The team behind Purrfy did a deep investigation into the science of a cat’s purr from a wide variety of perspectives. We searched through academic findings in a variety of fields, including veterinary medicine, kinesiology, biology, audio therapies, zoology, and physiotherapy. What, we wondered, did researchers have to say about the qualities of a cat’s purr?
You can read more about how we accurately replicated a cat’s purr on our design page.
While feline-assisted therapy is a relatively new area of research, research has found that contact with a cat can soothe and ease a variety of ailments, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, and Alzheimer's disease. Feline-assisted therapy is growing in popularity and works in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and kindergartens.
People generally report that listening to a cat’s purr creates feelings of calm and relaxation and research has shown that pets can help reduce stress and lower blood pressure, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Interacting with a pet can also help lower anxiety. Learning about these soothing abilities made it even more important for us to get Purrfy out into the world.
But does a cat’s purr heal? Research indicates that low frequencies, like the frequencies a Purrfy generates, can positively impact the speed of fracture healing and bone strength. More research is needed, but studies suggest that the vibrations from purring may have a positive impact on mental health, feelings of calmness, reducing anxiety, and potentially on bone and tissue health for humans. We hope that through Purrfy, more people will be able to access these benefits easily and more frequently.
