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Why do cats purr?
Not always because they're happy. Cats purr when content, but also when stressed, hurt or giving birth.
The sound comes from the voice box, buzzing about 25 times a second. And hungry cats may hide a cry inside the purr that's harder to ignore. So a purr is a signal, not always a smile.
About this film
A 25-second vertical (9:16) explainer film, made in the Risograph print style, published on 19 October 2026.
A purr isn't a mood readout: cats purr content, stressed, hurt or giving birth — it's the voice box buzzing about 25 times a second, and a hungry cat can hide a cry in it.
The style: Risograph print. True spot-ink print: halftone dots, misregistration, drawn in code.
Scene by scene
- 0:00Hook: HAPPY? — NOT ALWAYS
- 0:03Content: dozing on a cushion
- 0:06Stressed: in the carrier at the vet
- 0:06Hurt: a bandaged paw
- 0:07Giving birth: curled round her kittens
- 0:08Inside: the voice box buzzes 25 times a second
- 0:12A hungry purr hides a cry
- 0:16Verdict: a signal, not always a smile
- 0:19End card: next, is a Tesla thruster just a leaf blower?
Transcript
Does a purr always mean happy? Not always. Cats purr when content, but also when stressed, hurt, or giving birth. It's the voice box buzzing, about twenty-five times a second. Hungry cats may hide a cry in the purr: harder to ignore. So a purr is a signal, not always a smile. Next: is a Tesla thruster just a leaf blower?
Follow to find out.
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