How do cats purr?

Answer 1

A cat's purr is caused by the vibration of the cats vocal cords. When air is taken into the lungs, it passes through the voice box, which contains the vocal cords. Purring is obviously under control of the cat and they can purr at will, to show contentment. When the cat chooses to show their contented state, the vocal cords are allowed to vibrate as air is passed in and out of the lungs as the cat breathes. When the cat is sleeping, or not in the mood to purr, the passage of air does not affect the vocal cords and no purring sound is produced.

- How and why cats purrNo one knows for sure why a domestic cat purrs, but many people interpret the sound as one of contentment. Our understanding of how a domestic cat purrs is becoming more complete; most scientists agree that the larynx (voice box), laryngeal muscles, and a neural oscillator are involved.

Kittens learn how to purr when they are a couple of days old. Veterinarians suggest that this purring tells Mom that, 1) I am here, and 2) I am okay. It also indicates a bonding mechanism between kitten and mother.

As the kitten grows into adulthood, purring continues. Many suggest a cat purrs from contentment and pleasure. But a cat also purrs when it is injured and in pain. Dr. Elizabeth Von Muggenthaler has suggested that the purr, with its low frequency vibrations, is a natural healing mechanism. Purring may be linked to the strengthening and repairing of bones, relief of pain, and wound healing (See Web link to Felid purr: a healing mechanism).

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). Although some big cats like lions exhibit a purr-like sound, studies show that the Patherinae subfamily: Lion, Leopard, Jaguar, Tiger, Snow Leopard, and Clouded Leopard do not exhibit true purring (Peters, 2002).

What makes the purr distinctive from other cat vocalizations is that it is produced during the entire respiratory cycle (inhaling and exhaling). Other vocalizations such as the meow are limited to the expiration of the breath.

It was once thought that the purr was produced from blood surging through the inferior vena cava, but as research continues it seems that the intrinsic (internal) laryngeal muscles are the likely source for the purr. Moreover, there is an absence of purring in a cat with laryngeal paralysis. The laryngeal muscles are responsible for the opening and closing of the glottis (space between the vocal chords), which results in a separation of the vocal chords, and thus the purr sound. Studies have shown, that the movement of the laryngeal muscles is signaled from a unique neural oscillator (Frazer-Sisson, Rice, and Peters, 1991 & Remmers and Gautier, 1972) in the cat's brain.

This is currently unknown, but it is speculated that it is the false vocal cord.

This is currently unknown, but it is speculated that it is the false vocal cord.

Answer 2

I believe that cats purr from their throat.

Well cats have special wiring in their throats that travels from their brain to their voicebox. Then the muscles vibrate making air flow past, making a purr sound.