Biggest Domestic Cats - What Are the Largest Cat Breeds?

There are many people out there who think cats make better pets than dogs - they are quiet, easy to care for, relatively independent and most importantly, occupy less space than dogs.

Even the cost involved in maintaining a cat as a pet is much less than dogs, which is why cats are preferred by busy families and people wishing to add a pet to their home.

Just like dogs, there are many popular breeds among cats - they come in different shapes, sizes and colours.

In this article, we’ll be specifically talking about some of the biggest cat breeds. So if you’re looking to bring home a cat that’s neither as small as your usual cat nor as big as most dogs, this post is for you!

Read ahead to find out more about the fluffiest, chunkiest and biggest domestic breeds so that you know which one to bring home!

The Norwegian Forest Cat is one of the largest breed types in the feline world.

These cats are known for being friendly, playful and affectionate.

One of the long-haired breeds, the Norwegian Forest Cat looks like a cross between a Maine Coon and a domestic short-haired cat. The main difference is that the ears are slightly longer and the tails are thicker. In some cases, there is a white spot under the chin.

The Norwegian Forest Cats are powerful, muscular-looking cats with big paws and thick, long fur like an almost fluffy coat. They weigh up to 16 pounds and stand about 9-12 inches tall.

They have an extremely affectionate nature and are loyal to humans although they often choose to live with just one person. They are also great hunters and excellent climbers.

This is truly a one-in-a-million cat breed, so you'll want to make sure you're prepared to handle a big, powerful, yet affectionate pet.

The Maine Coon is known for their plush coats with an almost shaggy appearance and bushy tail, both of which instantly set it apart from other large cat breeds.

Despite their intense stare and wild appearance, Maine Coons are known to be a loving, affectionate breed with a calm temperament.

They’re intelligent, goofy and make great companions. They aren’t really fond of cuddling but will still prefer remaining close to you.

The height of this cat ranges from 10 to 16 inches and its weight can span from anything between 10 to 18 pounds, making it one of the biggest domestic cat breeds.

You’ll find them in many colour combinations that complement their green, copper or gold eyes.

This jumbo cat breed is known to have origins in Syria, dating back to the 13th century.

However, it was only when they were brought to the United States in the 1970s did they become popular across the globe.

If you’re someone who really wanted a dog (as dogs are known for their devotion to their owners) but are settling for a cat for a pet, here’s some reason to cheer - Chartreux are just like dogs when it comes to devotion and attachment to their owners.

This is a quality that is not typically found in cats (of course, there are some exceptions!). Don’t be surprised if Chartreux picks a liking for one person in your home and sticks to them for the rest of their lives, day in and day out!

The Chartreux males can weigh around 16 pounds, whereas the females weigh less, around 9 pounds. They are known for their quiet nature and most of them are mute.

Observant and intelligent, the Chartreux is also known for its playful nature. The breed is non-aggressive and affectionate and remains healthy throughout their lives too.

The Turkish Van (pronounced as ‘von’) cats are known for their sharp, intriguing looks and are one of the biggest domestic cats in the world.
 
They hail from mountains in Turkey and are often confused for another popular Turkish large cat breed - the Turkish Angora.
 
In terms of popularity, Turkish Vans beat the Turkish Angoras - in fact, the Turkish Vans are known to be a treasure in Turkey, as they are rare and not easily found.
 
This breed of cat can have amber or blue eyes, while some may even feature one eye with each colour. It is a well-built cat with a muscular body and features semi-long fur.

Maintaining them can get a tad difficult, considering the length of their fur. Kittens typically have short hair, but a full-grown Turkish Van starts to develop fur on the chest as well as tail.
 
They can grow up to 3 feet (from the tip of their nose to the end of their bushy tail). The exotic appearance and large size of these cats make them a popular pick among cat lovers.

The striking features of this cat - right from its appealing eyes, its colour and thick fur - make them look absolutely adorable! 

Cats are usually known to be super independent and less clingy, but if you’re looking for a cuddly little ball of fur, this is just the breed you’d want to take home!
 
The Ragdoll loves to cuddle with their owners and are just as affectionate too.
 
They are known to gel well with little kids and other pets - so if you have a home already full of kids and pets, a ragdoll will settle in just right.
 
A fully grown Ragdoll will weigh anything between 6 to 12 pounds, making them one of the biggest domestic cat breeds.
 
It can take a little Ragdoll kitten almost four years to completely mature into a large cat. 

As they have bushy fur, maintenance will take a little extra time and effort - but considering the loving pets they are, it’s totally worth the effort!

This breed is a cross between a domestic cat and a serval, which is a large-eared, medium-sized wild African cat.

The unusual cross has resulted in the Savannah cat breed, which is one of the biggest domestic cats in the world. This breed is known to have a unique tall and lanky physique.

The size of the cats also depends on their gender - the male Savannahs are usually larger than their female counterparts and can weigh anything between 12 to 25 pounds.

The size also depends on their genetic composition - the F1 and F2 generations are different in terms of size, with the F1 cats being larger than the F2 variants.

The unique characteristics of the Savannahs make them all the more appealing - they have an exotic, leopard-like appearance, which makes them a popular pick among cat enthusiasts.

The maximum height they can grow up to is 17 inches, and the Savannahs have a life expectancy of 12 to 20 years.

We’ve listed the top 6 large cat breeds that are popular across the world for different reasons - right from their size, to their exotic looks and colour, these cats are absolutely adorable.

Depending on the temperament of the cats as well as the already existing pets in your home, you need to pick the breed of cat wisely.

Cats are loving and affectionate, too - just not in the way dogs are - but that’s exactly what we love about them and why they make great pets!

Our guide to the most common cat breeds might be also be useful if you're still looking at different breeds.

If you’ve decided to get a large cat breed for your home, it’s also the right time to secure your pet with our affordable cat insurance. Read more on Waggel Pet Insurance below.