10 Biggest Domestic Cat Breeds and What to Know Before Adopting One
When you need serious cuddles, there isn't much that can beat a bundle of purring, furry floof, and that goes double for a supersized bundle of purring, furry floof, like these 10 biggest cat breeds. Many of the following domestic felines weigh a whopping twice the amount of an average domestic kitty, and may stand tall at a foot or more high! But despite their jumbo builds, they're all famously friendly cat breeds, with hearts as big as their bodies. Some, like the Siberian, are cats with dog-like personalities thanks to their playful demeanors, while others (including the Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Ragamuffin, and Norwegian Forest Cat), are renowned for their fluffy, and/or long-haired coats.
To get the low down on these chonky critters, we checked in with Dr. Mikel Delgado PhD, Cat Behavior Expert with Rover. She cautioned us that there are other factors relating to behavior and personality besides breed, such as socialization and early life experiences. "So even if a breed of cat has a reputation for having a certain trait," she adds, "I recommend meeting any cat you want to purchase or adopt first, and know that just because a cat is a purebred does not mean they will fit into a reported breed profile!"
You should also be aware that some of the big boys making our list are rather rare—for example, the Savannah and Chausie—are among the most expensive cats, and be sure to purchase from a reputable breeder. Some even have the DNA of wild cats in their gene pool, and, according to Dr. Delgado, could be more prone to problematic behavior. So, do your due diligence and read on for the full 411 on the ten biggest cat breeds!
Maine Coon
Dubbed the "Gentle Giant," Maine Coons are "a generally larger, long-haired cat with a reputation for being easy-going and friendly," notes Dr. Delgado. Strong, sturdy, and usually very sociable, this rugged kitty hails from New England where his documented roots can be traced back to the mid-19th century. Despite the bushy ring-tails of the brown tabby variety, they are not the result of raccoons mating with cats, as rumored!
Height: 10–16 inches
Weight: 10–25 pounds
Energy Level: Medium
Coat: Heavy coat available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, including tabbies, bi-colors, parti-colors, shaded and smoke colors
Life expectancy: 9–15 years
Persian
Not surprisingly, this flat-faced ball of fuzz is "a high-maintenance cat who needs a lot of grooming," according to Dr. Delgado. "Persians are known for being mellow and shy, and they can be particular about litter box maintenance," he adds. Believed to hail from the country he's named after, the peaceful, placid Persian counts Turkish Angora in his bloodline and is known for mixing well with other pets. Although he looks bigger than he is due to all that hair, they're actually one of the smallest of the bigger domestic cats.
Height: 8–10 inches
Weight: 7–12 pounds
Energy Level: Low
Coat: Coat available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, including tabbies, solids, goldens and silver, shaded and smokes, parti-colors, bi-colors and calico, and a pointed pattern
Life expectancy: 10–18 years
Siberian
Made to flourish in the most frigid Russian winter, Siberians have a big, powerful build and a dense, triple coat that will probably require weekly grooming to prevent mats. As far as personality goes, Dr. Delgado notes, "They are described as friendly, and as enjoying a relatively active household." The sweet-natured and super-smart Sib (it's said they can be leash-trained!) dates back at least 1,000 years, though the breed isn't often found outside of Europe.
Height: 9–11 inches
Weight: 8–17 pounds
Energy Level: Medium
Coat: Long-haired, triple coat available in a wide variety of colors and patterns
Life expectancy: 11–15 years
Ragdoll
Anything but a bruiser—big though he is—this blue-eyed beauty is named for his habit of going limp when picked up by his people. "Good breeders select these kitties for their easy-going personalities, and for enjoying being handled," says Dr. Delgado. "They are known for being friendly and laid back." A designer breed first developed in California in the 1960s, the ultra-affectionate Ragdoll gets along with pretty much everyone and everything, including young children and other animals.
Height: 9–11 inches
Weight: 8–20 pounds
Energy Level: Low to medium
Coat: Semi-long, color-pointed coat, often bicolored, available in a wide variety of colors
Life expectancy: 12–15 years
Norwegian Forest Cat
Another big, powerfully built kitty with origins in the world's frigid northern regions, Wegies, like Siberians, are "a long-haired breed that may need more grooming than other breeds," says Dr. Delgado. The official cat of Norway, they date back some 4,000 years, when they were believed to have arrived as a gift from the Norse gods. Intelligent and independent, this breed loves to hunt, climb, and, like many of the felines on this list, tends to mature slowly.
Height: 9–12 inches
Weight: 8–16 pounds
Energy Level: Medium
Coat: Long-haired double coat, with full, fluffy ruff, available in a wide variety of colors and patterns
Life expectancy: 14–16 years
Savannah
This large-and-in-charge breed distinguished by big ears and a spotted coat is actually "a hybrid cat created by breeding a captive wild cat (the Serval) with a domestic cat," says Dr. Delgado. "They are active, and may enjoy playing in water." However, he warns "They may be more prone to some behavior problems, such as house soiling, compared to fully domesticated cats." They'll also set you back as much as $20,000 for a first-gen Savannah, which has a Serval for a parent, rather than a more distantly related ancestor.
Height: 13–15 inches
Weight: 12–25 pounds
Energy Level: High
Coat: Short or medium-length coat, available in a spotted tabby pattern in black, brown and silver, and black smoke in tabby or solid
Life expectancy: Up to 20 years
Bengal
If you're looking to become a kitty parent for the first time, the Bengal—a hybrid cat created by breeding a non-domesticated Asian Leopard cat with a house cat—is probably not the feline for you. "They are an active, busy breed that is not for the novice," says Dr. Delgado. "They are known for having more behavior problems (house-soiling and aggressive behaviors) than other breeds. They can be active and playful—so, great for the home that enjoys training and playing with their cats A LOT!" These big boys can also fetch as much as $10,000 from a reputable breeder.
Height: 8–10 inches
Weight: 8–15 pounds
Energy Level: High
Coat: Short, thick coat available in a variety of colors, most often in a spotted/rosettte tabby pattern, but may have a marble tabby pattern
Life expectancy: 9–15 years
Ragamuffin
According to Dr. Delgado, "Ragamuffins originated from the Ragdoll breed, but come in more colors and patterns. These cute cats have a reputation for being sweet and easy-going, much like their predecessor breed." Literally created to be cuddled, the Ragamuffin (also commonly spelled RagaMuffin) is big-boned with a long, silky coat and a nature so devoted and patient he makes a great pet both for young children and the elderly.
Height: 9–12 inches
Weight: 10–20 pounds
Energy Level: Medium
Coat: Long, silky coat in a wide variety of colors and patterns
Life expectancy: up to 17 years
Chausie
Undeniably regal and exotic-looking, the Chausie is "a hybrid cat created by breeding a non-domesticated jungle cat with a domestic cat," says Dr. Delgado. "They have a reputation for being active and smart." Rumored to have first developed naturally in Eqypt many millennia ago, they take their name from the Latin term "felis chaus," or jungle cat. Lean and athletic, this breed is affectionate and playful, making it a good choice for families with small children. However, finding a Chausie can be difficult, and they can cost several thousand dollars.
Height: 14–18 inches
Weight: 15–20 pounds
Energy Level: High
Coat: Short-haired coat often in brown or black tabby or solid
Life expectancy: 12–14 years
American Bobtail
Selectively bred since the 1960s from feral cats with short stubby tails, the American Bobtail is famed for his distinctive "hunting gaze," but is nonetheless "known for being relatively mellow," Dr. Delgado says. In fact, this long-bodied, broad-chested kitty, though incredibly intelligent and self-sufficient, tends to form very strong bonds with his people. Deeply attuned to human moods, the breed has been used as emotional support animals and in special needs classrooms.
Height: 9–10 inches
Weight: 7–16 pounds
Energy Level: Medium
Coat: Long- or short-haired coat available in a wide variety of colors and patterns
Life expectancy: 13–15 years
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