June 3, 2025, 1:12 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Some cats purr so long and intensely that you might think they have a small humming motor inside them. But what exactly is the reason why some cats purr only a little while others purr much more? A study has found an explanation for this.
House cats belong to the Felidae family, whose members are mostly solitary. Once these feline animals are large enough, they communicate with each other more physically, with a bushy tail or a swipe of the paw. Nevertheless, domesticated cats display a wide range of social behaviors–including through scents, body posture, and vocalizations like meowing or purring. Purring, often associated with well-being, plays an important role in communication between cats and humans, according to studies–for example, to avoid conflict, request attention, or provide comfort. But why does one cat purr more frequently than another? A new study from Japan sheds light on this mystery.
Information for More or Less Purring Embedded in Cats’ Genes
While the connection between genetics and behavior is well-researched in dogs, comparable studies in cats are still in their infancy. So far, only a few genes have been examined for their behavioral relevance–such as the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), which is responsible for the release of happiness hormones.
A research team from Kyoto University and Kyoto City University of Arts has now focused on another gene in cats, the androgen receptor gene (AR gene). It is known that this gene is linked to aggressive or fearful behavior in many animal species. Therefore, the researchers, led by Miho Inoue-Murayama from the Wildlife Research Center at Kyoto University, took a closer look at this gene in house cats.
The aim of the study was to analyze clues about the behavior of house cats through genetic differences in the AR gene. The study analyzed the behavior of 280 neutered house cats using a standardized questionnaire (Fe-BARQ) and linked the results to genetic variations in the so-called glutamine repeat region within the AR gene–the same region associated with behaviors like aggression in other mammals. The results were published on May 28, 2025, in the journal “PLOS ONE.”
Gene Length Determines More Than Purring Behavior
Based on data from 280 animals (145 male, 135 female), the researchers identified some correlations. To minimize potential influencing factors, they explicitly chose no purebred cats and exclusively neutered animals for their study.
In total, eight variants with 15 to 22 repeats were identified, divided into two groups: “Short” and “Long.” The length of this gene region indeed influences how often cats purr or meow. Cats with short AR gene variants purred more frequently than those with long variants. This correlation existed in both genders, with male cats with short alleles also showing more “directed vocalizations” toward humans.
The researchers could also demonstrate whether the cats were aggressive toward strangers based on their data. This was evident from the behavioral data collected through the Fe-BARQ questionnaire. With 101 questions about everyday situations, the researchers checked whether “more purring” cats also generally appeared more peaceful. This was especially true for female cats with short alleles, which purred a lot but were more often aggressive toward strangers.
Owners Appreciate When Cats Purr More
The results support the assumption that there is a genetic basis for both purring and vocal communication. The “more purring” cats with the short gene also received higher ratings in owner evaluations. Particularly in male cats with the short type, there was increased vocalization toward humans, which also suggests a connection between the gene and vocal communication.
This initial analysis reveals exciting perspectives. For example, it is known that purebred cats generally have longer alleles. Accordingly, their vocal communication with humans is often not as pronounced as in cats that have not been selectively bred. The researchers suspect this is because purebred cats have been raised by humans since kittenhood and have never lacked anything.
Many mixed-breed cats in this study are former stray cats, which could mean that rescued cats tend to meow more. Perhaps because they needed to attract more attention to get what they wanted from humans. Or, as has long been known, because cats from shelters bond more closely with their owners.
Additionally, the research team compared the cats’ genes with those of 11 other Felidae species and found that the leopard cat and the fishing cat, both closely related to house cats, only possess the short type, while house cats have longer types not found in the other species. These results suggest that the emergence of these longer types may be due to genetic changes related to domestication and selective breeding.
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Why Cats Purr Is Still Not Clearly Understood
There is hardly an owner who does not appreciate their cat’s purring. Yet, there are still many unanswered questions about this sound that is so pleasant to us. Only recently was it unraveled how the sound is produced (PETBOOK reported). The general purpose is also still unclear. Cats purr when they feel good, when they want to heal themselves, and to communicate with us as owners.
The results of this study now provide the first evidence that the purring behavior of house cats is linked to specific variants in the AR gene–and may have arisen through their connection with humans. It suggests that certain gene variants influence how cats communicate with their environment. Particularly in interaction with humans, shorter gene variants with more pronounced vocalization may have been advantageous–a potential survival advantage for stray or shelter animals.
At the same time, the results show that specific gene variants have prevailed in the course of domestication and breeding–such as the long alleles in purebred cats, which may rely less on vocalizations. The research could contribute in the long term to better predicting behavior, creating more appropriate living conditions, and providing targeted care for animals. For pet owners, this means: Perhaps purring reveals more about the cat than previously thought.
About the Author
Louisa Stoeffler has been working as a cat sitter since 2016 and knows the subtle nuances in the animals’ behavior from practice. In addition to care, she also advises owners on all “furry” questions about cat behavior. As a specialist editor, she has been writing in-depth articles for PETBOOK since 2022 on cat care, wildlife, animal protection legislation, and natural history studies. She is particularly passionate about animals and topics that often remain in the shadows of public attention–such as mollusks, for which she has developed a special interest. Her goal: to prepare complex relationships in an understandable way, strengthen animal protection, and raise awareness among readers about the diversity of the animal world.