Why doesn't the cat purr?

Unwelcome changes at home. Lack of attention. Old age. But also a need for greater attention.

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Purring cat

There are many reasons why cats purr, although this is still a subject of study and research. For example, considering that Cats begin to purr after just a few days of lifeIn this way, they let their mother know they're fine and that they've received enough food. The mother, on the other hand, purrs to let her kittens know where she is.

In short, purring is one of cats' most important communication tools. It's a constant, soft, almost background snoring, accompanied by a vibration in the neck area where it occurs. As cats grow, purring becomes a way for them to ask for attention from their owners, socialize with other cats, and engage in socializing with other cats. cats, or simply to express happiness. The Italian name derives from the noise made by the spindle wheel, a tool for spinning wool or other textile fibers.

But there are also other important things we know about purring. Through these vibrations, cats release endorphins, substances produced by the brain that help the cat stay calm and in a good mood. Furthermore, purring is part of the cat's language repertoire and helps understand it. Purring is most common when the cat is in company, and it is generally a way of asking for help. food and caresses, or to express one's pleasure in being pampered.

A cat's purring is not only good for the pet, but also for humans. Some research They demonstrated the cat owner's gratification when he is in his company and listens to the purring while he caresses him. His stress. it decreases, and blood pressure and heart rate stabilize.

But then why the cat, sometimes, doesn't he purr? Should we be worried? Can we intervene to encourage him to resume this good habit? First of all, there's nothing to be afraid of: not purring is certainly not a sign of unhappiness, but even then, we're in the world of cat language. And not purring can have very specific meanings.

  • Yours cat He may have decided not to purr because, from his perspective, it doesn't work. You're wondering something else, and it's up to you to figure out what it is and how to give it to him.
  • The cat is stressed, produces little serotonin, maybe is scared by some change, or simply needs attention and
  • Some cats show satisfaction in the opposite way than others: they stop purring when they're satisfied. They've eaten and are full, or they feel well-pampered.
  • Changes in the house, from the room where he sleeps to his dog's bed, or other arrivals, for example another cat or a dog, but even simply moving the bowl, can cause the cat to stop purring.
  • Illnesses and injuries can reduce purring. Yet purring in general is therapeutic: a cat can produce somewhere between 25 and 150 vibrations per second, and the frequency of the sound within this range is therapeutic for relieving pain or healing wounds.
  • As cats get older, their purring diminishes.

What to do if your cat stops purring? How to react? It's worth reiterating that... there is nothing to worry about, there are several things we can do when faced with a cat that doesn't purr.

  • Le caresses They can help a lot. Choose the most sensitive areas: behind the ears, under the chin, and on the back.
  • Talk to your cat, and talk gently.
  • Make him feel at ease, for example cuddled and lying on a nice pillow, soft and all for him.
  • If the cat has always purred, then stopped and this change is accompanied by lethargy and a decrease in appetite, then it is time to consult the veterinarian.
  • Also consider the tone of the purr: if it is very loud and firm, the cat is expressing some discomfort.
The origin of the cat's purr, like that of lynxes and cheetahs, remains somewhat mysterious. In fact, cats purr both when they're happy, as has always been thought, and also when they're in pain or discomfort. Recent research by Austrian veterinarian Christian Herbst of the University of Vienna has shown that cats don't need to contract their vocal cords to purr. In fact, they purr better when they're relaxed. This means that a satisfied, serene, confident, and relaxed cat is inclined to purr. And why does the purr occur even when the cat isn't feeling well? Two possible answers: the cat is too weak, even to meow; or it purrs to calm itself.
A recent study published in Current Biology He identified traces of connective tissue that increase the density of cats' vocal cords. This allows them to emit low-frequency sounds, such as meowing, hissing, and purring, automatically, after the initial signal sent by the brain. This means that purring does not require, as has always been thought, continuous signals from the brain, but is a passive phenomenon that proceeds automatically after an initial signal.

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