Why and how do cats purr?
Cats purr when they feel good.
Is there a nicer sound than a cat's purr? For cat love biting, not. Cats purr to express their well-being, and this pleasant feeling is transferred to their owner. But did you know that cats also purr when injured or stressed? Learn how and why cats purr.
Why do cats make these sounds?
Purring has a calming effect, not only on us but also on the cat. He is almost the only animal capable of calming himself. Cats purr during childbirth to soothe the pain. Thanks to the purrs, the still blind and deaf kittens find their way to their mother's teats, and thus to safety. Dominant cats purr to show their nervous peers that they can be quiet, and feral cats purr in the face of threats to control and calm themselves down.
In addition to purring for well-being, there is also purring for pain relief, calming down, and self-control. Cats love and use purring as a means of communication. Young cats entice each other to play by purring, and domestic cats crave more petting, attention, or food from their owners in this way. The purring of the cat in each situation can have different reasons:
· Express your well-being
· Regulate your stress
· Reassure oneself or reassure others
· Relieve his pain
· Communicate with other cats or with humans
· Purring relaxes and promotes good health
The question "why do cats purr?" therefore has several answers. But, as different as the different reasons for purring may be, their common goal is to find and promote relaxation and well-being. These effects of purring can be biologically proven. The long, deep buzz releases serotonin in the cat's body. Serotonin, commonly known as the happiness hormone, is a neurotransmitter that positively influences the most diverse processes of the nervous system, such as emotions, the central reward system, moods, consciousness, and the evaluation of pain. However, as veterinarians, scientists, and behavioral scientists have discovered, this is not the only positive effect on animal health.
How does a cat purr
Now that you understand some of the reasons behind this feline behavior, you may be wondering how cats create this sound. It's the cat's vocal cords that are responsible for purring. When your cat breathes, air moves over the vocal cords and purring occurs. Researchers believe that purring creates something like muscle contraction, which causes the whole-body vibration associated with purring.
The feline purr vibrates at around 25 to 150 Hz and can vary depending on the cat. An interesting fact is that while a cat can roar (like tigers or lions), it cannot purr, but a cat that can purr (like your house cat) cannot roar. It is due to a bone that is inside the vocal cords. In larger cats that roar, this bone is flexible allowing for a deeper sound, but in domestic cats the bone is hard, meaning there can only be air vibrations instead of the full roar.
What are the effects of purring on humans?
The purring of the cat is pleasant to hear. Like a lullaby or soft music, it has relaxing virtues for him as well as for us. American researchers have indeed shown that purring increases the secretion of happiness hormones in humans.
This is also the goal of "purring therapy": take advantage of the cat's purring to reduce stress and anxiety and lower blood pressure. The comforting and calming virtues of purring also explain the success of animal-assisted therapies and cat bars.
To take full advantage of your cat's purrs, there is no secret: make him happy! It goes through hugs and itches. In short, gestures that he likes and that allows you to share a beautiful moment of complicity. Rest is guaranteed.
The purring of the cat is not systematically synonymous with pleasure
Purring is unique to felines. In addition to cats, the lynx, the cougar, or the cheetah purr. A kitten can purr two days after birth. He purrs when he suckles, instinctively. His mother does the same to reassure him, making him understand that he is safe.
When a cat purrs, it's not always because he's happy. He can purr when he is sick when he is in pain when he feels pain...
A cat that gives birth, for example, generally purrs. It's a way for the kitten's mother to " attract attention ", explains Dr. Jean-Yves Gauchet*. By purring, while wagging its tail, the cat speaks to us.
Does my cat purr for pleasure or not?
To the question " Why does the cat purr?" There are several answers. Generally, a cat's purr means that it is happy.
Sometimes the cat purrs because it is hungry and wants food. This is referred to as a solicitation purr. The cat also uses it when he asks for affection from his master, attention, and caresses.
Purring is also a means of communication for the cat. With his master, but also with his congeners, which is then a way to ease tensions and signify his submission.