by Kathleen Lynn

Created on: January 16, 2009   Last Updated: January 29, 2009

Scientists have studied the reasons for a cat purr. There have also been many old wives tales and theories about a cat purr. The purr can be so constant in your feline pet that it becomes almost like breathing.

One of the old wife tales is that the purr represents a sign of their satisfaction and happiness. Individual owners can believe what they like about the purr, but isn't it a nice theory that it is the happiness of the cat showing itself? It likes the way you pet! It loves your smelly feet it's sitting on. It's happy. This theory can make a cat owner feel good about their feline friend. Makes one enjoy the love they give the cat and want to give it even more.

Scientists have disproved that theory for the purr. It would seem that even a cat in severe distress or trauma will purr. There is a difference between a happy purr and a trauma or pain induced purr. They have different ranges in pitch and tones. The scientific answer is that the cat purr is based upon their bodies' nervous system and voice box.

Why do cat's meow? The answer is so simple. They are talking to you! They want you to know something. If the cat got loose outside and is at the door meowing it is saying, "Hey you, bring me in!"

If it is standing at a door or sitting on a window ledge on a beautiful spring day meowing it is saying, "I want to go play in the sun today. Can I go out please?"

If it is climbing in your lap and meowing it is getting your attention. "My food bowl is empty kind friend."

Meowing is the conversation piece of a cat. There are some cats that use this for no particular need. Perhaps you're in the kitchen cooking and the cat is watching. Soon it gives a low meow. While cooking you begin to talk to it. It meows when you stop. Your cat is just talking to you. It doesn't matter that he may or may not know what you are saying. He is enjoying his intellectual debate with you.

Teaching your cat to speak on command can be done with some cats. The easiest way to tell if this is something you can do with your cat is to look for signs that the cat is a conversaltionist. For instance, our cat isn't a big lap cat. He would prefer to be near you but not constantly being touched. He will sit in a room and talk to you for a long time as long as you talk back. We developed an easy command "Speak to me" and used this to train him to meow talk to us when we wanted to. Of course every cat is different and has their own personality so there is no guarantee that a cat is trainable with this trick. If the cat does learn the trick, it is a very unique trick to show your guests.

Learn more about this author, Kathleen Lynn.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.