Ever Wonder Why Cats Purr?

[Reesacat]

Healthier Talk
06/25/2011
By Alice Wessendorf

Sure, everyone knows that cats, like Brewster the big adorable furbaby in this video, tend to purr to express happiness or content when we pet them. But have you ever noticed that your cat will sometimes purr at other not-so-happy times as well?
~~~~~Video at original article~~~~~
For example a mother cat might purr while giving birth. Clearly giving birth is a stressful experience and she is not purring to express happiness at that time.
Maybe your cat tends to purr when you take her in for a vet visit? Or perhaps your fluffy pal purrs up a storm when you have a new unknown person or animal visit the house?

Well, according to Leslie A. Lyons, assistant professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, your cat may have another surprising reason for purring hidden up his furry sleeve. He may be doing it to promote self healing!
Studies have found that a cat’s purr registers in a consistent pattern and sound frequency that runs somewhere between 25 and 150 Hertz. It turns out this is the same range of frequency that has been shown to both improve bone density and promote muscle healing.

Scientists say that your cat may be using purring as a natural and low energy way to promote muscle and bone health. So, yes, your cat may believe in natural healing just as much as you do!
http://www.healthiertalk.com/ever-wonder-why-cats-purr

[Reesacat]

My chiropractor told me they put purring cats in with racehorses to help heal injuries and broken bones.

[Islander]

I don't see why giving birth is stressful for a cat. It was a joyful experience for me, and I'm human and have to give birth to babies with BIG heads! I'll bet the mother cat is happy as a clam at high tide!

I have a cat who adopted me, and was either feral or abused by her former owner. She is quick to startle or jump away at sudden movements. She seeks attention, will sleep with me in bed and over the course of the evening, creep up to the pillow and lick my face. If I let her in the bedroom overnight, I find her beside my head on the pillow in the morning.

Yet she does not care to be held & cuddled, and has never purred.

[highlander]

I've read that some cats will sit on a sick or injured person at the place of physical distress and purr. I think they know that their purrs are healing.

[Jane Chitty]

I am a cat person as opposed to a dog person and I firmly believe that you are one or the other - and it must be ordained from an early age because my two granddaughters (both born on the same day 30 August 2 years apart and in different continents) from just a few months old showed a much greater interest towards one over the other. Adie 2 years 10 months adores cats and Emily just 10 months adores dogs.

[Aaltrude]

I am a cat person as opposed to a dog person and I firmly believe that you are one or the other - and it must be ordained from an early age because my two granddaughters (both born on the same day 30 August 2 years apart and in different continents) from just a few months old showed a much greater interest towards one over the other. Adie 2 years 10 months adores cats and Emily just 10 months adores dogs.
You are probably right Jane. I have always preferred dogs even though we had no pet dogs when I was a kid. My sister prefers cats.

[Julieanne]

My chiropractor told me they put purring cats in with racehorses to help heal injuries and broken bones.

Wow, I've never heard of that! Why do we not hear of these things?

[Reesacat]

I have a a chi-gong machine that has a sort of ultrasound pulse at the frequency of a cat's purr-good for strains and sprains. My cat Reesa (who has gone over the Rainbow Bridge) would instinctively know when someone was sick and crawl onto their lap or chest. I used to joke to my friends who weren't feeling well to come over and get a 'cat' scan-but Reesa really knew when people were sick and when they started to heal. My blog name is in honor of her and her healing gifts.

[Islander]

Wow. Just wow.
Yes, there are indeed differences in people's preferences. I'm definitely of the cat persuasion.

And Julieanne, THAT's why you come to HH — to learn about things you won't hear anywhere else! :)

[Katee]

My niece has a 9 month old who is just beginning to crawl. She stated on FB recently that her daughter loves dogs (they don't have one) and lights up whenever a dog is around. I think they do have a couple of cats (or did, she indicated those might "go" when the baby was very small).

Maybe the preference is a personality trait that starts young.

We had a cat i simply loved when i was young. I also had 2 dogs (at different times) that i considered my own and i loved those dogs will all my heart. Both my dogs were run over by cars (don't even get me started on irresponsible pet owners - my parents have still never learned not to let a dog run or chase cars). Since that happened to the second one, i've never had a dog that i considered "mine" tho our family had other dogs when i was growing up.

I like dogs, will talk to them when i'm around or see them on the street. I pet them, etc. and was very upset when my ILs put their dog down (long story), but i don't know that i'd want a dog. I love my cats, and all the cats i've had do tend to have more "dog-like" traits. My cats are independent and they fit our lifestyle better than a dog would. Even my dog loving husband has come to love our cats. I currently have one cat at my feet and one under my legs as i am typing this! They do like to be "near the people."

[highlander]

I always thought that a person who doesn't lilke cats wouldn't like me because cats have many traits I admire and aspire to. They're independent, strong, graceful, smart, affectionate/social on their own terms, cool, beautiful, non-judgmental (if that is a way to put that), fierce fighters when need be. They also seem to be spritually aware. I like dogs too but in a completely different way. Dogs seem more like childen to me while cats seem more like best friends.

[Reesacat]

I'm with Highlander-cats are different. Dogs are lovable kids who need a lot of guidance; Kittehs
allow you into their space on their terms!

[Aaltrude]

Dogs seem more like childen to me
That depends a lot on the breed. It is probably true of a breed like a labrador but not so for an independent Siberian Husky.

[highlander]

That depends a lot on the breed. It is probably true of a breed like a labrador but not so for an independent Siberian Husky.

I haven't had a husky (although I think they're beautiful). I used to volunteer at the local humane society and one of the most common dogs there were huskies. They're always running away from home because they need to run and be active and people don't take that into account when they get them. They think they can leave them in a house or in a fenced yard and the dog will be ok. When I meet a person who owns a husky I always ask if they've ever run away. So far they've all said yes. Every dog I've ever had needed a hefty dose of attention. They get depressed without it and some get in serious trouble (like winding up in the shelter for a fifth time in a year). I can leave my cats for two weeks with a lot of food and water and they'll be fine. A dog would need a sitter or to be boarded.

[Samurai]

I like cats. I have never understood why there are some people that receive enjoyment from hurting them. I remember once when I was a little girl, we had a cat named, "Onion". One day, my mother found Onion suffering after someone found pleasure by putting some sort of acid all over my cat. I will never forget the look of sheer horror on my mother as we tried to get the acid off the cat. In desperation, we wanted the cat to stop suffering, and so, our neighbor put the cat down with a .22. I even have tears running down my face as I write this.
My father owns his own business, and one of his interview questions is, "How do you feel about cats?" If the interviewee says something like, "I can't stand them", the interview is over.
I once read that Aldoph Hitler hated cats.

[highlander]

Sam, you and I are on the same page. I grew up in an area where most males hated cats and bragged about hurting them (which means I was often in a fight over that). Whether or not a man likes cats became a litmus test for me similar to the way your father conducted interviews. I met my husband when I was 21 and he was only the second male I'd ever met who liked cats. I don't expect everyone to love cats but I think only evil people hate them and want to hurt them. I like your Dad.

[mellowsong]

I love cats and dogs but probably favor dogs. I cannot have cats because I'm deathly allergic to them. I did have a sweet cat for nearly 2 years and suddenly just couldn't breathe around him anymore. I gave him back to the home I'd adopted him from temporarily, had the house thoroughly cleaned and within a week, symptoms got much much better. Went back to visit my kitty and was in trouble in minutes so I let him be adopted. He was a neat cat. I brought him home to 4 dogs. He comes in the door, looks around and jumps up on the couch and laid down in the middle of the dogs. He acted just like one of the dogs. Cats definitely are easier to take care of. I've had hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, ferrets, guinea pigs, parakeets and rabbits (and my daughter had snakes) at various times.

[Julieanne]

I would love a companion animal. I adore dogs, but I like cats too - I've had both in my life. Because I have no fences and people tend to speed along the road, a dog is out of the question.( Not a very busy road, but it only takes one car). There is also the thought of being able to pay for vet bills if necessary, which is a bit scary. So, thinking of getting a cat, but still haven't decided.

[StepenX]

I recently lost my cat Raja. He was over 16. Toward the end, he purred so hard. I was with him when he stopped breathing. I was so distraught that I did chest compressions on him. He started to breathe again; and started purring again. My heart was breaking as I put him in a large box with his favorite blanket. He held out a paw; and I squeezed it as he finally ascended. It's been two months now; and it is still very painful to write about this. I've never seen a cat who tried so hard to speak English. He was definitely a higher soul. I'm considered a pretty tough guy: but I'm tearing up writing about this. He was my boy. I miss his head butts. Akita mani yo!

[mellowsong]

Stephen, I think most of us here totally understand what you are saying! I have a few dogs I still get teary eyed about 20 or more years later :) 2 months isn't very long. Go ahead and grieve, don't have to be a tough guy :)

[Maurya]

What Mellowsong said!

[Reesacat]

Tough guys grieve -- moving through the pain to peace is what makes them strong.
We will all toast Raja's noble spirit and the gift of time you two had together.
May you find peace.

[Islander]

Reesacat always says things so beautifully. Yes, peace will come.

[StepenX]

I hope this doesn't freak out my new friends too much. I have no patience for people who hurt cats (or any other animal). Back in the 70's I was on a mission in Honduras. We were in a village. This asno threw a cat into a fire. I can still hear its screams. I pulled out my service pistol and shot that guy twice in the chest.

[bmc65]

Sam.... I'm horrified.
Stephen.... I can relate. My cat Boomie was really special. I feel like he came here from another lifetime specifically to be my support and, no that doesn't freak me out.
Reesacat.... well said again.

[StephenX]

bmc65,
Thanks for not freaking about my previous post. While I cannot give details about what I was doing there (I signed a document of non-disclosure)(honor dictates that when I give my word, I keep it...bushido). The immediate reaction to what I did was minimal. Everyone in that village hated that guy. He was a major bully and a local big time drug dealer. The town was glad to be rid of him. We had an immediate extraction. When I got back to the states and filed my report. I got into a fubar situation. As Desi would say to Lucy "you got a lot of splainin' to do!". Turns out the guy I iced was actually our "person of interest"; and we were supposed to extract him any way. This was 36 years ago. During that time of my life I did things that stained my soul forever. The things one has to do for the country. Since then I have tried to be the best person I could be to make up for those years. At least that jerk never hurt another animal. Akita mani yo!

[highlander]

Stephen, I would have wanted to do the same thing to that guy and toss his butt in the fire, too.

I'm very sorry for your loss. There have been many cats (and dogs and rabbits and a pony) I've shared my life with. I love(d) them all and miss the ones who are no longer here. I've got photos right in front of me of Thor and Phoenix (two male Maine Coon littermates) that I had from kittenhood until they died (one was 16 and the other made it to 17). Right next to them is a photo of Stitch, my black and white Rex rabbit who died in his sleep about a year and a half ago. He was at least 8 years old. I wrapped him in a towel and walked around holding him and sobbing like a baby. They are all precious.

[StephenX]

I've had three Siamese "mutts" in my life. Nicholas (who would cross the street to jump a dog). He was a fierce spirit. He weighed 18 pounds, all muscle. Rama, who lived with me through three degrees and 6 girlfriends. He was a lover. And Raja, the most spiritual animal I've ever known. Nicky and Rama gave me 14 years of joy apiece. Raja gave me 16+ years of loving companionship. He was the second mate of the Starship Vixen, lived aboard for 9 years and sailed 1000s of miles with us. That's 44 years of lovely cats, most of my adult life. Will I get another? When the pain subsides from my loss of Raja..perhaps. It would have to be the right cat. As you can tell I'm partial to Siamese males of dubious ancestry. Washtewalaka igmupi. I love cats. Akita mani yo!

[highlander]

A year after Thor died I was still not ready for another cat but my husband and daughters visited a neighbor and brought home an abandoned cat -- a Snowshoe (mix of Siamese and American bi-color). They begged to keep him and I couldn't say no to those blue eyes. His name is Jasper and I can't fathom why anyone would just move away and leave him. It seems to me that cats just arrive in our lives when the time is right.

[Islander]

It seems to me that cats just arrive in our lives when the time is right. They so truly do. The right cats at the right time. It's uncanny.