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A Gene May Influence How Much Cats Purr and Meow

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.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted June 2025

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