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Why Do Cats Purr?

Scientists don’t know exactly why cats purr, but some of the possible reasons are pretty cool.

By Avery Hurt
Jan 3, 2022 8:15 PMFeb 29, 2024 2:28 PM
Happy Kitty
Credit:(Denis Val/Shutterstock)

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Can you think of anything more relaxing than having a purring cat curled up in your lap? (OK, if you’re a dog person, maybe you can. But stick with me here because this gets cool.) A cat’s purr is often interpreted by humans as a sign that the cat is content. And that may be true — sometimes. But there’s much more to purring than just happy vibes.

Why Do Cats Purr?

That adorable purr, from a gentle hum to a resonant vibration, has actually long puzzled scientists. But experts do know some things.

Hunger

Kittens are born deaf and blind, but they can mew and purr almost right away. Purring is how helpless little kittens get the attention of their moms, explains Autumn Vetter, DVM, Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. 

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