It’s exactly what you think, but there’s more.
Why Cats Purr #
What is the frequency of a domestic cat’s purr? #
The frequency of a domestic cat’s purr typically ranges between 25 to 150 Hertz (Hz). Most commonly, purring occurs at frequencies between 25 to 50 Hz. However, purrs can have multiple frequencies within this range occurring at the same time.
Interestingly, this frequency range is also believed to have therapeutic effects. Some studies have suggested that frequencies between 25 to 50 Hz can promote healing in bones and tissues, reduce swelling and inflammation, and relieve pain, leading to speculation that cats may purr not only for communication but also for self-healing or comfort. However, the exact reasons for why cats purr are still not entirely understood, and the therapeutic effects are still a topic of research.
Can you quote some research hypotheses that were explored? #
Certainly! The act of purring in cats is a topic of significant interest and has led to several hypotheses regarding its purpose. Here are some hypotheses that researchers have explored:
Communication: This is one of the most widely accepted reasons. Kittens purr when nursing, which might reassure the mother cat of their wellbeing. Similarly, domesticated cats might purr to communicate comfort or the desire for attention to their owners.
Self-healing Mechanism: As mentioned earlier, some frequencies within the range of a cat’s purr have been associated with therapeutic effects. The hypothesis is that purring helps reduce pain and inflammation, accelerate the healing of bones and wounds, and stimulate the production of growth factors.
Stress or Discomfort: While many associate purring with contentment, cats also purr when they are stressed, in pain, or even when near death. This has led to hypotheses that purring can be a distress signal or a self-soothing mechanism.
Bone Density Maintenance: There’s a hypothesis that suggests that the vibrations from purring may stimulate bones in a way that helps prevent bone density loss, especially considering that cats are creatures that spend a significant amount of time resting.
Relaxation and Pain Relief: Just as some humans use meditation or rhythmic breathing to calm themselves, cats might use purring as a method to calm themselves in stressful or painful situations.
Evolutionary Tool for Energy Conservation: Some theories suggest that purring is a low-energy way for a cat to signal to others (like potential predators) that it’s not posing any immediate threat, allowing the cat to conserve energy.
Endorphin Release: Purring might stimulate the release of endorphins, which can relieve pain.
It’s worth noting that while these hypotheses aim to explain why cats purr, the reality is that purring might serve multiple functions simultaneously. For example, a cat might purr both because it’s content and because the act of purring releases endorphins that reduce pain.
However, as of my last update in January 2022, there’s no single universally accepted explanation for why cats purr, and more research is needed to fully understand this unique behavior.