Purring or not purring....that is the question?

Ok so I have a curious question. Why do some cats purr and some that never purr?

Pong is our purrer here. He always has since the day we brought her into our home. 24/7 she purrs. I often wonder if its because she was already her litter mates and other cats when she was younger and thats why she purrs so much. She learned by them.

Ping on the other hand does not purr. I don't even remember if he did when he was little. Tho I know he is happy here he just does not purr. We don't know how long for sure he was around his litter mates but a guess would be 3-4 weeks at most he was around them. His mom was either semi-feral or full feral because no one could ever be around her.

Is purring a learned behavior or an instinct? Can an older cat learn to purr. Or does there come a point where if they don't they never will. Any insights on this matter.

I've wondered about this too. None of the last litter of kittens I fostered purred.

Sometimes they purr but very quietly. Mosi purrs so quietly I have to lay my head on his side in order to pick up anything at all. For a long time I thought he just didn't purr, but on a few occasions I have felt rather than heard a faint purr when I've laid my head on his side. Jaffa, on the other hand, purrs so loudly I'm surprised the neighbours don't complain.

I have put my head right on his side while petting him and such and I have never heard him purr.

Try putting a finger under his chin. If he is purring very quietly, his throat will be vibrating.

Maybe it's like some people don't laugh much, even when they're happy...?