| Feline Purring One of the greatest things a cat owner can hear from their cat is a purr. That long, deep rumble lets us know when our cats are really happy, relaxed, and content. Or does it? Just how do cats purr? And why does our precious felines purr in the first place? How do cats purr? Although there is much research devoted to finding out how the purr mechanism works, we still don't fully know the answer. There currently are a few main theories about how cats purr. These theories include the possession of false vocal cords, the contraction of the laryngeal muscles, and the flow of blood which is amplified by the diaphragm. Why do cats purr? Owners figured out long ago that cats will purr when they are happy and content. And what owner would complain when their kitty purrs during a belly rub! But cats have also been known to purr when they have been injured, are in pain, during labor or when ill. This has led researchers and scientists to believe that there must be more to purring than just simple happiness. When kittens are first born they are blind and deaf (their eyes usually open around the 5th to 10th day of life and they start to hear right around that same time as well). Purring is then seen as a way that the mother helps her kittens to find her as her purr is unique and kittens know it, so that they can nurse, be groomed etc. Although the kittens can't see or hear mom, they can feel the vibrations from her purr. Kittens as young as 1 week old have also been observed purring. Many believe that this early purring helps connect mother and kitten, and helps them communicate and bond. As they grow, cats continue to purr and can be seen purring in a variety of situations and for a variety of reasons. As mentioned earlier cats are often seen purring when they are happy and content, but they can also be seen purring when they are frightened, injured or in pain. Latest Research New research findings outlined in an article by David Harrison entitled Revealed: How Purrs Are Secret to Cats' Nine Lives may give us new answers! In studies it was found that cats purr between a frequency of 27 and 44 Hertz (hertz is a measure of sound waves). Other big cats (Pumas, Cheetahs etc.) purr between 20 and 50 Hertz. It is known that exposure to frequencies of 20-50 hz helps to strengthen bones and to facilitate bone growth. Thus purring may actually be a feline "natural healing mechanism", similar to ultrasound treatment that humans can undergo to treat a variety of illnesses. And as big cats (the precursors to our house cats) need to heal quickly from wounds and illnesses to survive and prosper in the wild, purring is a very helpful survival characteristic if it indeed originated as a healing mechanism. And it is no wonder that this amazing trait has been retained by so many big cats and even passed down to our domesticated cats. Cats as Healing Machines?! This new theory could explain why house cats who are hurt, ill or diseased will purrin addition to the simple happy and content cat. It also adds new insight into why mothers and her kittens will purr. As well as helping the kittens find mom, her purring might also help her kittens grow up strong and healthy. And kittens might reproduce mom's purrs to facilitate their own bodily growth. Studies have also shown that owners, especially senior citizens, who have cats have lower blood pressure and can live longer than humans who don't own pets. Could our cat's purring also help heal us? Certainly more research needs to be completed to fully illuminate the mystery of the magical purr and to find all of the benefits of the purr. But until then keep your cats happy and purring, it just might benefit your cat and you! As for me I think of my cats as my Prozac-you know the 'happy pill'. They're the best relax and stress releive for me, all my problems dessapear when they purr me to sleep. Main Page Cats Home |
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