You can get cat purrs on tap now

You’re curled up at home and having a bit of a self-care evening. You’re watching something that makes you feel good, eating well, maybe there’s even a face mask on the go. All is calm, all is lovely. What could possibly make it better? Perhaps a purring cat on your lap? We can’t summon cats to your lap, sadly, but we do have something similar.

Introducing Purrli, the internet’s very own purring cat. It’s a web-player dedicated to those lovely feline vibrations. There’s six sliders (which work sort of like an equaliser) that’ll let you customise the kinda cat noise you’d like to listen to. You could have a sleepy purring cat in the distance (ahh), or a lively overjoyed cat up close (hmm), it’s up to you!

It’s free, but you can actually upgrade to get access to other cats (which have different vocal ranges due to age and other factors) like a ten week old kitten. The website claims the player has been used by the creator and users to combat panic attacks, minimise stress, aid sleep, homesickness and much more. Plus, if you want a cat but can’t own one because of your landlord or an allergy, this might get you part of the way there! Find your fluffiest pillow or coat and give it a stroke at the same time, it’s something.

Humans and cats have lived together for around 10,000 years, and across that time they’ve figured out very clever ways to get us to dote on (and feed) them. But we’ve derived a lot from having floofy companions too. The healing properties of cat purrs have even been backed by science. This report for the National Library of Medicine has noted that owning a cat, and specifically their purring could be “a novel strategy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases” as it releases endorphins. Talk about good vibrations.

The website was actually born out of popular demand. Previously the creator Dr. Ir. Stéphane Pigeon a research engineer and sound designer created myNoise.net which is a bank of “beautiful noises to mask the sounds you don’t want to hear”. It has been featured in a big variety of publications. Soundscapes range from the ‘Irish Coast’ to a ‘Calm Office’, and aim to help with relaxation, sleep, and more. There’s over 300 ‘noises’ to choose from.

If you’re someone who has a cat already (lucky you) there still could be reason to tune in. Cats are known to purr for one another, and there’s many health benefits associated with purring for them too. One study published in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal even found that the vibration of cat purrs (ranging from 20Hz up to 150Hz) could help their bones grow and soft tissue heal.

Headphones on, then!