The melodic murmurs of little felines often feel euphonious, but when these sweet-sounding and tuneful whispers grow louder, it is obvious to raise concerns. It is a widely accepted belief that a cat purring loud is a testimony of its happiness and contentment, which in most cases stands true, saving some exceptions.
Cats purr for more than one reason. Hence, it is quintessential to dissect this topic to its depths and unearth every purpose resting beneath the cloak of these purrs.
If the question, “Why is my cat purring really loud?” often sends you into the deep gorges of thoughts and worries!
We are here to help. After studying the subject in detail, we are happy to share the rationale behind a cat’s purr.
Read further to know everything about your cat’s purr.
Table of Contents
The What’s and Whys of a Cat Purring Loud
A cat’s purr is symbolic of its emotions. Cats purr loud when they are happy and content, sad or distressed, want your attention, or want to soothe you. Additionally, a cat’s purr deepens when it grows old.
Hence, no particular reason can be attributed to the loud purrs of your feline mate, making it essential to understand why your cat is purring so loud. But, before we jump to that, let us tell you what exactly a purr is.
Whispers, Murmurs, Purrs
Cats purr when they try to control the airflow when they breathe. The movements of their voice box or larynx create a sound in conjugation with that of the diaphragm. These sounds are purrs.
Domestic cats, cheetahs, lynx, bobcats, and several other species of cat purr. Male cats purr, female cats purr, kittens purr, and Momma cats purr. Some purr slow, some purr fast, some purr loud, some purr for a reason, and some purr without any reason.
As for the decibels and vibration range of a cat’s purr, studies and research have demonstrated several facts. According to some reports, the average decibel of a domestic cat’s purr is 25 decibels. However, according to the National Library of Medicine, the decibel of a cat’s purr is subjective to its gender and breed.
Talking about the frequency range, it lies anywhere between 25 Hz and 150 Hz.
Why is My Cat Purring So Loud? Decoding the Reasons behind Loud Purrs
As mentioned, cats purr for various reasons. We have listed the most common reasons why your cat is purring loudly.
Your cat is happy
A cat purring loud is a demonstration of their happiness and contentment. It is their language to tell you that they are happy. The louder the purring gets, the happier they are.
Cats purr when they interact with someone they love or indulge in things they love. They purr loudly while fraternizing with people or animals. Try caressing your cat when it is purring, and you will realize that the sound is getting louder. It is how they show that they are liking the love and affection they are receiving.
Cats also purr while playing with objects, rolling on the ground, or doing things they love.
Not just pet felines but most wild cats, including panthers, purr to show their happiness.
It is how it purrs
As already stated, some cats purr slowly, while some purr loudly. If your cat purrs loudly, it could be its natural purr. Take it as a unique voice; each having a different sound and texture.
Your cat’s loud purr could be its unique voice (purr, for that matter).
Your cat is getting old
The sound of a cat’s purr does not remain the same throughout its life. It changes as the cat grows in size.
Kittens tend to have underdeveloped vocal cords. So their purrs are soft and high-pitched. As they grow, their purr grows louder.
Furthermore, the purr changes with the size of the cat. So, if your cat gains a few kilos, its purr will also gain some decibels.
Your cat is trying to calm others down
Cats also purr in an attempt to soothe others. Felines often lay on their sick littermate and purr to soothe their nerves and help them heal.
Interestingly, they do not limit their behavior to their littermates. They use their purrs to calm down everyone around them.
If your feline friend senses your anxiety, it will purr louder than usual to help you relax and heal.
Your cat wants your attention
Try ignoring your cat, and you will hear your cat purring louder. More often than not, their loud purrs are an invitation for you to shower them with your love, affection, and attention.
If you rub your cat while they are purring, their purring will grow even louder. They will use their purrs to draw your attention in the future too.
However, different sounds of purrs denote different things. For instance, meow-like sounds in a cat’s purr denote that it is hungry. According to research, devoted cat owners can distinguish the different sounds of purrs and determine the needs of their cats.
Your cat is in distress
Loud purring in cats is not always symbolic of merriment. Loud purring in sick cat is also a common occurrence. It is also a sign of distress.
Cats purr when they are scared or need help. Kittens often purr to draw their mother’s attention when they need her.
Your cat is in a self-healing mode
Research and studies have proved cat purring loud is linked to healing. Cats purr at frequencies varied between 25 and 150 Hz to promote self-healing. Sometimes they purr between 25 and 50 Hz.
These frequencies are used to treat pain and fractures. They also help in wound healing, promoting muscle growth and flexibility.
When cats purr, they release endorphins that help to relieve pain and stress. Hence, cats feel relaxed when they purr. Furthermore, purring also helps their muscles to relax, accelerating healing after injury.
Respiratory illness also makes cat purring really loud.
What should I do when my cat is purring loud and fast?
Most of the time, cats purr to grab your attention. So, the best thing you can do is shower them with it. Also, notice the tone of the purr and their body language. Gauge their response to your attention. Noticing these things will help you determine the reason behind loud purring.
Cats try to deliver their message through purrs. If you note their purrs, you will know the reason behind their loud murmurs.
Why Has the Purring Sound of My Cat Changed Over Time?
A day or two after their birth, cats begin to purr. They use purring to communicate with their mother or littermates. As their vocal cords are not well developed, their purr sounds are often high and soft.
As the cat grows (in size), their purr tends to get deeper and louder.
My Cat Does Not Purr At All. Is This Normal?
While a cat purring loud denotes happiness and contentment, a cat not purring at all does not necessarily mean the opposite. Do not take the absence of purr as a sign of sickness or distress in cats. Some cats purr loudly, while some do not purr at all. It is completely normal.
A change in their regular behavior is something to worry about. If your cat suddenly starts purring out of the blue or stops after years of demonstrating loud purrs, it is time to take them to their vet.
Fun Facts about a Cat’s Purr
Oriental Shorthair has the loudest purr.
A cat’s purr casts a healing effect on humans.
Studies have revealed that a cat’s purr is effective in reducing blood pressure and accelerating healing mechanisms.
The frequency of the purr promotes bone regrowth in fractures.
Momma cats purr louder to draw the attention of their kittens and keep them close.
Merlin, a 13-year-old cat from Devon, England, has the loudest purr. It purrs at 67.8 decibels. No doubt, Merlin has its name in the record books for being the cat with the loudest purr.
Not all cats can purr. All domestic cats and a few wild cats (cheetah, lynx, and bobcats) can purr.
Cats that purr cannot roar, and vice versa.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is my cat purring so loud and fast?
There could be many reasons behind the loud purrs of your cat. It might want your love or attention, and hence, purring loudly. Cats also purr loud when they are distressed or need help.
Furthermore, if your cat is getting old, its purr might also get louder and deeper.
2. Is loud purring bad or good?
Generally, loud purring is good. It is a sign that your cat is happy and content. But you must also not forget that sometimes cats purr loud in stress and pain or during self-healing.
Pay close attention to your cat’s overall behavior to understand the reason behind purring.
3. Do cats purr in the morning?
Yes, cats purr in the morning. Their purring during the morning hours indicates their need to be fed. Also, cats are very active in the morning. They need attention and cuddling. It is also a reason why cats purr in the mornings.
4. Why is my cat purring so loud while sleeping?
If your cat purrs loud while sleeping, it is a sign that your feline friend is comfortable and relaxed. Their happiness and merriment come out in the form of loud purrs.
In most cases, cats also purr while they are dreaming. Furthermore, if you have more than one cat, do not be surprised to catch them purring loud while sleeping. It is a sign of positive bonding behavior.
5. Why is my cat purring so loud at night?
If you find your cat purring loud curled up near your feet at bedtime, feel happy because your feline friend is also comfortable and happy. It is a sign that your cat loves to cuddle with you at night and feels no trouble falling asleep close to you within moments.
6. Do cats that purr loudly are always happy?
More often than not, loud purring denotes happiness and contentment. However, there are always exceptions. Cats also purr loud when they are frightened, hurt, in pain, or need help.
7. Can my cat control its purring?
Purring is not a voluntary response. Cats are programmed to purr naturally on different occasions, for instance, when they feel happy, threatened, or stressed. They cannot control their purring.
8. When should I take my cat to the vet for loud purring?
Observe the behavior of your cat. If it generally purrs in certain situations, it does not need a vet. However, if your cat (which does not generally purr) starts purring loud, take it to the vet to rule out the possibilities of sickness and distress.
Final thoughts
Why is my cat purring so loud?
This question has many answers. Some answers bring happiness to the cat owners, while some can cause unrest. But what suits you the best depends on the emotions of your cat.
Cats purr in different situations while feeling different emotions. Not all loud purring sounds are a demonstration of something positive. Sometimes it could be the opposite.
Being a cat owner, it is your responsibility to keep checking on the regular behavior of your cat and seek medical help if something deviates from the natural ways.
To ensure your cat is purring for all good reasons, keep a check on their regular behavior. If everything appears to be normal, take purring as a positive feature of your cat. If something seems different, reach out to your vet for help.
