how to get Oberon to purr?

roguethecat · Oct 5, 2014

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roguethecat
Jun 2, 2014

Oberon first appeared in the yard a year ago. I caught and neutered him but he didn't hold a grudge and tried to get inside instead... well, he succeeded. Now he jumps on me whenever I sit down and is content to snuggle and lick my hands. He has never kneaded anything, so I suppose he was spending a healthy time with his Mom and doesn't need to? He also never purrs. Not that I mind, but it would be nice.

Does anyone out there have a cat that doesn't purr? Are there any tricks I could try on him?

p3 and the king · Oct 5, 2014

Some cats don't. He also may have a condition that keeps him from doing so. Some cats only purr when they are in pain. There really aren't any "tricks" to get them to do so, either. As long as he is happy and loving you back, though, there is no need for him to purr. It isn't a necessity. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

zoneout · Oct 5, 2014

Hi, you bring up a good and interesting point. An issue of which I have pondered for some time. To answer your question.... I have never encountered a cat that did not purr. I wonder in Obe`s case whether it is behavioural or there is something askew with his purring mechanism.

What I have been wondering about is why cats only seem to purr when interacting with people. I have never observed cats purring at any other time even when they are being groomed by another friendly cat. Curious if anyone knows.

p3 and the king · Oct 5, 2014

zoneout said:
Hi, you bring up a good and interesting point. An issue of which I have pondered for some time. To answer your question.... I have never encountered a cat that did not purr. I wonder in Obe`s case whether it is behavioural or there is something askew with his purring mechanism.

What I have been wondering about is why cats only seem to purr when interacting with people. I have never observed cats purring at any other time even when they are being groomed by another friendly cat. Curious if anyone knows.

Cats do not only purr for people. They purr when nursing and when their mother is cleaning them. And they do purr when grooming friends, as well. They also purr when they are sick or in pain. It is believed to be a calming mechanism. But it is not a necessity. And not all cats do purr. Some only purr when sick and in pain. Some may have something wrong with the part of the throat that is their purr machine... While others just don't feel the need to.

Draco · Oct 5, 2014

One of my cats very rarely purr. When he gets in a rare snuggly mood he would- who he is every few months. Other than that he doesn't purr . Guess some cats just don't purr- they show contentment in other ways

cutiekitten · Oct 5, 2014

Sunny purrs anytime she's near me and I don't have to be petting her either for her to purr. I guess she's just very very happy just to be next to me.

the3rdname · Oct 5, 2014

Draco said:
One of my cats very rarely purr. When he gets in a rare snuggly mood he would- who he is every few months. Other than that he doesn't purr . Guess some cats just don't purr- they show contentment in other ways

Same here. I have one out of six that rarely purrs (and one that purrs almost constantly). Tyger is my "stoic little man" who hardly ever purrs, prefers gently bumping foreheads to cuddling, and has to be in the mood for petting. He'll even contort his body out of the way if I try to pet him when he's not in a petting frame of mind.

Maybe our boys are little macho men who think purring is for wusses

betsygee · Oct 5, 2014

the3rdname said:
Maybe our boys are little macho men who think purring is for wusses

That's funny. My non-purrer is also a male. But he's also deaf. I noticed that if I hold him close, and put my hand on his chest, I can feel him purring even if I can't hear it.

alyssam · Oct 5, 2014

Out adult male Lucifer, tries to purr. He usually makes this funny grunting noise instead lol.

He was a feral at the property before we moved here, so I think it may be from years of fighting other cats. He has plenty of old scars to show for it, and I think maybe damaged his nose at one point and it healed funny. He breathes just fine but when he is loving on me and "purring", he mostly makes funny nose grunts and you hear the occasional, actual purr. I just say his purr maker is broken!

roguethecat · Oct 5, 2014

ok, thanks guys! Oberon is not overly macho, but quite sensible, so he probably thinks purring is for the overactive crazy types

Will check his chest next time he sits on me for vibrations, though, that's a great idea. He's definitely not deaf (not when I say "treat").

catspaw66 · Oct 5, 2014

zoneout said:
What I have been wondering about is why cats only seem to purr when interacting with people. I have never observed cats purring at any other time even when they are being groomed by another friendly cat. Curious if anyone knows.

Yes, Julie purrs when Sheba is grooming her. My Bear

used to lay on the washing machine in the other room and purr loud enough I could hear her. It is about 10 feet or so and there is a wall with a door in it.

betsygee · Oct 5, 2014

roguethecat said:
ok, thanks guys! Oberon is not overly macho, but quite sensible, so he probably thinks purring is for the overactive crazy types

Will check his chest next time he sits on me for vibrations, though, that's a great idea. He's definitely not deaf (not when I say "treat").

I didn't mean to suggest your little guy is deaf. I just meant to illustrate that there are different ways, and reasons, that cats purr or don't.

But yes, do feel his chest or under his chin and see if you can feel the 'hum'. He might be purring and you don't know it. :-)

zoneout · Oct 6, 2014

catspaw66 said:
Yes, Julie purrs when Sheba is grooming her. My Bear

used to lay on the washing machine in the other room and purr loud enough I could hear her. It is about 10 feet or so and there is a wall with a door in it.

Maybe she was trying to impersonate a load of laundry

catspaw66 · Oct 6, 2014

zoneout said:
Maybe she was trying to impersonate a load of laundry

zoneout · Oct 6, 2014

I love calicos too. Mine passed in June and I miss her terribly.

the3rdname · Oct 6, 2014

roguethecat said:
ok, thanks guys! Oberon is not overly macho, but quite sensible, so he probably thinks purring is for the overactive crazy types

Will check his chest next time he sits on me for vibrations, though, that's a great idea. He's definitely not deaf (not when I say "treat").

In my household it's the emotionally needy kitties that purr the loudest. Not all kitties can be cool cats like our quiet boys

Now I'm going to have to check for vibrations, too. You learn something every day!

catspaw66 · Oct 6, 2014

Bear

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catspaw66
Oct 6, 2014

It is only in the last 3 years that all my ladies have been calico.

zoneout · Oct 6, 2014

OMG, that`s a bear alright.

momto3cats · Oct 7, 2014

What an interesting thread! My Charlie rarely purrs loud enough for me to hear, but I can feel the vibrations in his chest and throat. He's just a quiet boy in general. Even his most demanding meows are pretty soft.

Little Crumbs, on the other hand, has a purr you can hear across the room sometimes. It goes with her loud, piercing meow. She's also much more inclined to talk or purr in general, while Charlie is more stoic.

twinkles21 · Oct 7, 2014

If Oberon was a long hair i'd recommend a loin cut. Desty never purred, never was a lap cat or wanted cuddles, then I got her a loin cut and she's a completely different girl. WAY happier, purring, lap cat, cuddles, the whole works. So once she starts getting cranky pants again it's time for a hair cut. Crisis of idenity I guess lol

how to get Oberon to purr?

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NOT Malfoy!

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Just what part of meow don't you understand.

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Just what part of meow don't you understand.

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