Probably each of us wondered: how, why and why a cat purrs, where does a pleasant rumble come from. Scientists over the years have figured out the cause of the rumbling by examining the sounds made by animals. As a result of long work, they managed to establish that the tailed beasts purr when experiencing strong emotions – positive or, conversely, negative. At the same time, the volume of the rumbling indicates the strength of these feelings.
The mechanism and nature of rumbling
There is no definite opinion to explain the nature of such a phenomenon. It is very difficult to answer this question. Felinologists give quite different conclusions among themselves. One of the most common is that this sound is caused by vibrations in the larynx, provoked by certain emotions. The purring apparatus itself includes several thin bones (hyoid) leading from the brain directly to the base of the uvula. Therefore, the vibration of the vocal cords provokes a resonance in these bones, which results in a nice rumbling. At the same time, cats can rumble not only on inhaling, but also exhaling air, without applying special forces.
Singing lessons for kittens
Quadrupeds are capable of making rattling sounds as early as the next day after their birth. This is how they tell their mother about their well-being. Absorbing milk, the kitten purrs like a running motor from pleasure and bliss. Mom responds in kind, approving and informing that he is completely safe around her. Many zoologists believe that the purring of kittens causes milk production and encourages the female to closely monitor her babies. Zoologists have concluded that the cubs imitate their mother, adopting this technology intuitively.
As you grow older, the ability to rumble never goes away. Only the variations of the purr change. Distinctive sounds are considered to be a kind of communication method. For example, by this, the cat informs the relative that it is friendly towards him and has no bad intentions. In a similar way, they invite each other to play, showing their benevolent attitude. Animals living together in the same house accompany each other with tender purrs.
Positive and negative emotions
Tactile contact and pleasant communication with a person, if it brings pleasure to the animal, is also complemented by loud rumbling. And if, along with this, the pet is gently stroked, scratched behind the ear, massaged the belly and tenderly pronounced his name with further affection, then he begins to rumble like an instinct. There are situations when no one strokes the four-legged, does not whisper kind words and does not call in the game, but he still purrs. This means that the cat is at peace and she likes everything that is happening now. Usually, the pet is basking on a warm soft couch after a hearty dinner.
However, animals purr not only in those moments when they feel good and calm. It also happens that a quiet rumbling may mean that the cat is afraid of a relative, people or something else. Often, such sounds are emitted by a pet when he wants to show the rest of the animals his complete power and superiority over them. Obeying, the cat is also capable of rattling.
During childbirth, the female purrs loudly enough. The tailed beasts do the same in other painful situations – in case of injury, food poisoning and other ailments. It also happens that they begin to rumble, feeling the arrival of death. This is due to the fact that feeling negative emotions or severe pain, the cat calms itself through the song. Most likely, in this way, he is trying to remind himself of the state when, while still a kitten, in full satisfaction of carelessness, he absorbed mother’s milk.
Also, research by scientists has proven that purring contributes to a significant improvement in the blood flow of an animal. In addition, cats experience a decrease in pain syndrome and an improvement in overall well-being.
Therapeutic effects
Often at the veterinarian’s appointment, the cat growls loudly, in this way he tries to suppress the excitement. The skilled person knows that in order to examine a furry patient, it is enough to turn on the water in the tap. The noise of the pouring liquid distracts the animal, and he must stop purring, fully concentrating on the murmur of water.
Despite the significant differences between the listed situations, they all fit into the classification developed by zoologists. With positive emotions, the tailed ones purr with pleasure, but feeling fear, danger, pain and other negative feelings, they calm themselves with their purr.
It has been scientifically proven that the sounds emitted can heal not only animals, but also humans. Pleasant rumble has a healing effect on the human body, calming and helping to cope with stress and insomnia.
