Cat lovers rejoice! Your furry feline just became an aide to your physical well-being. Feline owners love the sound of their cats purring. The sound seems to emit pure bliss and tranquility. But do cats only purr when they are content? And how does a cat make this purring sound? Purring is created when a rhythmic, repetitive neural oscillator sends messages to the laryngeal muscle in the cat which causes the muscles to twitch at a rate of 25 to 150 vibrations per second. When this happens it causes a sudden separation in the inhalation and exhalation in the vocal cords of the cat. The result…. the cat purrs.
The purring is so low pitched that we can feel it as well as hear it. Domestic cats and some varieties of wild cats also purr. Humans believe cats purr when they are content, but research also shows cats purr when they are wounded, frightened and giving birth. It is also suggested the purr may serve as an evolutionary role or some kind of survival mechanism. Cats in ancient times often were the receivers of admiration and also have been regarded for their miraculous ability to resist harm. A common statement for someone that seems to be lucky again and again is that they must have 9 lives like a cat.
Dr. Clinton Rubin says, “Optimal frequency for bone stimulation is 50 Hz. The dominant and fundamental frequency for three species of cats’ purr is exactly 25 to 50 Hz: the best frequencies for bone growth and fracture healing. The cats purr falls well within the 20 – 50 Hz anabolic range, and extends up to 140 Hz.”
So why is the purr associated with healing powers? Studies seem to indicate the purr has therapeutic qualities. A gentle comfort seems to pass on to cat owners when their favorite feline purrs contently on their lap.