Cats are lovely pets. They sit on laps. They close their eyes. Then, they make a special sound. Purr, purr, purr. It sounds like a little motor inside. Why do cats purr?
Scientists have many ideas.
First, cats purr when they are happy. When a cat eats good food or sleeps in the warm sun, it purrs. It tells you, "I feel safe. I feel good." Mother cats purr to talk to their babies. Kittens cannot see or hear well when they are born. But they feel the purr. The purr is like a map. It tells the kittens, "I am here. Come to me."
Second, cats purr when they are scared or hurt. This is a surprise for many people. If a cat goes to the animal doctor, it might purr. Why? The purr helps the cat feel better. Scientists found that the sound vibration of a purr heals bones and muscles. It stops pain. Purring is a magic medicine for cats.
Cats have a hidden motor. It shows happiness. It heals the body.
What sound does your pet make?