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It is well known nowadays that companion animals can have positive mental and physical health benefits for the humans who are lucky enough to share their lives with them. We know that dogs can work as service animals for certain medical conditions, that being active with your pets can encourage a healthy lifestyle, and that having the love and companionship of a household pet can provide relief of stress and anxiety.
When it comes to cats, there have been scientific studies looking into the health benefits of owning a cat and the benefits that their purring can offer to their human companions. So, the question is, does a cat’s purr have healing powers? In short, yes, a cat’s purr can have healing powers! Let’s look at what science has discovered thus far.
The Health Benefits of a Cat’s Purr: What Science Says
When a cat purrs, endorphins are released within their brain. These endorphins are hormones that cause feelings of happiness, sociability, affection, excitement, and much more.
Studies show that the cat’s purr releases endorphins not only within themselves but also in humans. This can decrease stress levels, assist with coping with an illness, and even lower blood pressure.
So, what exactly causes this? It’s the sound. Throughout history, healers have used sound in their work with the belief that certain frequencies can have healing effects on both mental and physical health.
If you’ve never heard of vibration therapy, it uses whole-body vibration to enhance physical health and overall well-being. This therapy is heavily researched and has been utilized for many years by healthcare providers, professional athletes, and personal trainers for a variety of health benefits.
It is believed the frequency of the cat’s purr works similarly to vibrational therapies. So, let’s look at the different ways that purring has been shown to influence different human health conditions and the benefits attached.
Bones and Joints
The frequency of a cat’s purr is typically between 25 Hz and 150 Hz. These levels have shown promise in healing bone and joint problems, so much so that the rate of healing for broken bones has been shown to increase. Vibrations from purring can assist in healing infections, reduce swelling, help bones heal and grow, offer pain relief, and promote muscle growth and repair, tendon repair, and better joint mobility.
Respiratory Conditions
It has been clinically observed that cats with upper respiratory conditions that resulted in breathing trouble, also known as dyspnea, would begin purring, which helped them breathe more easily. It is hypothesized this can have the same effect on a person in respiratory distress.
Heart Conditions
Studies have shown that the calming effect of having a purring cat nearby can relieve stress and lower blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of heart disease and even decreasing the chances of heart attack by up to 40%.
Migraines
It is believed that purring can also help humans deal with the pain of migraines and possibly even assist in eliminating them. Many people have come forward and told their stories of their migraines disappearing after lying near their purring cats.
Mental Health
A human’s mental health can be greatly improved by hearing a cat purr, whether it be the sound frequency of the purr itself or the emotional reaction of the person when they hear the sweet, soft purr of their beloved companion. What we do know is that studies have shown a vast improvement in stress and anxiety when owners are accompanied by their pets.
Why Do Cats Purr in the First Place?
Purring is a unique form of communication for felines, and there are a variety of reasons that cats purr. Knowing what kind of effect purring can have on human health, it’s nice to know why your cat might be purring in the first place.
The 6 Reasons Cats Purr
1. Self-Soothing
You may notice that your cat purrs in some situations you would not normally expect to hear a purr, such as during a car ride or as they wait in their carrier at the veterinarian’s office. Your cat is likely doing this as a form of self-soothing. Not only does a cat’s purr soothe their owner, but it can also do the same for them in times of distress.
2. Happiness/Affection
The most popular reason a cat purrs is out of happiness and to show affection. Cats will typically head bump and rub up against their owners while purring loudly or even snuggle up and softly purr in the comfort of their person’s lap. Purring can be how they express their happiness to be in your company and the comfort you provide them.
3. Kitten-to-Mother Communication
If you’ve ever been around a mother cat and her kittens, you will observe a lot of purring going on. Kittens are born blind, deaf, and helpless. The mother cat will purr to comfort the kittens, and once they are a few days old, they will begin purring to confirm to their mother that they are feeling content. Purring is a large aspect of the bond between a mother and her kittens.
4. Hunger
Some cats will purr when they are hungry and demanding dinner. These types of purrs have been proven through scientific study to be different from normal purrs. Hungry purrs are typically combined with other sounds, so it is believed that cats use their purr along with other demanding noises to get the reactions they want out of their humans.
5. Injury or Illness
Cats have been known to purr after being injured or while experiencing an illness. Cats in respiratory distress have begun breathing better after beginning to purr. After an injury, you may notice this too, as it has been observed that sound frequency can promote bodily healing. This is where the scientific studies into vibrational frequency come into play. Not only do cats help humans with health issues, but they also help heal themselves.
6. Manipulation
Studies have shown that a cat’s purr has a psychological effect on humans (even those who don’t own or are familiar with cats). A theory exists that cats may purr when they want to solicit extra treats, food, or affection from humans.
Final Thoughts
Cats are such interesting creatures, and we may have only scratched the surface of their complex existence on this earth. One thing is for certain: Science has proven that cats can promote better health and well-being in their bipedal, mostly hairless house guests who provide them with food and clean their litter box—and those house guests couldn’t be more grateful!
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Featured Image Credit: VikaJpeg, Shutterstock
