Top 15 Largest Domestic Cat Breeds (With Pictures)

There are many breeds of cat that range from tiny felines of just a few pounds to some pretty sizable creatures that you’d be forgiven for mistaking for wildcats. Some of them were even created by crossing domestic cats with wildcats! Of course, that usually results in a pretty large cat, like the breeds we’re going to take a look at today.

The following 15 breeds are the largest domestic cats around. They make excellent pets, as long as you don’t have any tiny dogs, children, birds, or rodents in your home!

The 15 Biggest Domestic Cat Breeds:

1. Maine Coon Cat

Reaching lengths of more than 3 feet from head to tail, Maine Coons are considered to be the largest domestic cat breed. They’re one of the oldest North American natural breeds reaching impressive weights up to 35 pounds. Despite their large stature, these cats are incredibly sweet and gentle-natured, earning them the nickname of “gentle giants.”

2. Savannah Cat

Accepted by The International Cat Association (TICA) as a championship breed in 2012, the Savannah is the largest cat breed, but they’re not entirely domestic. These oversized felines were created by crossing a domestic Siamese cat with a wild African cat called the Serval, which is why they have markings that are reminiscent of wild cats.

3. Siberian Cat

This breed has been around for centuries, though formal standards for the breed weren’t created until the late 1980s. Technically, they’re called Siberian Forest Cats, but everyone just calls them Siberians. It’s believed that these cats are ancestors to all modern long-haired cats.

4. Chausie Cat

These hefty housecats are some of the biggest around. They were created by mixing a wildcat from the swampy jungles of central Asia with a domesticated Abyssinian, which is why they look as much like a wildcat as a domesticated one. They’re full of energy and love to play. They need a lot of space to explore and fulfill their curious natures. But because of their wild heritage, these cats are not well-suited for homes with small children or pets.

5. Norwegian Forest Cat 

Built tough with muscular, athletic bodies and an outgoing personality, Norwegian Forest Cats are one of the most popular large cat breeds. They’re incredibly playful and want to have fun all the time. These cats bond very closely with their humans and provide tons of love and affection. They love to cuddle up beside their people and would prefer to relax on your lap rather than be on the prowl.

6. Ragdoll Cat

Few cats are as social as the ragdoll. These cats want to socialize with everyone, not just their family. Likewise, they can bond with people that they’ve only met a few times and even get along famously with other pets. They’re some of the sweetest, calmest cats around, always looking for a comfy lap to curl up in.

7. Ragamuffin Cat

Heavily boned with a long body, the Ragamuffin is an instantly-recognizable feline due to the large tuft of hair around their neck that makes their head appear much larger than it is. These cats are very adaptable and can do well in a wide range of living situations, including apartments and other small dwellings with limited space. They’re even-tempered felines that can get along well with everyone. Unlike most cats, Ragamuffins have no problem with changes to their normal routine.

8. Highlander Cat

Strongly built and covered in muscle, the Highlander physically resembles a wildcat. This breed was created by crossing two hybrid cats; the Jungle Curl and the Desert Lynx. Because of this, the Highlander doesn’t have any wildcat genes. One unique thing about this breed is that they’re known for their fascination with water. Turn on the sink around one of these cats and see how excited they get. There’s no fear of water in a Highlander like you’ll see in other cats.

9. British Shorthair Cat

These are stocky cats with broad faces and calm demeanors. They’re the most popular breed in Britain and one of the oldest of all cat breeds. You might recognize them from somewhere else though. A British Shorthair was the inspiration for the illustration of the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland, arguably one of the most famous cats of all time.

10. American Bobtail Cat

With patterning that resembles a wildcat and a bobbed tail, the American Bobtail has one of the most unique appearances of any domesticated cat. Interestingly, this breed formed naturally, with traits meant to help it survive in feral environments. Though they look like wildcats, their personalities are anything but. These are some of the sweetest, most loving pets you could have, which is why they’re so popular.

11. Persian Cat

Heavily-boned yet well-balanced, the Persian cat can reach weights of up to 14 pounds. They have a very round appearance, due in part to their long, thick coats. Persian cats are some of the calmest cats around, with even tempers and little excitability. They are playful, but they’ll only play in short bursts with plenty of lounging strewn between.

12. Turkish Van Cat

Though they were bred in the UK, Turkish Vans were created by mixing several breeds of cats from modern day Turkey. This breed is popular, but they’re also rather rare. They’re named for the van pattern they sport which sees just their head and tail colored while the rest of the cat is white. They can take up to five years to reach full maturity, at which time they can weigh as much as 15 pounds.

13. Birman Cat

Pale-colored cats with darker markings on their points, the Birman is a breed that was nearly wiped out during WWII. The breed was rebuilt by crossing them with long-haired breeds like the Persian, which is likely why they’re such sizable cats today. They’re known as one of the most affectionate breeds with a calm and friendly, yet curious nature.

14. Burmese Cat

Athletic felines with strong, muscular bodies, Burmese cats like to climb everything. They will require a cat tree and you’ll still likely find them climbing your bookcases and other furniture. These cats are highly inquisitive and love to watch the world, so it’s not uncommon to find them perched on a window ledge. But these are the kind of cats that would rather just watch the activities than get involved.

15. Egyptian Mau Cat

A very vocal cat that’s utterly devoted to their family, the Egyptian Mau is more active than most cats. They prefer to spend their time stalking and hunting prey or playing with a toy. They love to show off for their humans and are likely to bring you trophies of their hard work, so don’t be surprised if your Egyptian Mau plops a dead mouse by your feet. An interesting fact about this breed is that they’re the fastest of all housecats, capable of running at speeds up to 30 mph.

Featured Image Credit: AdinaVoicu, Pixabay