7 Health Benefits of a Cat’s Purr: Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ
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Few things are as enjoyable to cat owners as the sound of their cat purring on their lap. Purring is one of the most unique cat behaviors that’s not well understood but always appreciated. But did you know that your cat’s purr could also benefit your health?
While more research is needed to understand and confirm many of these benefits, the information we already have supports the fact that owning a purring cat is good for your health. Here are seven health benefits of a cat’s purr, all backed by science.
The 7 Health Benefits of a Cat’s Purr
Please note that many of these benefits are anecdotal or based on cat owners’ perceptions. Not all of them are proven. These perceived benefits are not a substitute for the opinion of a medical professional.
1. Decreases Stress
A study from 2009¹ found that owning a cat was associated with reduced stress in day-to-day life. Another survey study found that many owners agreed that their cat’s purr helped them by eliciting a calming effect².
2. Lowers Blood Pressure
The calming effect cited in the survey may also help some people manage their blood pressure. However, this is primarily a theory, and there aren’t specific studies that examine the effect of a cat’s purr on one’s blood pressure.
3. Decreases the Risk of Heart Attack
Another hypothetically perceived benefit cats may offer their owners is reducing the risk of a heart attack. As the previously cited study mentioned, feline ownership has been associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular health issues.
Though there isn’t proof of a purr specifically providing this benefit, it might be plausible that people who enjoy their cat’s companionship because they purr might benefit in the long run.
4. May Promote Bone Healing
Studies have shown that a cat’s purring frequencies can help bones recover faster after injury. The science behind this theory relates to the use of sound and vibrations for treating various human injuries and health conditions. Sound vibrations at 25 and 50 Hertz (Hz) are ideal for bone growth and healing breaks. A study2 found that cats produce strong purr vibrations at exactly those frequencies.
However, nobody truly knows “how much” purring you’d need to be exposed to in order to recover from a bone injury. Furthermore, some bone ailments (such as cancer) cannot be healed by purring. Therefore, it is crucial to consider this benefit in context.
5. May Improve Breathing
The same purr study also found that cats can produce purrs at frequencies beneficial for dyspnea (difficulty breathing). However, this is a form of self-healing that cats use. Whether or not this can be passed on to humans isn’t established in medicine.
6. May Decrease Pain and Swelling
The self-healing mechanism of a cat’s purr also helps them manage pain and swelling. Some people have hypothesized that they might be able to transfer these benefits to humans. This is, however, purely anecdotal from a scientific point of view.
7. May Promote Wound Healing
The train of thought that postulates that a cat’s self-healing mechanisms may help humans doesn’t just stop at bone healing, breathing, and pain management. Anecdotal claims exist that because cats purr at times when wounded, they’re doing so to promote healing. The same theory stretches to claim that this benefit can be passed on to humans.
However, it’s important to reiterate that these are theories, and those who claim to benefit from purrs in this way might be experiencing a placebo effect.
How Do Cats Purr?
So, how can a cat produce the soothing, stress-reducing sound of a purr in the first place? A cat’s purr is regulated subconsciously by their brains. A specific part of the cat’s brain sends a rhythmic, repeating signal to the muscles around the cat’s larynx or voice box.
In response to the signals, the muscles twitch to produce around 25–150 vibrations per second. The frequency at which an individual cat purrs remains the same throughout their life. This is why some cats seemingly purr so loudly all the time. The factors that determine the precise frequency a cat purrs are unknown.
Why Do Cats Purr?
Of course, we know cats don’t purr simply because it benefits their owners’ health. As we’ve established, virtually all of the benefits of a cat’s purr to human health are anecdotal perceptions.
Cats purr for themselves; many wild cat species that never interact with humans can purr.
Some of the reasons that domesticated cats purr include the following:
- They’re content and relaxed
- As a way for mothers and kittens to bond
- To better cope with stress or fear
- To improve healing and recovery rates
Final Thoughts
Listening to a cat purr is almost sure to bring a smile to the face of even the most confirmed “dog person.” Science also suggests that the cat’s purr may encourage healing. Therefore, it’s considered a form of self-healing for cats.
Scientific studies haven’t established the extent to which a purr may benefit a human. Indeed, most of the “benefits” cats provide their human companions are anecdotal, theoretical, or likely a placebo effect. However, most owners enjoy it when they hear their cats purr.
See also:
- Why Does My Cat Yawn So Much? Should I Worry? (Vet Answer)
- What Do Cats Think About Humans? You May Be Surprised