These supersized breeds bring big love and even bigger personalities into your home.
Thinking about bringing home a pet with the personality of a cat but the size of a small dog? Some domestic cats can grow to impressive sizes,, with a few even reaching up to 48 inches in length and weighing over 30 pounds!
Read on to learn more about five of the largest cat breeds, plus tips to create the ideal home environment for large cats.
Maine coon cats are one of the oldest and largest domesticated cat breeds in the United States. They’re known for their sweet disposition, intelligence, and impressive size—traits that make them beloved, affectionate, and easygoing companions.
In fact, the Maine coon holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records thanks to “Stewie,” (full name Mymains Steward Gilligan),who was named the world’s longest cat in the world in 2010. His record-breaking length made headlines, even earning coverage in the local Reno Gazette Journal, as he surpassed the previous Guinness world record holder, Magic.
As the name suggests, this is a true American cat breed, having first originated in the state of Maine in the 19th century.
Norwegian forest cats are known for their sociable nature and ease of care, making them one of the most popular entries on our largest domestic cat list. While they’re not the biggest cat breed out there, their size is notable—usually topping out somewhere between an average house cat and the chart-topping Maine coon.
Domesticated cats from this bloodline enjoy being curious and doing their own thing, making them a great choice for owners who are often working or busy.
Bengal cats may trick the eye,but these furry friends are actually a fully domesticatedhybrid. The breed originated from a cross between house cats and Asian leopard cats, later refined through generations of breeding with other domestic felines like the spotted Egyptian Mau cat.
Despite their exotic roots, today’s Bengals are affectionate companions that enjoy any type of adventure they can tag along for... They’re smart, playful, and enjoy a good challenge, be it mental or physical, making them perfect forpet parents who want a big cat with a big spirit.
Savannah cats, as the name suggests, claim parts of their ancestry from the wild plains of the African Savannah. This is one of the world’s largest domestic cat breeds, and a Savannah was even recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest domestic cat in the world.
These special cats are made by crossing one of the largest domestic cat breeds with African Servals, which are credited with giving the Savannah their noticeable and unique fur pattern. Of all the large breeds, Savannahs are known for chattering rather than incessant mewing. They’d rather talk with you than yell at you, which is a distinction many pet parents can appreciate. If you’ve got the space in your home, the Savannah is an incredible cat to call a furry family member.
The Siberian cat is known to be strong, adaptable, and incredibly smart. These affectionate cats love showering their owners with attention, and receiving it as well. They also love alone time in the sun. They have a thick, luxurious coat and a unique look about them, often featuring sharp green eyes and a beautiful tawny tan color.
These sweet cats are happy to be part of the family, and are up to joining you on any adventure you go on. They enjoy spending time together with children or other cats, making them great pets for parents who are wanting to expand their family.
Large cats, such as the Turkish Van, British shorthair, and Savannah cat all have wild cats among their ancestors. This origin story is what many attribute unique breed elements to, such as their large size, fur patterns, and interesting vocalizations..
Common wild cats that can share genetics with big domestic house cats include:
While large or hybrid cats can make great family pets for you and your loved ones, they can be predisposed to certain health and weight conditions. Pet parents can prepare by acknowledging these possible health problems ahead of time, taking preventative steps to care for this special member of the family.
We’ve summarized possible large-cat medical concerns, as identified by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) below:
Beyond what we’ve named on this list, other cats such as the American bobtail, Selkirk rex, Siamese cat, and ragdoll cat are also considered large cat breeds. Both females and males across this breed are known to be intelligent cats with larger and longer features, large toe beans and a long history of origin. Many believe that these differences are a result of breeding, which would make sense for the more sophisticated Serval relative of the Savannah cat and similar breeds.
While Stewie takes the title for the world’s longest domestic cat as mentioned above, the current entry at the time of this publication is Fenrir Antares Powers—a Savannah cat that is acknowledged as the tallest living domestic cat by the International Cat Association.
Yes! The state of Maine recognizes the Maine coon as a native cat, and attributes their arrival in the United States to New English seamen when they first came to America.
