Why do cats purr? Easily explained

Some cats purr particularly often, others more rarely. But why is it like that? In this home article we explain why cats purr and why you as a human also benefit from it.

There are many good reasons for purring for cats

There is no clear answer to exactly how the purr is created. According to the current state of research, the larynx muscles and hyoid bone as well as the main artery and the vocal cords are mentioned as possible causes of the purring. So far, however, the experts have not agreed, although it is assumed that the vocal cords are most likely to be responsible for this. But why do cats purr at all?

• Cats purr in pain to control them. This can be observed in the case of illnesses or at birth.
• For cats, the purring also serves as a guide. Kittens in particular are guided by their mother's purr and find their way to her to warm up or eat.
• If your cat purrs, this can also be understood as an invitation to play or feed. Your cat tries to communicate with them this way or even begs them to give them more food or treats.
• With the purring, the cats also greet each other. In the case of dominant cats, it can also be observed that the purring provides the all-clear for their weaker counterpart.

Why purring is good for cats and humans

Cats always purr for a reason - and that ultimately benefits humans and animals.

• The purr helps cats recover faster after an illness or surgery. This is due to the vibrations of the purr, which stabilize the bone structure and stimulate the regeneration of the body.
• Purring is also a good thing for humans, because researchers found that if they were exposed to purring for several weeks, humans could also show a more stable bone structure.
• The purring of the cats lowers blood pressure and releases the happiness hormone serotonin. Among other things, this helps with sleep disorders, helps improve the sleep rhythm and can be used to prevent muscle loss.

Find out how much a cat costs per month in the next home article.