Can Purring Really Heal? Examining the Claims and the Evidence


I have an almost-daily routine with Phoebe (pictured on my chest, below) that goes like this:

I take my morning coffee to my desk, and begin working on my computer. Within a few minutes, Phoebe appears and plants herself on my lap. Purring commences and often continues for more than a half hour until she falls asleep.

Like so many cat owners, I find this experience soothing and calming. It turns out, there’s some evidence out there to suggest a cat’s gentle purr could even be therapeutic. 

But how good is this evidence?

Search the internet for something like “purring and healing properties” and you’ll get a slew of results that appear to make claims of solid evidence that purring has effective medical and therapeutic applications.

There is some evidence, yes. However, much of it is anecdotal and correlational. The truth is, there has been very little quality research that directly examines the effects of purring on health outcomes – for cats and humans alike. 

So, when you see claims of the magical healing powers of purring, be skeptical. That said, speculating on the possibilities based on what we do know is fun and fascinating! 

In this article, we’ll talk about the claims, theories, and hypotheses around the healing potential of purring, along with what evidence exists to support them.


Brown tabby cat laying calmly on salmon-colored quilt,  chin tilted up, a person's left hand reaching from behind the camera to touch her snout

The Intrigue of Overlapping Frequencies

A number of studies, like those conducted by Dr. Elizabeth von Muggenthaler, have shown that cats purr within a frequency range of 25-150 Hz. 

This is interesting, because this frequency range overlaps with a host of therapeutic frequencies used in various medical and therapeutic treatments, including the following applications:

  • Muscle and tendon healing
  • Joint injury recovery
  • Bone repair and enhanced bone density
  • Wound healing
  • Reduction of inflammation
  • Lowered heart rate and blood pressure
  • Pain relief
  • Relief of chronic pulmonary disease
  • Stress relief and mental health promotion

If these treatments are shown to be effective in aiding healing and health, it would make sense to argue that purring could have the same beneficial effects.

Next, let’s look at the existing frequency therapies that overlap with the frequency range of purring.

6 Frequency Therapies that Overlap with the Purring Frequency Range

In this section, we highlight six existing therapies and break them down according to the frequency used, what it’s used for, and a rough approximation of how well it’s supported by scientific evidence.

They’re listed in order of strength of scientific support.

1. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)

  • Frequency Range: Some devices operate within the 1-100 Hz range, with settings targeting healing processes often in the 20-50 Hz range.
  • Details: Electromagnetic pulses stimulate cellular repair and reduce inflammation.
  • Applications: Bone healing, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, and wound healing.
  • Scientific Evidence – Strong: Supported by FDA clearance for bone healing and pain management. Studies have demonstrated efficacy in improving bone density and reducing osteoarthritis symptoms.

2. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

  • Frequency Range: Often operates within 10-200 Hz, with specific settings for pain relief falling within the 25-100 Hz range.
  • Details: Uses electrical impulses to stimulate nerves and manage pain.
  • Applications: Chronic pain, neuropathy, and post-surgical recovery.
  • Scientific Evidence – Strong (for some applications): Supported by numerous RCTs, especially for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

3. Vibroacoustic Therapy

  • Frequency Range: Typically 30-120 Hz.
  • Details: Sound vibrations are delivered through a medium (chair, bed, water) to promote relaxation, pain relief, and stress reduction.
  • Applications: Stress, pain management, autism, and neurological disorders.
  • Scientific Evidence – Moderate: Preliminary research has shown positive effects on anxiety, stress, and chronic pain (e.g., fibromyalgia). However, more large-scale, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed.

4. Low-Frequency Ultrasound Therapy

  • Frequency Range: Certain low-frequency ultrasound devices operate below 100 Hz for targeted therapeutic applications.
  • Details: Stimulates tissue healing and promotes circulation.
  • Applications: Musculoskeletal injuries, tendinitis, and scar tissue management.
  • Scientific Evidence – Moderate: Some studies show promising results for wound healing and soft tissue repair, but efficacy can vary depending on the condition.

5. Frequency-Specific Microcurrent (FSM)

  • Frequency Range: Typically in the 1-100 Hz range, depending on the targeted tissue or condition.
  • Details: Delivers microcurrents tuned to specific frequencies for therapeutic effects.
  • Applications: Pain management, inflammation reduction, and myofascial pain.
  • Scientific Evidence – Moderate: Studies suggest efficacy for pain relief and inflammation, but the evidence base is still emerging, and more RCTs are needed.

6. Sound Therapy with Binaural Beats

  • Frequency Range: Binaural beats may target brainwave frequencies near the 25-50 Hz range to promote relaxation or focus.
  • Details: Induces relaxation or healing states by playing slightly different frequencies in each ear, creating a perceived beat frequency.
  • Applications: Anxiety, sleep disorders, and stress relief.
  • Scientific Evidence – Low-to-moderate: While some small studies suggest benefits for relaxation and focus, evidence remains limited, and placebo effects are difficult to rule out.

As you can see, some of these therapies aren’t well-supported, or at least not yet. And more rigorous studies are needed for all of them. 

But it’s easy to see how preliminary findings would lead many to speculate about the healing powers of a purring cat!

Next, we’ll go over other theories about a connection between purring and health outcomes.

Healing Theories Beyond Frequency

Claims about the healing properties of cat purring extend beyond vibration medicine and sound frequency therapy. 

While vibration and frequency are central to many theories, there are some other aspects that contribute to the purported benefits of purring as well. 

These include psychological, physiological, and evolutionary perspectives. 

Let’s take them one by one.

1. Psychological Effects

This first one is the one most cat owners will readily attest to, myself included.

  • Stress Reduction and Mental Health

The sound and sensation of a cat’s purring are inherently soothing to many people. This relaxation response can lower stress levels, which in turn can positively impact physical health.

Studies on animal-assisted therapy consistently show that interactions with animals, including petting and hearing a cat purr, can reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increase oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”).

  • Mood Enhancement

Cats are known to help alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression, and purring is a significant part of the comforting presence they provide.

2. Physiological Effects

  • Reduced Blood Pressure

Studies have found that simply being around cats can lower blood pressure, and purring is thought to enhance this effect by promoting relaxation and reducing stress-induced hypertension.

  • Heart Health Benefits

Research suggests that cat owners have a reduced risk of cardiovascular events. While this is largely attributed to the calming influence of cats, purring may play a role in reinforcing these benefits.

3. Placebo or Psychosomatic Effects

  • Belief in Healing

The mere belief in the therapeutic power of purring may itself produce measurable benefits. The placebo effect can trigger real physiological changes, including pain relief and improved mood, when people perceive purring as healing.

4. Evolutionary and Behavioral Theories

  • Healing for the Cat Itself

Cats may purr to promote their own healing. As we’ve seen, the vibration frequencies of 25-150 Hz overlap with those shown to stimulate tissue regeneration, bone growth, and wound healing. It’s possible that this evolutionary trait could provide indirect benefits to humans who share the environment with cats.

  • Communication and Bonding

Cats purr as a form of non-verbal communication, often to signal safety and contentment. Humans instinctively associate these signals with calmness and comfort, which can indirectly enhance human well-being.

It certainly makes me happy when I can see that my cats are happy. It just makes intuitive sense.

5. Neurobiological Effects

  • Auditory Stimulation and Brainwaves

Purring sounds may influence human brainwave patterns, promoting relaxation and potentially inducing meditative states. 

This connection aligns with studies on how certain frequencies impact alpha and theta brainwaves.

6. Immune System Effects

  • Stress and Immunity Link

Chronic stress weakens the immune system, and by reducing stress through purring, the body’s immune function may improve. This is more an indirect result of reduced stress than a direct effect of purring.

Scientific Context

While many of these claims are anecdotal or based on indirect evidence, they are consistent with broader findings in human-animal interaction research.

Rigorous studies isolating purring as the primary factor are rare, so much of the evidence remains theoretical or observational, and correlational.

Observations of Self-Healing in Cats

Cats have long amazed veterinarians with their remarkable healing abilities. They often purr when injured or in pain, suggesting they do indeed use purring as a natural healing mechanism. 

Here are some examples of observations made by veterinarians about cats:

  • Recovery from surgery faster than expected
  • Healed fractures with fewer complications than other animals
  • Healed bone fractures faster than dogs
  • Maintaining mobility despite serious conditions

Health Outcomes Among Cat Owners 

A groundbreaking 10-year study following 4,435 participants revealed that cat owners showed nearly 30% lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to non-cat owners. 

The study controlled for various factors including age, cholesterol, race/ethnicity, and smoking habits. Remarkably, dog ownership showed no similar correlation with reduced heart disease risk.

Purring wasn’t isolated as a variable in the study, but it stands to reason that a large majority of participants are regularly exposed to a purring cat. 

And we know from the therapies discussed above that exposure to purring frequencies may correlate with things like decreased heart rate, improved circulation, and lower blood pressure. 

Anecdotally, people who spend time with purring cats have reported improvements in chronic pain conditions, better sleep quality, reductions in stress, and enhanced even wound healing.

Last Meows

While the correlation between cat ownership and improved health is well-documented, the potential of purring’s healing properties still requires additional scientific validation. 

More controlled studies are needed to definitively prove any direct healing effects of purr vibrations for cats and humans. I really hope that research happens and does indeed show significant healing effects.

For now, I will take extra comfort in having Phoebe cozied up and purring on my lap every day, knowing that her steady rumble just might have some health benefits for both of us. 

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