Part Three
I called my veterinarian friend, Deb, to ask her about my research question, but
she had a sore throat so I decided to search the internet while I waited for her to get
better. I skimmed five websites and saw they were all saying similar things. I choose
information from three of them to answer my question. Finally, I got a chance to review
with my friend, the vet, what I learned from my search.
Part Four
I enjoyed my search and feel I learned several interesting facts: kittens begin
purring on their second day of life, cats can purr and talk at the same time, other
animals purr, and if an animal can purr then it can’t roar and if an animal can roar it can’t
purr.
I also learned about the mechanics of purring. It begins when the brain sends
messages to nerves in the vocal box. This causes the vocal cords to vibrate and when
the diaphragm pushes air through them - purring is created. Some scientists believe
that since cats choose the messages the brain sends, felines are purring only when
they want to!
The scientists I investigated believe cats purr for two major reasons. The first is
to communicate. These four-legged, domesticated creatures are said to be relaying
positive messages such as contentment and companionship and negative messages
such as fear, illness, and anxiousness. Some even purr as they are dying, either from
pain or from a similar type of near-death euphoria often experienced by humans.
The second reason cats are thought to purr is to self-heal. Their vocal operas
have been measured at a range of 25 to 150 Hertz frequency and are believed to
stimulate muscles and bones which improve bone density and promote healing by
counteracting long periods of resting. In other words, cat napping is a type of built-in
physical therapy. I also found it interesting that the 25 Hz frequency is the one that is
used to help human wounds to heal faster.
Finally, I got a chance to review with my friend, the vet, what I learned from my
search. She concurred and I was surprised to find she had nothing new to add, except
a few words of advice. She recommended that I give my cat time and space, to let him
seek me more often than I seek him. She also said that if I put just a little less food in
his bowl, that he may be more likely to want to see me. I’ve actually been trying these
techniques, as also suggested by my husband, and I believe they are working. For the
past three evenings, my cat has sat with me - purring - on the couch for more than 30
minutes each time. Now, I’m purring too!