Why do cats meow and purr?

The easy answer to why cats meow and purr is to communicate. What exactly they are trying to say is really the question I seek to know. For years the communicative skills of domestic cats were undervalued. I can vividly remember the cartoon episode where the alley cats were sitting alongside each other on a fence- meowing at night- only to have a boot thrown at them angrily from a neighbor’s window.

I always thought that  cats only need to communicate about territorial challenges or and their willingness or unwillingness to participate in aggressive or mating encounters. When I stop and think about it, I don’t actually remember seeing cats meowing at each other.  Have you ever seen your cat at meow at other cats? Probably not. But your cat meows at you, right? Sometimes non-stop? There’s a reason for this. Studies revealed that cats actually have a fairly varied repertoire of social behaviors that overlap greatly.

For example, cats don’t only just communicate by meowing. They also purr, chirp, and even chatter. They meow at humans for many reasons, and it is up to us as cat parents to try to understand our cats and figure out what they want.

  • I’m stressed. When cats are stressed they tend to become more vocal than normal. For example, I recently took my cat to the veterinarian in a pet carrier. He was obviously stressed and meowed constantly whilst in the pet carrier.
  • I want food. You’ll know when your cat wants food because she has likely perfected a certain type of meow. My cat will keep walking behind me, meowing with a slight purr which means “I want food now, feed me!”
  • Give me your attention. Sometimes all a cat just needs attention. The next time your cat meows at you for no apparent reason, give her some time and play with her. She’ll appreciate that.
  • Let me in! When a cat is locked outside and wants to get in, she’ll meow till you open the door. My cat won’t stop meowing till the door is open and bless him because when he meows to be let in, he sounds too cute!
  • I’m in heat. A female cat might yowl and meow when in heat.
  • I’m happy and content! This one is different because your cat will not meow when she is content and happy but will purr. It is important to note that cats will sometimes purr when they are in pain, too.

How-to Pet Proof Your Home

It is important to pet proof a home with the same diligence that new parents do when they baby-proof their homes before the arrival of the new baby. Unfortunately there are major sources of potential hazards for our pets including foods, plants, and every day household items.

Be Careful What You Share

Fun food for people aren’t always as fun for our fun-loving furry friends. While these “treats” may be just a few added pounds to us, it might be an unexpected health hazard for our pets. For example:

Chocolate can cause stomach upset, heart arrhythmias, seizures, and even death. In general, the darker the chocolate the more dangerous it is, with white chocolate being the least toxic and baker’s chocolate being the most lethal. Both grapes and raisins have been associated with kidney failure in dogs. It is well documented that onion and garlic cause red blood cell damage in cats and dogs. Some nuts, like macadamia nuts, can cause weakness and neurologic signs in dogs. To be safe, pets should only be offered treats made specifically for them. Hartz offers a complete line of tasty treats made just for cats and dogs.

Pet Proofing Plants

Its a common misconception that plants and animals are good for each other. The  truth might actually be just the opposite. Hill’s Pet.com mentioned that lilies, especially Easter and Tiger lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats, even if cats ingest just a small amount of the plant. Other plants to be careful of include azaleas, daffodils and tulips. All plants should be kept out of reach of pets, keeping in mind that cats can reach places thought to be inaccessible.

I found a great pet product that helps keep my plants safe and my furry friend happy. It was cat grass. Cat grass is not a specific kind of plant, but a grass mixture that is grown from seeds, such as wheat, barley, oats or rye. Do not confuse this tasty safe treat with outdoor lawn grass, which has the potential to contain toxic pesticides. Cat grass comes ready for purchase at national pet stores and as DIY packages.

Everyday Household Items

Where do you place your cell phone when it needs to recharge? Do you have your television, cable modem, and desktop lamp plugged into the same outlet? These are the types of everyday household items that your cat might love to investigate- and maybe even bite. I suggest you tie-up all hanging electrical cords and keep them off the floor and out of reach. Also, try sitting on the floor and looking around to see what items jump out at you from that level. You would be surprised what dangers present themselves when you find yourself 7-8 inches off the floor.