Hearing your cat purr is a sure sign you’re doing something right. Whether they have a full belly and are thanking you, or they are simply enjoying the affection you’re providing their contentment is heartwarming. But have you ever wondered about feral cats? Do they purr? Do they even know how to purr?

If you’re curious about the community cats in your area, the answer is yes, feral cats know how to purr, however, they don’t do it often. To better understand why feral cats don’t purr as often as your house cat, let’s take a deeper look at purring and why cats do it.

What Is a Purr?

If you’re familiar with cats, then you most likely know the difference between a purr and a meow. When a cat meows, it’s vocal. Purrs, although often heard, are more of a rumble you can feel. This is because a purr comes from your cat vibrating its vocal cords. This is usually done when your cat is inhaling. Meows take place when your kitty is exhaling, which is why you’re able to hear those better.

A purr is still considered a way of communication for your kitty, however. It’s how they share emotions. Of course, as cat lovers, we instantly think purrs are a sign of contentment, but that isn’t always the case. Cats will also purr when they are trying to communicate other situations or feelings to their owner.

Do Feral Cats Know How to Purr?

Feral cats are not the same as stray cats. These cats have never had human contact, were born in the wild, and in most cases, aren’t tamable. Considering how these cats like to hide away from humans and contact them, it only makes sense that people would be curious as to whether they purr like other cats.

Unfortunately, the life of a feral cat isn’t as pampered and content as that of a house cat. While they know how to purr, it doesn’t happen often. In most instances, purring in feral cats takes place between a mother cat and her kittens.

Although born wild, feral mothers still bond with their kittens like any cat. They nurse them, show them love, and teach them about the world they live in. The world a feral kitten lives in is very different in comparison to a tamed cat. There are lots of predators and dangers around them. Due to this, it isn’t uncommon for a mother cat to teach her feral kittens not to purr. This is a way of helping them avoid predators and be more successful at hunting.

There are other instances where feral cats may purr. If you see feral cats in your community, you’ve most likely noticed they live in colonies. Often, this group of feral cats is all part of the same family. This is thanks to the uncontrolled breeding that takes place with these cats. While there are lots of dangers feral cats face, there are still instances where they are happy and content around their families. With it so difficult for humans to approach feral cats, it’s hard to determine how often they may purr to show this happiness. However, it does happen.

Why Do Domesticated Cats Purr?

As cat parents, we instantly think our cats purr to show they are happy. There’s much more to this vocalization that meets the eye, however. Let’s take a deeper look at why cats purr to help you better understand the importance of this sound.

It’s Time to Eat

We all know how motivated cats are by food. When your cat knows it is mealtime, it may start to purr instead of meow. This is especially true if they see you are already making their meal. It’s your cat’s way of showing they are hungry and appreciative of the meal you’re giving them.

Happiness

Most cats will purr when they are content. This is a cat’s way of showing you they feel safe, happy, and relaxed with you.

Motherly Bond

After having kittens, a mother cat will purr. This is her way of forming a bond with her young. Instinctively, the kittens will return the gesture. This beautiful display is how they bond and communicate as the kittens grow.

Offering a Healing Hand

Many cat owners feel that their cats bond in hopes of making them feel better. It’s not uncommon to find your cat paying special attention to you when you’re upset or under the weather. When they come to lie next to you and purr, they are wanting to use those vibrations to help heal what ails you.

Self-Soothing

Purrs aren’t only soothing to humans but also to cats themselves. When your cat is sick or hurt, it will purr in hopes of healing itself or making things better. This also happens when your cat is feeling stressed or anxious.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, the lives of feral cats aren’t easy. More often than not, these cats who have lived their entire lives without human contact are doing all they can to stay fed and safe. While they know how to purr just like house cats, keeping their purrs to a minimum is a survival reflex. It helps keep them protected from any predators in the area and allows them to be better hunters. If by chance you come in contact with a feral cat, don’t be surprised if they don’t offer a purr as a domesticated cat does. It’s simply their way of life.

Featured Image Credit: Krishna777, Shutterstock