Can Cats Control Their Purr – The Interesting Answer

Purring is a cats way of showing they love you and appreciate whats happening in that moment. However, sometimes it seems like the purr comes out on demand and that the cat really has no say in it. So, can cats control their purr?

Cats can control their purr. The purring sound is entirely controllable by the cat, and they actively make the sound by choice, just like they choose to meow or hiss. In some rare cases, purring can also be an act of self-soothing by the cat when they are sick or are in pain.

In this article, we will be explaining everything that cat owners and animal lovers need to know about a cat’s purring.

Do Cats Choose When They Purr? 

Yes, cats do choose when they purr. For the most part, cats purr when they are feeling comfortable, happy, and relaxed. As a result, it is common for cats to purr when they are cuddling with their owners or are relaxing. Sometimes cats will also purr as a way to soothe themselves when they are sick or in pain. This is a much more rare occurrence, though. 

Do Cats Manually Purr? 

Yes, cats manually purr. Not only do cats need to create the purring sound manually, but they also choose to purr at specific times. We have already mentioned that cats commonly purr when relaxed and happy and that cats also occasionally purr when they are soothing themselves.

However, some cats will also purr during feeding times and when they are falling asleep. Whatever the reason behind a cat’s purring may be, they have to make the purring sound and choose to do so actively. 

Is Purring Involuntary? 

Although cats manually purr and can choose when to do so, it can also be an involuntary reaction to feeling incredibly relaxed. This is similar to when people smile when they are happy and laugh at a joke. The reaction of a cat purring when relaxed and a human smiling when happy are both instinctual and occur naturally in certain situations. However, both can also choose to do these things as well. 

Can Cats Fake Purr? 

There is no such thing as a fake purr from a cat. Research suggests that cats usually react as a response to something, and occasionally they will purr as a way to communicate with people and other cats. However, a cat cannot fake a purr in the way that a human could potentially fake laugh or give a fake smile.

The intentions behind a cat’s purring are always genuine, but the reasons behind their purring could change depending on the situation and the individual cat. 

How Do Cats Purr? 

A cat’s anatomy is what gives them the ability to purr, and the flexibility of the bone in the roof of a cat’s mouth is what really allows for purring in cats. This is because the muscles around a cat’s larynx and diaphragm could not move and allow for the cat to breathe while purring if this bone was not flexible. These muscles move incredibly quickly, which causes the vibrating sound and feeling when a cat purrs.  

Why Does My Cat Purr When I Pet Her? 

Cats purr when you pet them because they are feeling happy, comfortable, and incredibly relaxed during this interaction. When a cat does this when you pet them, it means that they trust you enough to let their guard down and relax for a bit. 

Why Do Cats Purr When You Talk To Them? 

Most of the time, a cat will purr because they are happy when they do so when someone is talking to them. Additionally, it may also be a loose form of communication. Some cat owners claim that their cats will purr as most cats would meow at their owners. 

Why Do Cats Purr And Then Bite You? 

Sometimes cats will seem happy and purr when you are petting them; then, they suddenly bite you out of the blue. When this happens, it is usually due to one of two reasons.

 If your cat bites you roughly and causes pain, it is most likely that the cat is being overstimulated by petting. This is sometimes referred to as “petting aggression,” but it is nothing that most cat owners need to worry about. All that you need to do if your cat does this is to give your cat some space for a bit to calm down. 

However, if your cat bites you lightly while purring, then they are likely just expressing their affection towards you. These light, painless bites are often called “love bites,” and they shouldn’t cause a cat owner any concern. Many cat lovers look at a cat’s love bites as a compliment. 

Things To Consider 

You may want to consider some other things about cats purring. These include why cats make some of their other common vocalizations, like meowing and hissing. Knowing what a cat’s different vocalizations generally mean can allow cats and humans to live harmoniously with each other.

Similarly, some cat lovers may be interested to find out why mother cats will purr at their kittens. Here are some additional things to consider about cats purring.  

Why Do Mother Cats Purr At Their Kittens? 

Mother cats will often purr as a way to communicate to their kittens, and they will also do this to guide their newborn kittens back to them. This is completely normal behavior, and their kittens will usually even purr back as a response.