The 7 big domestic cats

More than a placid purr, the largest domestic cats resemble wild beasts living in remote regions of the world. This is not to say that huge kittens are unsuitable as family pets; quite the opposite.

The genotype of the largest domestic cats contains genes from wild individuals that have never been domesticated. Although their size does not indicate it, they behave like big cuddles when interacting with their caretakers. They love petting and carefree lounging on their owner’s lap.

Most of us associate cats with small, docile animals. But don’t forget that domestic cats are also descended from wild animals, and there are plenty of them in the wild. What happens when you mix the genes of domestic cats with the species living in the wild? Well, there will be the largest breeds of domestic cats, which are also extremely beautiful (by the way, even the ugliest cats are beautiful in their own way).

Just like the biggest dogs in the world, they show strength and agility adequate to their body build. Most of them love to exercise, but in the list of large purrs there are also couch potatoes, whose element is blissful laziness. Which breeds are we talking about? I present a list of seven biggest domestic cats.

Siberian cat

A list of large, pure-bred purrs opens with Siberian cat. Endowed with unusual grace and wonderful fur, by many people it is considered to be one of the most beautiful representatives of its family. Despite their considerable size, Siberian cats are extremely agile and jumping. You can’t see it every day, but these friendly furries certainly can’t be described as the slowest animals in the world. When it is necessary, a stubby and theoretically sluggish individual can instantly pick up from the place.

It should be noted that this breed is endowed not only with cleverness, but also with considerable intelligence. Want to lock your pet in a room? Forget about it. The pet will figure out what the handle is for in no time. The average weight of a male cat is 7–10 kg, but you can also find 12 kg cats. Female cats are lighter. Their weight is in the range of 4–6 kg.

Norwegian forest cat

The next cat on our list is a representative of a natural breed, which means that it was not created as a result of “cross-breeding”. As the name suggests, the Norwegian forest cat comes from Scandinavia. Although we are talking about a wild animal that has been domesticated, you should not be afraid of its aggressive nature. In contact with man, turns out to be extremely gentle and friendly. It is also very energetic. Frolics, games, fooling around — this is his element. However, he doesn’t have a typical mascot nature and when he gets bored with petting, he will look for a quieter place.

In the wild, it shows a remarkable ability to climb almost any surface — from trees to rock walls. This feature also accompanies domesticated individuals. If the guardian of the animal does not take care of the appropriate accessories, he will use for climbing furniture and even doors. Females reach a weight of 5 to 8 kg, and males — 6 to 10 kg.

Bengal cat

The popular Bengal looks like a jungle animal. That was the idea of breeders of this breed — they wanted to create a cat with fur as similar as possible to that of a leopard. It was not easy, as for a long time the wild nature dominated in the character of this animal. Today, most of the problems are just history, but Bengal cats are still quite demanding when it comes to care and it often happens that they show distrust towards strangers. They can become strongly attached to their caregiver, but still remain quite independent and aloof.

Bengals love to play. They are extremely agile and lively. One should watch out for their inborn curiosity, because even an adult cat can stick its paw where it shouldn’t, e.g. into a pot standing on a stove. Male cats can weigh up to 10 kg. Clearly lighter female cats weigh from 3 to 6 kg.

Maine Coon

Maine coon is a dream companion for the owner, who expects from his pet high attachment. This large purr does not leave the owner even on the step, accompanying him in all daily activities. It will follow him even to the end of the world, because it adapts extremely easily to new conditions. This breed feels good in an apartment, but even better in a house with a garden.

He is a strong and agile animal who is also an extremely skilled hunter. From time to time, it will certainly want to give vent to its hunting urges. It is not particularly jumpy, but it can climb. Males weigh from 5 to 10 kg and females from 5 to 8 kg. This is not a rule, however, as some males are larger and heavier.

Chausie

The Chausie is one of the most squat domestic cats. Its strong and muscular body clearly indicates the origin of this breed — it is a crossbreed between a domestic cat and a wild living Asian mud cat. It has inherited strength and courage from its wild ancestors. However, it is a sociable animal, which strongly attaches itself to its owner.

However, its origins should never be forgotten. It is not recommended to leave this purr with small children. It is also better not to let it go outside, as its call for freedom will most probably come to the fore. Adult cats can reach a weight of 7–11 kg.

Savannah

The biggest dogs in the world impress with their size, but the biggest domestic cats are not inferior to them in terms of “wow effect”. Savannah is one of the biggest purrs and it shouldn’t surprise anyone — this beautiful breed was created from crossing domestic cat with serval, which is African wild cat. What is worth emphasizing, the features of its ancestors are visible not only in its majestic appearance, but also in its character.

Savannah is full of vigor and temperamental. Lazy lying on the couch? Not for him, this kitten loves to move. However, she can be very affectionate, which results from her strong attachment to her owner. When he lies down on his owner’s lap, he will certainly not go unnoticed — male cats can weigh 12 kg, and some even 20 kg!

Ashera

Our list closes with Ashera — a hypoallergenic breed patented by Lifestyle Pets. These beautiful animals were created by crossing a wild African cat with an Asian Bengal cat and a domestic cat. They are active, energetic animals that love to move. They are extremely friendly when interacting with their caretaker. Depending on the generation, and thus on the amount of wild blood, the weight of adult specimens ranges from 6–12 kg.