Is Purring Voluntary?

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Blazing Laser - 27 Jun 2007 02:23 GMT

Our tortoise-shell cat Sadie is one of those cats who's afraid of
-everything-. We call her Sadie the 'Fraidy Cat.

If she's sleeping on our bed and I come into the room to change my
shirt or something she wakes up, her eyes get really big, she tenses
up, like she might have to run quickly, and she watches my every move.

But she's a very needy cat and loves to be petted and scratched.

If I pick Sadie up and hold her on her back like a baby, she acts like
she doesn't like it, but then if I scratch her head and chest, she
purrs. She struggles (a little) but she purrs really loud.

So my question is: Is she purring on purpose to tell me to keep doing
that, or does scratching her activate some kind of involuntary purr
reflex but she really doesn't like it?

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oldhickory - 27 Jun 2007 06:01 GMT

Our Buffy (a tortie, actually, torbie) also purrs when she is very afraid or
frustrated, too. Our vet says that cats sometimes purr to re-assure
themselves, so to be aware that while, sometimes, they purr because they
are happy, sometimes because they are afraid but are trying to comfort
themselves. Who'da thunk?

Signature

ie
ride fast, take chances.

> Our tortoise-shell cat Sadie is one of those cats who's afraid of
> -everything-. We call her Sadie the 'Fraidy Cat.
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> that, or does scratching her activate some kind of involuntary purr
> reflex but she really doesn't like it?

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Shadow Walker - 27 Jun 2007 08:00 GMT

> Our Buffy (a tortie, actually, torbie) also purrs when she is very afraid
> or frustrated, too. Our vet says that cats sometimes purr to re-assure
> themselves, so to be aware that while, sometimes, they purr because they
> are happy, sometimes because they are afraid but are trying to comfort
> themselves. Who'da thunk?

I was told that from our vet to when we had a sick cat that purred through
the painful procedures. As long as I held him he would purr, all the way up
to the last day. When he no longer purred I new it was time to let him go.

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oldhickory - 27 Jun 2007 12:13 GMT

sniff...

Signature

ie
ride fast, take chances.

>> Our Buffy (a tortie, actually, torbie) also purrs when she is very afraid
>> or frustrated, too. Our vet says that cats sometimes purr to re-assure
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> up to the last day. When he no longer purred I new it was time to let him
> go.

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Blazing Laser - 27 Jun 2007 23:22 GMT

>I was told that from our vet to when we had a sick cat that purred through
>the painful procedures. As long as I held him he would purr, all the way up
>to the last day. When he no longer purred I new it was time to let him go.

I've head that cats purr when they're dying too. But it doesn't
answer my question of whether they do it on purpose or not.

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Shadow Walker - 01 Jul 2007 23:52 GMT

I would think anytime a cat purrs it is because they want to. I have three
cats and they only seem to purr if they are either enjoying what's going on
or they are in a way being thankful for my presence. Like I said my cat that
was sick only purred if I held him through the procedures. If I was not
holding him in some way he would stop purring. Then the last day my holding
him no longer comforted him so purring to himself gave no comfort either. I
believe cats have a lot of control over their ability to purr. If not what
use is it in communication? cats are very vocal communicators and purring is
a tool they use.

>>I was told that from our vet to when we had a sick cat that purred through
>>the painful procedures. As long as I held him he would purr, all the way
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I've head that cats purr when they're dying too. But it doesn't
> answer my question of whether they do it on purpose or not.

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Shadow Walker - 27 Jun 2007 06:02 GMT

> Our tortoise-shell cat Sadie is one of those cats who's afraid of
> -everything-. We call her Sadie the 'Fraidy Cat.

> If she's sleeping on our bed and I come into the room to change my
> shirt or something she wakes up, her eyes get really big, she tenses
> up, like she might have to run quickly, and she watches my every move.

Some cats have a stronger flight response than others and at some time in
her life she learned it was better to be safe than sorry.

> But she's a very needy cat and loves to be petted and scratched.
>
> If I pick Sadie up and hold her on her back like a baby, she acts like
> she doesn't like it, but then if I scratch her head and chest, she
> purrs. She struggles (a little) but she purrs really loud.

cats placed on there backs are vulnerable and unable to respond quickly to
stimuli. She doesn't like being turnd up in that awkward position but she
likes contact with you. So instead of making her uncomfortable, exposing her
vulnerable underparts, and taking away her ability to respond quickly to
stimuli just love her on her feet.

> So my question is: Is she purring on purpose to tell me to keep doing
> that, or does scratching her activate some kind of involuntary purr
> reflex but she really doesn't like it?

Purring tells you to keep petting wiggling telling you to putt her down.
Hope that helps and makes you and your fur baby happy.

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