Cats purr, meow, chirp and growl – but these sounds carry far more meaning than just contentment or hunger. Recent studies led by scientists in Japan and the UK shed new light on the biological and behavioural roots of these vocalisations. The findings show that both genes and brain functions play a crucial role in how and why cats communicate. Not all purring is a sign of happiness, and not every meow is a simple request.
Key discoveries include:
-
The androgen receptor gene (AR) influences vocal behaviour and assertiveness
-
Purring functions as a healing mechanism and emotional signal
-
Cats’ vocal traits are shaped by both domestication and environmental stress
-
Human responses to purring may have reinforced certain traits in feline evolution
Japanese research links vocalisation to a specific gene
A team led by wildlife researcher Yume Okamoto at Kyoto University conducted a large-scale study on 280 domestic cats to understand vocal differences. Cat owners from across Japan filled out detailed behavioural questionnaires and provided DNA samples using cheek swabs.
The research focused on the androgen receptor gene (AR), located on the X chromosome. This gene helps regulate how the body responds to hormones like testosterone. It includes a segment where DNA sequences repeat. The length of this repeat sequence determines how active the gene is – shorter sequences mean a stronger hormonal response.
Findings showed that:
-
Cats with short AR sequences purred and meowed more frequently
-
Male cats with this genetic variant were more likely to use vocalisations to attract human attention
-
Female cats with the same variant showed increased aggression towards strangers
-
Longer, less responsive gene versions were associated with quieter behaviour and were more common in pedigree breeds
These results suggest that inherited genetic traits play a significant role in shaping individual cat personalities and communication styles.
Purring - contentment, healing or stress?
Purring has long been associated with happiness, but its true purpose is far more complex. Scientists now know the physical mechanism behind purring. Muscles in a cat’s larynx expand and contract, opening and closing the glottis – the space around the vocal cords – as the cat breathes. The result is a rhythmic vibration: the purr.
However, understanding the function behind this sound has proven more difficult. A neural oscillator in the cat's brain appears to trigger purring, but its exact role remains uncertain. Veterinarian Gary Weitzman states that purring can signal multiple emotional states, including nervousness, fear and pain.
Marjan Debevere, a cat shelter photographer in London, has documented over 3,000 cats. She has observed them purring not only during affectionate moments but also:
-
When dying or being euthanised
-
During vet visits and high-stress events
-
While adjusting to new or unfamiliar environments
This suggests purring is not limited to happiness, but may also serve as a coping or calming mechanism.
Healing power of vibration
Another theory proposes that purring serves a therapeutic function. The frequencies produced by a cat’s purr – typically between 20Hz and 150Hz – fall within the same range used in physical therapy for humans. These vibrations are thought to aid healing and bone regeneration.
Researchers have found that:
-
Purring at 25–50Hz may stimulate bone growth and density
-
Frequencies around 100Hz can help repair soft tissues and skin
-
Cats may use purring as a self-healing tool while resting
This could explain why cats spend large portions of the day in a resting state. Their low-energy lifestyle, combined with self-generated healing vibrations, may be a biological adaptation for maintaining health with minimal exertion.
Communication and evolution shaped by human interaction
Domestication may have favoured more vocal cats, but the story is not simple. The same short AR gene variant linked to talkativeness is also present in wild cats like the lynx. This suggests that traits like assertiveness and vocal expression existed before domestication and continue to serve useful functions in modern environments.
Parallel behaviour has been observed in urban gulls, which have adapted to crowded human spaces by becoming more aggressive and bold. Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University found that:
-
Urban gulls are less fearful of humans
-
They fight more over resources than their rural counterparts
-
Assertive behaviour helps them survive in cities
These findings support the idea that living near humans does not automatically lead to docility. In cats, vocal assertiveness may help attract food or attention in competitive domestic environments.
Celia Haddon, a cat behaviour expert, adds that cats use different types of purring. One study identified a "soliciting purr" with an embedded high-pitched cry, similar to a baby’s distress signal. Even people who don’t own cats can distinguish this sound from a regular purr.
This cry may activate instinctive human responses, making the sound more effective for communication. As a result, humans may have unintentionally favoured cats that purr in this emotionally persuasive way.
Understanding feline communication today
Cats continue to surprise researchers. Sam Watson from the UK’s RSPCA points out that feline communication remains poorly understood compared to dogs. It is known that cats purr while grooming each other or interacting peacefully, but much of their vocal repertoire – especially in the wild – remains a mystery.
Weitzman notes that the cat's purr also benefits humans. Beyond the potential physical effects of the sound's frequencies, the psychological impact of purring is calming and pleasant. It can reduce human stress and even lower the risk of heart disease.
Many cats use purring as a strategic communication tool:
-
To wake their owners in the morning
-
To demand food before meals
-
To signal affection or desire for interaction
Most cat owners feed their pets before themselves, showing how effective this form of communication is.
In conclusion, cat vocalisations are not just random sounds – they are shaped by ancient biology, modern genetics and the unique relationships between humans and their pets. With continued research, the mysteries behind the meow and the purr are slowly being decoded, helping us better understand one of our most familiar yet enigmatic companions.
Source: BBC