In this post, we will discuss why does a cat purr? Cats are adorable and interesting little creatures. If you live with a cat around, you might know what we’re talking about. Cats are full of personality and unique quirks. They do things how they like and when they like.
A lot of times, our little furry friends can be quite unpredictable. Just when we know we know all about their behavior, they pull out something new. One such behavior is ‘purring’.
But why does a cat purr exactly? There isn’t one specific reason why your precious pet is making those light rumbling noises. Here’s what studies have found out about what it could possibly mean.
It is Purring out of Happiness
A lot of times, purring is a sign that your cat is feeling well. Cats roam around purring when they are feeling happy and upbeat. A good sign of that being the case is if your cat is trying to be more touchy. If it is rubbing against things and people, it is likely a sign of a good mood.
Cats purr when you stroke them, pet them, caress them, etc. It shows that the cat likes it and feels at comfort.
Studies have also shown that cats like to spread their vibes around when they are feeling happy. They purr a lot while interacting with things and people when in a good mood. If you notice your pet doing so, there is nothing to be concerned about. You can interact and give some love back to it.
It Needs Your Attention
A lot of cats work on their own terms and might be demanding when they feel like they need to be close to you. Purring is one of their ways of letting you know that.
They learn it from their childhoods. It is a common behavior used by kittens to draw their mother’s attention and vice versa. This stays as a permanent habit growing up.
If your cat feels more vocal than usual and isn’t hungry, it might just be wanting to be close to you. The tone of purring can tell you things too. Pay close attention to your cat’s behavior and be there for it. Extra attention and affection never hurt.
It is Feeling Hungry
A lot of time, cats purr when they are feeling hungry. Cats can be very demanding regarding things they need, especially food. Your cat might get impatient if you are late in feeding it. It becomes more vocal to let you know it wants something. If you haven’t fed your little friend in a while, it might be the time to do so.
Pay attention to their purring tone, and you will know whether they are hungry or not. A hungry cat’s purr has a more complaining and whining tone to it. If the cat doesn’t stop purring in the same manner even after feeding, there’s something else going on.
A Way of Self-healing
From what we know, cats use purring to self-heal and calm down. It’s almost like how we humans meditate and hum to calm our minds down. What’s interesting is that a cat’s purring has been shown to help heal physical pain as well.
Certain frequencies help a cat heal herself both mentally and physically. Studies have noticed its positive effects on muscle growth, wound healing, and more.
It’s a simple relief action as well. Just like we take the help of various techniques and methods to get rid of stress, cats have their own thing. This brings us to the next point.
A Sign of Underlying Stress
A cat might keep purring to relieve stress and depression. If you can’t think of a possible reason, there might be a different underlying issue.
Especially when the purring tone isn’t pleasant and doesn’t go stop after the cat is well-fed. It doesn’t mean there’s something serious to worry about.
Little moments of stress can lead to unpleasant purring. If your cat is worried about something like a vet visit, for example, it might purr more than usual.
To Communicate with Another Cat
Purring is one of the many ways cats communicate with each other. It’s something that every cat learns from its mother. A cat mom communicates with her newborn babies by softly purring so as not to startle them or scare them. The kittens respond back in the same manner as well. It sticks with them throughout their life.
They won’t be purring when they are in a fight with any other cat. It’s strictly for communication purposes. If your cat finds a new feline friend, it will test the waters with soft purrs and playfulness. A grownup cat might also purr around its mother for communication.
Should you be concerned about your cat purring?
Most of the time, a cat’s purring is nothing to be concerned about. It might just be feeling happy and playful. Or it could be trying to draw your attention and wanting some love. Spend some quality time with your fur baby if that’s the case. It might just be feeling hungry or bored.
However, a persistent unpleasant purring could be a signal of stress and tension. If things don’t improve, take your pet to a professional who can tell you what exactly is going on.
Final Words
There’s no one explanation for the evergreen question, “Why does a cat purr?”. Cats have interesting and playful minds. They feel all the emotions like us humans. The only difference is the way of expressing it. Cats can not speak like us, but they have their methods. Purring is one of them. Most of the time, it’s easy to figure out why a cat purr.
It is often accompanied by other gestures that show it’s either happy, hungry, or needs something to play with. Only rarely can it be a sign of an underlying problem. You need to stay close to your pet and notice everything going on with them. Contact an expert if things look concerning.