What makes purring

Then, as the cat breathes, the vocal cords separate and create the purring noise. Every cat has a unique purr sound — some purrs have a high pitch, while others are just a low rumbling. Some purrs are so very faint you can hardly hear them, while champion purrers sound like miniature engines. Endorphins are hormones that cause feelings of happiness, motivation, social connection, and more. With that said, cats purr for several reasons. If you want to try deciphering the reason for the purring, try thinking back to what was happening when the purring began.

Here are some reasons why cats purr. Purring is often used as a form of communication. This may also occur when you stroke them, and if this is the case, your feline friend is feeling happy or sociable. However, cats purr to communicate other emotions and needs, too. For instance, if you pick your cat up, they will either purr because they like it, or because they are nervous.

Purring also helps a kitten and mother bond, and mother cats use purring as a lullaby. Relief - Many cats purr when hurt or in pain. Purring is a way for a cat to soothe itself, just like a human child will suck their thumb to feel better. Early 19th century taxonomists thought cats could either purr or roar, and split the family Felidae along these lines—"purrers' subfamily Felinae and 'roarers' subfamily Pantherinae. Today, though, taxonomists believe most cats can purr, with a few probable though not certain pantherine exceptions: lion, leopard, jaguar, tiger, snow leopard and clouded leopard.

Cheetahs and cougars? Yeah, they purr. So, why do it? If it's a form of communication, it's meant for those near and dear, since cats purr at a frequency and volume too low to travel far.

Purring and many other low-frequency vocalizations in mammals often are associated with positive social situations : nursing, grooming, relaxing, being friendly. More likely, though, purring is simply soothing, or self-soothing, as cats may also purr in stressful situations. 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.