Washington State University
Dr. Universe: Why do cats purr? – Kaylee, 11, Kentucky
Dear Kaylee,
Dr. Sarah Guess says purring is regular. She’s a veterinarian at Washington State University. She instructed me that cats purr once they’re content material and once they’re stressed. It is usually a little complicated for people.
Scientists have two concepts about why cats purr. It may have come from the way in which mom cats look after kittens. Or it may maintain their bones and tissues wholesome.
But specialists don’t agree on the reply but.
“This is a hotly debated topic among scientists,” Guess stated. “Purring is something unique to cats, and when it comes to cat communication, we’re just starting to scratch the surface.”
We do understand how cats purr. A cat’s mind sends a message to muscle tissue within the cat’s throat. Those muscle tissue begin to twitch. As the cat breathes, air whooshes over the muscle, bone and tissue within the throat. They vibrate, and that makes the rumbling sound we name a purr.
A cat’s purr may be low or excessive frequency. That means the sounds transfer via the air at totally different speeds. Low purrs and excessive purrs sound barely totally different.
Some scientists suppose purring advanced as a method for mothers and kittens to grasp one another. Maybe low purrs and excessive purrs imply various things.
“One thought is that the different frequencies of purring relate to whether the cat is more content or more stressed,” Guess stated. “That offers feedback from kitten to mother or mother to kitten.”
So, mom cats may learn the way their kittens really feel primarily based on their purrs. Then, they know which kitten wants assist. They may purr again to assist soothe the kittens. Maybe grownup cats purr to appease themselves. Maybe they purr to inform you that you simply’re making them really feel secure and completely happy like their mom. Or to ask you to repair one thing that’s traumatic like a barely empty meals bowl.
We know some cats knead whereas purring. That’s for positive a throwback to once they had been kittens. Kneading on their moms’ tummies whereas nursing helped the kittens get extra milk.
The different concept for why cats purr is that the frequency of the purr vibration could also be therapeutic.
“Cats tend to be inactive for a lot of the day with sudden bursts of activity surrounding feedings,” Guess stated. “So, maybe purring creates vibrations that help maintain bone and tissue structure while the cats are in those inactive periods.”
So, it’s attainable cats purr to heal themselves and keep sturdy. There’s even some analysis that exhibits that vibrations on the exact frequencies that home cats purr at may also help heal human bones and tissues. Maybe your cat purrs to heal its personal physique or to heal you.
Only just a few sorts of cats purr at these frequencies – together with cougars.
Sincerely,
Dr. Universe
Adults may also help youngsters submit a query at askdruniverse.wsu.edu/ask.
