Probably, every person knows how the croaking of a cat sounds. But not everyone knows, because of what it happens and what causes the purring of the cat. In this article, we will tell our readers why cats purr, what this behavior means and for which situations it is characteristic.
Purring mechanism
Why do cats purr, when they iron, by what mechanism does the meringing of the cat take place, what does it mean and where is the rumble? And why do cats mutter very loudly when they iron? After all, everyone knows that when you iron them, the cat growls louder in order. Such questions, probably, came to the minds of many people. And the answers to them were found in science, called bioacoustics. In fact, there are several theories that explain why cats purr:
- according to the first theory, a cat's purring occurs as a result of the vibrations of its lungs, which produce this sound;
- the second hypothesis states that the cat's mumble is caused by a change in the circulation of blood in the body, which, in fact, causes vibration and contributes to the appearance of this sound.
More plausible and scientifically proven is the second theory. According to scientists, the sound at which a cat's purring occurs is caused by electrical impulses in the pet's brain. These impulses are transmitted along the central nervous system and promote the work of some muscles located next to the vocal cords. Actually, here is the rumble itself, responsible for the purring of the cat.
Urchalnik is directly the mechanism responsible for cat-purring. It consists of small bones connected to each other. The bones of the rancher pass from the head of the pet to the base of the tongue. In fact, the croaking of the cat causes the vocal cords to vibrate. It is this part of the rumble that causes the vibrations in the sublingual bones, which contributes to the appearance of such an original sound.
Murmuring cats for a pet is typical not only with exhalation, but also with inspiration. This is also due to the location of the rumble maker. For example, the older relatives of the cat family - lions, tigers, panthers, leopards - do not have this mechanism. Accordingly, these animals will never rumble.
For example, the lion's bones of the so-called grindler are covered with cartilages, which makes them stronger and lets growl loudly. After all, only lions from the cat family have a loud roar. Other, larger relatives of cats can not grumble because of cartilage, but they too are not able to growl loudly.
So, why do cats purr, when they iron and for what reasons does this sound appear and what does the croaking of the cat mean? Answers to these questions have long been sought by scientists zoologists. And they were able to partially answer them. Why partially? Because until now it is not known what controls the cats when they grumble. Further we will try to answer these questions.
What does purring mean?
Why cats murch, when they iron and for what reasons does the sound appear? According to scientists who have tried to understand the cause of the sound, the cats rumble not only when they iron. Typically, the publication of this sound means that the pet is experiencing certain feelings. They can be both positive and negative. Moreover, the volume of this sound can determine the strength of such emotions.
However, in this theory there are certain inaccuracies. For example, kittens can rumble the day after birth. They thus communicate with their mother and their rumbling means that the kittens feel great. But why do they do this when they suck the milk? From pleasure, from delicious food. In this case, the mother can also purr to explain that the kitten is safe with her.
But growing up, the kitten does not lose this ability. Only variations of the rumbling can change, but the positive breed of this sound still remains. Cat's catwalk is characteristic for individuals of all ages. Both for very small, and for large and adults. Murmuring a cat can be considered a unique method of communication between animals.
Very often purring a cat when communicating with another pet means that the cat is set up peacefully and will not attack the interlocutor. After all, in case of aggression, he will hiss and make other negative sounds. Also, the croaking of the cat can mean the call of the kinsman to the game. Very often the owners of several cats note that the animals grumble when they wash each other.
Murmuring pet with stroking
In addition, the croaking of the cat is characteristic when communicating with the host. For example, when they are ironed or simply held. If the owner likes the animal itself or has a good mood, when a person holds a pet on their hands, the croaking of the cat will be very loud. If during the contact with the animal a person will not only keep it, but also scratch the ear, stroke the withers and affectionately call by name. Then the cat will rumble for a very long time without ceasing.
It can also happen that the cat lays on its own and just humming. However, he does not contact the person and is not played. This can indicate the peace of mind of your pet. Kotik is happy with everything that happens around him. Usually this happens when the pet lays on his bed after eating.
In addition, if the animal is sick, and the person strokes it, the cat can rumble to reassure itself. If the pet is in severe pain, it will rumble to cheer itself up.
To smooth the conflict
Probably everyone saw on the street, like cats hissing at each other or meowing. Sometimes the reason for the rumbling may be the need to smooth out the conflict. For example, if an animal sees that fighting with another cat can not be avoided, it will begin to purr. This is done in order to show the opponent that the cat is friendly and does not intend to conflict.
As you can see, there can be a lot of reasons for rumbling in a pet. First of all, this is the natural component of each cat. In addition, this is an important element of communication with other animals. Also rumbling is the language of conversation with the owner of the cat.
The purring of a cat does not depend on its breed, age and heredity.
A few years ago in the Guinness Book of Records hit the cat Smokey. She was awarded a record for the loudest purr. The frequency of sound thus reached 68 decibels. For comparison - on average, the frequency of sound when the vacuum cleaner is working is 75 decibels, 160 decibels - this is the sound of takeoff of the aircraft. The record holder's owners do not particularly complain about the kitty, but note that they may feel some inconvenience when purring while watching TV or talking on the phone.
Video from Andrey Krasnov "How cats communicate with each other"
On the video, cats mew and purr - you can see how animals communicate with each other.
There is no such cat that could not purr, except that it, thus, shows its character. Cat purring has always been associated with a cosiness in the house and peace of mind.
A cat purrs when she feels good. At such moments she is given to enjoying the moments of her life. With a murmur, she meets a person who is dear to her, which means that this person is in order. Representatives of felines of any breed, regardless of age, purr at a rate of twenty-five cycles per minute.
Congenital cat purring
The newly made kitten purrs already from the moment of its birth. The baby purrs and at the moment when he sucks milk. This process soothingly affects both the kitten and his mother. When the kittens are in a frightened or overly excited state, the cat cat starts to purr, reminding them that she is near and their life is safe. When the kids grow up, they call each other to play together.
For relaxation and peace, a person listens to soothing music. Cats themselves create this kind of music for their purring.
Murchenie is a way of communicating cats among themselves. So, in order to avoid a fight with an escalating conflict, one of them uses the purring method to calm the other. It would seem that such a cat-like phenomenon is a purr, but how much benefit does it bring to the animal and its environment. If a person tries to listen to the cat's rumbling in different places, then the sound in all these places will be exactly the same.
Cat croaking: how it happens
The mechanism of purring to this day interests both owners of pets and scientists, but it remains not fully open. In connection with this, several theories about the mechanism of mumble appeared:
Theory of vocal cords
There is a theory, as if the process of mumble occurs in connection with the vibration of the false voice ligament, which is located near the present.
Theory of the lungs
Another theory claims that vibration is caused by a purr in the animal's lungs.
Theory of blood circulation
According to this theory, the vibrations that are generated in the throat and thorax drive the mechanism of circulation of blood vessels. These vibrations, reaching the sinus sinuses of the cat's skull, lead to the appearance of a mumble.
Theory of the diaphragm
Here it is said about the contracted and phase-shifted muscle of the diaphragm and pharynx.
Theory of the larynx
The most common theory is that purring occurs as a result of the rhythmic activity of the larynx.
The cat's mumble is often a symptom that accompanies her illness. Murcia, she uses for her own healing. Everyone knows that cats have healing power and are able to heal complex diseases. So, with their murring they bring the pressure back to normal and relieve the headache. The purr effect produces a double therapeutic effect on a person.
If you are careful and observe the cat in the process of rumbling, then the sounds that sound to the person will have different intensities, so the cat expresses different emotions. Such supervision of a pet will help a person better understand it and easily identify its needs.
Causes of purring cat
It's so natural - purring a cat, that a person does not even think about how this process happens at all, what it is and what it warns about.
To the main reasons of purring, the scientists consider:
Impulses in the brain
It is generally believed that the rumbling of a cat is a consequence of the generation of electrical impulses in its brain. These impulses through transmission through the CNS cause a contraction of specific muscles located next to the vocal cords. The apparatus itself, through which purrs are produced, reveals interconnected thin (sublingual) bones leading from the base of the skull to the tongue. In the process of purring, the vocal chords vibrate, resulting in a resonance of the hyoid bones.
Need for communication
At first, purrs are used by small kittens to inform their mother that they are okay.
Adult cats purr at the meeting with other cats, thus, as if welcoming them and showing the friendliness of their intentions, or simply show a desire to play.
Murmuring is also used to show who is the "master" in the house, that is, to show a dominant position over the brethren. The rumbling of the cat in relation to "dominant-subordinate" is a sign of a break-through - the cat will not attack.
Self-defense
This is the method used when a cat wants to show its weakness and vulnerability. Murmur is triggered as a protective reflex. So sick or injured cat murching to provide support, calm down and set up positively.
"Thank you, please"
Murcian is also a signal that a cat needs something, it needs it. Or on the contrary - thus, the cat wants to show its gratitude to the person, for the work he has done for her or just for his attention to her.
Happiness
When a cat is happy and happy, feels well, she also grumbles. So, when she is stroked by the owner, whom she loves, with a rumbling she informs him of a feeling of calm and satisfaction.
During the purr, it's impossible to listen to the cat's heartbeat. It is interesting that for most cats the sound or type of running water becomes a signal to stop the mumble. Therefore, veterinarians often use this method in their practice - they include a water tap in their office. The cat stops purring and it becomes possible to listen to her lungs and heart.
But no matter how the processes associated with purring a cat are explained, it will always be one of the sweetest qualities of cats.
Cat purring is not just a sound. He is loved by all the owners of pets, has a healing effect, soothes, relieves stress. It is worth to come home after a hard day's work, to stroke a pussy, to hear a pleasant mum, how the body achieves harmony, and the tension simply disappears. So why do cats purr? What makes them do it? And are there any beasts that will not please their master with sweet sounds?
Why does the cat purr and what does it mean
Most owners believe that the mumble is associated with the satisfaction of life, because often a cat purrs when you iron it. It turns out that the reasons are different:
- Vibration supports good health, improves blood circulation, promotes vigor and activity.
- When mom murch, lulling the babies, she shows them that everything is fine, there is no reason to be afraid.
- Animal expresses gratitude for caress or delicious treat.
- The pet requires attention to itself, and the sound can be accompanied by persistent rubbing against the legs.
- Sometimes this is associated with pain - the cat tries to calm itself, relieving tension. The soothing effect is due to the memories of the mother - when she made a sound, everything was in order.
- At the sight of the brothers, the kittens murmur infrequently, but in this way they try to show that they are peaceful, do not want to arrange conflicts. Murchit is more often dominant, stronger cat.
- Your pet just missed - remember how you got home, and he began to actively sing his song? He just missed you.
- The reason can be a stressful situation: so in the veterinary office the baby calms himself, tries to keep his balance, because he has enough reasons for panic.
From what age do kittens begin to purr
Here everything is individual: there are kittens who can purr after birth - at one-day age. They do this, feeling the mother's protection, love and delicious milk. Others - study for several weeks, months. There are cats that can murchach with 6 or 11 months, and there are those who will never do it - you will not be able to determine the nature and the predilections of the baby in advance.
Note! Not only that the age of each is different, and the frequency of the sounds is individual - some individuals are constantly singing a song, and from others it's difficult to hear a pleasant sound, even if it's very good.
If the cat's purr suddenly ceased, it is worthwhile to look for the cause. Perhaps the baby has some health problems, he feels weak and unwell. Source: Flickr (Vasquezz)
From where exactly does the cat emit a purring sound and how to learn to purr
The property of murring is unique: it appears only in felines of any size - other animals can not so please owners. To understand how purring cats, you need to turn to the study of the physiological features of the mechanism. In the brain, nerve impulses are formed that give a signal to the vocal cords for subsequent contraction. What do cats purr? Between the cranium and the tongue of nature a special organ is installed: thin, interconnected bones. Muscle contraction provokes a vibration that comes from the nose and mouth, spreading throughout the calf.
It is interesting! While the kitten is purring, you can not hear the heartbeat of his heart, that's why veterinarians are waiting for your pet to stop this activity in order to begin the examination.
Some owners want to learn how to purr in the same way as a pet. The desire is due to pleasant notes and the opportunity to please the pet: to communicate with him in one language is happiness. For the learning process, you need the animal to be near, and you had a friendly relationship. As soon as the kitten starts to make a sound, breathe through your nose, without opening your mouth, try to repeat the melody. At first it will seem difficult, but a few hard training will give the result. Moreover, you can please their friends and cheer them.
Why can a cat stop purring and why some cats do not purr
If the cat's purr suddenly ceased, it is worthwhile to look for the cause. Perhaps the baby has some health problems, he feels weak and unwell. Sometimes the cause is global changes in the house: you have a dog or a child. The reason is resentment, when a lump something does not suit, it is sad or tense. And the cats are very sensitive to changing attitudes: if you become less loving, the mumble may stop.
Some cats generally refuse to purr: they know how to do it, just do not show their emotions to other people. Silence is due to character traits, it does not mean that the animal is bad, there is not enough affection - all individually, like people.
Now you know why cats purr. This sound is very fond of all the owners: it is not just pleasant to hearing, but also has a curative effect. This skill is for every cat, but not all use it often. The master can also learn to mumble - this requires training.
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We are all used to the fact that our cats are purring, do not even imagine how cats can not murchat?
But usually the owners never think, how does the cat murch?
Strangely enough, but even in our century, scientists have not properly studied the "mechanisms" of purring cats. There are several scientific theories.
One of the assumptions is that, that the mumble is caused by the fluctuation of the lungs of the cat, the other is a change in the circulation of blood, which causes vibration and a murmur appears.
But we tend to believe the latter theory.
It is believed that cackling cats cause electrical impulses in the cat's brain. They are transmitted through the central nervous system and activate the muscles that are located near the vocal cords of the cat. The direct apparatus of the mumble consists of thin bones that are connected to each other and extend from the base of the skull to the base of the tongue - these bones are called sublingual. Vibration of the vocal cords and cause vibration in the hyoid bones.
Cats purr not only on exhalation, they are able to do this and on inspiration. From the family of cats are humming only small representatives - domestic cats and lynxes. And for larger representatives, the hyoid bones are covered with cartilage, so the tigers and lions can not murch. These cartilages do not allow the bones to vibrate, but make them stronger, so these animals can grow very loudly. Only the lion can make a real roar, the rest of the felines can make sounds that are similar to a growl (hiss, grumble, etc.), but they can not purr.
Some cats purr very rarely, and some almost never - this phenomenon is poorly understood and the reasons for this are unknown. It happens that never a purring cat gets into another situation or to another owner and starts to purr.
Purring, cats not only show their pleasure, but, for example, small kittens purr to inform the cat-mom that they are all well, they are full and happy. Kittens purr after and during the feeding, meow and suck milk is not obtained, but you can purr how much you want. The cat-mum also purrs to the kittens in response, calming and encouraging them.
Adult cats purring when communicating with each other, thus, showing their friendliness or calling for the game. A cat that purrs more strongly to a weaker cat to show that it is not going to show aggression. When a cat is afraid or attacked, it can also start to purr, showing that it is defenseless.
A cat croats not only for us or other cats, a purring cat calms itself, so sick cats experiencing pain also murch, thus, calming themselves and cheering.
The effect of appeasement croaking of the cat affects not only her, but also the owner, so the purring cat can relieve stress, headache from the owner, stabilizes the pressure.
Cats call to communicate or play other cats with the help of a mumble.
Quietly and briefly purring, A cat usually begs something, and loud purr means that the cat has already achieved its goal and thanks you.
The cat's croaking is so strong that it is impossible for a purring cat to listen to heart beats or the rhythm of breathing.
Very interesting fact - when the cat hears the sound of running water from the tap, it immediately stops murchating. So, if your cat does not let you listen to the rhythm of breathing or heartbeat purring to you in return - use this method.
If you listen to the murmuring of the cat, you can see that intonation, timbre and volume can be completely different in different situations.
Naturally, in the vast majority of cases, the croaking of the cat means thank you, the satisfaction, calmness and positive attitude of the cat. But cats are very cunning and they know perfectly well that if you pomurchat master can get a treat or an additional "dose" of affection.
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