Looking for an answer why your cat is purring louder than normal?
Well, in this article, I am going to show you the possible reasons why your cat might be purring a bit louder than usual & what can you do about it.
Aside from meow, the next sound cats are known to make is purring. Personally, I like the sound of it better than a meow. The satisfaction and calm it brings when the cat is purring in your lap – that tiny rumble. Ugh! So peaceful.
But,cats’ purrs come in two different spectrums. The quiet and subtle ones and the ones who as have jet engines when they purr. There are cats whom you practically have to put your ears against them to hear then, there are also those whose purrs you can hear even from the other room. The latter not so much fun to listen to, really.
Leading us down to question why there are quiet purrs and loud purrs. Let’s find out.
Why Does My Cat Purr Too Loud?
Some cats are just naturally high-toned and purr more loudly than most cats. But, there are other possible reasons cats purr loudly.
Like when your cat is growing and as she grows her body also gets bigger. As she grows, she develops a better sounding purr every day.
Purring is the first vocalization kittens do as they learn to communicate with their mother and their siblings.
They tend to purr in high but quiet tones since their bodies are too small. While they grow, their vocal apparatus progresses and their vocalizations become better, louder, and full-throated.
Your feline’s purr may also be louder than usual when they are happier than the usual.
You will notice this when they show excitement over a new favorite food. A cat you took home who finally settled in will also let out a purr of sheer delight.
The naturally high-toned cats are simply louder than others you may have encountered. Cat breeds like Maine Coons sound deep, loud, and rumbling when they purr. While the chatty British Shorthair have quieter voices.
Another reason that is dreadful and unfortunate is the cat purring loudly because of a health issue.
Cats’ purrs are more audible when they are not feeling well. Purring is also the cat’s way of soothing themselves when they are going through distress.
Related:
What Is Purring?
Purring or purr is a cat’s tonal trembling sound. They vary in loudness and tone and are unique with cats. Its distinction from other cat’s vocalizations is that it is made as they run the whole respiratory cycle (inhaling and exhaling).
Its physical act is due to the vibrations of the cat’s laryngeal muscles. Purr is often associated with positive social situations in cats such as nursing, grooming, relaxing, and being friendly.(1)
What Do Loud Purrs Really Mean?
A moggy’s loud purr can mean a lot of things. It is best that we understand the meaning of a loud purr to know why they are doing that and what we can do about it.
Cats’ purr is associated with comfort and contentment. This is especially true for cats in a good mood when they are more relaxed and happy.
You will notice this when they are being petted, fed or cared for. This is also obvious when they see a human they are attached to or other enjoyable situations.
Contrary to what most believe, cats are actually social animals and they love affection.
This is another reason they purr – to express their fondness and affection. When you attend to your cat, they often give back by purring and snuggling with you.
Purring has a lot of beneficial effects on cats. This includes the release of natural chemicals known as endorphins.
These substances have a painkilling and stress-relieving effect on cats. They aid in calming and reducing pain to a more bearable level.
Aside from pain management, its physiological effects on cats include relaxing their muscles and promoting self-healing.
While there are still ongoing debates and researches about this matter, it is well believed that a purring cat recovers from an injury more quickly and with less distress.
It is amazing to know how a simple purr has all these meanings to cat themselves and what it can do to them. But, did you know that cats’ purring also has an effect on other animals as well as humans?
Yes. As you pet a cat, listen to her purr silently. This can actually relax and soothe anxious and tensioned humans.
There are researches conducted about cats’ purr reducing high blood pressure and promote healing in case of injury or illness simply by listening to it.
Weird as it sounds but the frequency of the cat’s purr has even shown to boost bone regrowth in cases of bone fractures.
Related:
When Your Cat Purrs Louder Than Normal…
Do not immediately assume it is about distress or discomfort. Loud purring has other unusual qualities, too that will tell you what your cats really mean.
If they purr louder than normal, they can simply be in an excellent mood.
But, purring followed by the cat keeping her distance, standing aloof, and twitching tails means she is warning you of an impending attack.
The same goes when a purr turns instantly into a growl. This could mean they are in discomfort or distress.
Overall, if your cat purrs loudly but appears relaxed and comfortable, then worrying is not necessary.
How Loud is Loud For A Cat’s Purr?
The average cat purr(2) is 25 decibels. And, so far the loudest purr ever recorded was from a cat who was not at all in distress or discomfort. She was simply high-toned.
Merlin, a domestic cat from Torquay, Devon, UK, bagged the record of having the loudest purr at 67.8 decibels. She achieved this when she was 13 years old. Watch how loud she purrs.
Conclusion
Cats are animals with so much eccentricity and mystery. Until now, despite the many observations of cat owners and pet behavioralists, the reason for their purring is yet to be established.
This will leave you realizing that there is just no “normal” behavior for a cat, nor there is a “normal” purr.
Hi There, AJ Oren here. I am the founder of this amazing pet blog & a passionate writer who loves helping pet owners to learn more about their pets through my articles. I am also the content manager of this blog. I have experience in pet training and behavior, sheltering, and currently working for a veterinary clinic.