Purring

Can a cat purr too much?

My kitten, the tabby one, purrs excessivly. She was the first to purr as a little kitten and I thought it was adorable. Eleanor, by black kitty, doesn't purr at all.

I will be waking up in the morning to this strange sound, and I discover it to be little Annie, sitting on the floor by the bedroom door, purring away.

She'll jump up on me, already purring while I'm sitting around, and nestle down on my lap, or lay on my chest, as close to my face as she can get, and without touching her she will continue to purr.

She is so opposite from her mother and her sister, who rarely do it. Why is that?

As I understand it, purring can happen for two reasons:

1. Because the kitty is relaxed and contented, and expresses that by purring.

2. Because the kitty is upset or in pain, and uses purring to try to comfort herself.

Seems contradictory, but it makes sense in a way. Kittens get used to purring and hearing their mothers purr as a way of communicating when they're being nursed and groomed as tiny babies. That's a wonderful, safe time in their lives, and when a grownup cat "makes biscuits" and purrs, she's clearly remembering her mama and those happy times.

And what do we do when we feel sick? We call our moms and ask them to bring over some homemade soup! So when a kitty feels bad, maybe she purrs to call to her mother for comfort.

All I know for sure is that any purring cat within my reach is going to get petted, and it always seems to be appreciated. :-)

So I guess I notice it so much now because mom is rejecting them a little bit, kind of a "get out" method, and kicks them when they try to nurse. So perhaps she is purring and then seeking me out instead of mom.

Right now they are all in their respective sleeping positions, Eleanor is on the top of the first sofa, Spook is on the seat of the second sofa, and Annabelle is isolated inside the new box I brought home for them that is like a little cave.

Aw. They like their space sometimes.

My Jordan is one of those that purrs too much. Mainly because he purrs SO loud... you'll be half asleep and then that motor starts up, right next to your ear... shhh!

Baylee doesn't purr very often so when she does, I get real happy, lol!

I never heard my Callie purr until I'd had her for 2 years. Then it was a very soft, quiet purr and I really had to listen or feel her chest to know she was purring. Now she purrs anytime I pet her or when I feed her or when I talk to her!! And her purr has gotten louder and deeper over the years.

Hannah purrs a lot, but it's not excessive nor is it too loud. It's a very sweet purr.

I love to hear my girls purr. It's a very comforting thing for me to know they're okay.

Stephanie

Interesting question and responses. It makes sense that a cat would purr to comfort itself now that I think about it.

One of my girls purrs at the drop of a hat - sometimes she's already purring before she gets to me or I get to her. She's easy to please; she loves attention of any kind. I never really worried that she purrs excessively. Our other girl purrs when she feels like being picked up, when she gets a massage, or when she kneeds her blankies. They're polar opposites - but also not related.

Maia has had a bit of the stomach upsets, throwing up a few days ago and then today. When shes feeling sick, she runs to me purring with the "pick me up" stance......I believe they need that extra comfort when thier not feeling well and are happy to have it so in comes the purrrrrrrr. Ofcourse she is a motor when it comes to her regular rub downs and "give me attention"!

Trouble our kitty Purrs ALL THE TIME! he will do the mix of meow and purr at the same time.... Lol and he will be sleeping.. and if he wakes up and sees me look at him.. he purrs... lol

Your kitty sounds so cute!!
Saki purrs SO LOUD and I just love it when he purrs and meows at me to give him some love
Zoey purrs very quiet but in the morning when she steps on me with her big azz feet I can hear her purring every so softly in my face.

I had a cat Smokey who purred all the time like that and he was SO loud! It was cute but did get bothersome if you were trying to sleep and he was purring next to your ear. You could hear him coming across the house at night because he was purring so loud. He quit doing it like that after he was 7 or 8 months and neutered. He was just a very loveable kitten

Abi is an olympic purrer too. sometimes she is so loud it sounds like a dove cooing. I can call my husband and put Abi's purr on the phone. Now on the other hand she hardly ever talks unless she is SUPER hungry, wants me to sit down so she can sleep in my lap, wants me to open the windows so she can loll on the open sills or makes a little mew when she wants something like a bug or a box she cant reach. My mother had s ismaese that would never be quiet. i like a quiet cat. esp her little mew .

My new kitten, Biscotte, that I found in the barn, is a loud and constant purrer. She kneads all the time, too, on whatever surface she is on. I think she is trying to reassure herself about strange surroundings. But I can always tell where she ihiding because I only have to say her name and I hear this purr!