Most people know that cats purr when you stroke them, but did you know that there’s a reason for it? A recent study has found that when cats purr, they’re actually releasing stress hormones. Why Do Cats Purr When You Stroke Them? One theory is that they’re trying to comfort themselves and reduce their stress levels.
Another theory is that they’re doing it to get us to pet them more! Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that cats love being stroked – and vice versa! 🙂
Let’s understand the reason behind cats purring, by the way, it is not just to show that they are happy. Cats have a special muscle called the ‘odontoid process’ which makes them able to produce the sound of purring. They can do this at any time, even while breathing in or out!
In this blog post you will get answers to the questions such as How Can I Make Purring Better For My Cat? and Why Do Cats Purr When You Stroke Them?
Read on!
Why do cats purr when you stroke them?
Stroking your cat is so delightful! When the gorgeous ball of fur in front of you begins purring, it becomes even more gratifying… right? Yes, but there are several additional reasons why cats make this vibrating sound, and not all of them are joyful. Learn why cats purr when they’re stroked below.
As per this article by BBC is that they’re trying to comfort themselves and reduce their stress levels. Another theory is that they’re doing it to get us to pet them more! Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that cats love being stroked – and vice versa!
Why Do Cats Purr When You Stroke Them? Here are the 7 reasons why do they do that.
- They’re in a good mood : It’s a fact that cats purr when they’re contented. Note, this is different from being happy. When your cat is ‘happy’ you’ll see him/her being very playful and active whereas being ‘contented’ means that your kitty’s just feeling calm and relaxed.
- For Kitten-Motherly Relation: Cat mothers are very gentle with their kittens when they’re nursing them. If you witness a cat purring while grooming her kitten, it means that she’s in a trance-like state of mind due to the bonding between them.
- They Know They Are Safe: Cats often purr when they’re feeling safe and secure. It means that they trust you and feel calm in your presence. You can even try playing with your kitty for a while, then stop to see if he/she continues purring and only resume the game if the cat does!
- It’s a Sign of Anxiety: Cats will purr when they feel anxious about something. The noise is a sign of comfort and helps them to stay calm and relaxed.
- Feeling Threatened: Cats will also purr when they think you might hurt them – usually in an aggressive manner. When cats are in this state, their body’s endorphins get activated which helps to keep them relaxed and calm.
- They’re Overstimulated: If you stroke your kitty and he/she really enjoys it, they might purr out of happiness. If you notice that your cat is overstimulated when being petted – meaning he/she is acting in an aggressive manner such as meowing excessively or biting – you should stop stroking them immediately. This is because petting overstimulated cats for too long can cause the cat to be confused and frustrated about why you’re petting them continuously.
- They’re Sick: Cats will purr when they feel sick and it helps them to recover much faster than if they didn’t. You may notice that your cats purring a lot more than usual and acting lethargic, this is a sign that they’re not feeling well. Not only does purring help them to feel better, but it also helps the lungs to stay healthy by opening up airways and releasing air from the respiratory system.
The meaning of a purr has been studied by a lot of researchers, some say that the sound is a sign of contentment while some say it’s a way to comfort themselves.
Cat owners can tell when their cats are happy or not based on the sounds they make.
Some people think that cats purr when in pain in order to heal themselves. It is apparent that cats purr when in discomfort too.
They will doze off with a stroke and emit endorphins in response to pleasure, but if you keep petting them for too long this can make your kitty uncomfortable – at which point they’ll start soothing themselves by purring!
Is My Cat Purring or Snoring?
Cats are commonly known for purring up a storm when they are happy or feeling content. Their purrs have always been used to communicate with their loved ones, by asking for food or if they want some attention. But what does it mean when your cat is snoring?
Can cats snore too? The simple answer is yes, they can. Cats snore when the soft palate vibrates during inhalation and exhalation. They will most often snore when in deep sleep or relax mode, but cats may also snore when they’re ill and it’s kind of a way to bring attention to their discomfort.
Why do cats snore? If your cat is snoring then it means that there’s something wrong with his or her nose. Snoring in cats is much different than in humans since growling and wheezing are added elements to the mix, making their snores even louder than usual. Although some cats snore due to a stuffy nose caused by allergies, it is also possible for them to experience an obstructed airway.
If your cat has been diagnosed with any diseases that affect the sinus cavities or nasal passages it will lead to lots of breathing problems. This can be accompanied by a congested chest and increased mucus and fluids.
Cats who snore do so because their airway is partially or completely blocked, which leads to a change in the cat’s usual breathing pattern.
Because cats cannot sleep with an open mouth as we can they often hold their mouths slightly open as they apply downward pressure on the elongated soft palate to clear obstructions from the throat. This results in the snoring sound.
So, is my cat purring or snoring? The answer is simple: they might be doing both! Cats that are snoring may also be purring at the same time, this means that they are trying to clear their airways with a decrease in blood oxygen levels.
If your cat is snoring then you should take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible for a checkup.
How Can People Benefit From Purring?
It is said to be healthy for humans if cats purr around them, people enjoy the vibrations and many pet owners say that it’s good at easing their stress away.
Why does the sound of purring make us feel better? When a cat is purring it releases endorphins into its systems which are often referred to as happy hormones. These hormones help to reduce stress and they actually lower the blood pressure rates in the human body.
Purring is a natural healing process, it can increase your energy levels, relieve pain, and have many other positive effects on people’s health.
People who have had surgery or are going through chemotherapy treatment often experience a lot of pain because their immune system is not able to fight infection.
The benefits of purring cat vibrations can help reduce or ease all types of pain and even improve the immune system in people who suffer from chronic disease conditions like arthritis and cancer.
There has been a lot of research conducted on people and cats and their purring frequency, it is shown that this low-frequency sound helps to promote bone strength and healing.
Cats purr at different frequencies according to their emotions. When they are happy or relaxed, purring is more frequent and continuous. If the cat is agitated then it will purr at a considerably lower rate.
Purring can help ease tension between cats, this is because it is considered to be part of a communication technique that is used by many animals in the wild.
How Can I Make Purring Better For My Cat?
One of the most important things you can do to improve the health and life of your purring cat is to feed them a high-quality diet. This will help with weight management, hairballs, and overall grooming.
Cats who are overweight or obese may experience respiratory issues and this means that they cannot purr as much as they would like to. If this is the case then your main priority should be to get them back into shape.
Cats purr usually when they’re sleeping, eating, or trying to comfort their owners so it’s important that you try to mimic these scenarios as much as possible. When your cat is curled up and enjoying a nap then this is the perfect time to stroke them and let them purr out all of their stress away.
You could also gently massage your cat to help improve their breathing.
You should also have regular veterinary checkups in order to identify any issues that could be affecting your cat’s ability to purr or breathe easily.
Final words
Now you have the answer to the question “Why Do Cats Purr When You Stroke Them?” Since Cats are so complex and adorable, there’s no simple answer to any question related to their behavior. Purring is a common feline behavior, but it can also be an indication of distress.
Cats sometimes purr when being stroked as they feel comforted by the motion and vibration present in your hands while petting them; however, if you notice any other signs such as excessive rubbing against clothing or extreme attempts at getting attention from humans then this could mean something different than just happiness!
Snoring and purring are both noises that come from cats, but they have very different effects on the cats making them. Purring is a sign of contentment and happiness in a cat, while snoring can be a sign of distress or illness. If your cat is snoring, it’s important to take her to the vet to get checked out and make sure she’s healthy.
Purring is also beneficial for humans. In fact, researchers have found that when people listen to recordings of purring cats, their heart rates decrease and they experience a sense of relaxation. So if you’re looking for a way to wind down after a long day or reduce stress, consider spending some time with your feline friend and listening to them purr.
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