Sleeping Kitten and Balls of Yarn

About this drawing

A sleeping kitten with yarn nearby might be making one of the most comforting sounds in nature. Purring starts very early. Kittens can do it just a few days after birth, which helps tell their mother that all is well while they nurse.

So how does a cat make this sound? Muscles in the throat move the voice box in quick little bursts, both when the cat breathes in and when it breathes out. That is why a purr can go on and on without stopping, unlike a meow. Rest a hand gently on a purring cat, and you can feel the buzz.

Most of the time, a purr means a cat feels relaxed and content. But that is not the whole story. Cats sometimes purr at the vet, or when they are hurt or scared. Researchers think it may help them calm down, the way you might hug a favorite stuffed animal.

Clever cats have even found a way to use it. Studies suggest some mix a higher, more urgent sound into the purr when they want breakfast, and it is very hard for people to ignore. So a purr can mean a lot of things: I feel good, I need comfort, or please fill my bowl right now.

• kitten
• purring
• yarn
• bedtime