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If you came to this article searching for house cat information, you came to the right place. Specifically, we’ll be talking about large house cats and some of their important characteristics. I selected the 13 biggest house cats that made sense for my list, so check them out and decide for yourself which ones are the best.
1. Are Maine Coons Big?
Yes, Maine Coons are big domestic cats. Maine Coons can reach a weight of up to 22 pounds for mature males and 15 pounds for females. They can stand up to 16 inches on all fours and stretch out to 38 inches in length.
Large cats have a healthy weight of 15 pounds and more; keep in mind that females are generally smaller than males and sometimes fall into the medium category of around 10 to 15 pounds, but they are still considered a big breed.
Stewie, a Maine Coon who lived in Nevada, holds the “longest cat” record at 48.5 inches (Stewie lost his fight against cancer in 2013). Barivel succeeds him, a Maine Coon in Italy, who currently holds the title of the longest (living) domestic cat at 47 inches.
Their sheer size is not their only striking feature; Maine Coons have luscious thick coats that come in various patterns and colors. Eye color is generally green or gold. According to the breed standard set out in TICA (The International Cat Association), blue and odd color eyes are only accepted (as a purebred) in white and particolored Maine Coons.
As big as they are, owners of Maine Coon cats often describe their magnificent felines as gentle giants with dog-like behavior. While you’ll be hard-pressed to find a barking cat, this breed shares similarities with canines because of their high play drives, mischievous antics, and loving natures.
Check out this article on Maine Coons: 18 Reasons Maine Coons Are The Best Cats.
2. Are Ragdoll Cats Big?
Yet another majestic feline, a male Ragdoll, can tip the scales between 15 and 20 pounds. Female Ragdolls fall into the medium weight range of between 10 and 15 pounds. Length and height seem to vary, but you can reasonably expect a Ragdoll to be a little smaller than a Maine Coon.
Purebred Ragdolls have deep blue eyes and come in all manner of pointed coat colors (blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, etc.). In addition, they tend to have semi-long silky coats that feel amazingly smooth to the touch.
The breed is pretty intelligent, usually calm, and enjoys long petting sessions on your lap. Ragdolls also love to play and will never turn down a game of fetch. They are very friendly and social. Aggression in this easy-going breed is rare; in fact, TICA disqualifies cats showing any signs of hostility towards people.
For more info on the Ragdoll cat, read my article: Are Ragdoll Cats Easy To Train? Very Practical Info.
3. How Big Are Ragamuffin Cats?
Purina seems to concur with the ACFA stating that mature males can reach a weight of 20 pounds. However, Hill’s Pet sets its weight range for up to 12 pounds. The Ragamuffin is recognized as a large breed under the ACFA (American Cat Fanciers Association).
Even as a close relative to the Ragdoll, TICA does not recognize the Ragamuffin. The lack of recognition might make it challenging to determine if all the Ragamuffins are bred according to a specific set standard which can be the reason for conflicting data on their size.
While their coat length and texture are very alike, their coloring and patterns can be identical to a Ragdoll or be the complete opposite. Their eye color will set them apart, as the Ragamuffin doesn’t have a set eye color.
The Ragamuffin’s personality is also very similar to the Ragdoll, but they have slight changes in temperament (or characteristics) due to crossbreeding.
Learn more about the Ragamuffin: How Much Do Ragamuffin Cats Cost?
4. Are Norwegian Forest Cats Big?
As a breed with a striking resemblance to a Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cats are not significantly different in size. Adult males can grow up to around 18 pounds. However, the females tend to be in the small to medium class with average weight between 8 and 12 pounds.
Gentleness appears to be a pattern among the big cats; Norwegian Forest Cats are even-mannered and sweet-natured and loves to climb impossible heights. In addition, they are playful and intelligent, making them great additions to households with kids and other pets.
Purebred Norwegian Forest Cats can have any eye color except blue or odd-colored eyes. Their long, thick coats are available in just about any color and pattern you can think of (silver, black, blue, brown, etc.).
Learn more about Norwegian Forest Cats with this article: Do Norwegian Forest Cats Hunt Mice? (Hunting Answers).
5. Are Savannah Cats Big?
The Savannah cat is large but not the largest big cat; TICA classifies the breed as medium to large, with mature males reaching 16 pounds. However, other sources state that they can weigh up to 25 pounds.
As a descendant of the African Serval, the Savannah cat has stunning and exotic features. Their coats are short and not as smooth as felines with longer coats. According to breed standards, the Savannah is purebred if it has a spotted pattern (solid dark spots).
The Savannah cat is friendly and adventurous; the breed will get along with kids and other pets reasonably well, making them great companions for large families. They have a lot of energy, and owners should provide an outlet for it, or the Savannah might just find a way to entertain themselves – and it is never a good thing to have a bored cat!
To learn more about the Savannah cat, check out my article: Do Savannah Cats Need Company? The Wild Answers.
6. Are Siberian Cats Big?
The Siberian cat is another breed that tips the scale into the large category and is usually listed under medium to large, weighing between 8 and 17 pounds. Females will be smaller in proportion and likely reach a weight of around 12 pounds.
They are heavy shedders as one of the few cats boasting a triple coat (not that anyone blames them, Russia is freezing!). The exceptionally thick coats that shield them from the cold are smooth and available in all sorts of patterns and colors.
Siberian Cats love to cuddle with their humans but retain an independent nature that gives them an easy-going temperament. They love to play and should fit in just fine with small or large families with or without other pets.
Check out my article on Siberian cats: How Much Do Siberian Cats Cost? (Are They Worth It)?
7. Selkirk Rex Size
The Selkirk Rex is a medium–to–large breed; males range between 11 and 16 pounds. Adult females are in the small-to-medium class, topping at around 12 pounds.
If you ever wondered what a cat would look like with a worn-out perm, this is your answer. The breed even has a cute nickname; some people refer to them as the “cat in sheep’s clothing,” these adorable fluffballs can have short or long coats in any color or pattern standard in the feline species.
The Selkirk Rex should not be mistaken for the LaPerm; this cat also has curly hair but is a small-to-medium breed. The Selkirk has a much rounder face, where the LaPerm presents with more angular features.
Apart from their unique looks and otherworldly name, the Selkirk Rex is just your average kitty cat looking for a warm lap to rest on cold days. The breed appears to have a comedic streak with silly antics that would provide you with hours of entertainment.
8. Chausie Cat Size
The Chausie cat breed is in the medium-to-large category, with males topping at around 15 pounds. According to TICA, adult females are 15 percent smaller, which brings their weight to approximately 12 pounds.
The Chausie is a striking cat with looks resembling a mountain lion. The breed has a dense but short-to-medium coat in three color variants, brown ticked tabby, solid black, and black ticked tabby. TICA prefers gold or yellow eyes, but the breed can also have light green or hazel colored eyes.
As with the Savannah, the Chausie is a bouncing ball of energy that would require mental and physical stimulation to prevent them from scaling your curtains. Interactive toys or playing fetch with a softball are great ways to get rid of boredom.
9. Are Turkish Van Cats Big?
Turkish Van adult males vary in size, starting at around 9 pounds and reaching up to 20 pounds, whereas mature females remain in the small-to-medium class of between 7 and 12 pounds.
Apart from their silky-smooth coats and big eyes, another noticeable breed feature is their fluffy tails. This gorgeous tail seems to have a life of its own, and most often than not, you’ll spot the tail long before you see the cat as it is upright most of the day.
According to breed standards, the Turkish Van can have either blue or amber eyes or a combination of both. Their coats are semi-long with the Van pattern (white body with colors marking the head and tail) or pure white without markings. The markings are available in a range of fascinating colors like cinnamon, chocolate, cream, fawn, etc.
The Turkish Van is a great jumper and loves to perch on high surfaces or trees. They are sweet-natured, social, and loves to play. Cat fanciers know that most felines are not particularly fond of water. However, it appears that this breed (and some of our other large breeds like the Maine Coon and Wegie) are quite happy to play with water.
Check this article out since it compares the Turkish Van to the Maine Coon: Maine Coon vs. Turkish Van (Intriguing Differences Revealed).
Here are some of my favorite cat products
In addition to checking out some other More Meows articles, I hope you’ll check out some of my favorite cat products as well. These are affiliate links, so if you end up using them, I’ll get a commission at no extra cost to you. These are the products I really do find most helpful.
Litter Box: I started out with normal, traditional litter boxes for my cat. Then, I tried this automatic litter box on Amazon (affiliate link), which helped reduce the litter upkeep. Finally, I am now a believer in the Litter-Robot 3 Connect on Amazon (affiliate link). This robotic litter box is not for everyone based on the price tag, but for me the benefits (very little upkeep, works efficiently, clean, mobile app) far outweighed the cost.
Cat Tree: I have purchased a couple of this Amazon Basics Cat Tree on Amazon (affiliate link). My cat spends a lot of time on and around this cat tree, which I position near my sofa. She uses the scratching posts on this cat tree multiple times a day, which means she is not scratching the sofa instead.
Cat Water Fountain: I love this cat water fountain on Amazon (affiliate link). There are three main benefits to having a water fountain like this for your cat. The first benefit is that it keeps water running so that your cat doesn’t need to drink still water. The second benefit is that it filters the water. The third benefit is that it will keep your cat hydrated!
10. American Bobtail Size
The American Bobtail might be considered a medium breed; however, males can reach a weight of 16 pounds. Females are proportionately smaller, topping at around 11 pounds.
In contrast with the Turkish Van’s fabulous tail, the Bobtail has inherently docked tails. The breed should not be mistaken for the Manx; this breed had no tail, whereas the Bobtail has a very short tail. Breed standards determine that the tail be one bone long.
A few other features that separate the Manx from the Bobtail are size (the Manx is a medium breed), coat length, and texture. The American Bobtail has a medium-long shaggy coat available in all species-standard colors and patterns.
The breed is energetic, whip-smart, and loves to be the center of attention with their silly exploits. They are friendly and affectionate and should fit in well with large families with other pets; that being said, they won’t mind being part of a small family either.
11. How Big is an Ocicat?
While TICA lists the Ocicat as a medium breed, Purina states that the feline is medium-to-large, with adult males weighing up to 15 pounds. Females will probably not grow bigger than the 12-pound mark.
The Ocicat has a short coat with dark spots over their bodies; they come in a wide variety of colors such as fawn, blue, silver, chocolate, lilac, etc. Purebred Ocicats can have any eye color except blue.
As one of the felines that exhibit dog-like behavior, the Ocicat is a great addition for families looking for an active and playful pet. The breed is intelligent, and you’ll be delighted to find that they’ll walk on a lead, engage in a flurry game of fetch, or test their strength with a bit of tug-of-war.
To learn more about the Ocicat, check out: Can Ocicats Go Outside? (The Most Helpful Reasons).
12. Are Bengal Cats Big?
Bengal cats are in the medium-to-large range. Mature males reach about 15 pounds, and females top at around 12 pounds. So, Bengal cats are not small and many people might consider them big.
While some might think that the Bengal Tiger served as the inspiration for the breed name, its spotted markings are far closer to a leopard than a tiger. However, the Bengal’s true ancestor is the Asian Leopard Cat, making things even more confusing.
This remarkable beauty is sweet-natured, social, and loves to play – a lot. They are packed with vigor and love to explore the outdoors. Their need for human companionship balances their investigative personalities; at the end of a hard day, The Bengal loves nothing more than to find a warm and comfortable lap to unwind.
The Toyger is another feline with markings that resemble big wild cats; the medium breed has a distinct tiger-like appearance in coat pattern and color.
For more on the Bengal cat, check out my article: 13 Reasons Your Bengal Cat Meows So Much.
13. Are British Shorthair Cats Big?
Yes, British Shorthair cats can grow big. Adult males can weigh between 11 and 18 pounds, putting them in the medium-to-large category. Females can reach a weight of up to 15 pounds.
Both versions (British Shorthair and British Longhair) are available in various colors, such as grey, lilac, white, cream, etc.; however, blue appears to be most prevalent. Patterns include most tabby markings such as classic, mackerel, and spotted.
As coat length and texture is the only factor that disguises the felines, their personalities remain constant. They are not highly active or playful and would likely appreciate a more subdued life. They’ll make great companions for owners who love to curl up with a good book.
To learn more about the British Shorthair, check out my article: How Much Do British Shorthair Cats Cost? (And Breeder Info).
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my list of 13 big house cat breeds. These large domestic cats all have fans. Personally, I am always impressed at the size of the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, and Ragdoll. If you enjoyed this article, please check out a few more:
- 8 Most Fancy Cat Breeds (Special Cat Breeds): Click Here To Read Article.
- Do Cats Like When You Talk To Them? (Best Answers): Click Here To Read Article.
- Do Cats Like Cold Weather? Click Here To Read Article.
