eng
Українська
русский

Do cats really purr when they are happy

Bylim Olena

Do cats really purr when they are happy
The happy kitten. Source: Mark Burnett/pexels.com

Purring is a unique ability of cats that is still not fully understood. It is believed to be a way of communication, self-soothing, and even healing.

Purring is usually associated with happiness and contentment. Cats purr when they feel good, for example, when they are being stroked, fed, or when they are playing, writes the AskMyCats expert publication.

However, purring can also have other meanings. For example, cats purr when they are hungry, anxious, or even when they are in pain.

Studies show that purring can have healing properties. It helps relax muscles, lower blood pressure, and even speed up wound healing.

If you want to understand what your cat's purr means, pay attention to other signs of its behavior. For example, if your cat purrs and rubs its paws, it is most likely happy. If it purrs and hides, it may be feeling unwell.

Experts have given some interesting facts about purring:

  • Purring is produced by vocal cords that contract and relax quickly.
  • The frequency of purring ranges from 20 to 50 hertz.
  • Purrs can be heard at a distance of up to 5 meters.

Finally, the experts added that purring (and a number of other low-frequency vocalizations in mammals) is often associated with pleasant social conditions, such as breastfeeding, grooming, resting, and socializing. Purring is most likely soothing or self-soothing, as cats can purr even under stressful conditions.

And if your cat purrs peacefully, especially when you touch him, it is one of the most obvious signals that he loves you. Purring is one of the many sounds cats make to communicate with humans, and when it is combined with a relaxed body position, it means that your cat feels content and comfortable with you.

If you want to get the latest news about the war and events in Ukraine, subscribe to our Telegram channel!