One of the best and most peaceful parts of owning a cat is when you hear them purr.
Some cat’s purr very quietly, while others purr so loudly, you can hear it from nearly across the room.
Do you know why cats purr? Well there are a lot of reasons, but the most common is happiness.
So Why Does My Cat Purr So Loudly?
So what does it mean when your cat is purring louder than normal? In most cases, this means your feline friend is especially happy and comfortable.
There are a few reasons that cats purr louder than others as well. A cat’s purr also tends to get louder with age, but can also get louder due to respiratory ailments.
It’s also important to remember that some cats are just naturally louder purr-ers than others. Some of that is based on their breed as well.
The best example is comparing my cats. Chloe and Zoe are from the same litter. And they purr SOOOO loudly. And then if you look at Phoebe, her purrs are so quiet you can only hear them if you are right next to her.
My thought is that Chloe and Zoe’s purring frequency has a lot more to do with their breed than happiness.
Nonetheless, cats purring often signify a happy and healthy cat. However, it is crucial to note that a cat purring loudly might also mean that your cat is sick or feeling unwell.
If your cat is still purring but stops adding in other physical displays of affection, you may want to watch and make sure your kitty is not sick. Other forms of affection can include things such as kneading, rubbing and nuzzling or clambering onto your lap.
Purring Cat Facts
The majority of cats purr, whether it is a domestic cat or a wild cat. Some cats purr more loudly than others; some cats purr in their sleep. And some others purr, and suddenly bite you out of no reason. (Oh the joys of kittenhood, am I right?
When do cats start to purr?
Cats start to purr as early as within a day or two after their birth; it is their first way of communication with their mother and their siblings. Kittens’ purrs tend to be soft and very high due to their small bodies. As they grow older and bigger, their purrs will also develop to become louder and deeper.
So if you have a very small kitten and are worried because their purrs sounds softer than your other cats, chances are their purrs are still developing.
The exact reason for a cat’s purr is something of a mystery. Purring is exclusive to certain species of felines. Some species outside these families also make purr-like sounds but seem to use a different mechanism than cats do.
In some cases, purring can also be used to express affection. A cat who comes to you for attention will often “reward” you by purring and snuggling with you.
For a cat, purring has many beneficial effects like releasing natural chemicals called endorphins, making the cat feel happier. Endorphins are the stress-relieving, pain-killing natural chemicals of a cat; even humans have this too. Cat’s purrs can even be at such a high frequency it can “heal” them.
It is also fun to note that when humans contact purring cats, not only do the cats feel even happier, but humans also tend to be more relaxed and more comfortable.
On more than one occasion, my kittens have climbed up on my chest, laying down and started purring. I have to say there is nothing quite like it. You feel immediately relaxed and content.
In fact, research has proven cats also help improve the condition of those who have high blood pressure as purring cats help them relax.
Is My Cat Less Happy If They Purr Softer?
It is important to call out that the volume of a cats purr does not have a direct correlation with their level of happiness.
Depending on their age, their breed, and even the cat’s personality will determine the volume of the purr.
The way that I like to view purring. If you cat is purring and showing affection whichever way they do, then it’s a pretty safe sign they are happy.
If they are purring but not acting like their happy selves, maybe it is time to go to a vet visit.
Finally, for mother cats, they will often purr loudly when they are giving birth. This is not because having kittens is a particularly pleasant experience but as an intuitive way to soothe their pain and stress.
Purring is a highly versatile vocalization that can convey many different things and performs many different functions like we mentioned earlier.
Cats Purring at Night
Why do cats purr at night?
If your cat’s purring is loud enough to bother you, it can be a bittersweet feeling.
Cats can’t be taught to purr more quietly; they have internal volume settings that aren’t amenable to change.
My husband is a VERY light sleep and we have some loud kitties just in general. The biggest game changer for him was investing in a pair of earplugs. (And if you are lucky like us, you will also find your cats new favorite toys…being the earplugs).
If your cat really disrupts you in your sleep either with their purring or just not sleeping through the night, you may need to invest in a cat bed and place that outside of your bedroom to help you both sleep at night.
Why Do Cats Purr When They Sleep?
Okay, so we understand that cats purr when they are happy. But sometimes they start purring when they sleep! Does this mean they are having a good dream?
The answer is it depends.
Cats very often continue purring after they’ve fallen asleep. They continue purring as if it is part of their subconscious brain. A cat can be snoozing deeply on your lap or in her bed, eye closed, paws twitching in a dream, and still be purring.
It may also be that your cat isn’t completely asleep and is simply in a very calm and relaxed state.
Many a times my cats will be looking like they are sleeping but their eyes are half open (scariest thing in the world). They are just sitting there relaxing and happy, but not quite in the sleep stage of their busy day yet.
Lastly, yes cats can be purring because of a good dream. It resembles a little human talking in their sleep, an unconscious vocalization related to the dream state.
Conclusion
Cats purr for a lot of reasons and there are a lot of factors that play into the volume of your cats purr.
So why do cats purr so loudly? Luckily it has more to do with their breed, their age, and their personality rather than their happiness.
And chances are, if you are researching this, your kitty must be purring a lot. Which means you have one happy kitty! So keep up the good work!
Reading your post reminds me of my cat, even though I’m not here I miss him every day. I have a cute cat and she is quite cheeky. He will be 3 years old this year and the purr sounds really familiar to me. Every time my cat purrs, I know for sure that it’s signaling for me to come over and pet it. Every time I pet her, she looks very happy and amused.