Why do cats purr even when they are in pain or feeling distressed?
In short: While we often associate purring with a content cat, the behavior is far more complex. This video explores the mechanics behind the sound and why cats use it as a self-soothing tool during stressful or painful moments.
Purring is a vocal feature generated by the laryngeal muscles in the throat, which cause the vocal cords to vibrate during both inhalation and exhalation. While commonly linked to happiness, cats also purr when frightened, sick, or in pain. This suggests that purring serves as a self-soothing mechanism, comparable to how humans might hum to calm themselves in difficult situations.
Not all felines possess this ability. It is found in domestic cats and members of the Felinae subfamily, such as bobcats and cougars, but is absent in roaring big cats like lions and tigers.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How (And Why) Do Cats Purr?
- Also: Why Do Cats Purr? | Mechanism, Reasons, Soothing, & Facts | Britannica
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