Despite the widespread opinion that the rcats’ purring is a clear display of pleasure, research suggests that the vibrations go much further than that and, in fact, can even be considered an attempt to ‘hack’ the human brain with a psychological trick.
Although science has not established definitive explanations for the phenomenon, it offers several suggestions. Lauren Finka, feline wellness scientist at International Cat Care, explained to Science Focus that purring may be indicative of cats’ attempts to demand food.
A study from the University of Sussex (United Kingdom) discovered years ago that cats modify their way of purring based on a certain need. Thus, when they did so to ask to be fed, humans perceived those sounds as “more urgent and less pleasantusing high-frequency vocal components similar to those emitted by human babies when they cry out because they are hungry, summarized Finka.
Another possible explanation, also quite contrary to the perception of vibrations as signs of happiness, is that the cat is hurt or distressed.
“It is believed that, in certain contexts, cats can also purr in an attempt to calm downwhich could help them feel calmer or ease the pain. In fact, cats have been seen to purr in situations when they are probably they are stressed or feel a physical discomfortFinca explained.
In such scenarios it may also be an attempt to ask us for helpas they do when requesting food, but the cat’s body language and behavior in general suggests that they do not want to be touched and prefer to be alone.
“In addition, cats can also purr when humans are not around. Therefore, further research is necessary to better understand the different functions of purring in domestic cats”, concluded the scientist.
Finally, the purring could evidence the process of self healing. According to a study published in the journal New Zealand Veterinary Journalthe purring vibration of cats, from 20 Hz to 150 Hz, could favor bone growth and soft tissue healing.
The entrance Why do cats purr? Science offers several explanations was first published on newspaper TODAY.
