Have you ever thought about why cats purr? Sure, we all love to see a little kitten come and brush up against us and make that purring sound that make us and the cat feel better, but why does it happen?
The common belief among humans is that cats purr because they feel safe and are happy. This may be true most of the time, but there are also other purposes for purring.
Cat Behavior Explained went into detail on the many different reasons why cats may purr, which listed the following:
Reassurance for kittens- Reassurance for themselves
- Reassurance for humans
In addition to the three main reasons above, cat purring can also be a result of the following:
- Acknowledging she likes you and wants to be your friend
- Telling you she’s friendly
- Over the moon about something
- Enjoying her food
- Settling down for a sleep
- Having a nice dream
- Pleased to see you
Cat Behavior Explained finishes their article with the following:
So, why do cats purr? I believe it’s for a variety of reasons, based on the circumstances at the time. I think cat purring is mostly associated with positive experiences in Kitty’s life. Purring during negative experiences is, I believe, Kitty’s way of trying to make herself feel better.
So next time a cat comes up to you and starts purring, you will immediately think about how happy they are, but also these other reasons for purring will stick in the back of your mind as well.
Why Do Cats Purr? Video
