Top 10 Largest Domestic Cat Breeds: Big, Low‑Maintenance Pets

While a large, undomesticated cat breed—say a tiger—might be unattainable for the average pet owner, there are plenty of large domesticated cat breeds to choose from. For cat lovers who want a relatively large cat to care for, any of these domestic cats will make great pets due to their manageable size and relatively low maintenance attitude.

These 10 domesticated beauties bring much joy to cat lovers in a slightly larger feline package.

Tip

If you prefer your cat to not bring you daily presents like dead mice or birds, then keep them indoors around the clock. Larger cat breeds tend to be better hunters than smaller breeds. If your larger house cat roams outside, be sure to add bells to their collar to make sure they can’t sneak up on neighborhood prey.

Breed Characteristics

Larger cat breeds tend to have more confidence. Most cats are curious, but larger cats usually have more powerful jumping abilities and can get into a little more trouble. Larger felines are athletic and active. Many bond strongly with their human owners and vocalize with mews, squeaks, and purrs when they need you.

• 01 of 10

  Maine Coon

  

  The strong, shaggy Maine coon is a well-proportioned large domesticated cat. There are many stories of how this breed developed. Some believe they originated in America as a cross between a house cat and a raccoon, although that myth has been scientifically debunked. That raccoon myth was one explanation for the Maine coon’s long, smooth coat and voluminous tail. This unique and affectionate breed is a great family pet known for being a gentle giant in the domesticated cat world.

  Breed Overview

  Height: 10 to 16 inches
  Weight: 10 to 18 pounds
  Coat and Color: Long, double coat with more than 75 color combinations and green, gold, or copper eyes

  Life Expectancy: 9 to 15 years

• 02 of 10

  Ragdoll

  

  The ragdoll earned its name because of its docile, cuddly, and affectionate nature. Ragdolls collapse into their favorite person’s arms when picked up, just like a rag doll. Their history is shrouded in mystery, and there are many claims of how they came to be, including CIA experiments. This tremendous family-friendly breed gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1990s, and the Cat Fancier’s Association recognized it in 2000.

  Breed Overview

  Height: 9 to 11 inches
  Weight: 10 to 20 pounds
  Coat and Color: Medium-length and silky plush coat; light-colored body with a darker face, legs, tail, and ears; coat patterns include bicolor, van, mitted, and colorpoint; coat colors include seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream; blue eyes

  Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years

• 03 of 10

  Norwegian Forest Cat

  

  Imagine a wild, long-haired barn cat with wide yellow eyes and a muscular body, and you'd see an encyclopedia entry for a Norwegian forest cat. These large, sturdy cats were first bred in Norway by breeders who crossed domestic cats with wild forest cats. Since the breed was domesticated, it has become a perfectly friendly, playful, and intelligent breed. The Norwegian forest cat is perfect as a loyal pet to stay by your side.

  Breed Overview

  Height: 9 to 12 inches
  Weight: 13 to 20 pounds
  Coat and Color: Unique double coat that includes a dense undercoat and a long, silky smooth overcoat; colors vary greatly, every color and pattern is possible

  Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years

• 04 of 10

  Persian

  

  The most striking attribute of the Persian cat is its face. This long-haired cat has a round, often flat face and a distinctly short muzzle, giving it a squished face look. Its long hair gives it a larger appearance. In actuality, it is one of the smallest of the larger breeds. Unlike most larger cats, this cat is content lounging around all day and is not as active or alert as the bigger kitties.

  Breed Overview

  Height: 8 to 10 inches
  Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
  Coat and Color: Long coat in solid (white, black, cream), tabby, calico, bicolor, silver and gold, shaded, and smoke

  Life Expectancy: 10 to 17 years

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• 05 of 10

  Chausie

  

  An exotic-looking breed, the Chausie is a large, extremely active, and intelligent cat. Its history dates back to the ancient Egyptians. The Chausie got its name from the Latin name “felis chaus,” meaning “jungle cat.” People likely gave it this name because of its natural hunting skills and regal demeanor combined with its large-and-in-charge appearance. The ancient breed was bred with house cats centuries ago and brought to America, where they became popular as some of the giant domesticated cats.

  Breed Overview

  Height: 14 to 18 inches
  Weight: 15 to 20 pounds
  Coat and Color: Short coat, commonly black or brown with a tabby pattern

  Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years

• 06 of 10

  Siberian

  

  This unique Siberian cat breed is large, sturdy, and intelligent. It had to be, growing up in an exceptionally unforgiving climate with painfully short summers and long, harsh winters. The breed was domesticated and brought indoors, away from the elements, where its true colors could emerge. Siberian cats are notably affectionate and playful, making great house pets.

  Breed Overview

  Height: 9 to 11 inches
  Weight: 10 to 20 pounds
  Coat and Color: Semi-longhaired, triple-coat that varies from coarse to soft; comes in a wide variety of colors

  Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years

• 07 of 10

  Savannah

  

  The Savannah cat is a cross between a domestic cat and a serval, a medium-sized African wild cat with distinctly large ears. Its exotic, leopard-like appearance makes the Savannah a commonly desired pet among big cat enthusiasts. Savannah cats are classified by the amount of each breed they contain to inform owners of how genuinely wild they are. For example, F1 and F2 generations are usually the largest and have more genes from the African serval.

  Breed Overview

  Height: 10 to 17 inches
  Weight: 12 to 25 pounds
  Coat and Color: Short to medium length coat; black, brown spotted tabby, black silver spotted tabby, and black smoke with a solid or tabby pattern

  Life Expectancy: 12 to 20 years

• 08 of 10

  American Bobtail

  

  A distinctly short, stubby bobbed tail is what makes this domesticated house cat stand apart from all of the other breeds. It also has long hind legs and an alert hunting gaze—attributes consistent with a bobcat. The first American bobtails are believed to originate from one cat, Yodie, found abandoned at a motel in Arizona by a vacationing couple. Experts believe Yodie was left at the motel by someone from a nearby Native American reservation who possibly mated a wild bobcat with a domestic cat.

  Breed Overview

  Height: 9 to 10 inches
  Weight: 7 to 16 pounds
  Coat and Color: Can come in any color or pattern; shaggy coat

  Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years

  
  

  Continue to 9 of 10 below.
• 09 of 10

  Ragamuffin

  

  The ragamuffin is closely related to another larger breed, the ragdoll. The ragamuffin is large, lovable, and mellow. Ragamuffin cats are known for their docile nature and thick, luscious coat. Their personality is quite similar to the ragdoll, but their faces typically have a friendly overall expression with larger, rounder eyes.

  Breed Overview

  Height: 9 to 12 inches
  Weight: 8 to 20 pounds
  Coat and Color: Long and silky coat; white, black, blue, red, lavender, cinnamon, chestnut, platinum, and chocolate colors

  Life Expectancy: Up to 18 years

• 10 of 10

  Bengal

  

  At first glance, it’s hard to believe the Bengal is a domesticated cat and not wild. With an athletic body and a unique, patterned coat, the Bengal cat breed looks like it's straight out of the jungle. Bengal owners say this breed is as loving and friendly as other domestic cats. They’re people-oriented cats that love to play and climb all day.

  Breed Overview

  Height: 8 to 10 inches
  Weight: 15 to 18 pounds
  Coat or Color: Short, dense coat; colors include brown tabby, seal sepia tabby, seal mink tabby, seal lynx point, black silver tabby, and other combinations with spotted or marbled patterns

  Life Expectancy: 10 to 16 years

Breeds to Avoid

Whether you have a big cat or a little cat, all domesticated cats can acclimate to the size of their owner's home. But, if you want to avoid having a bigger cat, some breeds are smaller than others. Smaller kitty breeds include the short-legged munchkin, the Singapura, and the Devon Rex.

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