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Think your cat only purrs when it's happy? Here are five reasons your cat purrs and what each one means

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Few sounds are as comforting as a cat's gentle purr. Whether your feline curls up on your lap after a long day or greets you at the door with a soft rumble, it's easy to assume that purring always means happiness. While contentment is certainly one reason cats purr, veterinarians say it's far from the only explanation.

According to a report by Reader's Digest, purring is one of the most versatile forms of communication in a cat's vocabulary. Cats use it to express emotions, strengthen bonds, ask for help, and sometimes even comfort themselves during stressful situations. Because cats can't tell us how they're feeling with words, paying attention to when they purr—and what else they're doing at the same time—can provide important clues about what's going on.