What does cats purring mean?

Purring is exclusive to some felines.

Only the Shiite, the puma, the ocelot and the common cat can emit it.

Its sound usually enchants and relaxes many people, but it is not always associated with a state of tranquility in the animal.

It can also appear in situations of stress or pain.

In any case, it is always a vocalization for communicative purposes that is surrounded by mystery.

“Many details are still unknown about why they do it and how it occurs.

What is known is that it occurs because cats have pads of fatty tissue in the larynx that allow them to emit low-frequency sounds," explains Stefania Pineda, veterinarian specializing in behavioral medicine and animal welfare, professor of the Department of Animal Production of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Complutense and in charge of the animal behavior consultation of this Madrid university.

The feline purr goes beyond a mere guttural sound that they emit anecdotally.

“For it to occur, the brain has to control the laryngeal muscles that contract in order to modulate the entry of air,” Pineda clarifies.

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The sound frequency of cat purring is low;

It occurs between 25 and 30 Hz. “Generally, it happens in positive, calm contexts, when the cat is on its owner, such as on the lap or chest.

It is accompanied by a certain body language;

the relaxation of facial muscles and squinting,” describes the veterinarian.

The purring can be accompanied by kneading or typical fluffing with the paws, but not necessarily.

“It is a context in which the cat shows its trust in the person with whom it is, but it can also occur in other situations, such as when there is stress, pain or hunger,” explains this specialist.

Do felines only purr around people?

“It can also occur between cats, but, generally, in the context of domestic coexistence, all the cats' vocalizations are intended to communicate with humans, even when they meow,” clarifies the expert in animal behavior.

“There are cats that purr louder than others, the reason is not known, but it may be because they have larger larynx pads.

Others barely purr, which does not mean that they are not comfortable with the person," explains this specialist, who determines the age at which these animals begin to emit this characteristic sound: "They can do it from puppies, at two or three months of age. "age, as a social function that serves to strengthen the bond with their litter."

The purring between cats

The cat that is still with its siblings may purr to get its mother's attention.

“It aims to awaken a positive emotion in her to guarantee her food and care.

At the same time, he allows the kitten to be detected by her, to avoid the risk of a predator locating it,” assures João Pedro Monteiro, expert in behavioral medicine at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Complutense University of Madrid.

The cat is the only feline that purrs when interacting with humans.

“It is a type of communication that developed with domestication and that produces a positive emotion in the person who receives it, which is why it has been said to relieve sadness,” says Monteiro.

There is also speculation about the possibility that purring is healing for the feline itself.

“There are no conclusive studies on this, but it has been proven that he also purrs when he is in pain and that he could do it to feel better,” explains this expert.

When a cat purrs at a person, it may have the intention of transmitting various types of messages. Isabel Alcalá (Getty Images)

When a cat purrs at a person, it may have the intention of transmitting several types of messages: “If it knows the human, it may indicate happiness and the intention of wanting to interact.

In the event that it is a stranger, he tries to calm the encounter and say that he does not feel threatened,” describes the veterinarian, who is also a veterinarian.

Kneading in cats

Another very typical feline behavior is kneading or fluffing some object or part of a person's body with their paws, such as when they are placed on the lap.

“It is an inherited behavior in which different genes mediate.

He learns it with his mother and, at first, it is a survival behavior to obtain the mother's milk,” Pineda continues.

This expert assures that cats can maintain this behavior when they are adults, since it relaxes them and is linked to the social relationship between the mother and her puppies.

A cat that comes close to cuddling someone, be it a person or another animal, is trying to improve the relationship.

“It deposits the smell of its paw pads.

This behavior is only directed at individuals with whom it has a solid and trusting bond,” adds veterinarian João Pedro Moreira, who also attributes the cat's kneading of an object to the intention of creating a place of comfort. and to mark it.