How (and Why) Cats Purr
By Emme
Have you ever been lying of bed thinking of something you should’ve said in a argument you had in 2016, when WABAM! It hits you with a hard slap. Huh. I wonder why cats purr. HOW do cats purr? Well, your questions are about to be answered.
You’ve Got to be Kitten Me Right Meow!!!!!
A cat curled in your lap may be because he is happy, but when he’s eyeing that tasty chicken roast or sitting by the dinner table, something different might be happening.
Hmmm.......Interesting.....
Purring is a unique vocal feature in the obese domestic cat. But weirdly, some other cats, like the bobcat, cheetah, and the puma, can, in fact purr. But the thing is, cats who purr can’t roar. And cats who roar cannot purr. Take lions and tigers for example. They can roar. They can't purr. But if they could purr, man would it be loud!
The Purrfect Purrpouse
Cats’ purrs can do some cool stuff. You’re probably thinking:”Mhm. Like what?” We’ll, cats’ purrs can repair broken bones (of a cat) joints, tendons, muscles, and can also heal the cat when they are sick. But purring can also help us humans too. Cat purrs can reduce our stress, lower blood levels, and make you happier. Also, Over 40 percent of cat owners live longer due to the cat helping them not have a heart attack. And you thought that they were just chubby couch potatoes.
OMGGGGGG!!!!
Right meow is when I will explain how (and why) cats purr. Let’s get straight into it. The cat’s purr begins when the cat’s brain signals the voice box and the *laryngeal muscles* to have them open and close and act as a valve causing them to twitch at 25-150 vibrations per second. The muscles open and close when the cat is breathing in and out, creating what we call the purr.
A Topic to Purr About
Not all purrs sound the same. Cat purrs can be higher or lower pitched, or louder or more quiet then other cats’ purrs. Also, cats are the most popular pet in America. (Sorry dog lovers.) Here’s the weird thing. Cats only purr when they want attention. That means that when he’s purring on your lap, he wants something. Hey, you probably should pet him.
CLICK UP THERE TO HEAR A HAPPY CAT PURRING!!!!
What Does It Mean?
Tendons= The tissue that holds the muscles in your body together/a superior muscle
Laryngeal Muscles= the muscles near the cat’s voice box that trigger the purring (for cats) for humans it’s a muscle near the voice box that allows you to speak normally.