Why do cats purr?

sleeping-kitten

While everyone who has ever been around a cat knows that cats purr, what is less common knowledge is why they do so. While scientists have not been able to come to a concrete conclusion as to exactly why cats purr, they have found some interesting reasons behind this behavior.

Surprisingly, cats do not only purr when they are happy and content. They also purr when they are stressed out or in pain. Given this fact, some scientists believe that purring is a cat’s way of coping with problematic or difficult situation.

Purring is also clearly a form of communication. Mother cats purr to their kittens and the kittens purr back. This type of communications serves wild cats well, as predators are not able to detect the low, humming sound.

A cat’s purr also helps it to heal. Because purring is a low frequency sound, it eases muscle pain and enables broken bones to mend faster than they would have otherwise.

Purring is more than just a sound. It is a fascinating behavioral trait that is unique to cats and while science is not able to figure out all the reasons why cats purr, it is clear that doing so is of great benefit to cats and helps them express their feelings, deal with pain and discomfort and more.

1 Comment on Why do cats purr?

  1. Tricia
    May 6, 2014 at 5:19 am (10 years ago)

    It brings great to are felines as well as humans. My 170lb mastiff Bella passed and she loved pumpkin head the tomkitty kitty!! Grief of your animal is not for Pussies. My boyfriend is so jealous of my lost companion, i’m moving back to the lower 48 from Alaska, i’m so empty without my animals it’s unbearing. In my heart of hearts I know theres folk out there with more compassion for critters than our 2 legged kind.

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