Cats purr to relax themselves and their owners alike. But that little purr has additional advantages such as healing broken bones and decreasing pain and swelling.
Cat purrs produce vibrational frequencies between 25 and 150Hz that have been used successfully in vibrational therapies to heal bones, muscles, and tendons.
Self-Soothing
As any cat owner can vouch, snuggling with a purring feline can be one of life’s greatest joys – yet its cause and source remain mysterious. Researchers originally believed purring was caused by blood percolating through the inferior vena cava (the large vessel which returns blood back to the heart), but further studies disproved this belief and now demonstrate it’s actually caused by communication between a neural oscillator deep within their feline brain and their larynx (voice box), with air vibrating over them as their vocal chords constrict and dilate causing air vibration that we recognize as purring!
Cats use purrs not only to comfort themselves, but also communicate with their owners. Studies have revealed that cats can modify their meows to convey specific messages – such as when hungry or anxious – by altering them accordingly. Cats even possess solicitous purrs which they use to manipulate human caregivers, mimicking infant cries.
Kittens are born blind and deaf, yet begin purring within days of birth to communicate their presence to their mothers and attract attention at feeding time. Purring is also thought to help calm kittens down as a form of self-soothing that relieves discomfort; adult cats have been observed purring in stressful situations like visiting the veterinarian or being threatened by another animal.
Researchers have also discovered that cat purrs can help soothe and heal humans. A study by Fauna Communication Research Institute concluded that the vibrations contained within cat purrs fall within an optimal frequency range for bone regeneration and wound healing, explaining why felines heal quickly from broken bones. A cat’s purr has also been proven to reduce anxiety levels as well as decreasing respiratory speeds to decrease blood pressure by slowing respiration rates.
Healing
Research has long associated cats with healing, and research has now discovered that their purrs can actually promote bone growth and fracture healing in humans. While the exact mechanism remains unknown, one theory suggests that when cats feel secure and contented their vibrational purrs help stimulate bones and muscles while providing comfort in times of tension or pain by providing relief through purring noises themselves.
Not to be misinterpreted, though: A cat’s purr isn’t always an indicator of happiness; researchers have discovered that its pitch and intensity may change depending on the situation. For instance, when trying to solicit sustenance from their owners they often change in pitch and intensity as their plead for food becomes louder compared to when simply relaxing or being petted; in such instances their purr takes on more of a plea-like tone than its more relaxing or petting counterpart.
Purrs are also an invaluable form of communication between mothers and their newborn kittens, serving to affirm safety while signaling it is time for feedings. Because newborn kittens don’t develop sight or hearing until 10 days old, this soft sound serves to foster their wellbeing as they wait.
While scientists remain unclear as to exactly how cats purr, scientists have learned that the noise likely stems from constriction of the cat’s larynx’s glottis which vibrates with every inhale and exhale, creating the signature purring sound we all know and love.
Why does your cat’s purr put you into a relaxed state of mind? Because endorphins, which are naturally produced by our bodies as pain relievers, also decrease stress hormone levels – providing relief after an exhausting day at work! Cuddling up close with felines provides many comfort. It is no wonder so many find solace from their feline friend.
Companionship
Companionship not only benefits physical wellness but can also bring mental wellness advantages. Studies demonstrate how simply being around pets can lower stress levels, decrease blood pressure and increase mood – as well as lead to greater social interactions and an overall sense of well-being. With all this research highlighting how pets and owners interact in terms of impact on individual’s health. NIH research studies continue on this front.
Relationship and companionship differ because in a relationship there is an exclusive commitment between two people that fosters intimacy and creates bonds of intimacy; while companionship does not contain this aspect; people can date other people without feeling unfaithful; this phenomenon can be observed both within long-term marriages as well as with increasing popularity of ‘friends with benefits’ relationships.
Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love defines companion love as existing when intimacy and commitment components are present, yet sexual attraction has subsided; sexual arousal being replaced with deeper affection which makes this form of love stronger than friendship.
Research on the relationship between humans and animals is still relatively new, but we’re beginning to gain an understanding of its effects on a person’s wellbeing. Studies have demonstrated how interactions with dogs can positively impact emotional and cognitive functioning while providing a sense of belonging and self-worth for patients. Animal-assisted therapy with dogs has also proven useful for helping those living with mental illness, autism spectrum disorder or developmental disorders – they perform tasks for owners such as motivational work (boosting confidence and mood) distraction therapy as well as biographical tasks
Affection
Cats purr for us out of affection; their soft rumble conveys this and lets us know they feel secure and content, creating an association between themselves purring and our feeling safe, comfortable, secure and content. Cats also use it to show their kittens they care and feel secure, so it’s essential you provide plenty of loving attention and affection for your kitty.
Researchers have also discovered that purring can have an actual healing effect. Cats’ purrs contain low-frequency hums which have been found to stimulate muscles and enhance bone repair – perhaps this explains why cats recover quicker from breaks than dogs.
Cat purrs offer humans another benefit, too: relieving stress and anxiety. Studies have revealed that when listening to recordings of cat purrs, listeners experience decreased stress levels and blood pressure as well as eased migraine headaches or elimination altogether.
Cats purring releases endorphins – hormones responsible for feelings of happiness, sociability, affection, and excitement. Endorphins are produced naturally during pleasurable activities and help decrease stress hormones while lowering blood pressure.
If you want to interpret a cat’s purr, take into account their body language and context of the situation. For instance, when they purr while eating or playing together it likely indicates their satisfaction whereas if it happens when in an anxious or stressful setting it could indicate they need your attention more urgently.
While most domestic cats purr, certain big cats such as mountain lions and bobcats also produce purring sounds. Lions, tigers, jaguars and most leopards do not purr as their larynxes are better equipped for roaring than purring; perhaps this adaptation evolved as an evolutionary adaptation for communicating with offspring.