Do you know why your cat is purring?

Jessica Dufort — May 13th, 2021

It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that cats purr to express their happiness and love — because sometimes they do — but that’s not always the case. Cats purr for a variety of reasons.

* Bonding

o To soothe their kittens [1]

You might notice this when a mother is breastfeeding or toileting her kittens. Or you might notice kittens purring near their mothers after the first few days of life.

*To soothe themselves [1]

o Constant purring can be a sign of pain [2]

Purring can decrease healing time — yes, the low frequency of a cat’s purr doesn’t only sound reassuring, it also promotes healing [1]!

Cats are stoic in nature, and you may not be able to tell if your kitty is in pain. Watch for other subtle changes in your pet’s behavior (such as, decreased activity levels or grooming) and if you have any concerns, see a veterinarian.

*They’re happy and/or cozy [1]

You might notice your cat is in a comfortable position, possibly laying in sunshine with their belly exposed. Perhaps you started stroking your pet after a long day at work. Or you pulled out his/her favorite toy!

*They want something [1]

By paying close attention to your cat’s behavior, you could be able to figure out what they want. For example, a cat who loves going in the bedroom may be purring in front of the door. They also purr to express hunger, but the purr they use sounds different when that’s the case [1].

Next time you notice your cat is purring, you can use this article to determine why!

Why do you think Nikita was purring when I took this picture?

References

[1] Flowers, A. (2021). Why Do Cats Purr? https://pets.webmd.com/cats/why-do-cats-purr

[2] The Pain’s in the Purr. Veterinary economics. (2013). 54.10 (2013): S18–. Print.