Nov 26 2008
Why Cats Purr
A purring cat can make everything seem okay. It can take away your troubles and relax you. It’s a reassuring sound that seems to remind us that our cats are there to love us. But why do cats really purr?
1. Pleasure: Cats purr when they are happy or are experiencing pleasure. They may purr when nursing, when being scratched behind the ears, or when being pet by their owners.
2. Pain and Illness: Cats also seem to purr when they are in pain or are very ill. Scientists think that purring may have healing effects for cats.
3. Reducing Stress: Cats also seem to purr when they are trying to reduce their own stress or comfort themselves. A cat may purr, therefore, when it goes to the vet, when it is lost, when it meets new people, or when it must spend time in his or her carrier. Mother cats may also purr to calm her kittens in stressful situations.
Cats’ purrs serve different functions in different situations, and as cat owners, it is good to know why our cats are purring in specific circumstances.
Source:
Who What When Were Why?: Why Do Cats Purr?
Very interesting article, MOL! I have been a cat-lover all my life but was not able to have cats as a child due to severe allergies(which are much better now)I can actually have three cats of my own even with allergies & asthma. Anyways I always thought that cats purred because they were happy and content, I wasn’t aware of the other reasons. Thanks for sharing this info
I am allergic to cats, too.
I always thought they purred because they were happy, too, until two years ago when I read an article that said otherwise. It’s really interesting how cats communicate!