Why does a cat purr?

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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if you put your ear on them they sort of sound like that with normal breathing... so purring might just be some sort of heavy breathing?


grass is green because chlorophyll reflects green light and absorbs other spectrums. :)
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
if you put your ear on them they sort of sound like that with normal breathing... so purring might just be some sort of heavy breathing?


grass is green because chlorophyll reflects green light and absorbs other spectrums. :)

Nobody seems to know exactly why. They just.. do.

I thought grass was green because chlorophyll is green.. Plants absorb and use the green spectrum.

 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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kitties purr when they like you! :)

my kitty purrs as soon as he sees you. he likes everybody.
 

rahvin

Elite Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: ElFenix
if you put your ear on them they sort of sound like that with normal breathing... so purring might just be some sort of heavy breathing?


grass is green because chlorophyll reflects green light and absorbs other spectrums. :)

Nobody seems to know exactly why. They just.. do.

I thought grass was green because chlorophyll is green.. Plants absorb and use the green spectrum.

Failed color theory and biology didn't you? Plants are green because they reflect the green light and absorb the rest of the spectrum. As an interesting aside, red chlorophyll is actually a more efficient producer of energy than green.
 

Linflas

Lifer
Jan 30, 2001
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Originally posted by: Azraele
Cat's purr when they're happy or content. :)

One odd thing is that some will also purr when they are under extreme stress.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
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Cause kitty's happy!!!

Don't think anybody has figured out why. I've seen them purr for just about everything - hungry, happy, tired, glad to see you, mad, scared, curious, hunting, playing, stalking, bringing you mouse/bird for dinner.

heck my 4 cat's pur just about non stop. no kidding. I can hardly remember when they are not purring.


or my favorite - the purr-meow.

purrrrryeeooow. yeooow?
 

smp

Diamond Member
Dec 6, 2000
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Originally posted by: AvesPKS
This looks like a pretty good explanation. Geeze, I love that website.

Yeah I love that fvcking site. One of the best ideas for a site ever.
Birds sing for mating purposes and communication.
 

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
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Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
cuz kitty knows it owns j00!! :)

it's so true. i live in a state of constant fear of attack from my kitty. he's always on the hunt, sneaking around behind me in the shadows, then leaping out and wrapping himself around my leg and biting hard and repeatedly. when you try to pry him off he just bites your hand. he purrs very loudly while he does all of this. that's what you get when you rescue a starving feral kitten. ;) he's sweet sometimes though.
 

kherman

Golden Member
Jul 21, 2002
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Originally posted by: AvesPKS
This looks like a pretty good explanation. Geeze, I love that website.

The poster asked WHY, not HOW

Why?
Becasue they are happy. DUH see ---> :) <--- HAPPY!!!