2007-11-02 01:55:43 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Though there are many theories, no-one knows for sure how cats purr. It's difficult for studies to prove anything because not only can you hear them purring, but you can feel the vibrations along their body at the same time, and it's been impossible for anyone to determine where the purr starts internally.
They will purr when they are happy and relaxed, but they will also purr when in pain or afraid. Purring seems to be a source of comfort to them.
2007-11-02 02:19:08 · answer #1 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was watching Animal Planet on the Discovery Net Work just two days ago and they said that a Cat will purr while under stress.
2007-11-02 09:07:16 · answer #2 · answered by blueridgemotors 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nobody knows for sure what causes this phenomenon. Cats purr not only when they are content, but also when they are in pain. It is felt that it has something to do with their diaphragm but, as I said, nobody knows for sure.
2007-11-02 09:05:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats purr when they are happy and content
2007-11-02 08:58:16 · answer #4 · answered by mommacat 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How does a cat's purring work? How do cats make the purring noise?
Humans seem to be fascinated by animals who can do things that we cannot. For example, HowStuffWorks has answers to questions about camel humps, Hawk vision, night vision, fish gills and so on.
And so it is with cats purring. We cannot purr, so we are interested in how cats can do it. It turns out that domestic cats, some wild cats like pumas and mountain lions (in general, any big cat that cannot roar) and even raccoons are all able to purr. Humans happen to smile and laugh when they are happy, and dogs wag their tails. So it is not unusual for an animal to have a physical reaction to happiness. Cats show happiness by purring. They may also purr when startled or upset.
It turns out that cats have special wiring! The wiring travels from the brain to the muscles in the voice box, and this wiring is able to vibrate the muscles so that they act as a valve for air flowing past the voice box. The muscles work both during inhalation and exhalation, which creates the impression that cats can purr continuously. The air passes through the valve, which opens and closes rapidly to create the purring sound.
WHY CATS PURR AND WHY IT IS GOOD FOR US!
I was having a quiet read of a few newspapers the other day and found lots of interesting stuff about why cats purr and how it is good for us! Before you ask I normally read the Times and the Daily Telegraph because I think that really looks impressive (I'm a bit of a show off), if no one is looking I have been known to read the Sun!!
I always knew there was some good reason for making the terrific purring noise that I do (other than humouring the humans of course). Scientists at the Fauna Communications Research Institute in North Carolina have discovered that our purring is a 'natural healing mechanism' that has helped to inspire the myth that we all have nine lives.
Wounded cats will purr because it helps to heal and strenghten bones and organs. Cats purr at between 27 and 44 hertz (a measure of the number of cycles per second and NOT a car hire firm!), exposure to similar sound frequencies is known to improve bone density in humans. Purring is believed to have a similar effect to ultra-sound treatment on humans.
The experts say that there is no obvious reason for a cat to purr just to show contentment - what these experts do not realise is that we purr to get round humans, cajole nice tuna meals and treats, etc, out of them! Dr David Purdie, from Hull University, has a theory that the human skeleton needs stimulation to prevent it losing calcium, he says that purring could be the cat's way of providing that stimulation for it's own bones. Just goes to show what clever animals we are if you ask me!!
I am thinking of renting myself out to humans for purring duties - subject to payment of at least the minimum wage and lots of tins of Felix!
Crikey ... scary stats
Did you know that a recent study in The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that out of 132 cats that fell an average of 5.5 storeys, 90 per cent survived, including one that fell 45 storeys!! Makes me shudder to think about it - I'm off for a nap somewhere low to the ground...
2007-11-02 09:03:12 · answer #5 · answered by heleneaustin 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am not sure what makes them purr, but it is cute.
2007-11-02 09:05:57 · answer #6 · answered by Brenda 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
pure pleasure* when a kitty is happy, content,relaxed and feeling very mellow they purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr =(^_^)=
2007-11-02 09:02:49 · answer #7 · answered by Penny Mae 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
when happy,and pleased to see you,when being patted,when eating
2007-11-02 09:06:24 · answer #8 · answered by sky 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Rubbing its Ding-a-ling.........
2007-11-02 09:03:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋