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All About Big Cat Breeds from Around the World
Looking for a feline friend with a little extra oomph? Tiny designer dogs might be all the rage in some animal lover circles, but in others, extra-large felines are the pets of choice. These larger-than-life companions offer a unique blend of playfulness, affection, and impressive size.
From the noble Norwegian Forest Cat to the athletic Turkish Van, the world of big cats is full of fascinating felines, each with their own unique quirks and needs. There's a whole lot of kitty love waiting to be discovered in these impressive breeds.
The Largest Domestic Cat Breeds
1. Maine Coon
The winner of the largest domestic cat award goes to the colossal Maine Coon. Maine’s official state cat, this massive feline is known for being more doglike in its personality than traditional cat. Vocal and frisky, Maine Coons love to play and follow their owners around the home. Males can reach up to 22 pounds or more, securing their title as the largest cat breed around.
2. Ragdoll
The Ragdoll is another large cat that’s known for its gentle and affectionate nature. Weighing between 10 and 20 pounds, this breed is easily recognized by its namesake trait: becoming limp as a ragdoll when picked up! Most Ragdolls have piercing blue eyes and a coat that’s usually colorpoint, mitted, or bicolor.
3. Savannah
Also vying for the title of largest domestic cat breed is the Savannah cat, although some debate exists over whether this breed is technically domesticated. It was originally a hybrid between a Serval and Siamese cat and has only recently gained traction with pet owners. While a typical Savannah cat is usually under 25 pounds, a few have been known to reach up to 30 pounds. The Savannah breed is immediately recognizable thanks to its spotted coat that proudly reminds the world of its ancestors’ sub-Saharan roots.
4. Norwegian Forest Cat
Another big cat breed is the Norwegian Forest Cat, which grows up to 16 inches tall and 22 pounds. With a long, thick double coat and tufted ears, these felines originated in Scandinavia and were kept by the Vikings. Their coloring varies greatly but can include black, gray, blue, cream, white, or even red.
5. British Shorthair
Weighing “only” 7-17 pounds, the British Shorthair is still much bigger than the average housecat. These beauties have stocky builds with adorably round faces. Most feature exquisite plush blue coats, but cream and red varieties (among other hues) are fairly common. This breed is known for its calm and affectionate demeanor as well as being easy to train.
6. Siberian
If you’re around a Siberian cat in wintertime, you’ll have no doubt about why they pop up on so many lists of big cat breeds. They have impressive triple coats that originally kept them warm in their native Russia, giving them an extra fluffy appearance. These cats keep growing until they’re about 5 years old, at which point they weigh around 15 pounds. While large, these intelligent cats are still nimble and agile, playfully “hunting” their favorite toys around the house.
7. Bengal
One of the more unusual-looking examples of the largest domestic cat breeds is the Bengal, which, at first appearance, looks like a wild cat. Interestingly, recent research suggests their spots are actually selected traits that were inherited from domesticated cats. The Bengal ranges from 8-15 inches tall and has an inquisitive personality that even draws them to water.
8. Chartreux
The Chartreux (pronounced shaar-TROOS) gets its name from its thick coat that’s reminiscent of a Spanish wool known as “la pile des Chartreux.” Upon first sight, you’re sure to be stunned by this breed’s brilliant blue coat and startling orange eyes. More solid and muscular than many other breeds, the Chartreux weighs, on average, between 12 and 16 pounds. These guys are also known for being exceptionally quiet and calm.
9. Turkish Van
While not the biggest domestic cat, the Turkish Van is still substantial in size, with females weighing up to 12 pounds and males weighing up to 20 pounds. These playful and independent cats are also unique for another reason – most of them love to swim! Turkish Vans can also be identified by their coloring. Their coats are mostly white but have patches of color (often auburn) on the head and tail.
10. Exotic Shorthair
Essentially the same breed as the Persian only with shorter fur, the Exotic Shorthair averages about 10 to 12 inches tall and weighs around 10 to 12 pounds. These laid-back cats aren’t as loud as some other breeds, but they love to be around their owners just as much. With round heads, short legs and tails, and extra lush fur an Exotic Shorthair gives off major teddy bear vibes.
Key Responsibilities of Owning Big Cat Breeds
Your heart might be large enough to welcome the biggest cat breed you can find, but is your home? These breeds need plenty of space to scamper, climb, and explore. The more active your cat, the more space you’ll need. Otherwise, you may very well end up with a broken vase or two due to all that pent-up energy! Bengals and Savannahs are known for their boundless energy. If your home is on the smaller side, these breeds might not be the ideal choice.
Another important consideration is that cats do best in environments tailored to their physical and emotional needs. That means you’ll need to invest in items like cat trees or cat condos. These objects aren’t just a way for your cat to get enough exercise. They also provide a cat with a sense of safety as they know they have a place they can escape to if they feel threatened.
Toys are another must. Cats thrive when given toys that resemble prey they would encounter in the wild (i.e., birds, mice, and lizards). These toys offer an outlet for a cat’s natural predatory instinct, an important part of their survival in nature.
Feeding a Big Cat Breed
Did you know only 20% of cat and dog owners measure the food they give their pets? While it’s certainly true that larger cats need more calories than smaller ones, that doesn’t mean they should eat as much as they can get their paws on! Even the biggest house cat needs to have its food portioned out to prevent obesity.
With more than 50% of household cats overweight or obese, ensuring your pet is getting the right amount of food is crucial for their health now and later in life. Fat tissue secretes hormones that can cause inflammation, which in turn, causes painful joints.
So exactly how many calories does a cat need? The answer depends on the breed and your cat’s activity level. Work with a veterinarian to determine a healthy feeding regimen.
Don’t forget that the quality of the food is just as important as how much is eaten. Make sure you’re feeding your furry friend a complete and balanced diet with all the essential nutrients and minerals. While it can be tempting to show your love for your kitty through treats, opt for other ways like snuggling time or new toys.
Medical Issues Common in Large Cat Breeds
A sick cat is an unhappy one, and sadly, large domestic cats are more at risk for developing certain medical issues. Pet owners should be aware of the signs and symptoms of the most common health problems these big cat breeds face. While not every condition is preventable, addressing concerns early on can often minimize the severity of symptoms and possibly even resolve them.
Joint and Mobility Problems
It’s not uncommon for larger cats to experience joint problems. Hip dysplasia in cats is a condition that occurs when the hip joint doesn’t fit together as it should. Affected pets might start showing signs when they’re only a few months old, but many don’t have issues until later in life.
Symptoms of hip dysplasia can include:
Reluctancy to jump or climb
Difficulty using the litter box
Limping
Expressing pain when the hip is touched
Unfortunately, the problem is genetic and there’s not yet a way to prevent it. This means regular medical check-ups are mandatory so that a veterinarian can examine your cat’s hips to catch the problem before it escalates. Pain medication can sometimes minimize symptoms, but surgery is often necessary.
Heart and Respiratory Concerns
The bigger feline breeds can also encounter heart troubles. For instance, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) commonly affects British Shorthairs, Maine Coons, and Ragdolls. This condition is marked by a thickening of the heart’s walls, but symptoms may not be visible to pet owners. In fact, you may not suspect your cat has HCM until the veterinarian detects a heart murmur during a clinic visit. Medication can sometimes help prevent blood clots associated with the disease, as well as control your cat’s heart rate.
Sometimes, but not always, HCM can cause heart failure. A cat going into heart failure may experience labored breathing due to fluid in its lungs. If your cat is overweight, their breathing might be affected even more dramatically, making weight management especially crucial.
Why Pet Insurance for Large Domestic Cats is a Must
It’s impossible to know whether that kitten you adopt will stay healthy for life. Investing in a robust pet insurance policy for your cat could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars down the road. The right plan can allow you to make health care choices based on medical needs rather than financial ones.
Financial Protection Against Medical Expenses
Even the healthiest of the big cat breeds need to visit the vet once or twice a year. Unfortunately, it’s not unusual to visit the vet clinic even more often when your pet develops a health condition or experiences a medical emergency.
If you learn that your cat needs daily medication or expensive surgery, the financial blow could be devastating. Fortunately, there are many customizable insurance plans available for pets, including large felines. These plans can reduce the stress of emergency care costs and make it easier to afford life-saving treatment.
The best cat pet insurance offers coverage that meets your pet’s unique needs and is affordable for your budget. To help you get started, Embrace offers free, customized quotes designed for your pet.
Are You Ready to Bring a Big Cat Breed Home?
There's something truly special about a big cat. They just have this way of making your house feel like a home – filling it with warmth, laughter, and that quiet, peaceful companionship.
But before you fall in love with the idea of a gentle giant in your life, remember that these magnificent creatures come with big responsibilities. Providing a stimulating environment, ample space to roam, and a healthy diet are just some of the ways you'll ensure your big cat thrives.
These big cat breeds remind us that the best moments are often the simplest: a happy purr, a gentle head nudge, a cozy cuddle. That's what makes sharing your life with one of these magnificent felines so incredibly rewarding.