Why do cat’s purr?
Purring is one of the most special elements of a cat, as far as most humans are concerned. Caressing a purring pet has proven to relax the one doing the stroking and lowers the blood pressure too. A purring cat or kitten is sure to bring a smile to the face of any human, young or old, and cats have made a real difference in the lives of those in nursing homes or other institutional settings, just by the simple act of being a cat. But careful observers of the cat know that purring isn’t just a sound of contentment. Cats also purr if they’re injured, while giving birth – even when dying. British zoologist Desmond Morris has observed that purring is “a sign of friendship – either when the cat is contented with a friend or when it is in need of friendship – as with a cat in trouble. Our friend Dr. Margie Scherk, a board-certified specialist in feline health, likens a purr to the human smile. You smile when you’re happy, to be sure, but you can also smile when you’re nervous, or even when f
