When a cat purrs, what does it mean?

Purring is a very expressive and iconic sound that is associated with our domestic cats. But why do cats purr? Veterinarian Wailani Sung gave petMD 5 reasons for this unusual phenomenon.

Many owners may believe that a cat's purring is a sign of happiness, but it can actually occur when the cat is in either a positive or negative emotional state, she said. For example, a cat may purr when petted by a loved one, but it may also purr if it is feeling unwell.

Cats purr when they are happy

The purring of a cat is mainly associated with pleasure…