Does your cat purr often? Have you been wondering what it means when they do? Fun fact: purring is a common characteristic amongst felines. Yes, that's right! Even tigers purr!

With that being said, felines are not the only animals known to purr! Other animals such as hyenas and mongooses can purr as well!

While purring is absolutely adorable and is usually used to express a cat's contentment, it doesn't always mean that they are happy. In fact, there are many reasons why a cat might purr!

A way to communicate

Kittens start to purr as soon as they are born. They learn to purr well before they learn to walk or open their eyes! Instinctively, kittens purr to be able to communicate with their mother. When they hear their mother purr in return, they feel safe and secure. According to several studies, purring comes from the vibrations of the diaphragm or the larynx and are triggered by their emotions.

Often interpreted as a manifestation of their pleasure and affection, purring is above all a means of communication for cats. It allows them to let other cats or their owner know how they are feeling. For instance, it can show that they need attention or are hungry.

Several different types of purrs

It is thus a means of expression of their needs and well-being. Typically, cats purr when they feel loved because it is a feeling that they felt when they were kittens.

While it is not always easy for humans to understand or to decipher them, there are several types of purring, each one expressing a different emotion. You can identify the type of purr by taking a look at the context. For example, if your cat purrs often by itself, without any apparent reason, it may be a sign that they are not feeling very well. In this case, it's best to take your pet to the vet. Cats also purr to let others know about the social status or the degree of submission of the cat. This means that it marks the relationship between felines. Another reason your cat may purr is because they are stressed or afraud. It is therefore a type of alarm signal for cats.

When your cat is in distress or in pain, they may purr to reassure themselves. It is believed that the vibrations help to relieve their pain and accelerate their healing!

The benefits of purring

As we shared in a previous article, purring can be very therapeutic for humans. It's so soothing and relaxing. There are even purring CDs that people can listen to! It's supposed to help us relax and fall asleep. If you are interested in learning more about purr therapy and want to read more about it, you can check out this article.

Don't hesitate to share your questions or feedback with us!

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