Why and how do cats purr?

February 27th, 2006 · No Comments

Linkfilter posts this old but interesting nugget, just how and why do cats purr.

Purring is a unique vocal feature in the domestic cat. However, other species in the Felidae family also purr: Bobcat, Cheetah, Eurasian Lynx, Puma, and Wild Cat (Complete list in Peters, 2002). Current studies show that Pantherinae subfamily: Lion, Leopard, Jaquar, Tiger, Snow Leopard, and Clouded Leopard do not have purring (Peters, 2002).

I have three cats, one of which is a rescue cat, he uses his purr as a weapon. Which oddly is not covered in the article. If he wants food, or wants letting out of the house, he’ll purr at you so loudly that eventually you give in and do whatever he wants. He finds it especially effective at 3am.

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