Cat Purr 101

It is commonly known that cats purr is a sign of their happiness or contentment and it is a soothing sound to us humans. However, a cat purr is  can serve many purposes and this interesting and unique behavior is surprisingly complex!

Cats do purr when they’re happy, but their purring serves other purposes too. Cats will purr as another way to vocalize their needs to us humans in addition to meowing. A purr can also result due to physical pain or stress. A simple purr can provide pain or anxiety relief through self soothing. Some studies have shown that it even can assist in their physical healing. And it’s not an exclusive behavior to your furry friends at home— surprisingly wild cats do it too! Yep, even those ferocious wild cats like bobcats and cheetahs have a soft side! 

What is a purr?

How cats purr exactly is still considered to be a bit of a fuzzy area in the study of cat behavior. However, a purr can be thought of as similar to that of a human smile. It can be consciously or subconsciously expressed and can occur due to many different stimuli, mostly positive but sometimes negative. The purr sound is thought to be caused by cat vibrating the laryngeal muscles which cause audible vibrations in their vocal cords and results in that delightful purring sound. 

The frequency of a cat’s purr ranges somewhere between 25 to 150 Hertz. This range isn’t random, it’s evolved over time to be what it is today and has been linked to some pretty amazing health benefits. Purring is like a feline super power, helping them (and us!) with everything from muscle building to stress and pain relief. The vibrations help to stimulate the muscles throughout their body, helping them stay toned and strong. It’s like they are giving themselves a mini massage from the inside out and these massage-like vibrations will also help to ease any physical discomfort they may be experiencing. It has even been suggested to promote bone and tissue healing, helping to bounce back from injuries faster.

However, if you notice that your cat is purring a lot more than usual lately, and notice any other physical symptoms, such as an injury or cut, limping, extreme behavioral and energy changes, or anything else off about your cat’s health, you should talk to your vet or schedule an appointment. While purring is helpful to a cat’s physical health, early treatment of any concerns is most important! 

Stress and Anxiety Relief

Purring has been linked to reducing stress and anxiety in cats, and many purr as a self soothing technique. So, whether they’re dealing with a change in their environment or just feeling a bit on edge, purring can be their go-to method for finding some peace and tranquility. It’s like a fuzzy blanket they can always have and hug.

Communicating their Needs

Some cats communicate what they want to us through purrs rather than meows and many will communicate using a combination of the two. If your cat seems to be purring more than usual to capture your attention, you should check their food and water bowls as well as their litter box. They may be in need of a refill or refresh. You should also check that there isn’t anything else that they may be in need of. We are responsible for our cats day to day needs and they definitely will let us know when they need or want something! If this type of purring is becoming problematic, such as your cat waking you up with loud incessant purring earlier and earlier every day, you can address this through behavioral training or routine changes.

Cats will also purr to communicate with each other. New mothers, kittens as young as days old, or cats who are grooming or snuggling with each other will purr to bond and to show their contentedness. They will also purr when another cat who they are close with is not feeling well, is injured or very scared or nervous, almost as a way to say “it’s ok”.

 Express Happiness: 

You may notice that your cat purrs the most when you arrive home and they are excited to see you, when they are sitting cozily in your lap, while you are cuddled in bed, while they are eating, or when you are petting or scratching them. Cats are the most attached and content with the people who care for them and will express their affection just as they did as tiny kittens to their mom- through their purrs.