10 Biggest Domestic Cat Breeds: Ever feel like your cat is too small and you wish you had gone bigger? Maybe it’s time to think big – really big – with one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world. We’re talking cats that make most felines look like kittens in comparison. Whether you want a gentle giant to cuddle up with or an impressive breed that will turn heads, there are some huge cat breeds that were made to scale. From the massive Maine Coon to the burly Savannah, here are the
10 biggest cat breeds on the planet. By the end of this, your ordinary house cat might start to look more like a miniature companion. When you’re ready to adopt a cat so big it could pass as a small panther, these are your go-to breeds. Think you have enough space in your home and your heart for one of these purr-fectly huge breeds? Read on, my friend, and prepare to fall in love with some really big cats.
1. Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic cat breeds, known as the “gentle giant.” Males can weigh up to 25 pounds! Originally from Maine, USA, these cats are playful, social and enjoy being around people.
This fluffy feline has a distinctive physical appearance with a square body, full coat, tufted ears, and long, bushy tail. Their coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns including tabby, calico, and tortoiseshell. Due to their thick fur and large size, Maine Coons require frequent grooming to keep their coat from getting matted or tangled.
Maine Coons tend to be tolerant of children and other pets, including dogs, but should still be properly introduced at an early age. They can live over 10 years, so they are a long-term commitment. If a big, friendly cat is what you’re looking for, the Maine Coon could make a great companion. Their playful, gentle temperament and devotion to their owners will fill any home with joy and laughter for years to come.
2. Ragdoll
The Ragdoll is one of the largest domestic cat breeds, but don’t let their size fool you. These gentle giants are all fluff and cuddles.
Affectionate and Easygoing
Ragdolls are known for their sweet, docile temperament and affectionate nature. They tend to be very social and bond very closely with their owners. Ragdolls usually enjoy being held and cuddled, and will often go limp with pleasure when you pick them up, just like a ragdoll toy.
These laid-back felines tend to get along well with children and other pets. They love being around people and crave human interaction and playtime. Ragdolls have a reputation for being easygoing, gentle and playful.
Must check Natural Dog Food
Built to Snuggle
With their semi-long, silky coat and plush tail, Ragdolls were bred to be snuggle buddies. Their medium-length fur needs frequent brushing to prevent matting and tangles. Ragdolls require daily interaction, play and cuddling with their owners. They don’t get along nicely if left alone for long periods. If you’re looking for an affectionate companion to bond closely with, the Ragdoll’s sweet temperament and cuddly size may make this breed the perfect feline friend for you. Their gentle and social nature means they usually get along great with all members of the family, including kids and other pets.
3. Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat is one of the largest domestic cat breeds, with males weighing up to 20 pounds. These natural athletes are muscular, agile and love the outdoors.
History
The Norwegian Forest Cat has a long history in Scandinavia, dating back hundreds of years. They were ideal farm cats, controlling rodent populations around homesteads and barns in the harsh, cold climate. Their dense, water-resistant fur and large size helped them thrive in the frigid winters. Today, the Norwegian Forest Cat is a popular companion cat, though they still maintain their energetic and outdoor-loving spirit.
Appearance
With its triangular head, almond-shaped eyes and tufted ears, the Norwegian Forest Cat cuts an imposing yet elegant figure. Its long, thick fur comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including tabby, tortoiseshell and calico. A distinguishing feature is the wooly undercoat and longer, flowing overcoat, as well as the full, plumed tail.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a Natural Breed
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a natural breed that developed without much human interference. As a result, individuals can vary quite a bit in size, build and coat length. But in general, these are very large, sturdily-built cats with an athletic appearance suited to the rugged terrain of their Scandinavian homeland. Despite their brawny size, they move with a graceful, rolling gait and remain playful even into old age.
Personality
Intelligent, energetic and sociable, the Norwegian Forest Cat usually bonds very closely with its owners and wants to be involved in all family activities. They tend to be patient, gentle and enjoy being around children and other pets. However, their high activity level and outdoor-loving nature means they need plenty of playtime, exercise and access to fresh air. Puzzle toys and climbing structures will keep them stimulated when indoors.
4. Siberian
The Siberian is a large, fluffy cat that hails from Siberia. These felines were originally bred to be hunters, tasked with controlling the rodent population in Siberian barns. Today, the Siberian makes a wonderful companion pet.
Appearance
The Siberian has a rounded body, broad head, and alert, wide-set eyes. Their fur is long, thick, and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Siberians have a rough around their neck, tufts between their toes, and a plumed tail. These features, combined with their large size, give them an almost wild appearance. Males can weigh up to 25 pounds, making the Siberian one of the largest domestic cat breeds.
They are quite social and bond very closely with their owners. Siberians get along well with children, dogs, and other pets.
Siberians require daily interaction, play, and grooming to keep them stimulated and their coat from matting. Their long fur needs to be brushed several times a week to distribute their natural oils and remove loose hair.
5. Savannah
These spotted beauties are one of the largest domestic cat breeds, weighing up to 25 pounds fully grown. Their tall, slim build and vibrant orange coat make them a stunning addition to any home.
Appearance
Savannahs inherit their striking looks from the serval, with a spotted pattern, tall pointed ears, and long legs. They have a domestic cat’s friendly face and come in a variety of colors, like silver, brown, and black. Their short, soft coat is easy to groom with weekly brushing.
They tend to bond very closely with their owners and love spending time with the family. Savannahs are playful, intelligent, and thrive on interaction and playtime with their favorite humans. Walking on a leash or playing fetch are favorite activities for many Savannahs.
- The Savannah’s wild beauty and playful personality make them irresistible to many cat owners.
- However, their demanding exercise and social needs can be challenging for some owners to keep up with.
- If you’re looking for a interactive and striking companion, the Savannah could make the perfect lifelong friend.
6. British Shorthair
The English Shorthair is one of the biggest domestic cat breeds. Originally bred in Britain to hunt rodents, this gentle giant is known for its easygoing and friendly temperament.
Appearance
The British Shorthair has a sturdy, rounded body and a broad face. Its dense, plush coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including tabby, calico, and bi-color. Full-grown males can weigh up to 25 pounds, making them one of the heftiest felines around. These big cats are the perfect lap warmer on a cold day!
- Daily interactive play with feather toys or laser pointers will keep your cat happy and fit. Trim their nails regularly and check their ears weekly for wax and debris buildup.
- If a big bundle of furry love sounds appealing, the British Shorthair could make a delightful lifelong companion.
7. Ragamuffin
The Ragamuffin is one of the larger domestic cat breeds, often described as a gentle giant. Some Ragamuffins can weigh up to 20 pounds or more, though males are usually larger than females.
Appearance
The Ragamuffin has a thick, plush coat and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Their fur is medium-long to long and quite soft, described as rabbit-like. The Ragamuffin has a rounded body, with a broad chest and proportionately short legs. Their eyes are large, expressive, and give them a sweet, gentle look.
While The Ragamuffin May Become Quite Large
10 Biggest Domestic Cat Breeds: While the Ragamuffin may become quite large, they are not usually noisy or destructive cats. They tend to be calm, easygoing and enjoy being around people. The Ragamuffin makes an excellent companion for families with children and other pets. They tend to be playful, social cats that bond very closely with their owners. The Ragamuffin has a reputation for being an affectionate, lap cat that thrives on human interaction and attention.
If you’re looking for a feline companion that will greet you at the door, follow you from room to room and shower you with love and affection, the Ragamuffin could make the perfect pet. Their gentle, friendly nature and teddy bear-like appearance is appealing to many cat owners. The Ragamuffin’s only downside may be its tendency to overeat if not properly monitored.
8. Bengal Cat
Bengals are large cats, weighing up to 25 pounds for males. They are long and muscular, with a distinctive spotted coat.
Bengals are highly intelligent, social and bond very closely with their owners. They are playful and energetic cats that need lots of interactive playtime and puzzle toys to keep them stimulated.
Bengals Come in Brown Spotted Tabby
10 Biggest Domestic Cat Breeds: Bengals come in brown spotted tabby, snow spotted tabby, silver spotted tabby and blue spotted tabby coat colors. Regular grooming with a slicker brush and comb is important to keep their coat in good condition. Proper care and an outlet for their energy will help ensure a long, happy life with your Bengal cat.
9. Persian Cat
The Persian cat is one of the biggest national cat breeds. Known for their distinctive flat face and luxurious long fur, Persians typically weigh between 10 to 15 pounds. Their docile, sweet nature makes them a popular companion cat.
Appearance
Persians have a very distinctive appearance with their short muzzle, round face and copious amounts of fur. Their long, thick coat requires daily grooming to prevent matting and tangles. Persians need to be brushed thoroughly several times a week, and bathed once a month or every other month. Their fur also needs frequent trimming, especially around the eyes, ears and rear end.
Due To Their Flat Face
10 Biggest Domestic Cat Breeds: Due to their flat face, Persians can be prone to certain health issues like eye infections or respiratory problems. Their short nose can make breathing difficult in hot weather. Owners should make sure their Persian stays in air conditioning during very hot summer months.
With their calm, gentle temperament and glamorous good looks, the Persian cat breed continues to charm owners all over the world. While high-maintenance, Persians make loyal and loving companions for those willing to put in the effort to properly care for them. For a cat that enjoys lounging and cuddling more than high-energy play, you can’t go wrong with a Persian.
American Bobtail
The American Bobtail is one of the largest domestic cat breeds, with males reaching up to 20 pounds. Known for their bobbed, stubby tails, these cats have a very dog-like personality and tend to bond very closely with their owners.
A Friendly Feline
10 Biggest Domestic Cat Breeds: The American Bobtail is an incredibly social, friendly and interactive breed. They love being around people and bond very closely with their owners. Their playful, energetic temperament and intelligence means they can even be trained to walk on a leash, play fetch and do tricks. The American Bobtail gets along well with children, other pets and even strangers.
This Breed is Well Suited To Most Living Situations
10 Biggest Domestic Cat Breeds: This breed is well suited to most living situations, whether in an apartment or a large house. However, their high energy level and playfulness means they need daily interaction, play and exercise. Puzzle toys and cat trees are great for keeping an American Bobtail stimulated when their owner isn’t home. While the American Bobtail comes in a variety of coat colors and patterns, their most distinctive feature is their stubby, bobbed tail. The ideal tail length is about 1-4 inches long, but kittens from the same litter can have a range of tail lengths. The American Bobtail has a sturdy, muscular build and comes in both shorthaired and longhaired coat varieties.
Conclusion
So there you have it, 10 of the largest domestic cat breeds out there. Whether you prefer the gentle giant Maine Coon or the fluffy Norwegian Forest Cat, there are some big personalities and even bigger bodies to choose from. While bigger isn’t always better, for those of you wanting an extra-large feline companion, these breeds are paws-itively purr-fect. Remember, every cat deserves a loving home, so consider opening your heart to one of these big beauties. Who knows, you might just find your new furry soulmate. Think big, adopt big, and enjoy all the big snuggles!