Cat purring: 10 things you don’t know
The cat’s purr is a real mystery. We know that a purr is a low frequency sound that oscillates between 20 and 50 hertz. It comes from the cat’s throat. We mistakenly think that a cat purrs when it is happy. But this is not the case. Want to know everything about a cat’s purr? Here are 10 things you should know.
1 – A cat purrs on its second day of life
A cat’s purr is natural, it is also innate. It is important to know that a cat purrs from the second day of life! Not all kittens purr at the same time. Some do it very quickly, others need more time. Little balls of fur purr when they are snuggled up to their mother or when she is suckling. As adults, cats purr during cuddling and when they eat.
2 – Purring is one of 100 sounds produced by cats
Cats meow, their “meows” are known to everyone, as are their purrs. A cat can make over 100 different sounds. High, low, loud or short, these sounds constitute its language that can be deciphered. Dogs, on the other hand, make only 10 sounds. The cat’s elaborate language is one of its major assets.
3 – Purring can be a cry for help
As you know, a cat purrs when it feels good. But not only that. In fact, he can purr at the vet’s office! His purrs can be a distress signal. Felines can make this unique sound when they are in pain or feeling ill. If you find it odd that your cat is purring, pay special attention to her tail. If his tail is wagging from side to side as he purrs, you should be concerned.
4 – A purr can be continuous
A cat’s continuous purring doesn’t mean you have a particularly good pet. On the contrary! If you notice that your cat is purring continuously, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian. Your feline may be suffering from chronic stress or developing a behavioral disorder.
5 – Purring to communicate
Cats that meow, in the vast majority of cases, are trying to communicate with their owners or humans. Cats do not meow to each other. However, it is possible that a cat purrs to communicate with other cats. In fact, it does so from an early age, when it is with its mother. As the days go by, the cat communicates with its brothers and sisters. If you have several cats in your home, you will quickly notice that they purr when they are together.
6 – Purring reduces stress
As we mentioned earlier, a cat may purr when it is stressed. If this is the case, purring helps reduce his anxiety. How can this be done? When a cat purrs, its body releases endorphins, which are anti-stress hormones that promote well-being. The cat feels better, it is soothed.
The purring of the cat is also exploited with men. This practice is called purr therapy. The principle is simple, to feel better, we cuddle a cat and enjoy the benefits of its purrs. It is soothing and relaxing.
7 – Purring to heal
The powers of purring go beyond soothing. Injured or sick cats heal faster when they purr. The low-frequency sounds relax the cat, especially its muscles, tendons and nerves. As a result, the cat reduces pain and feels better. Soothing, healing is accelerated.
8 – Handling through purring
The cat has been a pet for centuries. It has therefore learned to communicate and therefore to be understood by its masters. It is also quite obvious that cats exploit their powers. Thanks to purring, they manage to lead us by the nose! And yes, after a few purrs, your cat is asking for food. Sometimes purring is a solicitation.
9 – We still don’t explain the purring mechanism
Incredible but true: we are still unable to explain the purring of the cat. There are several competing explanations. Some researchers think that it is caused by the vibration of the whole phonatory system (nasal cavities, throat, trachea, vocal cords). Others put forward a simultaneous contraction of several muscles. Perhaps purring is produced by two phenomena: contractions and vibrations.
10 – A cat can drool while purring
If you notice your cat drooling while purring, don’t worry, it’s not serious. It means he’s totally relaxed! Be careful if your cat drools a lot. It’s possible he’s suffering from food poisoning. In this case, the purring indicates pain. Make sure your cat has not eaten any poisonous food, poison or cleaning products. If poisoned, the drool is sticky and has an unpleasant odor.
My cat doesn’t purr, is this normal?
Now that you know all the secrets of purring, you may be asking yourself one question: is it normal if my cat doesn’t purr? This is often a worrying finding, but it is possible for a cat not to purr in its lifetime. The absence of purring is explained by a malformation. A cat that does not purr may very well be happy. These unusual felines develop other ways to communicate with their owners.
If a cat stops purring from one day to the next, you should be concerned. It’s possible that he’s sick, injured or that he’s having a hard time coping with a change in situation. It’s not uncommon for a feline to stop purring after moving or being adopted by a new family. As soon as he feels better, he will purr again. If the purring doesn’t come back, an appointment with the veterinarian is recommended.
