According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 58 million households in the United States own cats. Cat owners have a wide range of breeds to choose from, but some adopt based on size. While small cats are adorable, many owners prefer the majestic qualities of larger cat breeds. Keep reading to browse some of the most gigantic domestic cats.
Norwegian Forest Cats Are Legendary In Norway
Norwegian Forest cats can be identified by their strong, muscular build, huge paws, and thick fur coat. It was bred to look like a cat who was featured in a popular Norwegian legend.
These cats usually weigh up to 22 pounds and tend to become attached to one specific person. This means they aren't suitable for large families.
It Takes Several Years For Ragamuffins To Grow
Closely related to the Ragdoll cats, Ragamuffins are one of the largest domestic breeds. They have thick, fluffy coats and are known for being lovable, docile, and mellow.
One of their most unique physical characteristics is their faces, which are known to look friendly with big, round eyes. Ragamuffins aren't fully grown until they are four years old and weigh between 8 and 20 pounds.
Chausie Cats Come From The Jungle
According to Purina, Chausie cats were bred by crossing a wild jungle cat with a domestic cat. When fully grown, they can weigh up to 25 pounds.
Some of their most distinct physical characteristics include long legs and an agile body. Owners looking for a Chausie shouldn't leave it alone often and should give it a regular routine.
The Ocicat Isn't Related To Any Wildcats
One glance at the Ocicat may help people realize that they resemble the wild ocelot. These cats are extremely dense and heavy.
The average female Ocicat weighs between six and nine pounds and the male usually weighs between nine and 15 pounds. While the Ocicat looks wild, it doesn't have any wild DNA in its gene pool.
Persian Cats Are A Little Bit Lazy
It's difficult not to notice the unique features on the face of a Persian cat. This long-haired breed has a round, flat face and a short muzzle, which makes their face look very squished.
Unlike many of the other larger cats, Persians are pretty sedentary and prefer to lounge around the house all day.
Maine Coons Don't Meow
One of the biggest domestic cat breeds is the Maine Coon. They often weigh around 20 pounds and have some of the fluffiest fur coats.
Maine Coons were originally used on farms because they are excellent hunters. Also, this smart and playful breed doesn't meow like other cats. Instead, Maine Coons yowl.
Highlander Cats Are A Work In Progress
Highlander cats actually aren't fully developed yet. They are a cross between a Desert Lynx and the Jungle Curl cat and are known for their curled ears.
These cats can reach 24 pounds, but females usually weigh between 10 and 14 pounds and males weigh between 15 and 20 pounds.
Savannahs Are Derived From African Wildcats
If the Savannah cat looks familiar, it may be because it's a cross between a domestic cat and an African wildcat.
Savannah cats have a striking resemblance to leopards and have very large ears. There are several classifications among the breed, depending on how much of their genes come from the African wildcat.
Bengals Love Being Around Humans
Bengal cats are often mistaken for wildcats because of their leopard-like coat. Most can range between 6 and 18 pounds and measure between 14 and 18 inches long.
They are known for their athletic body and loving nature. Bengals love being around people and prefer to spend their free time playing and jumping.
All Ragdolls Are Descended From One Particular Cat
Ragdolls are some of the largest domestic cat breeds with the males weighing a little more than the females. They usually grow up to 20 pounds.
This breed is known for its deep blue eyes, soft, fluffy coat, and charming personality. According to Purina, all Ragdolls are descended from one longhaired white cat named Josephine.
Egyptian Maus Are As Fast As Lightning
Weighing between 6 and 14 pounds, Egyptian Mau cats are extremely loyal and active. They are drawn to the outdoors because they like to stalk and hunt for prey.
Owners should beware because they may bring you the critters they catch. Also, Egyptian Maus are the fastest domestic cats and can run up to 30 miles per hour.
Burmese Cats Are Great Observers
Burmese cats usually weigh between 8 and 15 pounds and are known for their strong, muscular bodies. Owners should buy them something to climb on because climbing is their favorite activity.
These cats tend to be observers and prefer to watch what goes on around them. Owners often find them perched high on a window ledge overlooking their surroundings.
British Shorthairs Are Adorably Chubby
Those looking for a chubby cat are in luck. The British Shorthair has more of a stalky build and usually weighs between 9 and 18 pounds.
British Shorthairs have some of the most unique coats and most of them end up turning a blue color. Even though these cats are pretty big, they are quite shy.
Birman Cats Almost Went Extinct
Cat owners may not know that Birmans almost went extinct during World War II. Luckily, these pale-colored cats were saved when they were re-bred with other long-haired breeds.
Birman cats usually weigh between eight and 15 pounds and can best be described as calm, friendly, and curious. Their signature physical feature is the dark markings around their face, ears, and paws.
Selkirk Rex Cats Are One Of The Newer Breeds
Selkirk Rex cats stand out not only because of their large size, but they have a naturally curly coat. This breed typically weighs between six and 16 pounds.
These cats are relatively new because they originated in Montana in 1987 after a rescue cat gave birth to her litter. Also, Selkirk Rex cats are hypoallergenic.
The Unique Heritage Of Turkish Vans
The name Turkish Van gives away a lot of the heritage of this cat breed. They were bred from a mix of cats native to Turkey, although the breeding was done in the United Kingdom.
Most Turkish Vans take about five years to reach full maturity and usually weigh between nine and 15 pounds.
Pixiebobs Aren't Related To Bobcats
The incredibly gigantic Pixiebob gets its name because it looks like a smaller version of a wild bobcat. These cats can weigh up to 17 pounds are are known for having as much as seven toes per paw.
While Pixiebobs look similar to bobcats, they don't share any of the same DNA.
Why Toyger Cats Look Like Tigers
If it wasn't already obvious, the Toyger cat was given its name because it closely resembles a wild tiger. It actually lurks and stalks its prey in a similar way as well.
Female Toygers typically weigh between seven to 10 pounds and males weigh about 10 to 15 pounds. This breed gets its orange color because it was bred using domestic Shorthaired Tabbies.
The Siberian Cat Has Been Domesticated
Before the Siberian cat was domesticated, it was used to dealing with a harsh climate of short summers and brutally long winters.
Its physical and personality traits reflected this, so it became large, sturdy, and intelligent. After the Siberian cat was domesticated, it started to develop new colors and became more affectionate and playful.
How American Bobtails Got Their Name
A name such as American Bobtail may seem a little intimidating, especially because it gets that name due to its resemblance to wild bobcats.
This breed has an average weight of 16 pounds and they are usually pretty athletic. According to Purina, these cats love nature and make good therapy animals.
