I decided to do a bit of Internet research this morning. I realize that it is difficult to do Internet research and that obtaining quality information from the Internet requires seeking multiple sources, comparing the credibility of each source, and a bit of critical thinking. The topic might require additional work, but here is a bit of what I have discovered so far:

First of all, cats have two types of meow. If you spend time with cats, you’ll observe that there is a quiet, demure mew. Cats also have a much louder sound that is difficult to ignore. When they are determined, vocal cords in the larynx vibrate intensely, sometimes enough to strike each other. Simultaneously another muscle group controlling the size of the opening creates varying pitches. The physiological process of a cat making its louder sounds is very similar to a human singing. Think of a yowling cat as an operatic performer. Like opera, appreciating cats may take a bit of education and practice.

I make this point because it is important to note that although there are many differences between cats and humans, the structures in their throat and larynx, including vocal cords are very similar. This thought brings us to the point of today’s journal entry, a bit of self defense following a conversation that we had with friends last night.

Dear friends are visiting from South Dakota. They are staying in their camper on this road trip and they have brought their two cats with them. The cats ride in a crate in the back seat of the pickup when they drive and when the camper is set up they have access to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Their food dishes and litter box are conveniently located and they have been trained to walk on leashes for more extended exercise and explorations. Our friends have years of experience of traveling successfully with cats.

They are currently staying at our son’s farm which has a convenient place to park a camper. Their two cats are a big attraction for our grandchildren, especially the two girls, who have been making frequent visits to the camper to see and pet the cats. The cats know how to hide when they have had their fill of the children, but are friendly and enjoy a bit of attention.

Last night we had dinner with our friends in their camper. After the meal we were petting the cats and talking about them. I tried to explain a certain feature we share with cats, but hadn’t really done my homework and wasn’t quite sure of what I was talking about. As I wrote, these are dear friends, so a bit of bumbling conversation is accepted. The talk, however, left me wanting to do a bit more research.

Cats, like humans, talk and sing, or perhaps meow and yowl, by forcing air from the lungs over their vocal cords. This means that the sound is produced only on the exhale. Neither cats nor we can make the same sounds as we inhale. The best we can do is to breathe through our mouths and make a whistling sound with our lips as we inhale.

However, when they are contented and comfortable, cats make another sound. A cat can relax and allow the muscles of the vocal cords to vibrate slightly on both the inhale and exhale. As air pushes in and out it flows over the vocal cords enough to create a pulsating vibration that is slightly different on the inhale than on the exhale. But the sound doesn’t stop there. The true sound that we hear comes from the bones.

All cats have something called a hyoid bone. The bone is at the back of the throat and supports the tongue and larynx. When the vibrations from the cat’s vocal cords hit the hyoid bone, it begins to rumble. That low-frequency reverberation is purring. It is amazing how calming it is to have a purring cat sitting on your lap. Not only is the cat relaxed, it helps the human to relax as well. The soft fur adds a touch element to the soothing sounds to make holding a relaxed cat an exquisite pleasure.


That is not all, however. Among other similarities shared with various mammals, especially with cats, humans have a hyoid bone. Just like the cat, we have a bone that sits in the back of our throat and supports the tongue and larynx. Which gets to the point I was trying to make last night. Humans should be able to purr also.

I have made several attempts and when I do, I can get a bit of a rumble in the back of my throat. However, when I attempt to demonstrate this skill to others, all I get are strange looks and giggles. My wife maintains that I cannot purr at all, which is frustrating. How can I learn to purr if she makes fun of me every time I practice?

However, I got no sympathy from our friends. These are people that we have known for more than a quarter of a century and with whom we have shared some exciting adventures and deeply personal moments. We have sat together in hospital waiting rooms and funeral homes. We have watched our children and grandchildren grow up. We have traveled to foreign countries and shared both stories and missional service. The speed with which they took my wife’s side in the conversation was mind boggling!

For now, I guess, I am left to practice my purring when no one is watching or listening, though I confess the sound is very quiet. I don’t need to develop a loud purr. I’ll leave that to cats who have been purring since they were tiny kittens. All I need is a hit of a rumble, enough vocal cord vibration to get that hyoid bone to rumble in harmonic unity. So far, I can’t get it to work on the inhale. What I can do is to trap a bit of air in the back of my throat and then squeeze it out with the muscles back there. I’m not sure what can be heard buy others, but there is a definite bone vibration in my ears. It sounds like purring to me. I guess, however, that it is not yet ready for public performance. At least not if I want to avoid being laughed at.

Then again, laughing together creates wonderful memories with dear friends. I’m glad they brought their cats on this trip.