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Frazer Sissom, D.E.; Rice, D.A.; Peters, G.
How cats purr
1991 Journal of Zoology (London) (223): 67-78
We measured purring in unrestrained intact pumas, cheetahs and domestic cats. Domestic cats, _Felis silvestris _f._ catus_, purr at a frequency of 26.3 ñ 1.95 (S.D.) Hz. The frequency at midexpiration exceeds that at mid-inspiration by 2.4 ñ 1.3 Hz. Purring frequency for individuals does not change with age. Purring can occur simultaneously with other vocalization. Two-channel acoustic measurements confirm that the primary mechanism for sound and vibration production is a centrally driven laryngeal modulation of respiratory flow. The diaphragm and other muscles appear to be unnecessary for purring other than to drive respiration.
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