While all cats consider themselves big predators like their wildcat cousins, some of the large cat breeds may come a smidgen closer in size, but they still fall a little short.
But when you put one of these larger domesticated cats inside a house, while he isn’t a lion or tiger, he still appears larger than life lying on the sofa!
And maybe it isn’t the jungle, but you’d still better recognize he’s King of the House!
Let’s celebrate the small big cat and have a look at 11 large cat breeds who are happy to rule over you.
Large Cat Breeds Give Big Love
#1 – Maine Coon
Average Weight: 15-25 lbs.
Maine Coon cats weigh in as one of the larger breeds and with all their fluffy fur, these gentle giants look even bigger! With intellect and heart to match those big bodies, Maine Coons enjoy a good chat, telling their families how much they love them with lots of chirps, trills, and meows. And, these large cats often love water, just like Tissy Water Kitty!
#2 – Savannah
Average Weight: 10-20 lbs.
If you want a cat that’s big on size as well as heart and energy, then a Savannah cat might be the large cat breed you need. With long legs, dark spots, and bold stripes, Savannah cats offer a glimpse into the wild with their exotic appearance and lineage of domestic cat and wild cat.
#3 – Ragdoll
Average Weight: 15-20 lbs.
With eyes of captivating blue and luxurious fur, these charming cats are as beautiful as they are big. The Cat Fanciers Association reports Ragdolls as gentle cats who “usually play without extending their claws.” They don’t want to hurt anybody, snuggling is more this large cat breed’s idea of a good time.
#4 – Chausie
Average Weight: 15-20 lbs.
Another large breed created by mixing domestic felines with their wild cousins, the Chausie is rare and quite expensive. Like the wild jungle cats they resulted from, Chausie cats are fierce and intelligent, always in need of stimulation. They can be easily trained, but might not be great for a home with small children.
#5 – Ragamuffin
Average Weight: 11-17 lbs.
Ragamuffins are cousins to Ragdoll cats and VetStreet.com calls the breed a “classic lap cat who loves being cuddled.” Covered in lush fur with pluming tails, the Ragamuffin is a large cat breed that requires regular grooming. But, that’s okay, because these floofs are snuggle bugs who love attention.
#6 – Norwegian Forest Cat
Average Weight: 13-22 lbs.
To survive the Scandinavian winters from which they originated, Norwegian Forest Cats have long waterproof coats of impressive lengths. These big-boned cats are heavy with muscle, but are just overgrown kittens! Wedgies, as they are also known, “mature slowly and take a long time to reach full physical and emotional development.”
#7 – Siberian Cat
Average Weight: 15-20 lbs.
Russia’s forest cat “first appeared in recorded history around the year 1000 and hails from the unforgiving climate of Siberia.” A large cat breed native to such harsh conditions, the Siberian cat is known for its hardiness. Lore says these loving cats once grew to weights of 45 pounds and acted as guards for their families. Though not that big today, the Siberian is still a lot of cat!
#8 – British Shorthair
Average Weight: 9-18 lbs.
Between their affectionate nature and their short dense fur, British Shorthairs are velvety-soft love bugs who want to be friends with everyone as long as they keep it calm. As these lovelies age, they tend to enjoy a quiet and lazy life. Good for quiet households.
#9 – Turkish Van
Average Weight: 9-13 lbs.
A cat who needs lots of play and attention, Turkish Van cats enjoy getting into mischief! But, for all their impish ways, this rare breed is loyal and loves their family. For a purrfect example of a Turkish Van, check out the King of Shrimp, Thurston Waffles.
#10 – American Bobtail
Average Weight: 7-15 lbs.
American Bobtails are easy to recognize thanks to their bobbed tails! Those cute nubs are flexible and expressive, “developed by natural selection to survive feral environments.” And though they strongly resemble the Bobcat, the smaller, yet still large domesticated cat is of no relation to the wildcat.
#11 Bengal
Average Weight: 12-15 lbs.
All Bengals are beauties, like Suki, but some Bengals seem to sparkle thanks to a ‘glitter gene’, “where air encircles the hair shaft and refracts light, giving the hair an iridescent shimmer”. This gives the cat’s coat a sparkling magic to complement their large size.
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