Cats are known for their adorable purring sounds that indicate their happiness and contentment. But how do they produce such low-pitched noises with their small vocal cords? A new study has found that cats use a technique similar to “vocal fry” – the croaky voice used by some singers and celebrities.
What is vocal fry and how do cats use it?
Vocal fry is the lowest tone that human voices can produce, creating the effect of croaky speech. It is often used by singers such as Katy Perry and Ariana Grande to add expression and emotion to their songs. It is also a common feature of some reality television stars, such as Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton.
Vocal fry is produced by relaxing the vocal cords and letting them vibrate slowly and irregularly. This creates a popping or creaking sound that adds a low frequency to the voice.
Scientists have discovered that cats use a similar mechanism to produce their purring sounds. They found that cats have masses of fibrous tissue embedded in their vocal cords, which may help them generate low frequencies with less effort.
How did the scientists study cat purring?
The researchers, led by Dr Christian Herbst at the University of Vienna in Austria, dissected out the voice boxes of eight cats that had been put down because of terminal disease. They then pinched the animals’ vocal cords and pumped humid air through them, mimicking the way humans speak and produce vocal fry.
They found that this method produced self-sustained oscillations or purrs from all of the voice boxes, suggesting that purring does not require constant input from the brain. Instead, it may be a passive phenomenon that occurs when air flows through the vocal cords.
The study was published in the journal Current Biology.
Why do cats purr and what does it mean?
Purring is one of the most common sounds that cats make, and it usually indicates positive emotions such as pleasure, comfort, and relaxation. Cats may purr when they are petted, groomed, fed, or cuddled by their owners or other cats. Purring may also help cats bond with their kittens and communicate with other cats.
However, purring is not always a sign of happiness. Cats may also purr when they are in pain, stressed, or fearful. Purring may help them cope with difficult situations by soothing themselves and signaling their need for help. Purring may also have some health benefits for cats, such as lowering their blood pressure, healing their wounds, and strengthening their bones.
How can you tell if your cat is happy or unhappy when it purrs?
It can be hard to tell if your cat is purring because it is happy or unhappy, as the sound itself does not convey much information. However, you can look for other clues in your cat’s body language and behavior to understand its mood.
A happy cat will usually have relaxed ears, eyes, whiskers, and tail. It will also have a soft and smooth fur coat, and a normal breathing rate. A happy cat will often rub its head or body against you or other objects, knead its paws on soft surfaces, or roll over on its back.
An unhappy cat will usually have tense ears, eyes, whiskers, and tail. It will also have a rough or spiky fur coat, and a fast or shallow breathing rate. An unhappy cat will often hiss, growl, scratch, bite, or hide from you or other threats.
By paying attention to these signs, you can better understand your cat’s feelings and needs when it purrs.
