Ask the Veterinarian/purring

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Expert: - 8/12/2010


Question
QUESTION: I have a 10 month old mixed breed kitten that has never purred and has a very soft meow.  he is up to date on his vaccines, and otherwise seems healthy and happy.  He was left at a local library in a carton and that's how I came to adopt him.

Do all cats purr?  What would cause a cat not to purr?

Any information you can give would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Maureen

ANSWER: Some cats are loud purrers and some cats never purr. Some don't purr a lot until they are older. I had a cat like that. She never purred until she was 5 yrs old and I never could hear her purr until she was in her teens.

Some cats don't ever meow loudly either. My daughter's cat has a loud motorboat purr but barely makes sound when she meows.

Cats will purr when happy, in pain and dying.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for the info, but do you know what the mechanism is that causes purring?

Answer
I'm not sure anyone really knows but it involves the larynx and the cords near it, or the hyoid bone and/or blood vessels.  No one knows if the cat makes them vibrate or what they do to cause the purring.
Here is an interesting page on the subject:
http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/why_cats_purr.htm

Interesting factoid:
the only big cats that can purr are cougars, tigers and lions. Tigers and lions can only purr on an exhale in short bursts. House cats can purr for hours.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

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I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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