A question for the ages – why do cats purr? Is it love? Is it happiness? Or is it… just because? This recent video explores the reasons cats purr.
Fascinating! Cat purring can promote healing? Wow. Didn’t know that. Last year, an article on Wired.com offered this information about a cat’s purr:
No one is certain exactly why cats purr, though there are a number of good guesses. The obvious observation is cats seem to purr when they’re pleased and feeling good. But that’s not always the case: Some cats also purr when they’re hungry, injured, or frightened. And most surprisingly, purring frequencies have been shown to stimulate bone regeneration – yes, bone regeneration.
Maybe being a cat lady with dozens of moggies helps slow down osteoporosis! (Just being facetious, of course.) And an article about purring on Petco’s PetCoach web site explains:
Most cats can produce a purring sound, but not all of them produce audible purrs. The next time you’re snuggled up with your cat that you think is non-purring, put your fingers over his throat. You’ll likely feel a vibration, which is really just his way of purring without making a sound. If your cat doesn’t purr, don’t panic. Some of them just…don’t. If it’s always been that way, and everything else about him is normal, it’s likely just the way he is.
Does your cat or kitten respond in kind if you purr at her? Please feel free to share your purring experiences in the comments, below. Now, I’m off to try it myself. Here, kitty kitty…
