The researchers analysed numerous recordings of domestic and wild cats to compare the acoustic characteristics of their meows and purrs. While meows vary depending on the situation – asking for food, seeking attention, or showing stress – their sound structures are relatively similar between individuals.
”We tend to pay more attention to meows because cats primarily use these vocalisations to communicate with us,” explains Danilo Russo, the study's lead author.
The purr as a personal signature
In contrast, the purr shows subtle and consistent variations linked to the cat's physiology. The frequency, intensity, and rhythm of the vibrations create a stable sound profile, which allows a cat to be identified more accurately than by its meow.
The scientists explain this uniqueness by the way the purr is produced, which is closely linked to the animal's larynx, musculature, and rib cage. These biological factors are unique to each cat, making the sound difficult to replicate.
The complexity of feline communication
This discovery also confirms that purring isn't just a sign of contentment. Cats also purr in stressful situations, when in pain, or while recovering from an illness. Certain observed frequencies might even promote physical healing.
In the future, analysing purrs could have applications in veterinary medicine, particularly for monitoring health or identifying animals. It's a new avenue of research that highlights the complexity of feline vocal communication.
