Why cats purr: Uncovering the science and hidden meanings

Are you a cat owner? You have undoubtedly wondered why your pet purrs. This sound is most often associated with contentment, but it turns out this is not the only reason why cats make this sound.

Cats are unique creatures. It is said that they walk their own paths for a reason. They are very independent and fiercely defend their boundaries. Despite this, they openly show love or satisfaction, for example, through purring. It turns out this sound also means several other things. How should we interpret a cat’s purring?

Purring is a characteristic, vibrating sound made by cats. Scientists have been wondering for years how it is possible that domestic cats can generate vibrations at such a low frequency, ranging from 20 to even 150 hertz.

Experts have examined this phenomenon and discovered what purring is about. A study published in 1970 showed that everything starts in the cat’s brain. After receiving an impulse, within a minute, the cat tightens and relaxes their laryngeal muscles up to 30 times, causing their body to start vibrating.

However, in 2023, a team of scientists led by Christian Herbst debunked this theory. The researchers removed the larynx from the bodies of eight cats that had been euthanised due to terminal illness. After removing the organ, scientists blew warm and moist air into it. It turned out each produced a sound reminiscent of purring. This only confirms that cats purr automatically, without any control from the brain or muscles.

Cats never purr without a reason. It is their way of communicating with people and other animals. It is commonly accepted that this is a sign of the pet’s satisfaction, but cats also do it in other situations.

Cats purr when they are comfortable and blissful and want to demand something from us, such as food. Studies have shown that cats purr when they feel that their caretaker is sick, stressed, or depressed because purring has a soothing effect on us.

For this reason, cats are used in felinotherapy. Contact with a cat lowers blood pressure and anxiety levels and stimulates the release of endorphins. Cats know very well that purring has pain-relieving effects. An injured or suffering animal makes this sound to reduce pain.