Kittens learn how to purr when they are a couple days old. Veterinarians suggest that this purring tells 'mom' that 'I'm ok' and that 'I'm here'. It also indicates a bonding mechanism between kitten and mother.
As the kitten grows into adulthood, purring continues. Many suggest a cat purrs from contentment & pleasure. But a cat also purrs when it's in pain. Dr. Elizabeth Von Muggenthaler has suggested that the purr, with its low frequency vibrations, is a "natural healing mechanism." Purring may be linked to the strengthening and repairing of bones, relief of pain, and wound healing.
It was once thought that the purr was produced from blood surging through the inferior vena cava, but as research continues, it seems that the intrinsic laryngeal muscles are the likely source of the purr. The laryngeal muscles are responsible for the opening and closing of the glottis, which results in a separation of the vocal cords:-) and thus the purr sound.
Source: {http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/catspurr.html}
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