10 Biggest Domestic Cat Breeds – Gentle Giants You’ll Love
Discover the 10 biggest domestic cat breeds, from Maine Coons to Bengals. Learn about their history, size, weight, life expectancy, and unique personalities.
By: Dorris Abraham
The information in this article is intended to educate cat parents and is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. In case of any concerns about your cat’s health, please talk with your veterinarian.
The International Cat Association (TICA) said in a 2024 report that there are about 73 different kinds of cat breeds in the world. Many of these cats weigh 8 to 10 pounds, but some types of cats called the biggest domestic cat breeds, can weigh 20 pounds or more. Examples of these big cats are Maine Coon and Siberian cats.
I have been a cat parent and volunteer for many years and have lots of experience with different breeds (Click to uncover facts about Munchkin cats). I have noticed that taking care of the biggest pet cats is easier and more fun for people who love cats.
If you own a cat and are curious to learn about the biggest house cats in the world, I have described the 10 biggest domestic cat breeds in following article. Let’s have a look at it in more detail.
Interesting read: Bobtail Cat Breeds
1. Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is an American cat breed that evolved in the state of Maine. They were popular among farmers for their excellent hunting skills and ability to survive harsh winters. Their fur needs frequent brushing to prevent tangling.
Maine Coons are known for being very gentle and sweet. They make great pets for families. Many of them have extra toes, which is called “polydactyl.” Maine Coons also love to play in the water, and they usually don’t mind taking baths.
Life Expectancy
Maine Coons typically live between 10 to 15 years.
Weight
Male Maine Coons can weigh between 15 and 25 pounds, while females usually weigh between 10 and 15 pounds.
Height
Maine Coons can grow up to 16 inches tall at the shoulder.
Coat And Colors
Maine Coon cats have a very furry coat that comes in many different colors and markings, like two colors, stripes, and one solid color.
2. Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat, also known as the “Wegie,” is a natural breed that evolved in the forests of Norway. They were used as mousers on Viking ships and farms.
These cats are a little bit independent. If you have a Norwegian Forest cat, you should get a sturdy cat tree because they love climbing and perching up high.
Life Expectancy
Norwegian Forest Cats typically live between 14 to 16 years.
Weight
Male Norwegian Forest Cats can weigh between 13 and 22 pounds, while females usually weigh between 9 and 12 pounds.
Height
Norwegian Forest Cats can grow up to 16 inches tall at the shoulder.
Coat And Colors
Norwegian Forest Cats have a very thick, double fur coat. The coat can be many different colors and markings, like patchy colors, one solid color, and stripes.
3. Ragdoll
The Ragdoll is a fairly new cat breed. It was developed in the 1960s by Ann Baker in California. They were bred to be large, gentle, and affectionate companions.
In 2022, they were declared by Cat Fanciers’ Association as the most popular purebred cat in the United States.
These big cats have pretty blue eyes and soft, fluffy fur that can be different colors and patterns.
Life Expectancy
Ragdolls typically live between 12 to 15 years.
Weight
Male Ragdolls can weigh between 15 and 20 pounds, while females usually weigh between 10 and 15 pounds.
Height
Ragdolls can grow from 9 to 11 inches tall.
Coat And Colors
Ragdoll cats have a very soft, smooth fur coat. Their coat comes in three different markings, two colors, a darker face and legs, and darker paws. They are always pointed, with blue eyes.
4. Siberian
The Siberian is a natural breed that evolved in Russia over a thousand years ago. Like Norwegian Forest Cats and Maine Coons, Siberian cats have very fluffy and thick fur that keeps them from getting wet.
They are prized for their hunting skills and ability to survive cold temperatures and they take up to five years to grow up.
Life Expectancy
Siberians typically live between 10 to 18 years.
Weight
Male Siberians can weigh between 17 and 20 pounds, whereas females usually weigh between 13 and 17 pounds.
Height
Siberians can grow from 17 inches to 25 inches tall at the shoulder.
Coat And Colors
Siberian cats have a thick coat with three layers. Their fur comes in many colors and markings, like stripes, one solid color, and patchy colors. They also possess large tail.
5. Chausie
The Chausie is a mixed cat breed. It got its name from the Latin words “felis chaus” which means “jungle cat”. It was created in the 1990s by breeding house cats with the Jungle Cat, a wild cat from Southeast Asia. Chausies have short, thick fur that is usually black or brown.
Some have stripes like a tabby cat. They have bunches of fur on their ears and strong, muscular bodies. This makes them look fancy and a little wild.
Life Expectancy
Chausies typically live between 15 to 20 years.
Weight
Male Chausies can weigh between 15 and 25 pounds, while females typically weigh between 10 and 15 pounds.
Height
Chausies can grow up to 18 inches tall.
Coat And Colors
Chausie cats have a short, thick fur coat. Their coat comes in three colors: all black, yellow-brown, and brown with stripes.
6. Savannah
The Savannah is also a mixed cat breed. It was created in the 1980s by breeding a house cat with an African Serval, a wild cat known for being tall and thin. The Savannah looks like a small leopard. It has big ears like a serval the wild cat from Africa.
Savannahs are put into groups based on how many serval genes they have. F1 and F2 Savannahs have the most serval genes because they are the closest to the wild cats.
Life Expectancy
Savannahs typically live between 12 to 20 years.
Weight
Male Savannahs can weigh between 12 and 25 pounds, whereas females usually weigh between 10 and 20 pounds.
Height
Savannahs can grow between 10 to 17 inches tall.
Coat And Colors
Savannah cats have short coat with spots, like a wild cat. Their fur can be many colors, like black, gray, and brown.
7. Ragamuffin
The Ragamuffin is a variant of the Ragdoll breed developed in the 1990s by crossing Ragdolls with other long-haired breeds such as Persians and Himalayans.
They are big but gentle and don’t do well outside. They look like Ragdolls but have more color variety and eye colors. They are known for being very gentle and friendly
Life Expectancy
Ragamuffins typically live between 12 to 18 years.
Weight
Male Ragamuffin cats can weigh from 15 to 20 pounds. Female Ragamuffin cats usually weigh from 10 to 15 pounds.
Height
Ragamuffins can grow from 9 to 15 inches tall.
Coat And Colors
Ragamuffin cats have a long, soft fur coat. Their coat comes in many colors and patterns, i.e., in one solid color, multi-color, or stripes. The colors could be chocolate, cinnamon, chestnut, white, black, platinum, blue, lavender, and red.
8. Turkish Van
The Turkish Van is a natural breed that originated in Turkey’s Lake Van region. They are known for their love of water and unique color patterns.
Their body is white, but their tail and the fur around their eyes are a different color. Sometimes their shoulders are colored too.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of Turkish Vans is typically between 12 to 17 years.
Weight
Male Turkish Vans can weigh between 10 and 20 pounds, whereas females usually weigh between 7 and 12 pounds.
Height
Turkish Vans can grow from 10 to 14 inches.
Coat And Colors
These cats have a special color pattern called piebald. Turkish Van cats have fur that is a little long. Most of their fur is white, with colored spots on their head and tail. They are always bi-color. This is good news for people who like big cats but not big hairballs.
9. American Bobtail
The American Bobtail is a relatively new breed that was developed in the 1960s by crossing a short-tailed cat with domestic breeds like Siamese and Birman. American Bobtails have short tails that can be tiny or up to 4 inches long.
During cold weather, their very thick fur keeps them dry and warm. Their back legs are longer than their front legs, causing them to lean slightly forward.
Life Expectancy
American Bobtails typically live between 13 to 18 years.
Weight
Male American Bobtails can weigh between 11 and 20 pounds, while females usually weigh between 7 and 11 pounds.
Height
American Bobtails can grow up to 10 inches tall.
Coat And Colors
American Bobtails have a short to medium-length coat that comes in various colors and patterns, including tabby, calico, and bi-color. They are known for their short, bobbed tail.
10. Bengal Cats
The Bengal is a hybrid breed developed in the 1960s by crossing domestic cats with the Asian Leopard Cat, a wild cat native to South and Southeast Asia. They are intelligent, active, and playful, and love to climb.
They are also known for their love of water, and enjoy playing in fountains or even jumping into the shower with their owners.
Life Expectancy
Bengals typically live between 12 to 20 years.
Weight
Male Bengals can weigh between 10 and 15 pounds, while females usually weigh between 8 and 10 pounds.
Height
Bengals can grow from 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder.
Coat And Colors
Bengals have a short, dense coat which is known for its pretty, leopard-like spots and circles. They can have many different fur colors, like gray, white, and brown. Some Bengals also have a marbled pattern instead of spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
To sum up, these 10 types of cats are some of the biggest in the world. They are also known for being nice and loving. If you want a big, soft friend, one of these big, kind cats might be just right for your family.
But remember, big cats require plenty of space, food, and care to be happy and healthy. If you can meet their needs, having a big, beautiful cat will bring you great joy.