| Do you wonder why the Persian cat and all other | | | | Eurasian Lynx, Puma, Wild Cat and many others of |
| breeds of cats purr from time to time or almost all | | | | the Felidae family as well. |
| the time? This is a question that no one has been | | | | Studies show the bigger cats such as lions, leopards, |
| able to answer for sure. We just don't know why | | | | Jaguars, Tigers, Snow Leopard, and Clouded Leopard |
| cats purr. As Persian cat owners we would like to | | | | to not exhibit true purring; however, they exhibit a |
| think the purring meant "contentment." Those who | | | | purr-like sound. |
| research such matters say this is one reason and | | | | As my kittens purred, they did not have their |
| probably the "greatest" reason a cat purrs. | | | | mouths open. I first wondered where is this sound |
| Where does the noise come from?o Scientists agree | | | | coming from, something inside the cat's body, as |
| the larynx (voice box), laryngeal muscles and a neural | | | | there was a vibration with it as well. This is the |
| oscillator are all involved in the purring process | | | | distinction from other cat vocalizations in that the |
| Understanding of how our domestic cats purr is | | | | purr is produced during the entire respiratory cycle |
| becoming more and more complete. We know from | | | | (the inhaling and exhaling). The meow, which I have |
| experience Persian kittens and other cat breeds learn | | | | heard also, happens as the kitten opens its mouth |
| how to purr when they are a couple of days old. | | | | and is limited to the expiration of breath. This is an |
| Veterinarians think this purring communicates to | | | | interesting concept about cats, I think. |
| animal mom:o "Mom, I am okay."o "Mom, I am here." | | | | Other times when Persian cats and other cat breeds |
| The purring of kittens toward cat mom also indicates | | | | purr are:o A queen will purr while giving birth |
| a bonding mechanism between kitten and cat mom. | | | | (probably a moment of joy as well as pain; it is |
| I purchased a couple of Persian kittens. On day six, | | | | unknown why this occurs)o Kittens instinctively purr |
| as I held them both in my arms, they both began to | | | | while nursingo Ma-ma cats purr right back at kittens |
| vibrate, and make the purring noise. I thought, are | | | | as they nurseo An adult cat can purr at the drop of |
| they growling at me? I am a Shih Tzu dog breed | | | | a hat, whenever you are near, but especially when |
| owner also. But, no, they were purring. They had | | | | you are holding or petting (this is when my Persian |
| bonded with me as their surrogate mother and were | | | | kittens purred the first time, while I was holding and |
| telling me, "I am happy with you," "I am content right | | | | petting them) |
| now," and "I am okay." I am certain this was | | | | With the knowledge of how and why a cat purrs, it |
| messages they were sending me. | | | | makes sense that cats are often used as "therapy |
| It has also been suggested that cats purr when they | | | | animals" in convalescent hospitals, or in retirement |
| are injured or in pain (believe me, my kittens were | | | | homes. It is a proven fact that cat owners have |
| not in pain). The purr, with its low frequency | | | | lower blood pressure. This is especially true in the |
| vibrations acts as a natural healing mechanism. Purring | | | | elderly population. |
| may also be linked to:o Strengthening and repairing of | | | | This human-feline bond is quite pleasant and |
| boneso Relief of paino Wound healing | | | | enjoyable. It made me feel like all was well in the |
| Whatever the meaning to the Persian cat and other | | | | world, and I even hummed right back at them! It |
| cat breeds purr, we are for certain it is a unique | | | | was a precious moment in the relationship between |
| vocal feature of the domestic cat. It is probably an | | | | myself and my Persian kittens. |
| instinct because it occurs in the Bobcat, Cheetah, | | | | |