Why do cats paint?
For many, the highlight of the day is relaxing in the corner of the sofa with a cat painting on their lap. Maybe they paint so loud that you have to turn up the volume on the TV? Or do you barely feel the vibrations when you scratch it under the chin? Cats paint often when we cuddle with them, but why do they do that? And do they enjoy themselves even more the higher they turn up the little engine? Let's take a closer look at this cat sound and what it really means when a cat purrs.
What happens when the cat paints?
When cats purr, this is the vibrating sound that varies rhythmically with their breathing. Just like humans, cats have muscles and vocal cords in their larynx. When air passes over these vocal cords while the muscles vibrate, they create the characteristic sound. Cats can make these soothing sounds both on inhalation and exhalation, which is why it can sound like they are purring continuously.
What does it mean when the cat paints?
There is no definitive answer to what it means when a cat purrs, but there are theories. One of them is that the sound creates security between the kitten and its mother. Kittens also make this sound when they are nursing, perhaps to send a signal that the mother cat needs to stay still so that she can finish her meal. If the cat is especially happy, she may turn up the volume a few notches, while other cats just purr loudly from nature.
Is a painting cat always a happy cat?
When we hear a cat purring, we usually interpret it as a sign that it is feeling calm and happy. However, purring is not always associated with comfort. Sometimes a cat will purr to calm itself down if it is scared, has physical injuries or is in pain. Older cats may also purr when they are sick. It is not always easy to tell, but if you pay attention to your cat's body language, you will be able to see more easily whether the purring sounds are related to cuddling or not. If the cat is calm and relaxed with its eyes closed and its tail at rest, it is very likely that the purring is a sign that the cat is very happy.
Kan kattens maling ha en fysiologisk funksjon?
Det er alltid hyggelig å vite at katten din er tilfreds. Er den rolig, smitter det over til oss. Men finnes det flere fordeler med disse durelydene? En teori er at vibrasjonene fra maling kan ha en fysiologisk funksjon. Frekvensområdet overlapper med frekvenser som er undersøkt i forskning på mekanisk vibrasjon og vev, men det er ikke dokumentert at kattemaling i seg selv har en helbredende effekt. Vibrasjonene til katten er nemlig mellom 25 og 150 hertz.
Problems with purring sounds during veterinary examinations
Challenges when a cat purrs during a veterinary examination are not an issue we encounter often here at our veterinary clinic. However, if we need to listen to some organs, the purring sounds can make it more difficult to hear what we want to examine with the stethoscope. This could be, for example, getting information about the heart rate or identifying a murmur. A previous study on cat meowing during auscultation (listening with a stethoscope) has actually addressed this issue! For the curious: the study concluded that the best method to stop a cat from purring was to place it near a faucet with running water.
Other cat sounds – variations and meaning
Those cozy purrs are one of the most common sounds cats make, but they can also communicate with other cat sounds!
Meowing
Cats have a wide variety of meowing sounds in store, and these can mean many different things. Sometimes your cat will meow because they want more of their delicious cat food, while other times it's just to say "Hello!" when you get home from work.
Milling and growling
When your cat purrs and growls, it's a clear signal that it's unhappy with the situation it's in. The cat doesn't purr because it's mean, but because it's scared and insecure. Maybe it was surprised by the new friend you brought home, or frightened by a child's unpredictable movements and sounds? Respect the cat and what it's communicating.
Uling
A howling cat can mean different things. Some cats howl more than others, simply because they are more talkative. If the cat is uncastrated, the howling could mean that it is trying to attract a mate. When the cat howls, it may be a good idea to keep track of what is going on, as it could also express discomfort or the beginning of a fight.
Chirping
Have you noticed that your cat starts to vibrate its jaws when it looks at the birds outside the window? This is often called chirping, clucking, meowing, clattering or cackling! There are many names and just as many theories as to why the cat does this when it spots a bird, squirrel, fly or similar. It could be an expression of excitement or imitation of its prey, for example.
The cat's communication through sounds
Cats communicate through sounds in many variations, ranging from soft vibrations and loud meows to funny chirps. Through the different cat sounds, they tell us about their feelings, needs and desires. The next time you hear your cat purring, take a moment to listen and appreciate the unique communication between you and your cat. Read more in our blog where we write about advice, tips and useful information about pets!
