When do kittens start purring, and why do they do it?
Kittens start purring very early: Cats Protection says they can purr from birth, and it is common to hear them purring while they nurse during their first days of life. At that stage, purring mainly helps them communicate with their mother. Over time they will use it in many other situations, and not always to show that they feel good.
At what age do kittens start purring?
If you are wondering at what age cats purr, the answer is practically from the start. It is not something they learn later on: purring is part of their repertoire from the first weeks, while they still depend entirely on their mother.
You are most likely to notice it at feeding time: kittens settle against their mother’s belly, nurse and purr at the same time. International Cat Care describes exactly this scene: the mother purrs when she returns to the nest and the kittens, in turn, suckle and purr at the same time.
In such young kittens the sound can be very soft. Sometimes it is easier to feel as a light vibration when they are close than to hear as a clear sound. And it is nothing to worry about if one kitten purrs less than their littermates: each one has their own pace.
Why does a baby cat purr?
Communicating with their mother
During the first weeks, a kitten cannot do much on their own. Purring is one of their first communication tools. According to Cats Protection, it lets their mother know where they are, that they are fine and, perhaps, that it is feeding time.
The mother purrs too. International Cat Care explains that when she returns to the nest, she purrs to signal to her kittens that all is well. It is a discreet, very close form of communication, designed to work body to body.
Purring and kneading: two nursing behaviours
While nursing, kittens also press on their mother’s belly with alternating front paws to stimulate the flow of milk. This is where the kneading many adult cats still do on blankets or on their people comes from, often while purring. To learn more, read our article on why cats knead.
How purring is produced (and what we still do not know)
The classic explanation, given in Scientific American by Leslie A. Lyons of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, is that purring is produced by intermittent signalling to the muscles of the larynx and diaphragm, and that cats purr both when breathing in and when breathing out.
However, the mechanism is not fully settled. In 2023, a team from the University of Vienna showed in the laboratory that a cat’s larynx can produce sounds at purring frequencies without repetitive muscle contractions, and described a kind of “pad” in the vocal folds that could help explain such low sounds. The authors themselves note that their finding does not completely rule out the previous theory, but it does indicate that our understanding of purring is incomplete.
For you as a carer, the practical point is that purring is a normal sound and you do not need to “teach” a kitten anything: it appears on its own.
Purring does not always mean contentment
It is easy to assume that a purring cat is happy, but that is not always the case. Cats Protection points out that the reason for purring depends on context and lists several situations:
- Contentment: the cat is relaxed, with ears and whiskers in a calm position.
- Bonding: during contact with their mother, other cats or their people.
- Excitement during play.
- Stress, pain or a need to self-soothe, for example at the vet.
International Cat Care adds that cats also purr when they are sick or injured. That is why it is worth looking at the whole picture: a kitten purring with ears back, very dilated pupils or a tense body may be having a hard time, even though the sound is the same.
What to do if you are caring for purring kittens
If you have a litter at home or have just taken in some kittens, purring is a good chance to observe without interrupting:
- Let the mother and kittens rest. Keep the nest in a warm, quiet place away from busy areas.
- Watch feeding times. A kitten who purrs while nursing and then sleeps peacefully is usually a good sign.
- Handle them only as much as needed and always with clean hands, without separating them from their mother for longer than necessary.
- Watch their body language, not just the sound.
If the kittens have no mother, their needs change completely: warmth, feeding with a specific milk formula and stimulation so they can go to the toilet. Our guide to caring for orphan kittens explains the first steps. And if you are thinking of giving a home to a kitten once they are old enough to leave their family, on Miwuki Pet Shelter you can browse kittens for adoption (in Spanish) from shelters and private owners.
When to see a vet
Purring on its own is not a cause for alarm. What matters is the kitten’s general condition. Contact your vet straight away if a kitten, even while purring:
- Is not nursing, or nurses much more weakly than their littermates.
- Feels cold, is very lethargic or does not respond normally.
- Cries constantly or seems to be in pain when touched.
- Has diarrhoea, vomiting, difficulty breathing or discharge from the eyes or nose.
In very young kittens, problems can get worse quickly, so if in doubt, it is better to get advice. This guide is for information only and does not replace an assessment by a vet.
Conclusion
Kittens purr from their first days, especially while nursing, as a way of communicating with their mother. It is a normal sound that will stay with them all their lives, but it does not always mean contentment: look at their posture, whether they are feeding well and their general behaviour to understand what they are telling you.
