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what makes the purring sound that cats do?

60 Answers  |  Asked By: katwoman   201   

not what does purring mean, how do they purr? what are the true facts of how cats purr?

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Answers to this question

60 Answers
Answer 1
kitty

17

Oddly enough, this is one of those things scientists have not been able to pinpoint specifically.

The vibration of the cat’s vocal chords causes this sound, a fast twitching of muscles in the larynx, but the exact mechanics of the process are still in question.

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

0

good answer

By: catluver   281
kitty

8

Also still in question is whether or not cats purr only when they are content. Some cats have been observed purring when they are frightened or angry ! Are cats not wonderfully mysterious creatures ?

By: kittymama   38
kitty

0

true

By: TIPPER   209
kitty

0

you must do a lot of researching or is EXTREMELY smart.

By: KitKat   479
kitty

0

good from where did you get it

By: kittykit   55
kitty

0

That's a good answer.

By: kittykatsrule   260
kitty

0

yes good andswer

By: Roxygirl001   64
kitty

0

Yes they do vibrate making a shaking or moving part of the muscels letting them do that sweeet noise we call purring. ALthough I examined my cat carefully and saw he purrs all the time! Just hold your hand to your cats neck and try and see what i mean! Maybe it is the cat's stomach?

By: Marquis   107
kitty

0

that is right

By: ebrahim   5

Answer 2
kitty

4

Most experienced “cat wranglers” now know that cats don’t purr only when they are content and happy. They also purr during tense or traumatic moments. When suddenly and violently injured, even at moments near death, a cat will often purr. I’ve often likened this to saying, “Please don’t hurt me any more. I’ll be good,” but recent studies have put a more scientific spin on this seeming anomaly.It seems that the measurable Hertz of a cat’s purr lies between 25 and 150. Coincidentally (or not) it has been found that sound frequency in this range can stimilate bone growth and healing.That cats have remarkable endurance, and are quite stoic to trauma is well known to veterinary professionals; it is not unlikely that this instinct to purr under duress is directly related.Purring under stress has more colorfully been described as the cat’s mantra, e.g., a self-soothing, self-healing, relaxing, vibrating sound (sort of like the Ommmm one might hum while in the lotus position. Notice the vibration in your lips, nose and throat? I bet most of us, if we had our “druthers,” would much rather be able to purr! The Physiology of Purring: There seems to be two schools of thought here.The most popular one is quoted here:
One study determined that purring involves activation of nerves within the voice box. These nerve signals cause vibration of the vocal cords while the diaphragm serves as a piston pump, pushing air in and out of the vibrating cords, thus creating a musical hum. Veterinarian Neils C. Pederson, author of Feline Husbandry, believes that purring is initiated from within the central nervous system and is a voluntary act. In other words, cats purr only when they want to.The other theory is that the sound comes more from vibrating blood vessels than in the voicebox itselfAll domestic cats are born with the purring ability. A queen will purr while giving birth. It is unknown whether this is because of happy anticipation, or whether it is a relaxing “mantra.” Kittens instinctively purr when nursing, and the momcat purrs right back at them. Your adult cat will purr at the drop of a hat whenever you’re near, and especially when you are holding or petting him.Cat purrs will range from a deep rumble to a raspy, broken sound, to a high-pitched trill, depending on the physiology and/or the mood of a cat. A cat will often “wind-down” when going to sleep, with a long purring sigh that drops melodically from a high to a low pitch. Does your cat’s purr sometimes sound like an idling diesel engine? That’s because at the lower range of 26 Hertz, the velocities are nearly the same.I hope this helps.

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

0

you maybe right, when one cat I had was hit and had his leg bone shattered and the other popped out the socket he crawled home after three days in the snow, would still pur. but remained one of the sweetest little darlings ever

By: mopargirl67   161
kitty

0

so true

By: katelin   122

Answer 3
kitty

2

cats purr to signal that they are comfutable, hungrey, or in pain.
There mother or owner can help me,they think.
Sicnce(sorry for bad spelling)tests cant yet figure out how they do it. But not only house cats can do it.Bobcats, Cheetahs, Eurasian Lynx and puma can purr.
I hope that helped you alot!!!
:)
meow

By: toby66   1012
 

Answer 4
kitty

2

Although I am not a certified scientist, I study animals inside their ‘minds’ rather than inside their bodies or outside their bodies.

Socially, cats can differentiate moods, emotions, reactions and all the sort from any breed of animal including humans. Purring, to my understanding is theoretically an act of socializing.

Based on the way a cats brain functions, the more ’social’ parts of the brain activate with purring. Its similar to how we can communicate to people without saying a word or doing anything and only letting off unusual sounds from our throats.

Cats use purring as a social connection to other animals, and since us humans don’t clearly understand each vibration formula that each cat uses - its near impossible to tell what means what.

When my cat was in the hall, and my mother was in the room my cat did not know that. He made a really low grumbling purr sound, at about 100hZ or less. A sound like that could tell us, that specific frequency of purr identifies the cat is suspicious at what is behind the door. I’ve never heard a cat make that kind of noise, but it definitely is socially related.

 

Answer 5
kitty

1

It is not known how cats purr. One suggestion is that the vibration of blood passing through a large vein in the cat’s chest causes purring. The windpipe, along with air spaces in the cat’s skull, magnifies the sound of the blood passing through the vein. An alternate theory is that the sound is produced by the cat’s larynx as its vocal cords open and close.

 

Answer 6
kitty

1

We cannot purr, so we are interested in how cats can do it. It turns out that domestic cats, some wild cats like pumas and mountain lions (in general, any big cat that cannot roar) and even raccoons are all able to purr. Humans happen to smile and laugh when they are happy, and dogs wag their tails. So it is not unusual for an animal to have a physical reaction to happiness. Cats show happiness by purring. They may also purr when startled or upset.

It turns out that cats have special wiring! The wiring travels from the brain to the muscles in the voice box, and this wiring is able to vibrate the muscles so that they act as a valve for air flowing past the voice box. The muscles work both during inhalation and exhalation, which creates the impression that cats can purr continuously. The air passes through the valve, which opens and closes rapidly to create the purring sound.

 

Answer 7
kitty

1

I was watching a show about cats and a veternarian in houston said that when cats are happy, their diaphram has something to do with a muscle in their throat. The muscle tends to vibrate when the cat is happy and it rubs up against another muscle which i cant remember the name of and causes the purring sound. if you feel their throat when they purr, it vibrates.

Source Link: purring

By: KatLuvr   129
 

Answer 8
kitty

0

does anyone know?

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

-4

nobody ever found out yet

By: TIPPER   209
kitty

0

I did

By: Roxygirl001   64
kitty

0

who knows

By: katelin   122

Answer 9
kitty

0

actually i think tat cats purr coz they r comfortable wi us n they r happy.
jus try it by rubbing the neck of ur cat n u can notice tat she/he will purr coz she likes her neck being tickled……….try it now………………she/he will 99.5% purr

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

0

you should fix your spelling mistakes i cant understand what your saying:)

By: samm   53

Answer 10
kitty

0

Actually,as said above,my cat purrs when she’s comforatable and when you rub her under the chin.I don’t know what actually triggers the purr,but it does happen when they are comforatable and happy.

By: Ilovecats   78
 

Answer 11
kitty

0

its how they show ther happy affection.it seems to me they breath and the toung vibrates im guessing.

By: todd   35
 

Answer 12
kitty

0

not one person ever found out yet.

By: TIPPER   209
 

Answer 13
kitty

0

cats purr to tell their mother they have enough milk ,purring is when the blood vessel start shaking
that u can feel it they also purr when they feel safe by their owner

 

Answer 14
kitty

0

thank you people!

By: katwoman   201
 

Answer 15
kitty

0

that is a very difficult question. im sorry but i dont have an answer. if you dont get what you need then ask a vet.

By: KitKat   479
 

Answer 16
kitty

0

i know…cats purr to let u know that they like what u r doing…cats can purr but lions,mountain lions,panthers,cheetas,leperds,and pumas cant purr…weird hah…house cats r the only cats that can purr…now did any of u kow that!!!!!!!!well i have known that since i waz 5!!!!!!!!

Source Link: purring

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

0

Actually cats domesticated cats are not the only cats that can purr. Bobcats, Cheetahs, Eurasian Lynx and puma can purr. I know that because my sister and I are cat experts!

By: Mewlixkin   21
kitty

0

Actually, big cats that cannot roar are able to purr. And so can raccoons and gorillas.


Answer 17
kitty

0

its the vibration in there vocal cords i think. i agree with cheeqz.

By: 3718569   108
 

Answer 18
kitty

0

They go somewhere back inside your throat. They have vocal cords which vibrate to make that purring sound.

 

Answer 19
kitty

0

When kittens purr it is just like talking. Some scientists say that when a kitten or cat purrs it is like its telling its mother that it is ok. Some people also say that it is a way of expressing pain. Kittens purr by using their vocal cords. It is just another way of talking for them. Some cats don’t purr. Domesticated cats are the main species of cats that purr. But some cats like bobcats do purr. My personal opinion on that is that bobcats are smaller and not a fierce as lions and tigers. Kittens and cats also use their vocal cords by meowing. And there are propbably many more.
Well, I hope that was helpful!

By: Mewlixkin   21
 

Answer 20
kitty

0

thanks everyone for your answers!!!!!

By: katwoman   201
 

Answer 21
kitty

0

cats purr to comacate with other cats

By: wojtek   6
 

Answer 22
kitty

0

i dont no do u

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

0

why post an ANSWER if you dont know the answer?? please do not do this only for paw points!!!

By: kaylamae100   275

Answer 23
kitty

0

It comes from the vocal cords. It could mean affection or irritation.

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

0

how do you know this

By: krazy4katz   11

Answer 24
kitty

0

Happy! the sound comes from there thoart!

 

Answer 25
kitty

0

Scientists don’t know surely,but they guess it’s caused by mucles reacting in acat’s throat.

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

0

Very true!

By: toby66   1012

Answer 26
kitty

0

My cat is one of the few who not only purrs when happy, but when terrified too. A friend came over the other day, brought her dog over and scared my cat.

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

-1

I think your cat was GROWLING, not purring...

kitty

0

Some cat's growl sounds remarkably similar to their purr. My male cat, Harley is one of those cats. For a while, i thought that he was just moody, purring one moment, and hissing the next. No. you simply have a cat who has a similar purr and growl. Listen closely for the difference.

kitty

0

YES I AGREE WITH DARKFIRE THAT YOUR CAT WAS NOT PURRING AT THAT DOG IT WAS GROWLING.THEY GROWL WHEN THEY FEEL THREATENED BY ANOTHER ANIMAL OR PERSON.I DON'T THINK A CAT PURRS WHEN THERE'RE FRIGHTENED ONLY WHEN THEY ARE COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY,OR EVEN WHEN THEY FEEL GOOD.

kitty

0

christarose777 is correct. I have feral female mixed breed who not only purrs when comfortable (most of the time) but also when it needs comforting/reassurance/protection from the numerous ferals/strays in the neighborhood. For my cat, there is a huge difference between purring and growling. As much difference as there is between meowing and growling. Also, since the scientists do not know, even if one finally discovers/proves that the voicebox is responsible for some purring, that does not mean that it is responsible for all purring. I have previously read about the veins vibrating.

By: jpete46   1335

Answer 27
kitty

0

im actually learning from your question good one!!

By: ferard   185
 

Answer 28
kitty

0

My cat purr when I pet him

 

Answer 29
kitty

0

my purr

 

Answer 30
kitty

0

Its usally because your cat is happy or wants your attention.my four cats do that.

 

Answer 31
kitty

0

Cats usually purr when content. Like when you are petting, scratching, or cuddling your cat.

 

Answer 32
kitty

0

yes the purring is like us when we sing. thier vocal chords vibrate like a musical instrument.

 

Answer 33
kitty

0

they purr becuase they r happy, or hungrey. mostly when you pet them they purr, or when you give them food

 

Answer 34
kitty

0

The vibratoin in the cods make the sound of purring

By: fattyratty   196
 

Answer 35
kitty

0

Something in the cats throught makes the purring sound.

Source Link: purring sound

 

Answer 36
kitty

0

they purr by a throut cord. we don’t have a throut cord. byeeeeeee

By: chino   12
 

Answer 37
kitty

0

cats do it to tell u they luv you

By: straycat10   555
 

Answer 38
kitty

0

All I can say It’s the Rapid twitching of the vocal muscles. Thats my Theory. They make the sound when they are happy or Comfortable.

By: Fluffy   1971
 

Answer 39
kitty

0

I was watching a show about cats and a veternarian in houston said that when cats are happy, their diaphram has something to do with a muscle in their throat. The muscle tends to vibrate when the cat is happy and it rubs up against another muscle which i cant remember the name of and causes the purring sound. if you feel their throat when they purr, it vibrates.

Source Link: purring

By: KatLuvr   129
 

Answer 40
kitty

0

they vibrate there vocal cords which makes the purrr sound.

 

Answer 41
kitty

0

i agree with KatLuvr. i also heard that diaphram moves the muscle in their throat that makes the purring sound.

 

Answer 42
kitty

0

They also might rub their head against you or “Kiss” you.

By: Fluffy   1971
 

Answer 43
kitty

0

That is a good question. Usaly I have to hug my kitty sprit to make him purrr. And he purrs in is sleep. Why?

 

Answer 44
kitty

0

purring means like they are happy and love you when they wag there tail that means they are mad at you trust me my mom is a vet women

Source Link: answer

By: megcat11   21
 

Answer 45
kitty

0

I think it is the vocal chords in the cat vibrating. Also, scientists haven’t actually been able to perfectly tell why.

 

Answer 46
kitty

0

When I feel my cats neck while she’s purring, I can feel her larynx or something vibrating.

 

Answer 47
kitty

0

they either love you or they are happy. cats love it when you pet them, BOOM! here comes a purr. there goes another! they are as happy as a bug in a rug which is a mosquito and it is sucking alot of blood happy! if it was angry, i would say fiercer than a rattlesnake in a pickle barrel.

 

Answer 48
kitty

0

i think that there vocal cords vibrate when they are happy or want something and they will end up purring i think thats what happens if im write give me a plus if im wrong give me a minus thanks love,jasmin rose

Source Link: my anser

 

Answer 49
kitty

0

Scientists aren’t exactly sure, but they believe it is caused by their vocal cords vibrating.

By: John Brave   66
 

Answer 50
kitty

0

I don’t know how they purr but I might have some useful information. Sometimes cats purr when they are on something soft like a bed. My cat(s) always do this and I know people who’s cats do this.

 

Answer 51
kitty

0

wow 52 answers!!!! wow thats a new record! =)
suprise turtle =0

By: Turtle   1421
 

Answer 52
kitty

0

why do cats purr well heres why kay he re we go…purring is a rumbling sound cats make deep donw there throats. its there way of letting us know there happy as calm-or rather,cats. and why shouldn’t they be?there well fed,well loved and well cared for. so all they have to do is purr purr purr! if u pet ur pet thats a good way to get them to purr! they LOVE that!and if they roll donw on there tummies there playing so they make wierd motions with there hand there want to play “fighting”!!! so keep up the good work of keppin ur litlle cutey pleased. i know its not an easy job! =)
turtle
p.s house cats can only purr big cats , like leopers and loins can only roar ; )

By: Turtle   1421
 

Answer 53
kitty

0

mine do it when in sleap

Source Link: 12345

By: katelin   122
 

Answer 54
kitty

0

I AGREE WITH FLUFFY

By: joshy2   707
 

Answer 55
kitty

0

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.popupplayer&sindex=-1.6&shuffle=false&amix=false&pmix=false&plid=774428&profid=392493553&friendid=392493553&sseed=0&ptype=3&stime=75.075&ap=1&rpeat=false

 

Answer 56
kitty

0

When cats are kittens and they are still blind, they purr so they can find out where their mother and their litter mates are.

 

Answer 57
kitty

0

as all organisms each of them has the way to communicate with others as we do by speaking , and also the cat\’s purring heard when they are communicate with other cats.
Or when they want some thing like food , pain , opening the door for it is bathroom if were closed as my cat do and others.
i hope it is helpful

By: ebrahim   5
 

Answer 58
kitty

0

as all organisms each of them has the way to communicate with others as we do by speaking , and also the cat\\\’s purring heard when they are communicate with other cats.
Or when they want some thing like food , pain , opening the door for it is bathroom if were closed as my cat do and others.
i hope it is helpful

By: ebrahim   5
 

Answer 59
kitty

0

Well what i\\\’ll say i if your worried you don\\\’t have to be cause it come\\\’s from their neck and means that your cat is growing purrfect and will grow to be helthy and strong.

 

Answer 60
kitty

-4

They purr when they are angry at u

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

2

What? No That is hissing or growling.

By: Fluffy   1971

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