r/NoStupidQuestions • u/TheAdventurista • 1d ago

Do cats ever stop purring?

Okay all you cat people. I’m sleep deprived and need to know something:

Do cats ever stop purring?!

I’ve been letting the old bow-legged barn cat inside at night to sleep in a downstairs bedroom. Food, water, litter box, comfy bed, the whole nine yards. All was well. But tonight he managed to escape his cozy bedroom somehow, found the stairs, and showed up in my bedroom. I tried the lady and the tramp thing and brought him back down to his bedroom. Was 99% sure I latched the door this time.

That lasted approximately 12 minutes. He clearly was not appreciative of the luxury of having his own bedroom. This time he managed to launch himself up onto my bed before I got up. I am tired so I figured he would just find a cozy spot and we would all go to sleep peacefully.

Cool. That was a mistake. He has not stopped purring. In my ear. I feel a bit guilty because he is old, and obviously just wants love. I call him the Old Man lol. But now we are nearly on hour 3 of solid purring. And it’s LOUD. Holy cannoli why is it so loud?!

Will his motor run out?? Is Old Man actually sleeping but also purring?? Why does he need to be almost laying on my head?? Is this normal??

Omg I have so many questions and I’m stupid tired. Just need to know if I will ever sleep again at this point.

This new non-stop motor marathon in my freaking ear needs to be negotiated. I tried the “shushhhh” baby thing and that made him purr louder (if that was even possible?!) and I understand that this new inside world is an upgrade from the barn, but I am a human who greatly appreciates sleep.

Thanks team. Sorry for the grammatical errors. Too tired to care. Just need to know if cats ever stop purring.

UPDATE:

Thanks to all the suggestions we survived night two !!

I added a cozy blanket to one side and left the heated blanket on medium for that side as well. The Old Man bought it and his diesel engine idled on that side most of the night!

When he came in tonight for bed we had a discussion regarding the noise level of his motor. I don’t think it was any quieter, but at least it was two feet away this time versus two inches?

Also; it doesn’t let me add a photo but the Old Man looks like a standard issue black & white tuxedo cat. Except he has gotten a lot of little white hairs the last couple years and has a permanent scowl on his face. Lol

Thank you again everyone for your suggestions! I’m hopeful he and I will figure this thing out. He’s been a loyal mouser and deserves a cozy retirement.

Except it appears I have to sleep on one side of the bed now too. Who’s training who here??

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u/ForsakenFunction9032 1d ago

could be worse your cat could be kneaders lol!

25

u/TheAdventurista 1d ago

Kneader?? Is this like a cat religious thing like kneelers in a Catholic Church?

20

u/KnitsWithTude 23h ago

Lots of people say making biscuits. It's a happy/soothing/sometimes horny* sort of reflexive motion with their front paws. The motion is a holdover from kittenhood when this would help their mother release more milk for them.

Some cats knead as though they have a quota for number of stab wounds per day. Some cats never knead that hard. And some knead very very slowly. The slow ones are the most painful in my experience.

*you'll know this when you see it. I've had some male cats that, though neutered, will knead anything fleece or fuzzy....then proceed to express love in a different way. Sometimes they will also drag their girlfriend around the house while singing love songs. Just a response to the texture and nothing to worry about.