Why Is My Cat Purring So Loud – 5 Unique Reasons!

Many cat owners have grown accustomed to their cat’s purr, and it’s mostly a cute gesture. However, some cats are known to purr very loudly to the point it might be concerning as a pet owner. My cat purrs loudly at times too, so I decided to do some research to answer this question; why is my cat purring so loud?

Cats purr loudly because they are happy and it’s their natural volume. Generally, as a cat gets older, its purr will deepen and increase in loudness. Loud purrs can also indicate a cat is stressed, trying to heal, or looking to soothe others around them.

Cats are incredibly unique creatures, so the different ways they purr will vary from cat to cat. Here are some reasons why your cat may be purring so loudly. 

Reasons Your Cat Is Purring So Loud

There can be many reasons your cat is purring so loud. Below is a list five things to look out for.

This is Just Their Unique Purr

As simple as it sounds, some cats are just made to purr louder than others. It is the same idea as to how they sound when they meow. If you are a cat owner, I am sure you can tell your cat’s meow apart from other cats.

Even if you own more than one cat, you can probably tell which one is speaking to you, even if you are not in the same room as them. Purrs work the same way. Every cat’s vocal cords are different, so naturally, their purrs will sound a little different from each other.

Your Cat Is Especially Happy

Cats tend to use purring as a way to show their contentment. Purring is seen in most felines; even non-domesticated cats like lions, tigers, and panthers have been purr.

More often than not, purring is their way of indicating to us that they are happy. If your cat is purring especially loud, they might just be trying to show you that they are really happy.

I know that my cat purrs louder the more I pet her, so that tells me that she likes the pets she’s receiving and that she’s really happy.

They Have Grown And Gotten Older

A cat’s purr will change with its size. Kittens tend to start purring a couple of days after being born to communicate with their mother and littermates.

Their vocal cords have not fully developed at this point, and since their bodies are still small, their purrs are going to sound much softer and higher pitched. As the cat grows, they develop the ability and space within themselves to create a louder purr.

Their body will continue to change as they age, so, understandably, their purr would too. This is something you might notice over time unless there has been a considerable about of time between you seeing a cat as a kitten and then as an adult cat.

If your cat gains weight, its purr will likely get a little louder, too, because its size is changing. 

Your Cat Is Trying To Soothe You

Besides communicating their contentment, purrs can also be used as a way to soothe others. Cats will often lay on each other and purr to help calm down their littermates. Or if they sense one of their littermates is feeling sick, they will do this as a way to heal them.

This behavior extends past their littermates and has become a way in which they try to heal those around them. If you are feeling particularly anxious, your cat may start purring near you louder than they usually do in an attempt to help you relax.

Studies have shown that a cat’s purr can help to reduce blood pressure and promote healing in illness or injury. The frequency of a cat’s purr can encourage bone regrowth if there is a fracture. 

They Are Trying To Heal Themselves

When a cat purrs, it releases endorphins within them that have a pain-killing and stress-relieving effect. The release of endorphins helps them to relax and reduces the pain levels they may be experiencing.

Purring also helps them to relax their muscles to promote healing where they are injured. They also may be dealing with an illness and trying to use purring as a way to heal themselves.

Their purr may seem louder than usual because they are experiencing a respiratory illness that affects their purr’s sound. Or they could be in distress and purring loudly to try and heal their illness.

Is Loud Purring Normal

Loud purring is typically very normal for cats. The chances are your cat is purring loudly because of how happy and comfortable they are with you. Cats use purring as a way to show affection.

They may start loudly purring the second they see you, or they may start to purr once you pet them for a little while. If your cat is loudly purring when you are petting them, then the chances are it is entirely normal, and they are just trying to tell you how much they love you.

Even if they purr loudly when you are not petting them, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Cats are highly intuitive creatures; if they feel something is off with you, they may use purring as a way to help you feel better.

Cats almost live in a constant state of anxiety, partly because they are hunters looking for their next meal and partly because they are afraid of being hunted themselves.

Due to this state of subtle anxiety, they can pick up on any anxiety you may be feeling as well. Cats can tell when you act differently, especially if you seem to be distressed or in pain. When they notice this, they may start purring loudly to try and help you feel better; this is entirely normal. 

If you are concerned your cat’s purring is not normal, there will be other signs indicating a problem. Cats will indeed purr to help heal themselves when they are not feeling well.

Look for other symptoms of illness or injury to determine if your cat’s loud purr is not normal. If you also hear wheezing or notice them coughing as they purr, they may have a respiratory infection.

Pay attention to if their nose and eyes are running, or maybe they are sneezing more frequently. Take note of how much they have eaten and used their litterbox; if it’s different from their usual routine, there may be something wrong.

Also, do a physical check on them. Often, when cats are injured or not feeling well, they will retreat into a dark, quiet space to try and heal themselves.

If you notice your cat hiding more than usual, be sure to gently pull them out of this place to check them physically. Run your hands through their fur to check for any wounds or sores; pay attention to if they flinch when you touch certain areas.

This moment will also allow you to get close to them to hear their heartbeat and breathing pattern better. These clues will help you to determine if their loud purring is normal or not. 

Do Cats Purr Louder When They Are Happier

Cats do purr louder when they are happier! Cats do not speak the same language as us, so they have figured out how to tell us how they feel. As a cat owner, you become accustomed to the various types of chirps and meows your cat makes and what they mean.

When they are hungry, the way they meow is probably completely different from the way they meow when they want to play. Purrs are another form of communication for them. You might notice your cat purring loudly when they lay in your lap or when you pet them.

This is their way of telling you that they like what you are doing and making them happy. Test it for yourself. If your cat is lying in your lap already purring, start to pet them, scratch them in all their favorite spots, and see if their purr gets louder. 

Do Cats Purr Loudly When In Pain

Cats can purr loudly when in pain, but there will usually be other symptoms that indicate pain. Your cat purring loudly does not always mean they are in pain.

Cats will use purring to heal themselves, so they may purr louder than usual if they are in pain. Their purrs have been shown to heal bone fractures, wounds, torn muscles, and torn tendons.

When they purr when they are in pain, they can rebuild their muscles if it’s injured, they can ease their breathing; they can lessen the pain and reduce the swelling of their injury.

Even if they are not injured, a cat may purr loudly to indicate that they are in pain due to an illness. Several internal illnesses can affect the sound of a cat’s purr, even if they are not trying to purr loudly themselves.

Though, they may try a louder purr to try and communicate with you. Within their litters, they use purring as a way to communicate with their mom and siblings. If they need special attention from you to help them feel better, they may purr loudly to indicate that they are in pain. 

Why Is My Cat Purring Loudly While Sleeping

Your cat is most likely purring loudly while they sleep because they are finally getting some good rest. Usually, purring at night is not a sign of distress or discomfort. It is usually their way of unwinding and getting comfortable for bed.

They are probably so excited to cuddle up next to you that their purrs are louder than normal. They want you to know how happy they are to be near you.

It is also their way of indicating how comfortable they are around you. If they are purring as they fall asleep, their purr will most likely get lighter and quiet after they doze off. If their purr stays loud the entire time they sleep, this is just what their purr sounds like.

They may naturally have a loud purr that keeps going even once they are asleep. 

How Do I Get My Cat To Stop Purring So Loud

There is not much you can do to stop your cat from purring so loud. Cats have their internal volume settings, and nothing is going to change that.

If your cat has a loud meow, chances are they will always have a loud meow. Cats are not like dogs, which can sometimes be trained to speak with an “indoor” voice. C

ats are going to meow and purr as loudly as they like, regardless of how you feel about it. 

You can try incorporating more exercise into their daily routine to get them quiet down faster. Especially if you notice they are particularly loud before bedtime or as you are trying to fall asleep.

Taking some time to play with them can help tire them out. They may fall asleep without purring at all because of how exhausted they are. Try using a feather toy or a ribbon to get them to play with you.

Get them to run around the house a bit, attacking the toy, until they get bored or too tired. You can also try giving them a big meal to help them quiet down. This may be particularly effective after they play for a long time. The exercise plus a big meal will help them to doze off quickly. 

Things To Consider

Every cat is different! Different cats are going to purr at different volumes, and that is just the way it is. For the most part, your cat is going to purr loudly to tell you how happy they are.

This purr may even get louder as they get bigger and older. If you are ever concerned about the volume of their purr, look for other symptoms that indicate injury or illness.

If there is a reason for concern, take them to their veterinarian for a professional opinion. Otherwise, it’s time to get used to your fur baby’s big, loud purr!