The purr of domestic 고양이 is unique, although other felids like bobcats, cheetahs, and pumas also purr. 고양이 learn to purr within their first few days of life, even before they open their eyes, and a mother often purrs while delivering her babies. 고양이 also purr when they are hurting, scared, 또는 close to dying.
We most often associate purring with contentment, but it could be 더 많이 generally associated as a signal for different things. A mother and her 아기 purr to communicate their location, since 고양이 are born blind. Two 고양이 grooming each other may purr to communicate feelings of contentment.
A cat also purrs when nervous, sort of a way of comforting themselves, much like we would sing 또는 hum to ourselves when anxious. These communication signals even translate to humans – the mutual contentment between cat and owner while petting a cat in their lap, for instance.
As far as how a cat purrs, scientists can only speculate, but most agree that the laryngeal muscles and the larynx act on a neural impulse, 또는 oscillator, from the brain. There is even speculation that purring has to do with the release of endorphins in cats.
A cat's purr is interesting in that it continues throughout the full respiratory cycle. A cat continues to purr while they are breathing in and out. Unlike a “meow,” which is 더 많이 akin to speaking, a purr seems to have a continuing rhythm all its own, until a cat decides to turn it off.
If a cat has a diseased larynx, they will produce a different sound and may have trouble swallowing and breathing properly, causing them to gag. They also sometimes develop nerve damage that paralyzes the larynx 또는 a tumor 또는 polyp that restricts the airway. In these cases, a veterinary appointment is necessary to do an endoscopy of the area. Surgery may be necessary to open the airways and improve breathing.
Regardless of the reasons why 고양이 purr, it is helpful to know that the act of purring covers a wide range of emotions in cats. This helps us to appreciate this unique form of expression as 더 많이 than a pleasing sound that lowers our blood pressure and soothes our ears.
