Sometimes a cat that does not purr can seem surprising or even worrying. If the cat usually purrs because he is happy and sometimes for other reasons Then if your cat does not, stay with me, I explain everything to you in this article.
Cat that does not purr: Understanding purring
As for the mechanism of purring, it is currently a mystery to researchers who only understand certain facets of it. In any case, it is due to the laryngeal muscles and pressure on the vocal cords when your cat inhales and exhales. You can also feel its breathing by hearing it purr.
If cats purr, it’s often to react to positive stimuli through sensory receptors located on their skin. Generally linked to pleasure, purring helps the cat release endorphins , the pleasure hormone, hence its purrs when you stroke it or when it feels that you are going to feed it.
Purrs are also used to reduce pain when your cat is in pain, so they can feel better and get more well-being. It’s a way to avoid pain and feel it less. The purrs are then loud .
For mothers, it allows them to communicate with their newborns, as cats are born blind and deaf and it is vital for their mother to find a way to communicate for them to feed. They can feel the vibrations of snoring and know it’s feeding time.
Finally, cats can purr to appease another cat, a way of communicating with them to avoid conflict. This often happens when cats are not in territory already marked by a feline in the wild.
But why isn’t he purring?
If your cat does not purr, then several causes are possible, with for each, the ways to recognize it and especially how to react to it:
Wild temper
If your cat belongs to this category, it is quite normal that he does not purr, it is not in his character. A cat with his predispositions will be less demanding of cuddles and more independent, especially if he has access to the outside.
Early weaning
A weaning done at the wrong time will have consequences for the whole life of the cat and he may not purr because he will not have been able to develop it. Weaning is essential so that the cat can behave normally afterwards.
If you have adopted a cat from a shelter, for example, then it is more at risk of having had a problem with its weaning. If your cat is having behavioral issues in general, he probably has this problem and you will need to see a behaviorist who will get him back to normal behavior.
He doesn’t need it
Some cats don’t feel the need to meow and will often express joy without meowing, although it may sound strange, it’s in no way dangerous. If your cat seems completely happy and has no problems at all, maybe he doesn’t care, especially if he likes to play with you without purring.
It purrs without making any noise.
You can check this by placing your hand on it and feeling vibrations synonymous with silent purrs. In this case it is not problematic.
What if he no longer purrs ?
This case is different because a cat that stops purring is either in a very bad state of mind or sick.
If he is unhappy or stressed, try to find the cause and remove it or get him used to it. If he’s sick, you’ll notice symptoms like lethargy and a lack of appetite, which should lead to a trip to the vet.
Age can also affect purring, because the younger a cat is, the more it will tend to purr.
Can I make it purr?
Unfortunately, if your cat doesn’t feel the need or doesn’t have the ability, you’ll have very little chance of achieving it. You can always try by giving him immense joy with hugs, food he loves or a game he loves. It is also a good way to test if he has inaudible snoring.
My cat does not purr: The final word
If your cat does not purr, do not worry, without associated symptoms it is quite normal and its other attitudes reflecting its well-being will always be present, such as wagging its tail or rubbing against you.