Cat lovers take great delight in the sound of that little motor revving up because we interpret purring as a sign that our kitties are feeling happy, safe, and loved.
Imagine the disappointment if that motor never starts running or all of a sudden stops running.
We are filled with questions and start to worry. We ask ourselves, why doesn’t my cat purr?
There are several reasons why your cat friend doesn’t purr, let’s find out.
Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Doesn’t Purr
There are several reasons that your cat may not be purring, but these 8 reasons are most common:
- Preference
Cats are like people in some ways, and yours might prefer to communicate in other ways such as facial expressions or body language. - Soft Purr
So, listen up. You’ve met people who are soft talkers. Some cats are, too. Sometimes we just can’t hear the purr. Sometimes you can feel the vibration of a purr even when you can’t hear it. - Age
That’s right, just like people cats can change as they get older. A kitten might purr up a storm but then slow down or stop altogether as the years go by. - Early separation
If a kitten is taken from its mom and siblings in the litter too soon, it’s possible that it never learned to purr. This is rare, but remember that cats learn certain behaviors while in the litter, and your kitty might have missed this lesson. - Sore throat
If your cat has been purring but stops, it could just have a sore throat. - Anxiety
Yes, cats often purr when they are anxious, but they also may stop purring. - Fear
If something frightened your cat, it probably won’t purr for a few days. That’s something it learned in nature, where it wouldn’t be smart to purr while being hunted by a predator. - Injury
There may be some sort of injury that is preventing your cat from purring. If you discover an injury, get your cat to a vet.
If your cat has never purred, don’t worry about it. You can ask your vet on your next routine visit to check to make sure that there is nothing wrong – just to make sure.
If your cat suddenly stops purring and you can’t figure out why, please ask your vet.
Why Do Cats Purr?
Purring is a way that cats vocalize. Sometimes purrs are positive but at other times they can be just the opposite.
Happy Purrs
Cats learn to purr in the litter to ask for milk and to say that they are satisfied. As they grow older, they might purr to communicate some things:
- They are hungry and that wish to be fed.
- They are happy to see another cat.
- They like whatever is going on and would like to keep it happening.
Unhappy Purrs
We don’t think about this often, but sometimes a purr is not a good sign. Here are some of those occasions:
- To demonstrate aggression.
- To indicate that they are sick, injured, or frightened.
Does My Cat Hate Me If It Doesn’t Purr?
Don’t be concerned if you have a cat that’s never purred or is purring less than usual. When cats don’t like someone, it is more likely that they will hiss, growl, scratch, bite, run away to hide, or just slink back away from that person.
Your relationship with your cat is probably fine even if it doesn’t purr. There are a lot of possible reasons why that humming motor never turned on or has temporarily or permanently turned off.
How Can I Entice My Cat To Purr?
If you’ve checked all the reasons that your cat isn’t purring and both you and the vet have come up empty, it might be time to try to coax a little purring out of your cat. Here are some things you can do to try to get your cat to purr:
- Grooming
Who doesn’t purr when pampered? Your cat may start to purr if you settle into a routine of daily grooming sessions with a gentle brushing. - Relaxation
Most cats find it very relaxing when you scratch them under their chin. Frequent gentle rubs might bring out the purr. Purrs often follow a few minutes on your lap while you gently pet your cat into a state of relaxation. - Cat Home
You might start hearing that motor run if you provide your cat with its own home and spot inside your house, preferably someplace soft and comfy and, better yet, in the sun. - Treats
What’s your cat’s favorite treat? You might hear a “thank you” purr or a purr that asks for more.
If you just got your cat then it’s a matter of the cat getting used to its new environment. Give it some time and your furbaby will start purring before you know it.