath "out of their baby kittens, if it is necessary. In the same way, if the cat is feeling pleased, then its body will feel as if it is vibrating. This is the "perr".
Massaging, grooming, and overall pampering that saves the cat the trouble of doing it itself will make it perr.

Answer 2

The answers are good theories as to why a cat purrs. But at the end of the day it is still only a theory. They REALLY don't know why or how a cat purrs it is something soothing for the cat. Cats wont only purr when they are feeling loved and relaxed but cats will also purr if they are in intense pain. We have had cats come into the Surgery have been hit by a car and they purr a lot. So there is something very soothing for them to purr.

Answer 3

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 piston pump, pushing air in and out of the vibrating cords, thus creating a musical hum. Veterinarian Neils C. Pederson, author of Feline Husbandry, 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.²

The other theory is that the sound comes more from vibrating blood vessels than in the voicebox itself.

Answer 4

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 piston pump, pushing air in and out of the vibrating cords, thus creating a musical hum. Veterinarian Neils C. Pederson, author of Feline Husbandry, 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.

Answer 5

I read a wonderful article on this, & wish I could find it. All the physiological stuff is just fine, but the bottom line was the question~have you ever walked into a room & heard a cat purring ALL BY HIM/HERSELF? Hmm. (I've also heard cats purr when in pain, but I've never, ever seen this happen.) The gist of this wonderful article that I read, someone who truly researches every aspect of cats, was that he was open-minded about it, & tended to believe cats purr for US. To show love, contentment, & even--perhaps most importantly--as a way of "nurturing" us when their incredible sensitivity tells them we're under stress, or ill.

Answer 6

You area making your cat purr!! When you do nice things to your cat, or for your cat, or with your cat it will make him or her purr. It is YOU you big cuddly bundle of man love! Love those cats of yours, and let them know they are loved. Maybe they will make you purr too??!!

Answer 7

Happiness.

Answer 8

Petting them

Answer 9

i've always been told it was something to do with their lungs