Why do cats purr?
There is no definitive answer as to why cats purr–the only known answer, is that there are multiple reasons why cats purr that are not necessarily related. Cats purr from their earliest stages as kittens when nursing, so it was believed that the purring noise is a sound that cats make for their human companions to signal "I consider you as a surrogate mother." The only problem with just this interpretation is that cats also purr when frightened or in a state of stress, which means that the purring does not indicate necessarily that they are interested in expressing adoration or affection.One interesting theory is that the purring is in fact meant as a healing or soothing sensation for the cat and the human companion. Purring has already shown signs that it can facilitate the healing process, meaning that there might be a practical necessity for cats to purr, aside from simply showing affection. When cats are purring during a frightened state, it could be the case that they are soothing themselves and preventing against maladies that can be brought about by high levels of stress (as humans themselves have experienced from their own stress-induced maladies).Essentially, purring is an instinctual reaction that many members of the cat familiy utilize.
Leslie A. Lyons, an assistant professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, explains. Over the course of evolution, purring has probably offered some selective advantage to cats. Most felid species produce a “purr-like” vocalization. In domestic cats, purring is most noticeable when an animal is nursing her kittens or when humans provide social contact via petting, stroking or feeding. Although we assume that a cats purr is an expression of pleasure or is a means of communication with its young, perhaps the reasons for purring can be deciphered from the more stressful moments in a cats life. Cats often purr while under duress, such as during a visit to the veterinarian or when recovering from injury. Thus, not all purring cats appear to be content or pleased with their current circumstances. This riddle has lead researchers to investigate how cats purr, which is also still under debate. Scientists have demonstrated that cats produce the purr thr
And what produces this characteristic sound? According to veterinarian Bruce Fogle, author of The Cat’s Mind, the original function of purring was to enable a kitten to communicate with his mother that things are well. A kitten is able to purr by the second day of life, and although he can’t meow and nurse at the same time, he can purr and nurse. And the mother cat often purrs back, probably to reassure the kitty. GA_googleFillSlot(“Articles-InsideContent-Left-300×250”); GA_googleFillSlot(“Articles-InsideContent-Right-300×250”); There are many theories to explain how the purr is generated. 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
Contentment, comfort, security… for many pet owners, the humming purr of a squinting cat is the unmistakable signal that their feline is happy and healthy. • In many ways this is true: behaviorists believe the original function of purring was to enable a kitten to tell his mother that “all is well.” This often occurs during nursing. A kitten can’t meow and nurse at the same time, but can purr and nurse without any problem. The mother often purrs back, reassuring the kitten using this tactile, resonant communication. This is why your cat purrs when petted, instinctively giving the signal “all is well,” a message you can both feel and hear. But this isn’t the only message purring may signal: • Older cats purr when they play or approach other cats, signaling they are friendly and want to come closer. Veterinary Perspective… When a cat is purring, it is almost impossible to hear the cat’s heart or lungs very well, making examination of vital signs difficult. Oddly enough, many cats wil
And while we’re on the subject, what is the pedigree of the Cheshire cat? — T.S., Dallas Dear T: Cats don’t purr just when they’re feeling chipper — they also purr when they’re frightened or badly hurt. Purring doesn’t have any specific emotional connotation; rather it seems to be a kind of homing device. Cats learn the signal in the first few days of kittenhood, when they can’t see, hear, or smell very well. The mother cat purrs to call the kittens to nurse — unable to hear the sound, the kitten can feel the vibrations. There are two schools of thought on exactly how a cat purrs. One theory traces the vibrations to a set of “false vocal cords,” a bundle of membranes that lies above the genuine vocal chords and seems to have no other clear function. The other opinion locates the purr in the vibrations of the hyoid apparatus, a series of small bones connecting the skull and the larynx that nominally serves to support the tongue. Since it’s difficult to induce a cat to purr while you’re
