Is there a reason why my loving cat doesn’t purr?

DEAR JOAN >> My cat is very loving, but she never purrs.

DEAR CYNTHIA >> Somecats purr away, while others either can’t or have such a soft purr that we don’t hearit.As animal experts aren’t 100% sure how or why cats purr — they have theories — it’s hard to know why some don’t.

It’s believed that cats make the purring sound by vibrating their vocal cords when breathing in and out. That’s why the purr can be steady, with no obvious breaks for a breath.

Some cats are incapable of making the sound because something in the structure of their vocal cords or respiratory system prevents them from vibrating like that.

Big cats — lions, tigers and leopards — are incapable of purring because structures around the vocal cords prevent it. They can, however, roar in terrifying fashion.

Some cats can purr, they just don’t seem to want to.

The next time your cat is in for a checkup or routine vaccinations, ask your vet about it. If a cat was purring and then suddenly stopped, that would be reason for concern and an immediate visit to the vet.

The cat’s purr usually is a sign of contentment, but it can indicate that a cat is in pain.

Researchers say the purr can trigger the release of endorphins, as well as be therapeutic for bone growth, pain relief and wound healing, which is just another awesome aspect of thecat.

Newborn kittens, which are born with their eyes closed, rely on their mother’s purr to help locate herwhenit’stimetoeat. And a few cynical scientists theorize that some cats deliberately purr as a way to manipulate us into giving them special attention.

DEAR JOAN >> A few days ago, you had a great article on carsick dogs. Next time, could you please speak to the necessity of seat belts for larger dogs who can survive air bags, and carriers for small dogs who would be crushed by air bags?

We carefully — and by law — protect our kids with car seats or size belts (according to) size and weight. We do not protect our dogs by weight or size. They become missiles during impact, sudden stops or swerves. Until this is becomes law, could you crusade for us?

— Kathleen Jasper, Menlo Park

DEAR KATHLEEN >> I’m polishing up my crusade armor and trying to remember where I put my shield.

Using seat belts, carriers and other approved restraints for your favorite co-pilot are necessities for transporting pets. It’s important to protect those precious pets that rely so much on us.

I bought a carrier for my dog, Bailey, when I adopted him. On the way home, he had a panic attack and threw up.

After that, every time he was in the carrier in the car, the same thing happened.

When his carrier is in the house, he’s fine with it and goes in it several times a day, often to do things best not discussed in polite company.

For the car, I’ve switched to a seat belt that attaches to his harness and holds him in place. Because he still gets a little anxious in the car, I have him in the front seat, but I disarm the air bag on that side.

Please buckle up your buddy, or keep them safely in an approved carrier, when you’re out and about.