Thread: Solving The Cat's Purr Mystery

Originally Posted by dodobird

Interesting theory of why cats purr:

http://www.bksv.com/2798.asp
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It has some intresting points. However, I doubt that it is a reliable article. I mean:

Throughout history, the cat has been the most worshipped and the most persecuted domestic animal. [/b]

Dogs anyone?

Originally Posted by Neruo

Dogs anyone?
[/b]

Nah. I gotta go with the article on that one. I know cats were worshipped for ages, in Egypt, and I'm sure I've heard of cats, collectively, going through a lot more persecution than dogs, especially in Europe, over the years. I could be wrong, though, but I think that part's correct.

Dogs anyone?[/b]

Um, no. Cats were and are.

It is commonly believed that cats purr when content. However, cats also purr when they are severely injured, frightened or giving birth. So if cats were purring solely out of happiness they would not purr when injured[/b]

Because cats purr not only when they are happy but also when they are injured, it is my theory (with no scientific support) that the purring activity is related to endorphin release. Doing studies to prove this would be very difficult and invasive so I can't see trying to expand on this theory but it makes sense to me.

Originally Posted by Burns

Because cats purr not only when they are happy but also when they are injured, it is my theory (with no scientific support) that the purring activity is related to endorphin release. Doing studies to prove this would be very difficult and invasive so I can't see trying to expand on this theory but it makes sense to me.
[/b]

This would explein why they look so stoned when they purr

Dogs>Cats