My Pet World: Cat's high-velocity purring both annoying and charming
NASHVILLE, TN -- These questions were answered by experts at BlogPaws 2015 in Nashville, TN, May 28-30. Hundreds of pet bloggers gather each year for continuing education with their pets, including dogs and cats, as well as ferrets, rats and even a few pot-bellied pigs.
Q: My cat always purred loudly, but now his motor seems to be getting even more powerful. The more attention I give him, the more and louder he purrs. I never thought I'd ever complain about purring! What's going on? -- C.M., Baltimore, MD.
A: Maybe you should compete "and set a new Guinness record," says Sandy Robins, author of "The Original Cat Bible: The Definitive Source for All Things Cats" (I-5 Press, Irvine, CA, 2014; $29.95) with contributors Dr. Arnold Plotnick, Lorraine Shelton and Sarah Hartwell.
In May, a kitty from Torquay, Devon, in the United Kingdom, set the Guinness world record for loudest purr by a domestic cat. Merlin, 13, was adopted from an animal rescue center by Tracy Westwood, and her daughter, Alice. Merlin registered a purr measuring 67.8 decibels (beating the previous record of 67.68 decibels set in 2011 by Smokey, another British cat.)
So, how loud is that? It's so loud that the family must turn up the TV when Merlin is purring. He's louder than the average washing machine,
If your cat is purring louder with attention, you could simply withdraw the attention as the purr grows louder, Robins suggests.
"But, please don't do that," she adds. "I'm jealous and love purring, and want a cat who purrs like (yours). I think it's simply wonderful, and I'd never give it up."
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Q: My iguana, Paco, is about 8 years old and, until recently, was a great pet. Now his personality has changed. Some days he likes me, and others he chases me aggressively, or acts like he's never seen me before. What I should do? -- C.C., San Diego, CA
A: He chases you? I wouldn't give him the opportunity, as full-grown iguanas can reach 6-feet long and deliver a formidable bite. Not to mention that a good swing of that tail could break your leg. I'm not suggesting any of this will happen, but if you can figure out if anything you're doing is causing Paco to be aggressive, stop doing it.
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