The happiness and the well-being of your cat (but not only) often translate into his “purring”, that is the production of a sort of dull whistle linked to the vibration of the diaphragm.
Today we remind you why the cat purrs and we will explain how do cats purralthough it is still not entirely clear.
Why do cats purr?
Everyone noticed that purring often is related to cuddles and caresses. How many times, in fact, does our cat start his own pur pur pur while she’s in our arms?
The vibrating of the feline neck, however, it can also be a symptom of malaise. The sound produced, in fact, has the utility of transmitting its mood to the other (human or animal). If the purr vibration is very strong and regular, it may mean that the cat is making a request (cuddles, food or other). If, on the other hand, the sound is still and noisy may want to indicate discomfort. Finally, in case of irregular vibrationsthe cat may want to snuggle up and be petted.
While this sound communicates the cat’s mood, it also has the power to strengthen its bones. In fact, some purr frequencies can reach i 26 Hz allowing, to stimulate the regeneration of the tissues surrounding the bones.
How do cats purr?
There are several hypotheses about how cats purr. The most accredited is that according to which the purr would be produced by contraction of the muscles located between the larynx and the diaphragm, at different frequencies, depending on their meaning. This contraction causes a vibration that produces the characteristic sound.
Andother hypothesis suggests that two membranes located behind the vocal tracts would serve as vibrating organs.
A third would bind the typical pur pur pur to blood circulation: the vena cava (large vessel that carries blood to the heart) would vibrate and this vibration would be amplified through the respiratory cavities: bronchi, trachea and nasal sinuses.
Whatever the correct hypothesis, the purr of the cat helps us to understand our domestic tiger, to know when he is in trouble or not and to establish an intimate and loving relationship with him/her.
What do cats feel when they purr?
It is believed that cats purr to express happiness, relaxation and security. When a cat purrs, its sympathetic nervous system is activated, lowering the heart and respiratory rates and causing a general relaxation. The vibrations produced by the purr can also have a calming effect on other animals and people nearby.
Furthermore, cats are also thought to purr when they are stressed or ill, perhaps as a mechanism of self-soothing or pain relief. However, the main reason cats purr appears to be to express a feeling of happiness and well-being.