Its True! Some Cats Purr More Than Others

For those who live with felines, not much is more satisfying than hearing our cat purring contentedly while curled up beside you. Now, that’s not always down to her being a happy little camper. In fact, cats often purr when stressed or frightened. And because that little rumble takes place at the same vibration level at which our muscles repair themselves (up to 150 hertz - similar to the air vibration therapy used to stimulate muscle regeneration), speculation abounds that perhaps her purring may also be a way of self-healing and de-stressing.

Which of course raises the question of why some cats purr more than others. Are some more easily stressed? Conversely, are some more easily contented? And is it nature or nurture that determines how actively this type of behavior occurs in felines? Recent research suggests it may be down to nature, but a nature that has been heavily influenced by nurture.

You see, it may just be a trait that evolved over time to benefit the individual feline. In other words, she knows how to play you.

This is based on a recent study out of Japan’s Kyoto University. The goal of the study was to better understand why cats purr as well as how they communicate with humans and other animals. And it seems all that coddling and baby-talk may not be what’s causing your Fluffy to purr. It’s down to alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found more commonly in mixed-breed cats.

Clear as mud? Let me translate.

Initially, DNA was collected from a volunteer group of 441 felines. 240 males and 241 females, to be precise. The androgen receptor gene was then analyzed and compared to other feline species. Androgens are hormones (like testosterone) and the receptors are what allow the body to respond appropriately to the hormones.

What researchers discovered by analyzing the DNA was that those with the short-type androgen receptor gene appeared to purr more than those with the long-type gene. In particular, males appeared to vocalize more while mixed breeds and rescues were found to purr and meow more than those cats with the long-type androgen. And that long-type androgen is what is typically found in pure-breed felines.

In fact, when comparing results with feline species in the wild, it was shown that only the short-type androgen was present. None possessed the long type.

So, what does all this mean? The study suggests that vocal communication was less important for cats raised by humans from birth (typically pure breeds) than it was for mixed breeds or rescues because the need to connect in this manner wasn’t necessary. Their needs were already being met. Where it becomes really interesting is their findings show that over time, these longer androgen receptor genes in domestic cats came into play as a result of domestication and selective breeding which enhanced feline care. Thereby eliminating the need for said kitty cat to purr or meow to get what she wanted.

So, it is nature that determines how often your cat purrs, but nature that has been influenced by nurture thereby lessening your cat’s need to use this vocal tool.