Okay, first thread I’ve ever started. I was sitting reading today and my cat eandered over to say hello (well, more accurately miaow, but never mind). He then proceeded to treadle me into mush for about five minutes before settling down. WHY DO THEY DO THIS? Sometimes they even settle down somewhere else after treadling someone or something (often regarded as the same thing to a cat). As a sideline question: what’s the deal with the purr? No one seems to know how or why this occours; possibly because it 1. only happens when the cat is happy and relaxed and
2. cats being tested in lab conditions tend not to be happy or relaxed, but rather extremely cheesed off.
Okay, this is my first attempt. Please try not to be too scathing (I refer to the ‘why did we declare war on Hitler’ thread as a case in point).
Welcome!
The noises cats make depend on their personalities. The last cat I had was a Maine Coon- very personable and affectionate. He had no trouble letting me know (verbally) when I wasn’t paying him enough attention. He knew that he could summon me to the kitchen with a single meow (that’s how he spelled it) when he was hungry. Essentially, he knew exactly how to communicate with me (at least to get himself fed). I think cats are stealth creatures by nature, and unlike Jerry Springer, don’t make noise unless there is a reason to. I have known other cats that don’t make any kind of casual noises.
According to this cat FAQ, many believe that when your cat is nestled into a warm blanket or your favorite sweater they are acting out what a kitten would do to start the milk flow from their mother. The Cat Lady agrees.
Now then, since you are new here allow me to introduce you to one of my good friends. Cecil, this is Sparky. Sparky- meet Cecil. Here is what Cecil has to say on why cats purr.