Many people believe domestic cats are small, and only wild cats like lions, tigers, and panthers are large. You will be surprised that there are large pet cats; although they are not as large as their wild feline relatives, they are much larger than the average domestic cat.
The largest domestic cats are the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, the Ragdoll, the Persian Cat, the Siberian Cat, Chausie, the Savannah Cat, the Ragamuffin, American Bobtail, and the Bengal. Large domestic cats are more confident, have great jumping abilities, are more athletic, and are active.
Although large domestic cats tend to be better companions than their smaller counterparts, they require more attention and supervision. They tend to get into more trouble and can be difficult to train.
The Largest Domestic Cats
If you have always dreamed of owning a pet lion or tiger because of its unique features; they are beautiful, striking, powerful, and cute, it is not a bad idea, but you must be financially buoyant to own one. If you want a large cat but cannot afford the wild ones, you can go for a large domestic cat.
The Maine Coon
The largest domestic cat in the world is the Maine Coon; with a height of about 10 to 16 inches, they can reach a length of 38 inches, with the tail included. The tail alone can be about 14 inches long. Male Maine Coon weighs about 13 to 18 pounds, while females weigh 8 to 12 pounds.
The Maine Coon has a solid, muscular body to support its weight and a long, tapering, heavily furred tail similar to a raccoon’s. Maine Coon’s have a rectangular body shape and mature slowly and will not attain their full size until they are about three to five years old; it takes other cat breeds about a year.
Maine Coons feed on the same meal as other pet cats, but they need a larger diet because of their high energy expenditure. These cats are sociable, earning the nickname “The Gentle Giants.” Maine Coons can either be medium-haired or long-haired.
They have a soft and silky coat with a texture of varying colors. The length is shorter on the shoulders and head, and longer on the flanks and stomach, and some cats have a leonine ruff around their necks. All Maine Coons require minimal grooming, including the long-haired variants.
What Makes Maine Coon Cats Special?
Maine Coons have a lot of unique features that make them special, including a long tail; their tails can measure around 12 inches long. Maine Coon were built to survive the harsh winter and are one of the most expensive domestic cats, usually around $1000 for an average Maine Coon. They also come in about 75 colors, are very vocal, and do not meow like other cats.
Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat originated in Northern Europe, so it is accustomed to the cold climate. It has a topcoat of glossy, long, water-shedding hair and a wooly undercoat for insulation. They were brought into Norway by the Vikings in 1000 A.D. Although the Norwegian Forest Cat is slowly becoming extinct, the Norwegian Forest Cat Club organized a breeding program to increase the cat’s number.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is similar to the Maine Coon; it is a big, strong cat with long legs, a sturdy body, and a bushy tail. This cat is very good at climbing due to its strong claws. The average lifespan of a Norwegian Forest Cat is about 14 to 16 years. King Olav V declared the Norwegian Forest Cat as the official cat of Norway in the 1950s.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is larger and stronger than the average domestic cat; adult males weigh about 4.5 to 9 kilograms, and adult females weigh about 3.6 to 8 kilograms. The head of the Norwegian Forest Cat is shaped like an equilateral triangle, with a strong chin, a medium-length muzzle, and almond-shaped eyes.
This cat is very playful, active, friendly, and affectionate as kittens and adults; they retain the fun-loving spirit. They can purr greatly, especially when around people or things they love. They can bond with many people enthusiastically, rather than one person like some cat breeds.
The Savannah Cat
The Savannah Cat is a cross-breed between a Serval and a domestic cat. These cross-breeds first occurred in the mid-90s and became popular at the end of the 1990s. It was not until 2001 that the International Cat Association (TICA) accepted it as a new breed.
The first person to have a Savannah Cat cross-bred a female Siamese domestic cat and a male Serval on the 8th of April 1986, he named the cat Savannah. The Savannah has a tall and slim build that makes it appear greater in size than reality. Savannah Cats have a cost with spotted patterns, which is the accepted pattern by the TICA.
Non-standard colors and patterns are marble, snow color, lavender (lilac), cinnamon color, blue, marble, rosette, lilac, and chocolate. Prominent features of the Savannah Cat are the different color markings, its wide, deeply cupped, wound, and erect ears, fat, puffy noses, long legs, and hooded eyes.
Savannah Cats are very loyal and easily trained, although they tend to display some wild behaviors once in a while. Some Savannah Cats are friendly and social with other cats and dogs, while others will run and hide while growling and hissing when they see a stranger.
The Ragdoll
Ragdolls were developed in America in the 1960s by Ann Baker, a breeder. They are known for their placid and docile temperament and their affectionate nature. The name Ragdoll is derived from the tendency of the earliest cats to go limp and relaxed when picked up.
Ragdolls are popular in the United States and the United Kingdom, and they are often called “puppy-like cats” or “dog-like cats.” This results from their tendency to follow people around, their aggression towards other pets, and their ease when handled physically.
These breeds are large, powerful, and heavy cats distinguished by the V-shape markings on their foreheads, their soft thick coat, large round blue eyes, thick limbs, soft bodies, and long tails. They have a calm and floppy nature, are relaxed in temperament, gentle, affectionate, easygoing, and intelligent.
Ragdolls take about four years to develop fully; male cats weigh about 12 to 20 pounds, and female cats, 8 to 15 pounds. They come in six colors: seal, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, and blue. They have an average lifespan of about 13 to 18 years and an average height of 9 to 11 inches.
Which Is Bigger Maine Coon Or Savannah?
There has been a series of contemplations and arguments over which domestic cat is bigger, the Maine Coon or the Savannah Cat. We will look at the features of both cats and, from the facts, decide which is bigger.
Maine Coons are stockier with a large stature, short legs, and fluffy skin coats, while Savannah Cats have longer legs and bodies; this feature makes the Savannah Cat appear larger than it is. Savannah Cats weigh about 10 to 20 pounds, while Maine Coons weigh about 10 to 25 pounds. This proves the Maine Coon to be bigger.
Savannah Cats have a body length of about 20 to 22 inches and an average height of about 13 to 17 inches, while Maine Coons have a body length of about 19 to 32 inches and an overall height of 10 to 16 inches. From the statistics above, you can see that the Maine Coon is bigger than the Savannah Cat.
Final Thoughts
Domestic cats are of different sizes and have different breeds. Each breed has unique features that make them lovable. Moreover, as much as large domestic cats are more playful and active than smaller cats, they are more difficult to train. As long as you can train the cat well, you will enjoy a great time during its lifetime.
Shawn Manaher is a serial entrepreneur but when he isn’t working, he loves dogs. He’s owned different pets over the years, and always gives a part of his heart to each pet.
