| Do you wonder why the Persian cat and all other | | | | because it occurs in the Bobcat, Cheetah, Eurasian |
| breeds of cats purr from time to time or almost all the | | | | Lynx, Puma, Wild Cat and many others of the Felidae |
| time? This is a question that no one has been able to | | | | family as well. |
| answer for sure. We just don't know why cats purr. | | | | Studies show the bigger cats such as lions, leopards, |
| As Persian cat owners we would like to think the | | | | Jaguars, Tigers, Snow Leopard, and Clouded Leopard |
| purring meant "contentment." Those who research | | | | to not exhibit true purring; however, they exhibit a |
| such matters say this is one reason and probably the | | | | purr-like sound. |
| "greatest" reason a cat purrs. | | | | As my kittens purred, they did not have their mouths |
| Where does the noise come from?o Scientists agree | | | | open. I first wondered where is this sound coming |
| the larynx (voice box), laryngeal muscles and a neural | | | | from, something inside the cat's body, as there was a |
| oscillator are all involved in the purring process | | | | vibration with it as well. This is the distinction from other |
| Understanding of how our domestic cats purr is | | | | cat vocalizations in that the purr is produced during the |
| becoming more and more complete. We know from | | | | entire respiratory cycle (the inhaling and exhaling). The |
| experience Persian kittens and other cat breeds learn | | | | meow, which I have heard also, happens as the kitten |
| how to purr when they are a couple of days old. | | | | opens its mouth and is limited to the expiration of |
| Veterinarians think this purring communicates to animal | | | | breath. This is an interesting concept about cats, I think. |
| mom:o "Mom, I am okay."o "Mom, I am here." | | | | Other times when Persian cats and other cat breeds |
| The purring of kittens toward cat mom also indicates a | | | | purr are:o A queen will purr while giving birth (probably |
| bonding mechanism between kitten and cat mom. | | | | a moment of joy as well as pain; it is unknown why |
| I purchased a couple of Persian kittens. On day six, as | | | | this occurs)o Kittens instinctively purr while nursingo |
| I held them both in my arms, they both began to | | | | Ma-ma cats purr right back at kittens as they nurseo |
| vibrate, and make the purring noise. I thought, are they | | | | An adult cat can purr at the drop of a hat, whenever |
| growling at me? I am a Shih Tzu dog breed owner | | | | you are near, but especially when you are holding or |
| also. But, no, they were purring. They had bonded with | | | | petting (this is when my Persian kittens purred the first |
| me as their surrogate mother and were telling me, "I | | | | time, while I was holding and petting them) |
| am happy with you," "I am content right now," and "I | | | | With the knowledge of how and why a cat purrs, it |
| am okay." I am certain this was messages they were | | | | makes sense that cats are often used as "therapy |
| sending me. | | | | animals" in convalescent hospitals, or in retirement |
| It has also been suggested that cats purr when they | | | | homes. It is a proven fact that cat owners have lower |
| are injured or in pain (believe me, my kittens were not | | | | blood pressure. This is especially true in the elderly |
| in pain). The purr, with its low frequency vibrations acts | | | | population. |
| as a natural healing mechanism. Purring may also be | | | | This human-feline bond is quite pleasant and enjoyable. |
| linked to:o Strengthening and repairing of boneso Relief | | | | It made me feel like all was well in the world, and I |
| of paino Wound healing | | | | even hummed right back at them! It was a precious |
| Whatever the meaning to the Persian cat and other | | | | moment in the relationship between myself and my |
| cat breeds purr, we are for certain it is a unique vocal | | | | Persian kittens. |
| feature of the domestic cat. It is probably an instinct | | | | |