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Purring is the sound a cat makes when it is completely satisfied with what is happening around it. But not everyone knows that cats make this pleasant sound not only in moments of pleasure, but also in order to calm a person, express joy, and sometimes even fear. Is it true that only cats can purr? And how to learn to purr?
Purring is the first sound a kitten feels when it is born. Being born blind and deaf, he understands by vibration where his mother is and where he needs to move. No one explains to a kitten how to learn to purr - he understands it on an instinctive level. It is not difficult for cats to create this vibrating sound - it is produced by exhaling, and not by inhaling, unlike, for example, meowing. A cat can purr and rub against its owner's legs at the same time, thus showing its good mood. Sometimes a cat purrs on the veterinary table, seeing the owner’s concern for her. In this way she tries to calm the person down. During estrus, the cat also purrs, but it is more like a mixture of meowing and crackling sounds made by the vocal ligaments. When the male hears this sound, he understands that the cat is ready to mate. Rumbling for a cat is another way (besides the usual meowing) to express its emotions.
How can a person learn to purr?
Unfortunately, our furry ligaments are constructed very differently from the ligaments of our furry cousins. The cat purrs by contracting the muscles of the larynx, thereby moving the vocal ligaments. She makes this sound unconsciously, instinctively, just as a person, for example, walks on two legs. No matter how much it wants, the cat will not be able to walk like that.
The only way for a person to somehow replicate the sound made by a cat in moments of pleasure and relaxation is to try to pronounce “purrr” using the tongue and palate. The sound will be vaguely similar, but not identical, to a cat's purring. And all again because in a cat it is a guttural sound, but in a person it is completely different. You can, of course, find manuals and videos on the topic “How to learn to purr?”, but no one guarantees you a 100% result. And these tips are often only of a humorous nature; they have very little benefit or meaning. How to learn to purr like a cat? Only a cat can answer this question in detail, but will you understand it?
I feel like I’ll drown in the negatives, but guys, teach me to PURM. I know that there are people who can purr just like cats, somehow in their throats. Respond if you know how, tell us what the secret is.
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Have you already inserted a ponytail?
How I can/do: place my tongue between the gums and palate, exhale with the right force. It’s almost like pronouncing the letter “R” in a whisper (this is key), but softer, and at the same time you need to pull.
People know no bounds in their desire to be like their mustachioed pets. To be as graceful, we tirelessly go to the gym and dance. We wear whiskers, paws and a tail—these main cat “documents”—at masquerades and on New Year’s holidays with pleasure. We love soft and fluffy clothes to be "like pussies."
We meow, trying to enter into a dialogue with tailed animals or to amuse children. Oh, if only I could learn to purr like a cat! After all, these cat “lullabies” seem more beautiful to cat lovers than nightingale trills... But this is where the “king of nature” realizes that he is not omnipotent.
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Why does a cat purr to a person?
For a long time, scientists have struggled with the mystery of the mechanism of a cat’s purring. They were looking for the organ in cats that produces its magical rattling sound. And since they didn’t find it, there was even an assumption that cats purr... with their stomachs.
Now the picture seems to be clearer. According to the most recent version, a cat's purr occurs as a result of contraction and vibration of the muscles located near the vocal cords, after corresponding impulses are received from the animal's brain. The complex system involves the hyoid bones, the nose, and the purring mouth.
That is, by and large, a cat’s “musical instrument” is located in its head - between the bases of the skull and tongue. And the belly has nothing to do with it, although the vibration from the purring goes throughout the cat’s entire body - even every non-cat person knows this!
Purring heals
Everyone also knows that cats purr with pleasure when everything is fine with them - their belly is full, it’s calm, it’s warm, and their owner gently strokes their fur. But the mustachios turn on their motor and in moments of trouble and pain - giving birth cats, injured and even dying animals purr.
This fact, by the way, confirms the theory about the healing properties of a cat’s purring. There is an assumption that a purring cat produces a certain hormone that acts on the animal as an analgesic and sedative. And some owners claim that their pet’s purring helps them get rid of pain and malaise.
By the way, this is how the continuous vibrating cat sound differs from the short purring - the same one for which Kuprin’s Yu-yu became famous. Do you remember how she interacted with the owners? Her short “murrm” meant “follow me,” “mrm” meant gratitude, “mrum” meant “I’m thirsty,” and “murrum” meant reproach. These sounds are similar to meows and are used by cats to communicate.
Rumbling mechanism
Scientists don’t know exactly how cats purr, but there are interesting assumptions. The vocal cords are responsible for the sound, and the origin of the vibration emanating from the animal during this process has several theories.
The most common theory focuses on the hyoid bones. In wild animals this bone is rectangular in shape, in domestic animals it is triangular. This explains the reason that wild felines rarely purr, but domestic ones, on the contrary, often purr.
Hyoid bones of a dog (left) and a cat (right)
Sound passes through the oral and nasal cavities. As for vibrations, it is known for sure that they arise from brain signals. When an animal experiences emotions (negative or positive), the brain sends neurons to that organ, which produces a rumbling sound.
It is also a popular assumption that the muscles behind the vocal cords are responsible for rumbling. When these muscles contract, the hyoid bones begin to vibrate.
According to another version, the animal’s lungs are used in the process of rumbling, namely the intercostal and diaphragmatic muscles. During breathing, they can create various sound vibrations.
This theory is not particularly widespread, since during inhalation and exhalation the intensity of the rumbling does not change in any way. The false cords located above the vocal cords can also rumble. Outwardly, they resemble elastic membranes.
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Learning to purr
But seriously, surround the cat with love and in a moment of peace, lie down next to him and gently stroke him. As soon as the cat begins to purr, the person should, breathing only through his nose, try to tune in to the cat's frequency and try to make a sound as similar as possible to purring. Don't be discouraged if all you get out is grunting at first. Over time, a persistent student will definitely succeed.
Hearing a person purr, the cat will probably feel even more love for him. Well, in the company of your own kind, you can always make a splash! But you can make everyone laugh and surprise, but it’s unlikely that you can heal. This secret knowledge is hardly transmitted along with the purring skill.
So good luck with your studies! And remember: all cats purr at the same frequency - 25 cycles per minute, and nothing else. And finally, a poem!
Everyone also knows that cats purr with pleasure when everything is fine with them - their belly is full, it’s calm, it’s warm, and their owner gently strokes their fur. But the mustachios turn on their motor and in moments of trouble and pain - giving birth cats, injured and even dying animals purr.
What makes a cat purr? Purring can occur in cats when they are experiencing different emotions.
Among them, the most common are:
And the first of them is gratitude for the food that the owner provided to the pet. In addition, when an animal is in a great mood, it can make such sounds of pleasure. When you stroke it, for example, the pet experiences pleasure, and shows this to the person in all possible ways. It could also be gratitude for a delicious meal or a demonstration of loyalty and love.
Now let's look at another case. The cat is hungry, and the owner came to the kitchen. When the pet asks for food, it will rub against the person's legs, meow and purr. It's the same with stress. When a cat is nervous, it may also purr, but not necessarily. If something hurts, the cat can also self-soothe by purring.
As for kittens, they can purr for another reason - when they call their mother. This strengthens the bond with mom. By the way, a cat that has just lambed can lull its babies to sleep this way.
Purring near the owner most often means that he is very dear to the pet.
By the way, the Guinness Book of Records contains the loudest purring cat on Earth. His name is Merlin.
Why does a cat purr?
For a long time, scientists have been trying to understand why cats make such a sound. This phenomenon was studied especially carefully because of its uniqueness, because it was believed that only small cats are capable of purring.
Later we managed to find out that, for example, mongooses, civets, and so on, that is, representatives of the civet family, close relatives of cats, can purr. By studying these animals in their natural environment, zoologists learned why cats purr. Felines, like civets, are nocturnal predatory animals that love solitude and have a strong territorial instinct. Having given birth to offspring, the mother must be able to protect her cubs in the dark. Not being large, the female prefers to hide.
However, how does this relate to purring? With the help of this sound, the mother cat tells her offspring that she is nearby and creates an atmosphere of security and peace. Kittens, hearing their mother’s purring, become calm and do not make noise - this makes them more difficult to detect. The cat, approaching the shelter, begins to purr, but the kittens, hearing familiar sounds, do not squeak.
Based on everything that was said above, we can draw the following conclusion: by purring, the cat tells its owner that it feels safe, calm and comfortable.
Why do cats purr and stomp their paws?
It happens that cats purr and trample their owner’s paws on a warm blanket or towel. This happens when the cat needs psychological release. As a result, the pet calms down and can sleep peacefully.
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In addition, when a cat tramples something or someone with its paws, it can be defined as a call of nature. Once upon a time, when animals did not yet live in people’s apartments, they trampled the grass with their paws to make it softer.
A “milk step” is when the cat makes soft, smooth movements with its paws, gently extends its claws, but does not scratch. At the same time, he can purr and even suck the fibers of a blanket or the ear or hair of the owner. In the latter case, the owners often perceive this as kissing.
By the way, while purring, the veterinarian cannot listen to the pet’s heart or respiratory system, since loud sounds disturb him.
How do animals purr?
The vocal cords are equipped with a group of muscles located nearby in the larynx. They allow cats to make characteristic sounds when inhaling and exhaling. The work of these muscles is controlled by brain impulses. Cat purring is an ability unique to felines and no one else in the natural world. Close relatives - lions and leopards - express their pleasure more often with other sounds. It's a snort, a low growl.
When do they purr?
There are many situations that cause a cat to reproduce a characteristic purr. These include:
- A newly born blind and deaf kitten finds the nipple by the purring of its mother, the vibrations of which it feels with its body. During feeding, the cat becomes silent.
- During the period of estrus, the animal calls its mating partner with characteristic sounds of a different tonality, but reproduced according to the same principle - with the help of additional muscles in the larynx.
- Comfortable communication between a cat and its owner, friendly individuals, and its own litter is always accompanied by purring.
- Satisfaction with life after a hearty meal is also a reason to purr.
The sounds made by animals, including the purring of cats, are studied by bioacoustics.
There is an opinion that a cat purrs not only when it is happy, but also to relieve its own stress.
Scientists have suggested that cats purring is not always a sign of satisfaction or pleasure. In addition to its utilitarian purpose in matters of feeding offspring and attracting a mate, purring is used by cats to relieve their own stress. There is a known case where a cat was taken from home to another place located 3 km away. The animal did not like the situation and ran away. Having found its home only 10 days later, the cat walked around the house and purred all day. It has also been observed that cats purr when they are sick. Apparently, these sounds also heal the animal itself.
The therapeutic effect of purring
Experienced owners say that cats sense illness, and if the pet always sits on its stomach or chest, you should consult a doctor.
Psychologists distinguish such a concept as feline therapy - a method of treating or preventing various diseases through contact with a cat. Its effectiveness has been confirmed by numerous experiments.
Thus, American scientists have found that when a cat purrs, a person’s blood pressure and pulse normalize. And Russian zoologists have found that cat owners, according to statistics, live several years longer and suffer 20% less from problems with the cardiovascular system.
Today, feline therapy is especially popular for the treatment of diseases such as depression, anxiety, irritability and stress, and migraines.
Mr. Cat recommends: interesting facts
Purring is a process unique to the animal world. But among the purring ones there are their own records:
- The volume of the rumbling varies in the range from 16 to 100 dts.
- The English cat Merlin purrs four times louder than an ordinary pet. The sound is so loud that it drowns out a running hair dryer. Eyewitnesses compare the cat's purring to the sound of a landing plane.
- The kitten makes its first “murr” at the age of two days.
- The most “purring” country in the world is Australia, where there is a cat for every resident.
Many thousands of years ago they came to human habitation to exterminate mice and rats. And people began to let them into their homes, seeing such zeal. They began to be more friendly towards graceful and beautiful animals.
Why do cats purr and how do they do it?
Man did not domesticate the cat. Since ancient times, these cute, furry creatures lived with people side by side under the same roof. Cats brought comfort into the house and protected homes from mice and other small rodents. But for many centuries, cats have raised many questions for humans, the answers to which are difficult to obtain. One of the most interesting is: why do cats purr and how do they do it? For many decades now in various countries, scientists have been trying to answer this question. And here are the conclusions they came to:
Where is purring born?
Not so long ago, zoologists tried to find an answer to the question of how cats purr . It was believed that this sound was born from vibrations of the diaphragm or trachea; there was even a theory that cats purr using their stomachs. The reason that did not allow zoologists to find out the truth is simple - the studies were carried out on immobilized cats, that is, at the moment when they did not purr.
After New Orleans zoologists changed their research method, they learned how cats purr and where the sound comes from . By conducting studies in natural conditions and using various modern sensors and microphones, they were able to find out why actually purr . The cat's throat contains "false" vocal cords - movable folds that function during inhalation and exhalation. After air enters from the lungs or the environment, vibrations appear on the mucous membrane, and the laryngeal muscles make the sound louder.
Cats purr when they fall asleep
Every animal lover could observe the process of a cat falling asleep with its own musical accompaniment, but not all people know that cats communicate with each other using purring. There is a stereotype that only people and dolphins consciously talk to each other. But that's not true. Cats talk to each other quite often. But they do it quietly. They only swear loudly. Expressing aggression, cats growl and meow loudly. But when they are friendly, animals do not use their voice. In a calm, peaceful environment, cats purr. For example, when a cat feeds kittens, she purrs, and the kittens purr back to her.
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Why do cats crumple their claws when you pet them?
Some cats release their claws when they simply lie on their knees. And people often don't like it either. But this is not a form of aggression. This is how animals want to mark their owners. After all, under their claws they have secretion glands, which are secreted directly in order to mark their territory.
There is another theory about this. When you pet a cat, it relaxes, and therefore its muscles too. That's why the claws come out. This happens involuntarily. Every time a cat reaches, it extends its claws. And this is also a way of self-preservation. When a cat lies on your lap and is petted, it relaxes. But she cannot be sure that in 5 minutes she will not be thrown to the floor. Therefore, it is prepared in advance and if they start to drive it away, it will quickly be able to catch on a person’s clothing or the upholstery of a chair.
