A Gene May Influence How Much Cats Purr and Meow

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on June 8, 2025.

By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter

SUNDAY, June 8, 2025 — Why does your cat purr when you pet it — or meow when dinner’s late?

A new study from the Wildlife Research Center at Kyoto University in Japan suggests the answer could be in its genes.

Researchers looked at the androgen receptor gene in 280 spayed or neutered mixed-breed cats.

They compared the DNA to behavior reports from cat owners and then examined how this gene appears in other cat species.

They found that cats with a shorter version of the gene were more likely to purr and meow, especially male cats.

Female cats with the short-type gene, however, showed more aggression toward strangers.

"When we called for participants, we were moved to receive responses from 265 cat owners from across Japan in just a single day, and received kind messages. This reminded us of the strong public interest in cat research," lead author Yume Okamoto, a doctoral student, said in a news release.

Researchers noted that many of the mixed-breed cats in the study were rescued strays. That may explain their increased meowing. Purebred cats, however, are more likely to have the long version of the gene, which may mean less meowing.

The findings also suggest that domestication and selective breeding have influenced how cats communicate with people.

The short version of the gene was found in two wild cat species closely related to domestic cats — the leopard cat and the fishing cat. But only house cats had longer versions of the gene.

The team plans to expand its research to include other wild cat species.

"Through our research, we hope to deepen our understanding of cats and contribute to building happier relationships between cats and humans," Okamoto concluded.

The findings were published May 28 in PLOS One.

Sources

  • Kyoto University, news release, May 29, 2025

    • Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

    Source: HealthDay

    Posted : 2025-06-09 00:00

    Read more

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords