Pet cat Smokey is believed to have the LOUDEST PURR in the world - with piercing purrs as loud as a LAWNMOWER.
Most cats purr at around 25 decibels but Smokey’s powerful purrs average an amazing 80 DECIBELS.
When measured close-up her purrs reach an incredible 92 decibels, equivalent to the noise of a lawnmower, hair dryer or a Boeing 737 coming into land. Owners Ruth and Mark Adams say Smokey’s deafening purrs make it impossible for them to hear the television or radio when she is in the room and they struggle to have telephone conversations.
“She has always been very vocal and purrs at some level nearly all the time,” said Ruth, from Pitsford, Northampton.
“She even manages to purr while she eats. The only time she is quiet is when she is asleep.
“When I’m on the phone friends often ask what the loud noise is and they can’t believe it is coming from a cat.”
Ruth, who runs an office park with Mark, adopted Smokey from rescue centre NANNA in Northants three years ago for her 10-year-old daughter Amy. The family has two dogs and two other cats but say 12-year-old Smokey is by far the loudest cat they have ever heard.
“It’s either adorable or annoying, depending on what mood you’re in and it’s very loud,” said Ruth, who also has a son, Jordan, 12.
“You don’t even have to stroke her to start a purring session, often she’ll do it for no reason.
“It can be annoying if her loud purring starts as you are watching television and it has reached a romantic bit in a film, because it’s impossible to hear and spoils the moment.
“I don’t know why she does it. It doesn’t seem to bother her in any way. She’s very happy and content, just very loud.”
Ruth said Smokey, whose favourite pastimes are eating and sleeping on the window sill, sometimes made herself cough as her purrs are so loud.
“She can have sudden bursts of loud purrs and her throat gets dry so she makes herself cough,” she added.
“It’s not just the volume of her purr which is unusual, she makes quite a unique sound as if she has a dove stuck in her throat.
“It can be quite annoying when I’m on the phone trying to have a conversation, but she is my daughter’s cat and they are the best of friends.
“My daughter thinks her loud purring is adorable.”
Diana Johnson, of Northampton Cats Protection, who has met Smokey, said: “I have never heard anything like her purr in my life. It can drown out your conversation.
“It is very unusual and I’ve never found a cat with a purr that is anywhere near as loud”.
