In this Purr-fect instructable, I'll show you how too make your kitty-cat purr like a champ! Through strategic rub-down points, and hidden scratching spots, you can have your cat purring for you in no time!

For this instructable, I'll be using my cat, Oliver, as my example to show you how you can make your cat purr.

I love feedback and comments, and positive ratings are appreciated!
 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: The Science of a Cat's Purr.

The following information has been obtained from Wikipedia. In no way do I claim ownership over this information, but I am placing it here for scientific and informational purposes.

How felines purr

Despite being a universally recognized phenomenon, the exact mechanism by which the cat purrs has been frustratingly elusive for scientists. This is partly because the cat has no obvious anatomical feature unique to it that would be responsible.

One hypothesis, backed up by electromyographic studies, is that cats produce the purring noise by fast twitching of the muscles in their larynx, which rapidly dilate and constrict the glottis, thus causing vibrations in the air both during inhalation and exhalation. Combined with the steady inhalation and exhalation of air as the cat breathes, a purring noise is produced with strong harmonics.

Why felines purr

Above all, the purr is probably the cat's way of communicating to others (cats and humans) that it is in the mood to be sociable. The purring sound is frequently made at the same time that other 'sociable' signals are made, e.g. erect tail, slightly closed "contented" eyes. People usually interpret the purring of a domestic cat as an expression of some type of positive feeling.

This information has been copied from Wikipedia, the exact source of said information can be found at this web address:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purr

_

So, if you read the above information from Wikipedia, you would have learned that a cat's purr is produced through the rapid twitching of muscles in the larynx as the cat inhales and exhales. You would have also read that you can tell if a cat is in a purring mood by the way it looks. Does it's tale stand up? Are it's eyes in a half closed drowsy state?
You can also tell if a cat is ready to purr by the way it acts around you. It may weave in and out of your legs, and lean close to you as it walks by.

Now, read on for the how to on making your cat purr.
1-40 of 201Next »
bmarshall8 says: Jun 19, 2013. 1:56 PM
It actually put my cat to sleep. But I am glad because he kept yawning on me and his breath stank. When he woke he was purring his head of :) At least he didn't bite me...
Wrecksness says: Jun 17, 2012. 9:15 AM
Good instructable. My cats didn't like it if my thumb got too deep into their ear. I just reversed the technique and put my pointer finger knuckle on the inside and gently massage the outer side with my thumb.

Stephanie has turned bathroom time into family time. When I go into the bathroom before I sit down she's there heading for her litterbox. She'll squat even if she doesn't need to do anything.
U456 says: Oct 24, 2011. 1:59 PM
My little kitten is soooo cute! I rub his tummy and sometimes he purrs!
derangedMUFFINS says: Apr 16, 2008. 9:52 PM
I don't itch my cats tail/butt because it turns him on! LOL! XDDDD nice constructive way to make your kitty purrrrrrrrr!
kdude63 in reply to derangedMUFFINSMar 12, 2010. 9:40 AM
No really it doesn't.  It's just some sensitive nerves there that react. Don't know how to really explain it. But it doesn't, trust me.
Dumchicken in reply to kdude63Sep 20, 2011. 5:33 PM
MY CAT NAMED harry wuvs it so muwch when i pet his fuwwy lil tale
drlanator says: Aug 26, 2011. 5:33 AM
CHECK OUT CARE FOR A CAT BY DRLANATOR AND VOTE FOR PETS CHALLENGE! banzai!
SarahKat552 says: May 21, 2011. 8:40 PM
about the blowing air in there face i do that all the time to osc when he sleeps with me i dont want him all in my face it takes about 3 times he is a VERY tollerant cat so it takes me a wile but he does not seem to like it
SarahKat552 says: May 21, 2011. 8:37 PM
no offence but your cat is halarious espesially when yowning
SarahKat552 says: May 21, 2011. 8:35 PM
my cate hates his belly touched about the nudding thing my cat does that but only when i give him kisses and yes i do kiss my kitty oh and your cat looks like mine
HBomb187 says: Mar 5, 2011. 9:19 AM
Orange kitty with a long nose looks just like my orange kitty with a long nose!! So cute!
theexpert says: Aug 20, 2010. 7:51 PM
i would like to add that female cats that have had kittens may get annoyed by scratching at the base of there tail and when a cat likes you in the middle of you peting them it may mean they want you to groom them aka pet them where they cant like themselfes and if a cat hissses at you during peting try puting your hand near there mouth and nose if they continue hissing and they jerk their head back they thats a sigh you should back of and leave them alone
hjostrander in reply to theexpertJan 1, 2011. 3:16 PM
i would do that to my cat, but she hates it when anything but food is touching her face!
theexpert in reply to hjostranderJan 14, 2011. 4:11 PM
lol i that's what my cat other now only cat does RIP moka my favorite cat ever may you have had a good life
fuzychiapet says: Apr 4, 2010. 2:28 AM
Thank you for showing me how to be a massage slave to my cat. Hopefully he will accept my offerings of love.
hjostrander in reply to fuzychiapetJan 1, 2011. 3:17 PM
wow. lol
hjostrander says: Jan 1, 2011. 3:13 PM
uh... my neise has an orange cat named oliver too... funny but also creepy! ;)
EpicZombie says: Jan 1, 2011. 1:38 PM
lol like the first pic haha!
carpfluff says: Oct 11, 2010. 4:03 PM
"Cat's also love being scratched at the base of their tail, where tail meets butt, on the top of their back." i think all animals like that. my dog goes nuts when i scratch him there.
Screamo says: Sep 27, 2010. 12:03 AM
I love cats!
timothymh says: Apr 1, 2010. 12:29 PM
 NO! I don't like to be thought of as a grammar nazi, but lay/lie mistakes I can't bear. Please change the title of this step to "let them choose where the lie".
Th3Snip3r in reply to timothymhApr 10, 2010. 9:34 PM
you mean, they lie?
Ninzerbean in reply to timothymhApr 1, 2010. 5:24 PM
 Yeah, chickens lay eggs but not cats, that's how I remember. I still can't remember the difference between bring and take though.
timothymh in reply to NinzerbeanApr 2, 2010. 12:32 PM
 LOL. ...I expect you're joking, but you never know with people these days.
Ninzerbean in reply to timothymhApr 2, 2010. 1:06 PM
 Really... you never know.
timothymh in reply to NinzerbeanApr 3, 2010. 6:32 AM
 Sad, but true. I personally know someone who thinks the past tense of "thank" is "thunk".
Ninzerbean in reply to timothymhApr 3, 2010. 6:59 AM
 No no no, "thunk" is the past tense of think! The past tense of "thank" is "whatever".
timothymh in reply to NinzerbeanApr 4, 2010. 6:37 AM
 Exactly! He's totally wrong!
Glen474 says: Apr 2, 2010. 4:11 PM
My cat loves to rub her ears on my chin especially when it has 3 or 4 days of stubble growth.  
She is a tiny 7 pound but full grown 'American Short hair' with a coat of black rings/stripes on gray and sweet beyond description.    We share a mutual infatuation;  she follows me everywhere. 
I love her.


rathmiron says: Apr 2, 2010. 8:57 AM
I've read in a cat behavior book that exposing their bellies doesn't  always mean the want you to rub their bellies. iknow, because sometimes my cat jumpes up when he exposed his belly and i rubbed it.

another thing cats (my cats at least) also like to be scratched on their jaws, almost in the neck (probably because their scent glands are their and the like that their scent is being rubbed of on you)
 

666chickenhead says: Apr 1, 2010. 6:14 PM
Oliver is absolutely a stunning guy.  Congratulations.
pechka says: Aug 6, 2009. 11:55 PM
Oh yeah, word of caution, cats are very different from each other Some find any touching near the tail too stimulating and you may need to take evasive action. And please, everyone spread the word that declawing a cat is cruel mutilation; it's not like a permanant nail-clip, it's analogous to amputating more than half of a person's fingers.
Silence in reply to pechkaApr 1, 2010. 1:36 PM
Removing the finger at the first knuckle is the equivelent of declawing a cat.
While the proceedure may be viewed as inhumane, when it is done correctly it will not adversely affect the cat at all. Also, a cat will only scratch your furniture with the front claws, the rear can be left intact if your worried about it affecting theire ability to run as boom 5601 suggests.
Since it IS removing a natural weapon however it is reccomended that after a cat is declawed they remain indoor cats.
Burrr in reply to pechkaMar 11, 2010. 8:40 AM

Well, we have 6 cats, all declawed, and they are happy loving cats -- not overweight, not crazy, not impared in any way.  Any we have our nice furniture too.  Please stop making people like us out to be horrible animal mutilators!
bowmaster in reply to pechkaJan 1, 2010. 4:46 PM

Very true. My cat LOVES his claws.

hafftrak in reply to pechkaSep 5, 2009. 1:31 PM
I got some of those plastic caps for the claws, and they work great.
BOOM5601 in reply to pechkaAug 20, 2009. 10:19 AM
I agree with the declawing. It makes it harder for them to run, and they end up being lazy fat cats.
SaraHawk says: Jul 9, 2009. 11:49 AM
Really outstanding photography as well as advice! I have 4 indoor cats and an unspecified number that live in the back yard. There is nothing as stress-relieving and mentally uplifting as a cat's purr. Some cats get over-stimulated when petted and latch on to you with teeth and claws; you can often just stop petting them and they will let go.
kdude63 in reply to SaraHawkMar 12, 2010. 9:46 AM
That's what happens a lot of the time when I am rubbing my cat's belleh. =P
SOTILAS says: Sep 12, 2009. 10:51 AM
Great instructable! BTW I get my cat to purr by just coming near to him
1-40 of 201Next »
Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

PDF Downloads
As a Pro member, you will gain access to download any Instructable in the PDF format. You also have the ability to customize your PDF download.

Upgrade to Pro today!