Why do cats purr: scientists have uncovered the secret mechanism

20.03.2023 11:04

The special feature of cats to make a purring sound simply captivates cat lovers. Many are ready to listen to the incessant "purr-purr" for hours and scratch their pet behind the ear.

But this feature is not developed in the animal so that the owner can relax and put his nervous system in order.

During the research conducted, it was possible to find out that cats purr in different ways, and this difference depends on their needs.

British scientists from the International Cat Care Association set out to find out the “musical” capabilities of cats and the characteristics of the sounds they make.

It turned out that the sound a pet makes when asking its owner for food is different from the sound a cat makes when being petted.

Cat
Photo: © Belnovosti

When an animal asks for food, it makes a sound that is not only more demanding, but also less pleasant; it can only be compared to the cry of a baby, experts believe.

In other words, purring serves as a means for cats to get a response, and the animals themselves manipulate the owner’s feelings in this way.

As for physical characteristics, this sound appears due to the work of the laryngeal muscles.

They move - they expand and contract, causing the air the animal inhales and exhales to vibrate.

Igor Zur Author: Igor Zur Internet resource editor