We think we know what a cat’s purr means.
It is arguably the most recognisable sign of animal contentment: a pleasurable rasp that erupts whenever a cat is tickled or petted, the soundtrack to countless sessions sprawled on an owner’s lap.
But that’s not quite the full story. There is a lot more going on with the cat’s purr than you might reasonably expect.
Cats are shockingly vocal creatures, speaking with howls, trills, murmurs, snarls, cries and screams. Be that as it may, maybe the most charming and strange commotion they make is the murmur – discover the mysteries of a feline's murmur with our extensive guide.
As any cat owner will tell you, there’s nothing quite like snuggling up with a purring cat. There’s something very relaxing – almost hypnotic – about this very unique and frankly odd animal vocalisation. But what does it mean? And how, exactly do they do it? Well, it turns out that purring is a lot more complex than it might first seem – yet more proof (as if we needed it!) that our furry feline friends are very remarkable little animals indeed.
Purring can signify contentedness, but it can also mean your cat is in pain, nervous or is just trying to manipulate you into feeding him. Kelly Morgan, DVM, clinical instructor at the Chicago Center for Veterinary Medicine of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine in Chicago, likens it to smiling. People smile when they’re happy, but also when they’re uncomfortable or when they want something. Likewise, purring can indicate a variety of internal states.
Here is the link of BBC's article about purring:
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180724-the-complicated-truth-about-a-cats-purr
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