New Study Reveals More About How Cats Purr

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: November 5th, 2023

Pet parents love hearing their cats purr while in a relaxed and blissful state, and it’s believed that a kitty’s purr could be healing, too. But, no matter how long you’ve shared your home with felines, you might still wonder how your furry friend is able to make such a unique sound.

New research now sheds some more light on how cats purr, so people can learn even more about their feline companions.

I Wei Huang/Shutterstock

Theories About How Purring Happens

Experts have had theories about the domestic cat’s purr, but weren’t sure how these little animals could make sounds at low frequencies in the range of 20-30 hertz. Typically, large animals are able to make sounds within that range because of their longer vocal cords, so experts have been fascinated by the fact that cats, with shorter vocal cords, are able to do so as well.

For several decades, scientists thought that cats purred by contracting and relaxing laryngeal muscles – in other words, it was an active, not passive, process. Researchers wanted to dig deeper to find out if this is true, and what they uncovered is enough to make them question the old theory.

New Research on Purring

For this study, experts used the larynges of kitties that had been humanely euthanized. With the permission of the owners of eight cats, they got to work on removing the larynges so they could figure out more about how they function, pinching the vocal cords and moving air through like would occur in a living animal.

After they isolated the feline larynx, they were able to make it produce a purr without a brain sending signals or any muscles contracting – and they did it in all eight of the larynges.

The scientists were able to make the larynges purr without active neural control and without active muscular contractions. So, unlike previous theories, the research shows that purring might be something that happens automatically, just like other vocalizations, once the brain sends a signal to start purring.

The researchers also looked at fibrous tissue masses in the vocal cords of felines. They think that those pads might play a role in the cat’s ability to create low frequencies during purring.

While these findings are interesting, they merely suggest how purring occurs, and they don’t prove that the larynx works the same way in cats who are alive. Because it’s difficult to perform this type of research on living cats, who aren’t likely to purr in a scary setting while they’re being tested and examined, there will still be questions about the cat’s purr.

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Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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Study Finds Pet Parents Care More About Their Dogs Than Their Cats

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Scientists Reveal Why Cats Scratch Furniture and How to Stop It

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Can Dogs Have ADHD?

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Can Dogs Get Pink Eye?

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Why Do Dogs Burrow in Their Blankets?

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What to Know About Dehydration in Cats

As a pet parent, it’s important to know about the risk of dehydration in cats. When the body is dehydrated, organs and bodily systems are negatively impacted and electrolyte imbalances occur, and if the dehydration worsens, it could be fatal.There are multiple causes of dehydration, and there are several symptoms that will alert you to the fact that your kitty isn’t hydrated. Keep reading to learn the basics so you’ll know what to look for and what you can do to help prevent this problem.

Dogs Can Smell When You’re Stressed

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Dog-Killing Flatworm Discovered in California

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A Month of TLC Transforms a Practically Feral Dog Into a Loving Pet

A two-year-old Great Pyrenees, named Wesley, arrived at Austin Pets Alive with a nasty-looking neck wound. One look at the fluffy pooch would surely melt your heart, but a month ago Wesley desperately hoped no one would look his way. According to a post from Austin Pets Alive, rescuers found a practically feral Wesley running with a pack of stray dogs. A concerned citizen called Austin Animal Center after they spotted a fluffy dog with a serious-looking neck wound. After receiving the call, Austin Animal Center picked up the injured Great Pyrenees and removed a piece of old rope that was embedded in the dog’s neck. Since Wesley still required medical assistance after the rope was removed, Austin Animal Center transferred him to Austin Pets Alive.   Wesley arrived at the rescue frightened and in pain. “He needed lots of medical care, attention, and his favorite snack, cheese, which he prefers to enjoy when no one’s watching,” said Clare Callison, the director of national programs at Austin Pets Alive. Thanks to donations, the rescue was able to cover the cost of Wesley’s wound care, which totaled hundreds of dollars. “Our community’s love for pets is immense and generous donations help cover Wesley’s medical expenses and ensure he receives the best care possible.”While donations helped heal Wesley’s flesh wounds, Alex, an Austin Pets Alive staff member helped mend the dog’s broken heart. “The fluffy boy was in need of our Medical Triage & Wellness Clinic due to a large wound around his neck, but he was practically feral, so giving him medical attention required some added patience,” wrote Austin Pets Alive in a Facebook post. Over the next several weeks, “Alex showed up for Wesley day in and day out, patiently showing this injured soul that people can be good and offer love. Gradually trust was gained and these two formed a friendship that will last a lifetime,” the rescue wrote in a post. When Wesley first arrived at the rescue, he was shut down and scared. The poor pooch didn’t want to be seen or touched, shying from any physical affection. Over time and thanks to Alex’s continued efforts, Wesley started to open up. Gradually, the pup began to acclimate to love and affection, starting with gentle touches and petting and working up to real play sessions. At first, Wesley was terrified of wearing a harness and walking on a leash. But thanks to Alex’s patience and a lot of delicious treats the fluffy pup is no longer scared of being leashed and enjoys going on long walks. Only a month after he arrived at the rescue in a horrifying condition, Wesley has blossomed into a trusting and loving dog. Soon after, Wesley was deemed healthy and placed in a foster-to-adopt home, handpicked by Alex. The pup’s new family has spent weeks getting to know him and learning about his routine and the things he likes and dislikes. According to Austin Pets Alive, Wesley has settled nicely into his new home and has adjusted to his new family.This pooch made a 180 transforming from a practically feral stray dog to a loving and affectionate companion to his new family. This goes to show that a little patience, love, and determination can make a huge difference in the life of a stray dog.  Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Dog Gets Bitten in the Face to Save His Owner From a Venomous Snake

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Puppy Dog Eyes Didn't Evolve Just for Humans, Study Finds

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Can You Use Dog Flea Products on Cats?

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New Study Reveals More About How Cats Purr

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