Research: Cats purr differently than previously thought

Cats purr differently than previously thought. As a new study with Swiss participation shows, a pad of tissue in the cats’ vocal folds could explain how the small animals can produce such deep sounds.

The observed mechanism of sound production is strikingly similar to the human raspy voice, a statement from the University of Vienna said on Wednesday. This is a special technique that singers use to produce deep, rattling sounds.

To reach this conclusion, a team of researchers from the University of Vienna, the Swiss Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (Fibl) and the Czech University of Palacký University of Olomouc examined surgically removed larynxes from cats that had died (due to incurable diseases) .

Until now, researchers assumed that cats’ purring was caused by a special mechanism: by a rhythmic relaxation and contraction of the muscles in the larynx. According to the University of Vienna, this would require constant neural input and associated control from the brain.

However, data from the laboratory experiment show that the domestic cat’s larynx is capable of producing low-pitched sounds at purring frequencies without neural input or cyclic muscle contractions.

The results of the study are a clear indication that the current understanding of cat purring is incomplete and requires further research, according to the University of Vienna. (sda/apa)