Bella’s Purr-fection Lands Her Loudly In the Record Books
A British cat has set the Guinness World Record for purring louder than your partner’s snoring. Bella, from Cambridgeshire in England managed a whopping 54.59 decibels with her purr
By Beth Snider · October 21, 2023
If you thought your cat was noisy, wait until you hear Bella, a 14-year-old moggie from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK, who has just broken the world record for the loudest purr by a domestic cat (living). Not sure why they need those parentheses, but definitely looking forward to hearing a dead cat’s purr! Anyway…
Bella’s purr is so loud that it can reach 54.59 decibels, which is about the same as a kettle boiling or a washing machine spinning. That’s enough to make you want to cover your ears or turn up the volume on your TV!
But Bella’s owner, Nicole Spink, doesn’t mind her cat’s loud voice. She says Bella purrs all day long, especially when she gets food, cuddles or attention. She even purrs at the vet’s office, which is probably the only place where she gets some peace and quiet. Nicole says Bella has always been a loud purrer, and that her friends and family always comment on it. She says: “Everyone comments ‘what’s that loud noise? Oh, it’s the cat’. It’s just Bella being happy!”
Nicole and her daughter decided to test Bella’s purr after seeing a Guinness World Records book and downloading an app on their phone. They contacted Guinness World Records and arranged for an official attempt. Nicole was worried that Bella might not cooperate, as she is a “stubborn little old lady” who does what she pleases. She says: “It is very much Queen Bella’s world.”
But luckily, Bella was in a good mood on the day of the attempt, and all it took was a bowl of her favourite food, WHISKAS®, to get her purring like a jet engine. Nicole says: “I fed her a bowl of WHISKAS®, and then, I brought her into the room, laid her in her bed and she started purring, just like that!”
Bella’s record-breaking purr was measured by an adjudicator from Guinness World Records. Nicole and her daughter were overjoyed and proud of their furry friend. Bella does not hold the record for loudest cat ever though, as that title belongs to Merlin, another British cat who purred at 67.8 decibels in 2015, who has sadly since passed away.
Nicole says: “It feels amazing to have a Guinness World Records title holder in our house. We are so proud of Bella and love her very much.”
Bella is now enjoying her fame and fortune as the world’s loudest living cat. She has been featured on TV shows, newspapers and magazines, and has received lots of treats and toys from her fans.