Today, though, taxonomists believe most cats can purr, with a few probable though not certain pantherine exceptions: lion, leopard, jaguar, tiger, snow leopard and clouded leopard. Cheetahs and cougars? Yeah, they purr. So, why do it? If it's a form of communication, it's meant for those near and dear, since cats purr at a frequency and volume too low to travel far.
Purring and many other low-frequency vocalizations in mammals often are associated with positive social situations : nursing, grooming, relaxing, being friendly. More likely, though, purring is simply soothing, or self-soothing, as cats may also purr in stressful situations.
In that case, purring would be akin to how humans soothe themselves by crying, laughing, distracting themselves, or even organizing their desk. Some veterinarians and cat enthusiasts have observed cats lying alongside each other and purring when one is injured a behavior termed "purr therapy" , though scientific literature on the subject is scant. Beyond being calming for the injured kitty, "purr therapy" may have bone healing properties.
Domestic cats purr at a frequency of about 26 Hertz, in a range that promotes tissue regeneration. That's not as crazy as it sounds: High-impact exercise promotes bone health for the same reason, because bones respond to pressure by making themselves stronger.
In their natural setting, cats spend a lot of time lying around waiting to hunt, so purring may stimulate bones so that they don't become weak or brittle. Our felines may purr when you stroke them because they are feeling overstimulated. Keep an ear out for warning signs like abrasive, loud purring, biting, and other hostile actions. Cats are sensitive to touch and can quickly become overstimulated with your constant petting.
Cats can use purring to aid in more ways than one. If you suspect your purr-meowing kitty is hungry, stop stroking her and observe her actions. Hungry domestic felines usually approach their food bowls, so pay attention. Figuring out the reason your furball baby is purring is often welcomed by your cat.
The pleasant raspy sound that erupts whenever your fur baby is petted leaves countless questions on why kitties purr when you stroke them. Our kitties may seem aloof most of the time, but they are social creatures and communicate with us through various vocalizations — one being purring. All these sounds are messages they are trying to convey. Keep your ears out for the next time your kitty is ready to talk. The next time your kitty curls up next to you and starts to purr away, you might stop to think what your furry friend is trying to tell you.
Please Note: This why do cats purr when you stroke them post contains affiliate links. That means if you click through on most of the links and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. This will not affect the price that you pay. I wanted to make sure that you were aware of this. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Hi I'm Amanda, an Australian who calls London home. I am mad about dogs so decided to put together website devoted to pampered pooches. The more science has delved into the purr, the more it seems to have uncovered. This is where we address seemingly simple questions… that have very interesting scientific answers.
Let us know via Twitter or Facebook. We humans are naturally sensitive to the baby cry, so we respond also to the cry within the purr. There are lots of things like that we know so little about.
One hypothesis is that the purr is a powerful healing action. The frequency of those vibrations — which range from 20Hz up to Hz — is thought to promote bone growth , as bones harden in response to the pressure. Other frequencies may do something similar to tissue.
Cats often purr when they're grooming each other Credit: Marjan Debevere. This is why we see cats purring in apparent contentment while dozing. In reality, it's a form of self-repair. Cats may have adapted their normal behaviour — which now involves spending a lot of the day resting — as a way of avoiding injury through over-exertion.
The purr has developed as a low-energy way to keep bones and tissues in good condition while they rest. And the purr may not just be of benefit to the cats themselves.
0コメント