Why Do Cats Purr?

A Cat's purr is one of it's most endearing qualities. When we ask why cats purr it is certainly for the obvious reason that it is expressing it is happy and communicating it's contentment and comfort with others. All cats purr. Even lions, tigers, cheetahs, and the lesser cats, including our house cats. The large cats purr so loudly, it almost sounds like a growl. On a trip to South Africa, I had a chance to pat a cheetah and it's purr was so big and loud I wasn't sure whether or not it might be growling. Some other species purr too, but the cat's purr is the most distinguished.

The creation of the purr is still not completely understood because it involves a unique coordination between both the larynx and the diaphragm, and cats purr on both inhalation and exhalation. The house cat's purr resonates at a soothing 25 to 150 Hertz. A sound frequency that is known to promote healing and improve bone density. Some theorize a cat's purring is why their bones heal so well. Cat's bones heal so well because they are tough creatures and this is part of their survival adaptation.

Some people even go as far as suggesting cats be taken into outer space with the astronauts to prevent the loss of bone density in the astronauts brought on by weightlessness. I think that's stretching the theory a little far.

Cats purr under many conditions though and the sound may be for other uses as well. The mother cat purrs during birth of the kittens and it may help them locate her and bond with their mother. Purring is certainly a mode of communication and it may serve as a general expression for many feelings as I have seen in other animals like when a dog barks. Animals generally lack specific and elaborate communication modes that are as detailed as human speech. My own experience around cats tells me they can express about ten different things. Similar to the number of major emotions we have. Cats have communication, it's just not as elaborate as ours.

Cats also purr when they are frightened, ill, and near death. The purr may release endorphins in the cat's brain and bring a soothing and pain killing effect to the cat. The last question is, "do cats purr when they are alone?" If they do, they are using their relaxing mantra to bring soothing happiness to themselves that they are also happy to share with us. Cats are just the best!

Dr. Doug Ikeler http://www.drdougikeler.com/