what makes a cat purr? and how do they do it?

[Big Bwana]

I didn't used to like cats, but just a few weeks ago I stayed at a house with a very cute little kitten. She liked to jump in my bed while I was sleeping and fall asleep purring on my chest.

Damn cat

BB

 

[yakko]

I don't think anyone has figured out how they make that sound.

 

[SmiZ]

I believe it's a special feature of their vocal chords that only the cat family has. They usually purr to show contentment or happiness.

 

[harpomx]

There's some kind of bone protrusion in their throat/larynx that vibrates, or something like that. Lions don't have it, so they can't purr. My roommates cat never purrs, and it's not because he's never content - maybe he just doesn't have that bone.
I know I wouldn't be too content if I had a bone in my throat

 

[ArkAoss]

yeah cats are frickin wierd critters. to make mine purr i usually just have to pick it up, he's a big softie, he got hurt as a kitten, and now has a paw thats fused at a 135 degree angle.. so he's really slow going, like garfield, plus he pushes around our dumb puppy... but to make em purr. . . don't know, , , some you can make purr, others you can't.. oh and some don't like snakes.

 

[Batti]

Cat Scratch Fever BABY!

 

[fallenoncrack]

Whooo Let the Cats out? Meow, Meow!

 

[Tripleshot]

fallenoncrack

Whooo Let the Cats out? Meow, Meow!

Rotflmao

Good one

 

[DefRef]

Heh...meow...

My girlfriend had a big, fat, ginger tabby that purred almost NON-STOP and it was LOUD. It never seemed to take a breath, so it was a continous drone. Once, it was sleeping at the foot of the bed between us and it woke me up with the racket!

Unfortunately, it had liver cancer and passed on a few months ago. I miss her and the noise.

 

[ratkil]

I am pretty sure I read once that Brahmma bulls purr, though I pity the fool that tries to test that theory....buwhahahahahah