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When cats are content, what makes them purr? Is there an organ in there body that makes the purring sound?

My cat purrs when it is happy or content.. Is this a voluntary reaction or something that happens involuntarily?

Public Comments

1. When my kitty purrs, her throat shakes so their throat or neck probably has something to do with it
2. its a little of both...cats purr when they are happy and content..they can also purr when they are injured...I have a book around somewhere that gives the technical reasons for how the purring mechanism in the cat works, but I can't find it right now...it is in the throat and somehow has something to do with air passing through the throat all my cats purr, but they get lots of cuddling and hugging and sleep with me' I have one cat who "adopted" me. he is very sweet but still wild and shy...took him a year to start purring around me purring is a way for your cat to tell you it is happy and content
3. From what I have read, no one truly knows how cats purr or why they do.
4. Q. Why do cats purr? A. According to Bruce Fogle, a veterinarian with a keen interest in animal behavior and author of The Cat's Mind, the original function of purring was to enable a kitten to tell his mother that "all is well." This often occurs during nursing. A kitten can not meow and nurse at the same time, but it can purr and nurse without any problem. The mother often purrs back, reassuring the kitten. Older cats may purr when they play or approach other cats, signaling they are friendly and want to come closer. Cats also purr when they are contented, such as when they are petted, again giving the signal "all is well." Strangely enough, cats can also purr when they are distressed. Sick and injured cats, and those in veterinary offices often purr. It is thought that this is the cat's way of reassuring and calming herself. When a cat is purring, it is almost impossible to hear the cat's heart or lungs very well. Many cats will stop purring if they see running water from a faucet. You may see your veterinarian turning on the faucet in the exam room in an attempt to get your cat to stop purring so your cat can get a better exam
5. Purring comes from the same part of the body a meow comes from. It seems when the cat is happy or content like you said. My cat doesn't purr. I adopted he from the shelter and she was two years old. Sometimes if I'm lucky, I will feel a little vibrating under her neck.