# When do cats purr? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 15, 2005, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118 "2005-11-15T04:31:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gozu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gozu/32/6615_2.png) [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/1 "2005-11-15T04:31:35Z")
In the wild, without human interference, when do cats purr? I wonder. ---
**Author:** ![lonesome\_loser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@lonesome\_loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lonesome_loser)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/2 "2005-11-15T04:38:23Z")
When they are happy, when they are sad. When they feel good, when they don’t feel so good. When they don’t hurt, when they do hurt. Not only do we not know why or when they purr. We don’t even really know how they purr. ---
**Author:** ![lonesome\_loser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@lonesome\_loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lonesome_loser)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/3 "2005-11-15T04:37:47Z")
When they are happy, when they are sad. When they feel good, when they don’t feel so good. When they don’t hurt, when they do hurt. Not only do we not know why or when they purr. We don’t even really know how they purr. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/4 "2005-11-15T05:15:34Z")
What **lonesome loser** said is borne out by this [cite](http://netscape.petplace.com/Articles/artPrinterFriendly.asp?conID=12451). [Another popular article](http://www.listnow.com/helpingpaws/articles/article_98.html) giving a bit more background. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/5 "2005-11-15T05:43:55Z")
They purr when their defenses are down. It’s a signal that that they’re open to being approached by another cat. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/6 "2005-11-15T05:51:04Z")
I also like lonesome loser’s answer. Pet them they purr. Scarlett purrs when we fight, and we fight HARD. She hisses, scratches, growls and purrs through it all. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/7 "2005-11-15T05:53:21Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > [Another popular article](http://www.listnow.com/helpingpaws/articles/article_98.html) giving a bit more background. [Fixed link](http://www.listnow.com/helpingpaws/articles/article_98.html). ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/8 "2005-11-15T05:57:55Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > [Fixed link](http://www.listnow.com/helpingpaws/articles/article_98.html). Thanks, **Q.E.D.**! By the way, a former member here was from Prince Edward Island, and used to be amused by “Fixed link” posts and Moderatorial edit comments, since that’s the popular usage for the (fairly new) bridge connecting the island to New Brunswick. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/9 "2005-11-15T10:04:16Z")
> [@mr bus guy](#): > > I also like lonesome loser’s answer. Pet them they purr. Scarlett purrs when we fight, and we fight HARD. She hisses, scratches, growls and purrs through it all. Which one? The first one or the second one? 😃 It should also be noted to the OP that the BIG cat species, most of them do not purr period. In fact there is only one species that does. I can’t remember which one it is though. I’m thinking maybe the Leopard or the Cheata… ---
**Author:** ![Fridgemagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@Fridgemagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fridgemagnet)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/10 "2005-11-15T12:35:52Z")
Schrodinger cat can also bite and purr simultaneously. Cats seem to purr when they want attention, mostly when they’re happy, but also when ill or injured. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/11 "2005-11-15T13:34:07Z")
Many queens purr when giving birth. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/12 "2005-11-15T13:44:54Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > It should also be noted to the OP that the BIG cat species, most of them do not purr period. In fact there is only one species that does. I can’t remember which one it is though. I’m thinking maybe the Leopard or the Cheata… According to the sign on the wall at Brookfield Zoo, a cat can either roar or purr, but no cat can do both. ---
**Author:** ![drmark2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@drmark2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drmark2000)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/13 "2005-11-15T14:11:34Z")
I have heard that some cats will purr when feeling threatened or otherwise unsafe. It’s speculated that in such instances the purring may be an attempt at self-soothing. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoneyKingofNowhere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@TheBoneyKingofNowhere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoneyKingofNowhere)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/14 "2005-11-15T19:01:07Z")
My hyperactive cat purrs most often when I’m in bed (sleeping or just about ready too) and he wants to sleep or lie on my head. ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/15 "2005-11-15T19:07:26Z")
I read somewhere (sorry, no cite - but it was in a legit book about cats, not on the bathroom wall) that a cat’s purr can be somewhat equated with the human smile; sometimes we smile when we’re genuinely happy, but other times it’s more of a social convention to put others at ease. Sounds like a damn good analogy to me, from my experience with cats. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/16 "2005-11-15T19:30:44Z")
> [@TheBoneyKingofNowhere](#): > > My hyperactive cat purrs most often when I’m in bed (sleeping or just about ready too) and he wants to sleep or lie on my head. Do you lie on your head when he wants you to? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/17 "2005-11-15T23:18:36Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > According to the sign on the wall at Brookfield Zoo, a cat can either roar or purr, but no cat can do both. Similar info from the SD Zoo: [Home | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants](http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-smallcat.html) My recollection is that the only big cat that purrs is the cheetah. A friend of mine had the opportunity to pet one when he travelled throughout Africa a while back and he said it was purring up a storm. This place: [http://www.szgdocent.org/resource/aa/cats/a-cat2.htm](http://www.szgdocent.org/resource/aa/cats/a-cat2.htm) Claims that cheetahs and pumas can purr. Big cats can generally purr in one direction (I can do this as well, my g/f likes it), sort of a throaty “Chuff” noise on the exhale. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/18 "2005-11-15T23:51:43Z")
> [@Fridgemagnet](#): > > Schrodinger cat can also bite and purr simultaneously. And, I assume, do one or the other or both while possibly being dead. Or not. > [@](#): > > Cats seem to purr when they want attention, mostly when they’re happy, but also when ill or injured. It’s my understanding purring has to do with communication between a mother cat and her kittens. Which is why it’s continued more in domesticated cats, as we’re their permanent mother cats. And therefore it signals approachabilty…due to trust and contentment, or to distress and a desire for help. Well, I don’t know but it made sense to me. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/19 "2005-11-16T00:06:33Z")
> [@Valgard](#): > > Similar info from the SD Zoo: [Home | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants](http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-smallcat.html) > > My recollection is that the only big cat that purrs is the cheetah. A friend of mine had the opportunity to pet one when he travelled throughout Africa a while back and he said it was purring up a storm. > > This place: [http://www.szgdocent.org/resource/aa/cats/a-cat2.htm](http://www.szgdocent.org/resource/aa/cats/a-cat2.htm) > > Claims that cheetahs and pumas can purr. > > Big cats can generally purr in one direction (I can do this as well, my g/f likes it), sort of a throaty “Chuff” noise on the exhale. For the record, “big cats” as anything but a size term refers to genus _Panthera_, including the lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, etc. The cheetah is in genus _Acinonyx_, and only a kissing cousin to the other cats, big or small. The cougar (puma, mountain lion, catamount, etc.) is _Felis concolor_, and despite its size is classed with the “small cats” in genus _Felis_. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118/20 "2005-11-16T00:08:16Z")
Add to previous post: I can verify that cougars do purr; the local zoo had a cougar on exhibit while I was growing up, and we became as good friends as a zoo animal and a frequent visitor to his cage can become. He would purr when I came up and talked to him. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-cats-purr/331118.md?page=2)