Purranoid - Paranoid about Purrs

maito

maito

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We usually associate purrs with happy cats, but they also purr to soothe themselves, reduce pain and heal. Actually, there are a lot of studies describing how and why the healing powers of purrs work, plus a lot of recorded anecdotes of cats purring on sick people healing them, but none relating happiness with purrs (at least in my quick google search I haven't found any). Here in the forum, there are a lot of post about no-purring cats, some about incessant purring and some others about purring after specific activities. If purrs are so great for healing and relaxing, cats would do it regularly as a health maintenance routine. I really hope so, otherwise, they would do it whenever they are in pain or stressed, or if they feel someone in pain or stressed. Also, it would be pretty insane to run to the doctor and vet whenever the cat purrs in my lap, so I've been wondering how much purring is acceptable and under which circumstances.
 
solomonar

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No scientific answer yet. Sorry.

Until recently, it was considered that only Felis catus purrs in adulthood, while other felides cease purring in months from birth. And only certain species. I read somewhere that this is no longer true.

This is what I know. Perhaps somebody else came to conclusive scientific reasearch on the causes and objectives of purr in adult cats, but myself I do not know. There is a lot of anectodical info, however. Your choice what to believe and what not. 

Trust your feelings and associate the purr to other events or communication. You shall understand which type of purr you hear from the circumstances.
 
stephenq

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maito said:
 
We usually associate purrs with happy cats, but they also purr to soothe themselves, reduce pain and heal. Actually, there are a lot of studies describing how and why the healing powers of purrs work, plus a lot of recorded anecdotes of cats purring on sick people healing them, but none relating happiness with purrs (at least in my quick google search I haven't found any). Here in the forum, there are a lot of post about no-purring cats, some about incessant purring and some others about purring after specific activities. If purrs are so great for healing and relaxing, cats would do it regularly as a health maintenance routine. I really hope so, otherwise, they would do it whenever they are in pain or stressed, or if they feel someone in pain or stressed. Also, it would be pretty insane to run to the doctor and vet whenever the cat purrs in my lap, so I've been wondering how much purring is acceptable and under which circumstances.
Click to expand...
http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/why-cats-purr/

http://pets.webmd.com/why-do-cats-purr

I think its a little bit why people make yummy noises when they eat good food.  The aliens are studying us and they conclude we make this noise when we eat tasty food, but that we also make the noise when we wish we had some tasty food or maybe we even make the noise when we've been overly deprived of tasty food.  Its contentedness, comfort and desire, in context, and that in healthy cats its mostly the first thing.
 
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