Cat purr how does it work

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. Petting a cat has long been seen as a form of stress relief — cat ownership could cut the risk of stroke or heart disease by as much one-third.

Those same frequencies cats purr at might also be doing good to us as well. 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.

In fact, purr-like vibration devices have been patented for potential use in therapy , and some researchers have proposed strapping vibrating plates to astronauts' feet during long space flights to retain bone density.

Such reasons to purr are by no means exclusive. Humans can laugh out of joy, a desire to be polite, when surprised, in discomfort or in derision—and only context will tell an onlooker which is going on. It would be easier to tell what function the low-frequency rumbles play if we could "de-purr" a cat. But, Buffington notes, what are you going to do, cut off its air supply? You'd lose a cat and learn nothing. If you want to know why your particular favorite feline is purring, Buffington suggests paying attention to what prompted the purring and what it leads to.

Did you just arrive home to be greeted by your cat purring and rubbing against your leg? He might be happy to see you. Is your cat pestering you around dinnertime, purring insistently? It may be hungry. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. General Cat Care Tips. How do cats purr? Cat Image Gallery Why does this kitty purr? See more pictures of cats. Why do cats have whiskers?