Talk:Purr/Archive 1

purring humans

I am a human and i can purr... I do it somehow by concetrating on the muscles close to the ear, have to close my eyes when i do it... people are sometimes freaked out about it :D Foant

Perhaps so, but do you use the same mechanism your cat does? ww 19:18, 15 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Doubtless he doesn't. I love purring and "talking" back to my cats. If you're a cat-lover and no one's around to see you make a fool of yourself, try it sometime. It's like the repetition games children play. Find a "talky" cat, and repeat any noises it makes as accurately as possible. Most of the time the cat will continue making noises at you, and sometimes they get very interested in this unusual human who can speak.

P.S. Is there any chance an audio recording of a cat's purr could be added to wikipedia? -Kasreyn

Why not? Foant 16:47, 22 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I can do the same thing as you Foant, at least I think so :P It's not the same way a cat does it, I still focus on muscles near my ears (although I don't have to close my eyes). I think it has something to do with closing part of your oesophagus and blowing through it.. sort of like a controlled burp. splintax ^(talk) 14:36, 24 October 2005 (UTC)

I dont know actually... But when cats purr you can feel the muscels moving if you put your hand on them. Foant

How I purr: I say a German "r" (voiced uvular fricative), just with a lower frequency, and then voiceless. Not really like the voiceless uvular fricative, as that one usually has a high, hissing pitch, instead I manage to do a slow vibration with the same rear part of the tongue (The voiced version of this is called uvular trill). This also works when breathing in. The difference to cats: Cats can purr with mouth closed, I can't. Ah well .... cats are better than the rest of us. But it's a nice experience as it mixes concentration and relaxation. --84.115.129.76 11:05, 2 December 2005 (UTC) (unci)

My girlfriend can purr. It's a little unsettling. What's more is that she does keep her mouth closed the whole time. Not sure how she does it, but she does have to close her eyes, so likely the same way as the above people claim. 71.120.201.39 (talk) 18:57, 5 September 2008 (UTC)

I highly recommend purring/snoring because I find that purring resonates my trachea and then passes the vibration to my bloodstream. A three-minute demo here titled "Purring to Nirvana"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvyW3-2QSeQ

Further information here: http://www.raysender.com/trachealresonance.html — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rabar94114 (talk • contribs) 22:53, 15 February 2012 (UTC)

I purr too sometimes with my cats, to show companionship. I can do it with my mouth closed, and it is as described above, a gluttural soundless German 'r'. It is easiest while exhaling though, quite difficult while inhaling, and then it moves further back to the throat. Cat's purr is clearly further down in the stomach though, not in the mouth.--83.93.29.132 (talk) 08:37, 28 June 2009 (UTC) --176.115.160.182 (talk) 10:46, 30 September 2019 (UTC)

————————————————————————

But I purr by vocal fry with closed mouth. And I think that Yanix and Lil Morty do this in their tracks.$addl3backtamar1n134 (talk) 13:01, 7 October 2019 (UTC)

Bone density

Cats purr at 27 - 44 hertz, and exposure to similar sound frequencies is known to improve bone density in humans.

Any chance of citing a source for that, please? I don't doubt it, but it caught my attention and I'd like to know more about it.

This has me wondering about the implications for long-duration space flight.

It is all in reference 8, a long, and dry scientific, read, but very interesting. It also mentions the implications to space flight. I just don't understand why none of this can stay in the main article.--Dbjorck (talk) 08:48, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Secondly, I note that a line indicating that cheetahs can purr was removed a while ago. There's a link to a .wav file on this page that claims to be the sound of a cheetah purring. Loganberry (Talk) 02:41, 11 July 2005 (UTC)

I've re-added the cheetah. Someone was over-eager with deleting the phrase because it said that cheetahs did roar and purr, but they can't roar. Instead of correcting it, the person deleted the whole phrase: that's sloppy work. I've also added a source for the frequency thing, though I don't know if that's what the person who wrote that used; I didn't write it. Lupo 07:17, August 30, 2005 (UTC)

Both cheetahs and pumas purr but don't roar. This is because, although they are large in size and thus usually counted among big cats, they are genetically closer to small cats (and, indeed to each other) than to the other big cats. I am not adding this info myself, as I am unsure how this correlates with the article's statement that "whilst small cats can purr either during inhale or exhale, larger cat species can only purr during the exhale". -- Milo

I have no information about cheetahs, but there is a large literature of the American wilderness which repeatedly refers to mountain lions (or catamounts or pumas or ...) roaring. We need more, and more credible, information on the intermediate cats (jaguars, pumas, ...). Anyone know a zoo keeper? Is anyone on WP a zookeeper? ww 07:02, 16 October 2005 (UTC)

Jaguars are "intermediate"? They, along with tigers, lions, and leopards, are all in the genus Panthera, AKA the roaring cats. I do wonder, however, about the snow leopard (not related to true leopards, but considered one of the seven big cats). As for pumas, at best, they might have gained a sound similar to the Panthera roar through convergent evolution, as they are most definitely closer to small cats in the evolution tree. I recall reading that pumas have an extremely loud purr, which may be related to the issue. (Even if not, it probably deserves mention in an article about purring!) -- Milo

I disagree with Ephemeral life's 11 October edit. Although I lack the knowledge to gauge the scientific accuracy of the formerly linked article, I would like to point out that his edit was at least sloppy, as he retained the mentions that purring can "help a wounded cat to heal" and "help to keep a cat's bones strong", merely removing any semblance of scientific explanation or references to back up these claims. I would like to request that a more qualified person attempts to determine the scientific veracity of these claims, and depending on this either (A) returns the deleted reference, (B) removes the claims althogether, or (C) returns the reference with a disclaimer that it is an unproved theory, just like the various theories on HOW cats purr, one section above. -- Milo

A lion purring??

I would swear(don't swear, there are kiddos present) on any suitable ( to whosoever was swearing me in) tome that I saw a lioness purring in a zoo... it was audible form CubeRoman (talk) 30 feet... does my memory play games with me? (Heck yeah it does)

I beleive this has come up before, and if I remember correctly, some, if not all, big cats such as lions, purr, but only when exhaling. I think.......

Seconded. IIRC lion purring is rarer, but long established.

Below is a link to University of Minn. Lion Research Center page stating that lions purr only on the exhale: http://www.cbs.umn.edu/eeb/lionresearch/about/faq.shtml —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.166.188.234 (talk) 15:54, 23 March 2010 (UTC)

Is purring related to respiration?

The article seems to imply that we do not know how or why cats purr.

I've intuitively thought that it might have something to do with breathing -- that it might be similar to inhaling and exhaling at a high rate, in order to more efficiently deliver oxygen, instead of taking deep, long breaths, which requires more energy and lung pressure. But this is purely intuition.

See updated "How felines purr" for explanation of mechanism. --Sonelle 17:04, 10 October 2005 (UTC)

Contentment Hypothesis

The article seems to imply that purring has been incorrectly been associated (by humans) with a cat's happiness or contentment. I call this the "Contentment Hypothesis".

Where did the idea of purring and contentment originally come from, and what evidence is availble for and against the "contentment hypothesis"?

Does purring come before or after contentment? Could purring itself be what leads to contentment, rather than the other way around?

Is there any evidence that endorphins or other chemicals are released into the cat's bloodstream during purring? That could explain why cats seem happy while purring, while at the same time, explain why some frightened or injured cats purr.

Do cats purr when playing by themselves, or only when being pampered by their owners? The vibration's healing effect presumably affects not just the cat but anyone closeby, so purring could be the cat's way of saying "I like you, stay healthy."

Maybe I'm just being over-romantic, but I think it makes sense evolutionarily for a creature to want to promote its benefactors' health. Or its childrens' - note that some classical ways of pleasing a cat, such as rubbing its tummy, are pleasing to it because they associate them with kittens (who rub against the tummy when crawling under it to suckle).

An alternate theory is that humans like the purring sound, and so bred their pets to use it more :) -- Milo

Almost as plausible is that cats consider humans useful, and have bred humans to like purring, which they were doing anyway. Rpresser 18:39, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

Rpresser, And how is it that you think cats haven't done just that? There's clearly a good deal going on there that we miss. Consider only Fritz Lieber's Spacetime for Springers for one explanation of the obscure. When they learn to talk, maybe...

Uh...to put it gently, the burden of proof is not on Milo's end here.

Milo's point reminds me a great deal of flatcats, from Heinlein's Rolling Stones. His account is rather more clearly put, and who didn't dream of hearing a flatcat purr lo those many years ago? ww 03:37, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

I have a book called Catwatching (can't remember the author, but it can be retrieved) where it is suggested that cats purr both to solicit and reciprocate companionship. I have a kitten, and she purrs when you stroke her, but also purrs quite strongly when she deigns to sit near you and is feeling relatively sleepy or relaxed. If you don't do anything, she stops purring, falls asleep or goes away. If you stroke her, it continues.

Of course, I can't prove this, but I can find the bits from Catwatching about purring and so on. Does this sound of use? Jaz Mcdougall 01:03, 14 December 2006 (UTC). Forgot to sign- whoops!

I was curious if my cat purred all the time since she purrs whenever I touch her or I am just nearby and close enough to her to hear her purring. However, I was never able to verify if she purrs while she is asleep since I could not be sure that I might have awoken her. My cat's vet could not tell me if cats purr while asleep either. Finally, I taught my cat to sleep with me -- close to my ears and with my hand on her abdomen -- while I would lay on my couch to take a nap myself, Every time we do this she stops purring when she falls asleep. And, If I wake her up, she starts purring again. True, I cannot be certain the exact moment when she falls asleep, but over many repetitions, it is frequently obvious when she is asleep and when she is not. I have also experienced this same cat trembling in fright from the noise of a very bad thunderstorm and purring at the same time. Sorry, I'm new at this and its not clear to me how to "sign" a WP talk addition. 184.45.21.206 (talk) 08:29, 28 October 2011 (UTC)wchutc01

larger cat species can only purr during the exhale ???

"Whilst small cats can purr either during inhale or exhale, larger cat species can only purr during the exhale."

Given that this statement a) is contradicted by the explanation of how cats pur and that b) the reference is a page explaning how Pumas (a larger cat species) purr, I have removed this statement to the talk page here until such time as someone can find suitable references to back it up. --Sonelle 17:04, 10 October 2005 (UTC)

According to the San Diego Zoo: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-smallcat.html

...big cats can’t purr continuously. They can only purr when they breathe out. The purr is interrupted when the cat breathes in. As a result, some big cats make a noise keepers refer to as a "chuffle.”

I have not found a specific research paper on the matter yet.[Ikmar 19:54, 30 October 2005]

Reference for current theory of purring

I've been looking to find a reference for the current larynx theory of purring. While I haven't been able to find a copy of the article, it was written by Lea Strogdale and John Delack, published in a 1997 issue of Cornell University's Animal Health Report. Can anyone find this article and verify the reference? My university's online index doesn't contain it. --Mcpusc 09:57, 8 November 2005 (UTC)

Stogdale L, Delack JB. Feline purring. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian 1985; 7: 551, 553.

Reprinted in: Voith VL, Borchelt PL (eds). Readings in Companion Animal Behavior. Trenton: Veterinary Learning Systems, 1996; 269-270.

Below is a link to published research comparing the anatomy of Felidae, which purr while inhaling and exhaling, with the anatomy of Pantherinae, which cannot purr while inhaling.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1570911/ —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.166.188.234 (talk) 15:52, 23 March 2010 (UTC)

Copyrighted Text

I've removed the following text from the article, which is copied almost verbatim from The Straight Dope:

Mother cats may use purring to call their kittens to nurse. Unable to see, hear or smell very well the kittens can feel the vibrations of their mother's purring.

LVC 09:21, 26 December 2005 (UTC)

If a point is worth making, rewording is sufficient to avoid copyright problems. In this case, I seem to recall having seen this as an explanation of purring from an ethologist. Sorry, can't come nay closer than that as a citation. ww 03:30, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

Remark about tigers needs clarification

The entry currently says that tigers can purr, but only in one direction. I have no idea what "only in one direction" means in reference to purring. Can someone edit this to clarify?

Tigers can only make a purring noise while exhaling, not while inhaling. Domestic cats can purr continuously through both inhalation and exhalation. (I'll let someone else work this into the section) Rpresser 22:12, 15 April 2006 (UTC)

Chemicals released when they purr?

Hi. This might be stupid, but I've heard that cat-like creatures release a pleasure drug into the blood-stream when they purr. This might be the reason that they purr when they're injured - to decrease the pain. I've heard this on National Geographic. Once again, sorry if it's stupid. (by 07:39, 27 June 2006 SmileyMan)

Not a stupid comment. Much is obscure about purring as you can imagine. There are several chemicals (some hormones, some neurotransmitters, etc) in humans which are known to be secreted in some circumstances. The internal chemicals whose membrane receptors are used by opiates are an example. We don't understand these, or most such cellular interactions very well. And, since cats can't speak of their internal states, humnas are, oddly, easier experimental animals. You may find that journalists (including National Geographic productions) are more willing to speculate about the meaning of some research findings than they really should. ww 17:59, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Hmmm, although I have no academic training in how and why cats purr, from my own background in biology and neuroscience I will posit that the chemicals cause the purring, not the other way around. If they are released, they are released by the nervous system in conjunction with the activation of purring, and lead to other bodily responses associated with the physiological conditions needed whenever purring occurs. In other words, purring is an efferent (from the brain) response, not an afferent (to the brain) stimulus. Whatever causes purring will also cause this chemical's release, whether it be endocrine (into the blood) or purely neurological. (To be geeky about it, the "purr center" in a cat's brain that innervates the nerves responsible for the mechanical act of purring will also innervate nerves which release (or activate another circuit which eventually releases) these chemicals, which may or may not actually be (but probably are) released.)

So the idea that these "pleasurable" or pain-killing chemicals (endorphins) are associated with purring is sound and even likely to occur, but the idea that purring serves as stimulus in a causal role for pain releif through chemical pathways just doesn't fit with what is known about these chemicals. 76.81.218.167 02:10, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

I spent a morning trying to track down a reference source for the theory that purring releases endorphins in the cat's brain. Unfortunately, every article I found, even from reputable sources like veterinarians or Purina, all referred to the endorphin theory with what Wikipedia calls weasel words: "It is believed..." (by whom?), "Some scientists think..." (which scientists?), "A more recent theory suggests..." (whose theory? where was it published?), etc. Sadly, I was unable to find even one reference to actual research or a direct quote attributed to a scientist or recognized authority on cats, etc. I almost began to wonder if it's entirely anecdotal. I'm not saying it's not true or that it's not out there somewhere, just that I sure couldn't find it. - Elmarco 20:08, 17 March 2011 (UTC)

But what about biofeedback?? Your argument supposes an involuntary reflex, but purring is obviously voluntary - it can be initiated at will. I believe endorphins cause purring, and through biofeedback voluntary purring in turn releases endorphins. This is the same effect as laughter therapy ([cancercenter.com] is one of the sites that explains it). You don't need scientific explanations to see for yourself that laughing, or for instance humming a happy tune, will make you feel happy. Just try it :-) --Dbjorck (talk) 09:09, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Confused meaning

I've attempted to preserve the sense apparently meant in the 2nd para of How felines purr. The phrasing is now better, but the sense is still confused. Do cats have two vocal cord sets as the editor implies? I've left it in, but I'm not easy about it. In addition, many of the references seem to be to an article from an industrial magazine from B&K. Great company, I've used their stuff, but they're an engineering company, not a zoologicla one. I'd believe the article on the measurements, but much of it is speculation as neerly as I can make out. Is there something the B&K article used as a source about the effect of particular vibration frequencies on healing and such? I think we need it here. ww 04:23, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

References

Sorry to be pedantic, but the article contains five references to footnotes, but there are only four footnotes. What/where is footnote five? PatrickHadfield 15:09, 24 October 2006

As you see, Footnote3 is evil. Actually there are only three footnotes. saimhe 18:31, 24 October 2006 (UTC)

Converted to WP:FN format. Is it better? saimhe 18:44, 24 October 2006 (UTC)

Effect on humans Section doesn't make any sense

I have removed some errors from the "Effect on Humans" section that were in direct conflict with the citation. The citation is also not an acceptable reference. The entire section is highly questionable. What does the relative constancy of several cat's purrs have to do with the "effect on humans"? And what does how do the "harmonics" of 25Hz have substantial energy? That is pseudo-scientific babble that makes wikipedia seem like a silly website. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.177.112.82 (talk) 03:39, 29 December 2006 (UTC).

There is considerable evidence that things we find soothing and relaxing, like a cat's purr, can reduce blood pressure and have long term benefits on human health. I've often heard that cat owners liv(statistically significant) longer lives than non cat-owners, although I don't have time or motivation to actually look up the research. My point is, the writer may have done a poor job explaining or citing the evidence, but don't dismiss the health benefits of pets on humans as pseudo-science just because of your own skepticism. (unsigned)

This section doesn't even exist anymore. I assume the first unsigned author above removed it completely. The article is left a ludicrous shell, saying nothing more than "sometimes cats appear to purr but we don't know why". Reference 8 has loads of references to research on how various frequencies affect either bone development or muscle development. This overly negative skepticism is what is killing wikipedia, cutting everything out that you don't personally believe. Just as references are obligatory for adding something to the main article, references to the opposite should be required for removing something. INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. IMHO--Dbjorck (talk) 09:23, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Reason for Purring - Medical Treatment?

The article speculates (without references) that cats purr when they need attention, such as medical treatment (because apparently they purr sometimes when injured - something coincidentally I have never observed). Why would a cat purr in the wild if it needs medical treatment? First, they can't give medical treatment to each other, and second, cats are solitary. 204.112.156.246 18:26, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

That presupposes that purring is a form of communication. Why would it be that when cats already can meow, and have an ample vocabulary? It is unlikely it is strictly a form of communication, just as we don't have two mouths. It should be seen more on apar with "body language". It is secondary and has other reasons. I have observed cats purring when injured myself. The theory is that purring releases endorphins that calm the body down and reduces pain.--Dbjorck (talk) 09:35, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Not all cats are solitary. Having a signaling mechanism to indicate stress or injury, for example, between a kitten and mother, could definitely serve an evolutionary purpose. However, I find it hard to believe that evolution could select for a single type of signal (purring) to express both injury and contentment. This seems problematic to me. On the other hand, an "I need attention" signal could be used by both happy and sick cats alike...although this would be more of a plea for help than a "distress signal," as the article seems to suggest. With that said, I've never noticed my cats purring when they're upset, scared, or sick. So yeah I agree, sources would be nice... 76.81.218.167 01:36, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

As I wrote above, I have noticed that happening. It is not frequent, but still. I have had cats my whole life. As I also wrote above, the confusion arises from assuming it is a primary form of communication. There is no reason to assume that, and once you release that constraint, the other options appear. (PS you are right about solitary, they do have family units, only while starting new families are they solitary. The "solitary" thing is a common misconception)--Dbjorck (talk) 09:35, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Add audio

It'll be good if someone can upload a *purring* sound of a feline. That could provide more info, as expected out of a reader.

Mugunth 04:58, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

I can have a go if you like. I have cats and I'm sure I can record them purring. Is uploading a sound the same as uploading an image? Think outside the box 09:53, 14 February 2007 (UTC)

A good 46-minute sequence of cats purring here: http://blogfiles.wfmu.org/KG/Fox-Terry_The-Labyrinth-Cats.mp3 — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rabar94114 (talk • contribs) 22:57, 15 February 2012 (UTC)

Unclear text removed

The author states in "How Felines Purr" section of the article that the mechanism for purring is unknown and identifies two theories (vocal cord manipulation, "...another area of soft tissue or muscular tissue in the neck or torso...") for how cats make the purring noise. However, in the paragraph right below the statement is made that "Cats that roar lack the purring vocal cords, and use the vocal cords in charge of roaring and growling instead, making a noise similar to growling when they purr." That statement assumes one of the two theories to be validated which is not the case and also contradicts itself. I altered the text to something less confusing. "Cats that roar seem to lack the mechanism for purring and in situations where purring cats purr cats that roar make a noise similar to growling. As a result, the two sounds are often confused." --Mychair 17:56, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Other Animals That Purr?

I've had pet guinea pigs all my life, and they purr somewhat like cats do. They purr while they're being petted, and they'll also make a brief purring noise sometimes when startled. I'm sure there are probably other animals out there that purr as well. So, what other kinds of animals are known to purr, and is their purring related to the purring of cats? 71.61.233.43 01:14, 22 May 2007 (UTC)

Raccoons can purr. I once had a juvenile raccoon follow me and a group of hikers to a rest spot on a trail. While sitting there, the raccoon cuddled up against one of the women in the group and began purring. It sounded exactly like a cat. --Michael Daly (talk) 16:23, 25 December 2007 (UTC) ... I just noticed that someone previously added something on this at the bottom of the page - consider this confirmation. MD

Not that I doubt the ability of other animals to purr, but the last paragraph on the intro about other animals (squirrels, elephants, gorrilas) is taking a bit of a liberty. Gorillas and elephants? The source link is just for howstuffworks, which not only has nothing on the subject, but is also not a reliable source. Move to fix/delete both the gorilla/elephant/squirrel part, and delete/rethink the link. Geno-Supremo (talk) 15:33, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

Be bold. Go ahead and make the corrections. ww (talk) 00:02, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Big cats high pitched?

I see a lot of unsubstantiated claims of purring frequency as high as 150 Hz. Since domestic cats purr at 26.3 Hz, these higher ranges must refer to the other feline species. But since they are bigger, one would expect them to purr lower, not higher, right? Therefore I have removed all reference to the higher pitches, pending a legit source (not one of those "purring cures bone disease" BS ones). Speciate 22:55, 8 July 2007 (UTC)

What's with this witch-hunt on frequencies? And why is "purring cures bone disease" BS??! Someone here noted seeing it on Animal Planet, I remember seeing it on Discovery, and also reading an article from a medical research periodical. It was this article I was looking for when I found this. But even here, in reference 8 you have plenty of research. You HAVE to explain why it is BS before disregarding it - when the opposite side has gone to such lengths for 30 years to prove it.--Dbjorck (talk) 09:53, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

The 26.3Hz claim is one for which I've been waiting for some supporting data for a long time. Ive known several domestic cats whose purrs sounded to my (non absolute pitch) ears to vary a good bit in frequency. Certainly in the overtones (ie, harmonics). Has seemed suspicious to me fro the moment it was inserted. (unsigned)

As for the reasoning here about higher pitches not likely in big cats, well... I've knonw a few large guys with surprisingly tenor voices, and some small fellows with deep voices. And more than afew women with lower pitched voices as well. The relevant size isuse is, for the physics, the length of vibrating tissue (ie, vocal cords in the human), not body size per se. The reasoning above, and the edits which followed, are therefore not sustainable. Original speculation really. (unsigned)

And as to the tonal frequencies varying, I am a musician and do have (almost) perfect pitch, and have had cats my whole life. What you are hearing as overtones are the vocal cords vibrating. The article I was looking for, listed six (if I remember correctly) frequencies of vibration, that all cats have. But listening to the result, you will hear more "tones". The frequencies talked about are those created (probably) by the diaphragm, not the ones by the vocal cords above, which will vary according to how stretched they are. For instance, a cat in 7th heaven, will have a very high sounding purr, and a sleepy cat will have a very low sounding purr. But the muscles are vibrating at the same frequency. --Dbjorck (talk) 09:52, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Nice, but

This is a nice, fun to read article. How much of it is fact and how much of it is just interesting reading? I'm not asking to whack out stuff. Don;t misunderstand. More references exists?Botrag 18:17, 14 July 2007 (UTC)

Raccoons purr too!

I had an opportunity to hold and play with a raccoon kit recently, and was surprised to find that it purrs! Sounds just like a cat, although it only purrs on exhaling. You can hear a recording of a raccoon purr at http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/raccoon.htm (follow the link in the Additional Media section)Starfiremb 11:10, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

I have a cat, and I don't believe they purr when they're nervous or in pain —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.181.226.21 (talk) 23:33, 20 September 2007 (UTC)

Believe it - I have seen it. Most recently when I handed off my two cats to a pension while going on vacation. They had never been away from home (indoor cats), and everything else about them signaled fear; wide open eyes, muscles tense, backs low, tails down, whiskers back; yet purring. With intermittent growls when the keeper came close. It went purr-growl-purr. The hiss was just seconds away.--Dbjorck (talk) 10:01, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Cat purring recording

For me this site catsleep.com has been very helpful so have a look at it and I love to hear what others think. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Nockturn (talk • contribs) 17:54, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

It's a commercial site with very little information and that the same sort which was removed from this article as unsourcable credibly some time ago. The special frequencies of cat purring speeds healing thing. There's not much WP contnet there. The cat recording may be very good, but I didn't check it. Best, I expect, that one get an actual cat. ww (talk) 09:41, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

The "Why Felines Purr" section

I added a charitable "citation needed" to the highly speculative last para here, although feel deletion would have been better (I'm not a regular contributor to this article so will leave it to someone else to decide... I feel it really detracts from an otherwise well-written and credible piece). Señor Service (talk) 17:12, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

yeah, the last paragraph is ridiculous —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.216.106.173 (talk) 18:47, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

However, cutting out any mention of the fact that cats purr when happy seems to be going too far, don't you think? --207.176.159.90 (talk) 00:49, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

My cat didn't purr when he was dying; he wouldn't stop screaming and wailing. AndarielHalo (talk) 13:25, 15 October 2008 (UTC)

Well then - here is my most painful memory ever. I awoke in the middle of the night, hearing my cat screaming and wailing as you say, in the living room. It sounded like a cross between a baby and a screaming banshee. The pain and torment expressed cut right through my soul. I ran to her and picked her up, she was all stiff, all muscles convulsing, and I asked "what's the matter?" All her muscles relaxed, and she started purring as loud as I ever have heard her purr. I started petting her, and after a while she lifted her paw and stroked my cheek - after which she was gone... Kidney failure. So yes, they do purr when they are dying too--Dbjorck (talk) 10:12, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Trolling vandalism

When I open this page, I see a trolling text "AVRIL LAVIGNE ROKZ MY SOCKZ!" etc. Reverts does not appear to work. Any hint what is going on? - Skysmith (talk) 16:22, 14 July 2008 (UTC)

• Seems to have cleared - Skysmith (talk) 09:28, 15 July 2008 (UTC)

"Solving The Cat's Purr Mystery using Accelerometers". Brüel & Kjær Magazine.

I don't trust this article or anything claimed within it, and am inclined to remove any references to it and any statements backed up solely by it (if there are any). (It's no.7 on the references list). Very interesting article otherwise. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.69.77.254 (talk) 20:23, 14 October 2008 (UTC)

More or less concur on its definitive content. Interesting enough to retain as an example of using high quality equipment for a recreational purpose. Engieers at lunch or something, maybe? ww (talk) 00:11, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Second (or should I say thirded). It's not a reliable source anyway: just an article on a site selling accelerometers, and the research referenced is available in more detail at the other link here (although three links to the same site looks WP:UNDUE). I also think this one should go; it's just an article of no particular credentials on a self-published syndication site. 86.145.92.150 (talk) 01:27, 9 April 2009 (UTC)

Precise definition

This article needs a more precise definition of what is purring and what distinguishes a purr from other animal noises. For example, it has been stated that lions and other members of Pantherinae do not purr. See, e.g., http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1570911/ That is, lions, tigers, etc. make a purring noise only while exhaling (aka "chuffing"), whereas house cats are able to purr without interruption while inhaling and exhaling. It thus begs the question: To qualify as a "purr," does it matter whether the sound is made continuously while breathing in and out, or may it also include the sounds made only on the exhale? I will leave the answer to experts, but my guess is that there is no consensus on the answer. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.166.188.234 (talk) 22:25, 19 May 2010 (UTC)

This article lacks citations and is filled with speculation

This article is mostly speculation with no references. Starting with the first line, "A purr is a sound made by all species of felids and is a part of cat communication."

No one actually know why cats purr, and the notion that it is part of communication goes unreferenced. No one will ever really know why cats purr, and there is no way to know. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.131.199.97 (talk) 03:05, 24 May 2010 (UTC)

Purr -> drug?

If purring "triggers her brain to release a hormone which helps her in relaxing and acts as a pain killer," then why don't cats just purr all the time and become junked-out purr addicts, losing interest in catnip, rodents, toys, etc.? Tisane ^talk/_stalk 22:50, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

LOL! That's really funny. Too bad you're banned. *Hmphs* ★♛iluvselenagomez1234♛★ (talk) 03:12, 27 December 2011 (UTC)

Cockroaches

I removed cockroaches from the list of non felid animals capable of purring (beginning of article). I can find no direct evidence/mention/research which claims cockroaches can purr. All other non felid examples listed are mammals. In the context of this article, and within the general conception of "purring," i believe the generation of such a noise requires highly developed (IE mammalian) vocal cords, musculature, and/or respiratory system - none of which a cockroach possesses. Any noise created by a cockroach which may resemble purring is surely generated by friction or vibration. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Tim20le (talk • contribs) 05:57, 25 July 2010 (UTC)

"It was, until recent times, believed that only the cats of the Felis genus could purr."

Where does this come from? While it's true that it used to be thought that members of the Panthera genus couldn't purr, Felidae contains more genera than just Felis and Panthera. There are in fact a total of 15 genera in the Felidae family as currently classified. It's long been known that the Puma and Lynx genera, for example, are quite capable of purring. 24.214.230.66 (talk) 01:58, 9 June 2011 (UTC)

Healing effects of purring

Since the #Bone density talk went off-topic: There is an article in Scientific American as well as a reference in the German language Wikipedia Schnurren supporting that claim; this Nature article also says that a little shaking, to which purring is similar, seems to have healing effects on bones. --Amazeroth (talk) 13:58, 30 December 2011 (UTC)

Reference section is an amalgam

WPMOS states that the reference section can be numbered (preferred) or bulleted; there is a different method of creating each of these. This reference section has a mixture of both styles. This should be converted to the numbered style: I will do it if I get the inclination, energy, and time and someone else doesn't beat me to it. IiKkEe (talk) 01:13, 28 June 2015 (UTC)

External links modified

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Animals that Purr

I do not know if the statement that gorillas purr is true since the does not say that gorillas purr in the reference attached to this statement. It says, gorillas make a "rumbling belching" sound while eating or resting.
Belching is defined as, "gas being emitted from the stomach through the mouth ," which is different then purring. An additional source for evidentiary support of this statement would make this less confusing.
Purpose
Reference 12 does not state that purring releases a hormone which acts as a painkiller. There may be evidence to support this claim, but it is not in that reference.
Mechanism
I found this section very confusing. The statement, "no cats can purr and roar," leads the reader to believe that this is a true statement. The article goes on to say that this was a hypothesis. I feel that this section is contradicting and confusing. Other studies not cited in this article have suggested that, that statement cannot be confirmed. Although the article is not perfect, I enjoyed reading it. It was a fun and interesting article. It just needs more evidence to support the claims being made.Erc045 (talk) 18:48, 22 September 2017 (UTC)Erc045 (talk) 19:19, 22 September 2017 (UTC)

References