Introduction
Cats are fascinating creatures, capable of expressing a wide range of emotions through vocalizations and body language. One of the most mystifying behaviors cat owners may witness is a cat crying or meowing while simultaneously purring. The juxtaposition of these two sounds can seem paradoxical, since purring typically signals contentment, while meowing or crying often indicates distress. This phenomenon leaves many cat lovers wondering – why do cats cry while purring?
In this article, we’ll explore the possible reasons behind this perplexing feline behavior. By understanding the various causes, cat owners can better interpret what their pet is trying to communicate when they exhibit this dual vocalization.
What is Purring?
Purring is a rhythmic, low-frequency vibration that cats produce in their throat when they are content and happy. It is caused by rapid contractions of the laryngeal muscles combined with movements of the diaphragm (Smith 2021). When cats inhale and exhale, the muscles in their voice box open and close rapidly, causing vibrations in their vocal folds that result in the unique purring sound (Johnson 2022). This purring occurs during both inhalation and exhalation, giving it a continuous, rumbling quality.
Purring begins when kittens are just a couple of days old as a means of communication with their mother and littermates. Adult cats continue purring throughout their lives to signal contentment as well as during courtship, nursing kittens, or even when injured or sick (Smith 2021). The 25-150 Hz frequency of purring falls in the range that can promote bone density and tissue regeneration, which may provide cats both physical and psychological benefits (Schoen 2019). Overall, purring is a unique vocalization that allows cats to communicate comfort and happiness.
Sources:
Smith, A. (2021). The Science of a Cat’s Purr. Loc.gov. https://www.loc.gov/item/why-and-how-do-cats-purr/
Johnson, G. (2022). How do cats purr? New finding challenges long-held assumptions. Science.org. https://www.science.org/content/article/how-do-cats-purr-new-finding-challenges-long-held-assumptions
Schoen, A.M. (2019). What is a cat saying with its purr? Animalbehaviorandcognition.org. https://doi.org/10.26451/abc.06.04.06.2019
Possible Causes of Crying While Purring
There are several possible explanations for why a cat may cry or meow while simultaneously purring:
Pain or Sickness: If a cat is hurt or unwell, the act of purring may aggravate pain or discomfort, causing the cat to cry out. The cry signals that something is wrong. However, the cat continues purring as a self-soothing mechanism. Source
Mixed Emotions: Cats can experience conflicting emotions at the same time. A cat may purr from contentment while also vocalizing from frustration or impatience. The cry could reflect an urgent desire for something like food or attention. Purring may continue in hopes of getting what the cat wants. Source
Kitten Communication: Kittens purr to their mothers when nursing, while also crying out of hunger. The purring stimulates milk production while the cries signal a need to feed. Adult cats may retain this behavior when intensely hungry or desiring food.
Overstimulation: Kittens can become overstimulated when petted too much. They want the attention and petting, so they purr, but eventually get uncomfortable and cry out. Adults may also become overstimulated during petting and grooming.
Separation Anxiety: A cat that anxiously misses its owner may purr for comfort when the owner returns, while crying due to the stress of separation.
Pain or Sickness
One cause of a cat crying or meowing while purring is that they are experiencing pain or sickness. Cats often purr more when they are in pain as a self-soothing mechanism. While purring is commonly associated with contentment, studies show that cats may actually purr more when they are injured or ill in order to comfort themselves. The purring helps release endorphins that relieve pain and stress.
So if your cat is purring while also exhibiting signs of pain like limping, changes in posture, sensitivity to touch, lack of grooming, or changes in litter box habits, the purring may be a reaction to discomfort rather than contentment. It’s important to pay attention to other behavioral signs in addition to increased purring, and consult your veterinarian if you suspect your cat is in pain or unwell.
Mixed Emotions
Cats, like humans, may experience mixed emotions at the same time. For example, a cat may feel both happy and sad when being reunited with their owner after a long separation, exhibiting signs of excitement and grief simultaneously. According to Petplan, cats likely do not experience complex emotions like guilt, embarrassment or jealousy. However, research shows cats can recognize human facial expressions representing different emotional states in images and sounds. This suggests cats have some capacity for understanding emotions beyond basic ones like fear or contentment.
When a cat purrs while crying, it may indicate they are feeling mixed happiness and grief. For example, a cat given up for adoption may purr and cry when reunited with a previous owner. The purring shows happiness, while the crying could signal sadness over the previous separation. Cats bonded strongly with their owners can exhibit signs of grief when separated, then purr ecstatically when reunited. The mix of purring and crying in this situation may represent the cat’s relief and lingering grief after separation from a beloved human.
Kitten Communication
Kittens are unable to regulate their body temperature for the first few weeks after birth. They rely on nursing frequently to stay warm as well as to get nutrition. Newborn kittens purr and meow as a way to attract their mother’s attention when they are uncomfortable or hungry. These cries stimulate the mother cat to nurse and care for her kittens.
According to this Quora post, kittens under 8-12 weeks old will cry continuously when hungry. The younger the kitten, the more it relies on crying to signal to the mother that it needs care. So kittens crying while nursing is quite normal, especially in the first few weeks of life.
On Reddit, one user reported their mother cat crying while nursing. This crying stimulates milk production and signals the kittens to come eat. So some vocalizations from the mother are also normal during nursing.
Overstimulation
One common explanation for cats purring and crying at the same time is that they become overstimulated from too much petting or attention. Cats have sensitive nervous systems and can get overwhelmed when petted excessively, especially around the base of their tails, their bellies, or other sensitive areas (source). When a cat is overstimulated, they may initially purr and seem to enjoy the attention. However, as petting continues past the cat’s comfort level, they can become stressed and anxious, resulting in crying or other distress vocalizations. The crying indicates the cat is no longer enjoying the contact and is feeling overwhelmed.
Signs of overstimulation in cats include tail thrashing, skin rippling, biting or scratching, and crying or growling while being petted (source). Pet owners should watch for these cues and stop petting or holding the cat immediately if they occur. It’s important not to punish or scold the cat, as the crying is an involuntary reaction and not the cat’s fault. With proper handling that respects the cat’s limits, overstimulation can be avoided.
Separation Anxiety
One of the most common reasons cats cry when their owners return home is due to separation anxiety. Cats are very attached to their owners and can become distressed when left alone for long periods of time. According to one Reddit user, “It’s not ‘crying’ as in ‘distress,’ it’s vocalizing to get your attention because you’re hers. It’s an indicator of how much she is attached to you.”[1] Even though the cat misses you and may be anxious when you’re gone, they are still extremely happy to see you when you return. The crying is a sign of relief and an expression of affection. So while the cat is purring and crying at the same time, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. More likely, they just missed you a lot!
Other Explanations
While the main reasons cats cry while purring involve pain, emotions, and communication, some less common theories exist as well. One is that purring coupled with crying may be tied to memories. Just as humans can experience emotion from memories, cats too may exhibit this reaction. The crying may simply be an involuntary emotional response triggered by purring and certain memories.
Another less common explanation involves cognitive dysfunction or feline dementia, which can cause changes in vocalization. Elderly cats with dementia may exhibit excessive vocalization like crying while purring due to disorientation or inability to control their vocal cords properly. However, research on this theory is limited.
Overall the link between purring and crying in cats remains partially unexplained scientifically. While we know the main reasons it occurs, some cats may exhibit this behavior for unusual reasons tied to memories, dementia, or simple involuntary vocalization.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several possible explanations for why cats may cry or meow while purring. These include experiencing pain or sickness, feeling a mix of emotions, communicating as kittens do, being overstimulated, or having separation anxiety. While the exact reason is often hard to pinpoint, this unusual cat behavior appears to be a sign of some type of distress, discomfort, or need. Even though purring is typically associated with contentment, cats may combine purring with crying or meowing to express more complex emotions and physical states. The curious phenomenon highlights the nuanced ways cats communicate and the need to look at subtle vocalizations together with body language for clues into a cat’s inner state.