Cats purring... Why do cats purr?

Yes, it is such a great sound. When I took in Sunbeam (a stray ktten I found) she couldn't stop purring. When I took her to the vet it turns out she was bloated from starvation. I don't know whether she was purring because I rescued and fed her, or whether she was trying to comfort herself from the pain and stresses of life she encountered as a stray. Maybe it is a bit of both. Either way it made me feel protective of her. But then again I would have probably taken her in if she had been mute.

Yes, mine love to purr just before they have a meal. They seem to think that the louder they purr the quicker I will feed them.

That is so cute that your cats wake you up like that:)

Mine have a tendancy to poke me in the face if I'm not up in time to feed them.

Yes, it seems purring must have some use for the cat. And the endorphins theory does seem to explain why a cat might purr when it is both contented and frightened, so that is probably one of the best reasons given so far.

However, for whatever reason or reasons a cat purrs, I am glad they do.

Thanks for your response.

Yes, I love it when my cats purr when I'm going to sleep. I find it really relaxing. For me, it is one of the most beautiful sounds.

I think the idea that some purring is used by cats to comfort and heal themselves is quite intriguing. Sometimes I wonder if that purring has the same effect on us when we listen to it.

Thanks for your response.

Thats what I thought too. But apparently some also purr when they are hurt or scared. I had always associated purring with a contented and happy cat until I read up about it.

It is really strange to think a cat might purr when it is hurting or frightened, but I suppose it would be a good mechanism for calming itself. I always feel calmer after listening to my cats purr, so I suppose it might be a similiar feeling for the cat too.

Thanks for your response.