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The Genetic Mystery of Why Cats Purr May Finally Be Solved

A study from Kyoto University has identified a gene linked to cat purring, suggesting that the short-type androgen receptor gene influences vocalization behaviors in domestic cats. The research indicates that the long-type version of this gene is unique to domestic cats and may have evolved during domestication, impacting their communication with humans. This discovery could help clarify the purpose of purring and enhance the relationship between cats and their owners.

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Harold Kim Antipasado
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4 views2 pages

The Genetic Mystery of Why Cats Purr May Finally Be Solved

A study from Kyoto University has identified a gene linked to cat purring, suggesting that the short-type androgen receptor gene influences vocalization behaviors in domestic cats. The research indicates that the long-type version of this gene is unique to domestic cats and may have evolved during domestication, impacting their communication with humans. This discovery could help clarify the purpose of purring and enhance the relationship between cats and their owners.

Uploaded by

Harold Kim Antipasado
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Genetic Mystery of Why Cats Purr

May Finally Be Solved


NATURE 08 June 2025 By TESSA KOUMOUNDOUROS

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The new information may eventually help solve some of these outstanding
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For whatever reason cats purr, we humans can't get enough of it. (Evrymmnt/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Analyzing the DNA and owner-reported behavior of 280 domestic cats, Kyoto
University biologist Yume Okamoto and colleagues identified a gene linked to
purring and other forms of cat vocalizations.
Cats with short-type androgen receptor genes were reported to purr more by
their owners than those with a long-type. Male cats with this short-type gene
were also reported to be more vocal towards humans.
Androgen receptors mainly regulate testosterone, so the length of the gene
likely influences testosterone-related behaviors, which include vocalization.
By examining this gene across 11 cat species, the researchers found the long-
type version was only present in domestic cats. Even their closest relatives, the
fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis),
did not have the longer forms of the gene, suggesting it arose during cat
domestication.

A cat who participated in the study. (KyotoU/Maruyama lab)

Previous research found pure-bred cats are more likely to have the long-type
gene than mixed-breed cats, which often began life as strays. As such, the
researchers suspect cats consistently raised by humans aren't as dependent on
vocal communication for their survival, allowing cats with the long-type genetic
variation to survive in the pure-bred population.
"This result aligns with the association between purring and vocal
communication as strategies for seeking attention or support, benefiting
survival through interactions with both cats and humans," Okamoto and team
write in their paper.
Cats also purr when they are severely injured, so some researchers have
proposed purring could be a healing mechanism too.
A few years ago, researchers found squishy pads in cat vocal cords produce the
low-pitched vibrations without muscle contractions, so the 25- to 30-Hz rumble
is, to some extent, automated.
We're gradually getting a better understanding of this soothing cat behavior.
"Through our research, we hope to deepen our understanding of cats and
contribute to building happier relationships between cats and humans," says
Okamoto.
This research was published in PLOS One.

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