January 29, 2009

Dear Obie,
Why does my cat purr?
Signed, Jonathon
Winchester, Idaho


Dear Jonathon,
Cats purr for several reasons, not all of them reasons you might expect! Just about everyone knows that cats purr when they are happy and content, but did you know that cats also purr when they are tense, or during traumatic times? Cats that are very sick or seriously injured will also purr, and many vets and scientists believe there is a reason for that. A cat's purr is measurable between 25 and 150 Hertz, which is the same frequency range that can stimulate bone growth and healing. So a cat that is sick or injured will purr as a way of promoting self-healing. This train of thought has led to cats often being used in convalescent hospitals and nursing homes! Holding and petting a purring cat has been proven to lower blood pressure, and there isn't a better way to relax than petting a soft bundle of fur!

Happy cats love to purr! A mother cat will purr to its newborn kittens, maybe as a way of reassuring the kittens that all is well, and the kitten grows up using its purr in that same manner. So when your kitty jumps into your lap and starts purring, it is telling you that all is well!

A cat that is in a stressful situation will often purr, maybe as a way to reassure itself. Cats also use purring as a communication tool between themselves and other cats. Frightened cats will often purr as a way of conveying their submissive or non-threatening intentions to another cat. A feral cat might purr to let other feral cats in a colony know that he isn't planning on attacking and that he wants to be friends.

Purring is an amazing function, and is part of what makes a cat a cat!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Dear Obie,
I'm an orange tabby cat living in Salem, Oregon, and I have a problem. My human can't understand why I love to climb up to the top of the bookshelf all the time. Can you explain why I love high places?
Signed, Joshua
Salem, Oregon


Dear Joshua,
I can understand your love of high places! I feel the same way myself. My humans bought me a climbing tree that goes all the way to the ceiling, and I love to sit on the top shelf. From there, I can see all of the living room, dining room and kitchen, and even down the hallway to the bedrooms! You see, kitties like us are territorial. We love our homes, and we feel it is our duty to defend it and guard against interlopers. What better place to do that than high up where we can see everything?! Plus, we feel secure and safe when we're high up where predators can't get us, and sisters like Meeshka can't sneak up on us and pounce!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Here is an interesting piece of information all you kitties might like! On this date in history, January 29, 1996, the Broadway musical, "Cats," gave its 6138th performance, making it the longest-running musical in history! It bypassed "A Chorus Line" to win that distinction. See, everyone loves cats!

*****

Remember, folks, I am not a vet! I am a cat! Always talk to your vet before making any medical decisions regarding your cat! Please!