In that case, purring would be akin to how humans soothe themselves by crying, laughing, distracting themselves, or even organizing their desk. Some veterinarians and cat enthusiasts have observed cats lying alongside each other and purring when one is injured a behavior termed "purr therapy" , though scientific literature on the subject is scant. Beyond being calming for the injured kitty, "purr therapy" may have bone healing properties.
Domestic cats purr at a frequency of about 26 Hertz, in a range that promotes tissue regeneration. That's not as crazy as it sounds: High-impact exercise promotes bone health for the same reason, because bones respond to pressure by making themselves stronger.
In their natural setting, cats spend a lot of time lying around waiting to hunt, so purring may stimulate bones so that they don't become weak or brittle. In fact, purr-like vibration devices have been patented for potential use in therapy , and some researchers have proposed strapping vibrating plates to astronauts' feet during long space flights to retain bone density. Such reasons to purr are by no means exclusive.
Humans can laugh out of joy, a desire to be polite, when surprised, in discomfort or in derision—and only context will tell an onlooker which is going on.
It would be easier to tell what function the low-frequency rumbles play if we could "de-purr" a cat. But, Buffington notes, what are you going to do, cut off its air supply? You'd lose a cat and learn nothing. If you want to know why your particular favorite feline is purring, Buffington suggests paying attention to what prompted the purring and what it leads to. Many different situations can cause domestic cats to purr, which leads to multiple theories as to why they do it.
Cat owners have seen their cat purr when they are content and happy, similar to how dogs wag their tails.
When your cat is sitting on your lap and getting pets and scratches, they are probably purring as well, and maybe even kneading your leg or a blanket. This nonverbal form of communication tells you that life is good and that your cat is very happy with the current situation. Cats probably also associate their purrs with positive interactions with you. When they purr, you continue to pet them. According to studies , cats purr at frequencies that help to stimulate healing, particularly of bones and tendons.
The frequency may also serve to reduce pain, ease breathing, and build muscles, among other health benefits. And what about cats that purr at the veterinary hospital? Well, that seems to have a logical reason, too. Cats are thought to use purring as a mechanism for self-calming and stress reduction—sort of the kitty version of repeating a mantra to keep calm. Additionally, the vibrations that occur during purring help lead kittens to their mother. Kittens are born blind and deaf, and they depend on the mother cats to provide first milk called colostrum.
So how do you know what it means when your cat purrs? A purr. Marjan Debevere says in her experience no two cats purr the same Credit; Marjan Debevere.
Marjan Debevere is a cat shelter photographer in London who is currently studying for a degree in feline psychology. She is also the owner of four cats — Clive, Hula, Luigi and Archie — who are something of an Instagram sensation 33,odd followers and counting, Instagram fans. Luigi purrs little, and Archie a lot. But in recent years more light has been shed on the purr.
In the early s we hypothesised that purring has other purposes besides this. Work by Elizabeth von Muggenthaler, Karen Overall, and others has led to a better understanding of the purpose of the purr. Cats will often purr on their own - it's believed it promotes bones and tissue growth Credit: Alamy. Cats begin purring when they are a few days old, which helps their mothers locate them for feeding time. The more science has delved into the purr, the more it seems to have uncovered.
This is where we address seemingly simple questions… that have very interesting scientific answers. Let us know via Twitter or Facebook. We humans are naturally sensitive to the baby cry, so we respond also to the cry within the purr.
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