why do cats purrrr?

Question

What is the biological reason cats purr? What part of their body produces the sound? Thanks

Answer 1

Hi Katja...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/earth-and-environment/article/id/why-do-cats-purr/topicID/3./catID/3

Answer 2

Actually, no body really knows why cats purr. No one knows how they purr. Guess they keep that secret to them selves.

Personally, I like to believe they purr because they are comfortable and love us. However there just isn't any scientific proof of this.

May sometime in the future, someone will dig deeper and come up with a full answer.

OK, all you bright scientists out there. come up with the magic answer. Who's going to go into the deeper study of why cats purr? Unless of course someone already has a clue.

Answer 3

I have read that cats purr as a social signal--they want attention. Sometimes it's because they're happy, and sometimes when a cat is in pain, he will purr to either heal himself or to get assistance from a fellow cat. Cats don't totally hate social interactions, they just don't need them to be happy, and they will interact with other cats or with humans or other animals if it serves their needs at the time.

Answer 4

Cats purr to show emotion, they purr when they are happy, but they also purr when they are anxious as a way to calm themselves down. Cat purrs are complicated because sometimes you never know what the cat is truly trying to convey.

Answer 5

Their vocal cords produce the sound. Believe it or not cat's don't purr just because they are happy they pur to acquaint themselves with the beings they are surrounded with.

Answer 6

Cats purrr when they want something attention,food or water! Show affection. Vocal cords produce the sound!

Answer 7

they purr wen they are happy

Answer 8

by using fact THEY DO!!!!!!! NO REALY, ITS for each style of reasons and not merely happy, CONTENTMENT, OR overjoyed. it could additionally be ANNOYANCE, undesirable temper, OR FRUSTRATION. yet often happy. ok desire THIS enables good success.

Answer 9

there happy