Are you a cat lover? If so, you’re in for a treat! We’ve put together a list of the most adorable large cat breeds that are sure to steal your heart. These felines may not be as big as lions or tigers, but they’re definitely larger than your average house cat. And they’re so fluffy and cuddly that you won’t be able to resist them! Join us as we introduce you to these amazing cat breeds and their larger-than-life personalities. So, let’s start!
We’ve put together a video to go along with the article in case you’re more of a visual person. Check it out!
8. Bengal
Breed Overview:
Personality: Affectionate, friendly, active, playful, quick learners, intelligent
Weight: 6 – 15 pounds
Coat lenght: Short Hair and Long hair
Coat color and patterns: Rosetted/Spotted Tabby and Marble; Brown Tabby, Silver Tabby, Seal Lynx Point, Seal Sepia Tabby, Seal Mink Tabby, Spotted, Marble, Charcoal Spotted, or Charcoal Marble.
Lifespan: 12- 20 years
Bengal cats are known for their strikingly beautiful coats, which feature vivid spots or unique marbling patterns. They are the only domestic cats that can have rosettes, similar to those found on Leopards, Jaguars, and Ocelots. Males can weigh up to 15 pounds, so they are big kitties. In addition to being gorgeous, Bengals are also intelligent and playful, making them perfect companions for families or individuals with an active lifestyle.
Read more: Bengal cat 101 – Everything you need to know
7. Chausie Cat
Breed Overview:
Personality: Intelligent, active, social, affectionate, quick learn new tricks
Weight: 15 pounds
Coat lenght: Short to medium length hair
Coat color and patterns: Black, brown, brown ticked tabby, black grizzled ticked tabby; abby, solid, ticked, grizzled
Lifespan: 10- 15 years
Chausies are amazing feline friends who can’t wait to bring joy into their human lives! They’re big kitties that can weigh up to 15 pounds, but don’t let their size fool you – they have big hearts full of affection and love to shower their owners with attention. These intelligent and chatty kitties are always up for learning new tricks and games. Their playful and outgoing nature makes them the ideal companions for anyone looking for a fun-loving friend who’s always up for adventure!
6. British Shorthair
Photo by Melani Marfeld / Pixabay
Breed Overview:
Personality: Affectionate, easy-going, calm, friendly
Weight: 16 pounds
Coat lenght: Short Hair
Coat color and patterns: Many solid and patterned colors, including white, black, blue, red, cream, smoke, silver, golden, cameo, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, and bicolor.
Lifespan: 12- 16 years
British shorthair cats are absolutely adorable! With their chubby faces and laid-back personalities, they are sure to melt your heart. Did you know that they are one of the oldest cat breeds in the world and one of the biggest, too? Males can weigh up to 16 pounds! These feline cuties are both independent and loving, and they just love to snuggle up with their humans. They are the perfect match for families looking for a friendly and affectionate companion.
5. Norwegian Forest Cat
Breed Overview:
Personality: Adventurous, gentle, sociable, friendly, easygoing, patient
Weight: 18 pounds
Coat lenght: Water-resistant long hair with a dense undercoat
Coat color and patterns: Various colors and patterns, including tabby, tortoiseshell, and solid; disqualifying colors are chocolate, lavender/lilac, or the Himalayan pattern
Lifespan: up to 16 years
Norwegian forest cats are perfectly suited for colder climates with their thick, water-resistant fur and tufted ears. These cats are originally from the forests of Norway and the males can weigh up to 18 pounds. But don’t let their size fool you! They are actually very sweet and gentle. If you’re thinking about getting one of these big kitties, be sure to provide plenty of vertical space for them to climb and explore. They love to play and explore and will keep you entertained for hours.
4. Siberian Cat
Breed Overview:
Personality: Affectionate, friendly, active, playful, quick learners, intelligent
Weight: 15 – 20 pounds
Coat lenght: Varies from coarse to soft; moderately long to longhaired triple coat with a full collar ruff
Coat color and patterns: All colors; Any color combination or pattern
Lifespan: 10- 18 years
These majestic felines come from the cold wilderness of Russia, and they are simply stunning. With their robust physique and strikingly beautiful coat, they are sure to catch your eye. Despite being among the largest domestic breeds, Siberian cats have a surprisingly affectionate and playful nature that will melt your heart. And if you suffer from allergies, there’s good news: Siberians are hypoallergenic, making them a great choice for cat lovers who are allergic.
3. Ragdoll
Breed Overview:
Personality: Sweet, affectionate, laid-back, gentle, sociable, friendly, easygoing, cuddly
Weight: up to 20 pounds
Coat lenght: Soff and silky medium-length hair
Coat color and patterns: Seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cinnamon, fawn, and cream; Mitted, color point, bicolor, tortoiseshell, lynx.
Lifespan: 12- 15 years
With their stunning blue eyes and semi-long, plush, and silky coats, these beautiful furry creatures are a sight to behold. And, they are quite large too, with males weighing up to 20 pounds! But what’s really amazing about Ragdolls is their calm and loving nature. They are like a child’s ragdoll, often going limp in your arms like a stuffed toy when you hold them. They’re just the perfect cuddle buddy!
2. Maine Coon
Breed Overview:
Personality: Affectionate, friendly, dog-like
Weight: up to 22 pounds
Coat lenght: Glossy, heavy, shaggy, soft, long hair
Coat color and patterns: Solid (white, black, blue, red and cream), tabby (classic, mackerel and ticked), bi-color (black and white, blue and white, red and white, cream and white), parti-color (tortoiseshell and blue-cream), parti-color and white (calico, tortoiseshell and white, blue-cream and white), shaded and smoke, and shaded/smoke and white.
Lifespan: 12- 15 years
The Maine Coons are not only beautiful but also affectionate, and smart. Don’t be intimidated by their size; even though a male Maine Coon can weigh up to 22 pounds, they are gentle giants with a heart full of love. They make great pets for families with kids and other pets, as they are friendly and playful. These big kitties are sociable and outgoing cats that love being around their people. One of the unique traits of Maine Coon cats is their love of water. They’re often referred to as “fishing cats” because they love to play in the water and even swim.
Read more: Maine Coon Cats: All You Need to Know
1. Savannah
Breed Overview:
Personality: Affectionate, sociable, friendly, intelligent and trainable
Weight: 12 – 25 pounds
Coat lenght: Short Hair, soff and dense
Coat color and patterns: tawny, black/brown spotted tabby, black/silver spotted tabby, or black smoke with a solid or tabby pattern, spotted, striped, or solid
Lifespan: up to 20 years
If you haven’t met a Savannah cat yet, you’re in for a treat! These felines are simply stunning with their sleek bodies and unique spotted coats. Did you know that Savannahs are a hybrid of a domestic cat and an African serval? They are not only beautiful, but also very curious, playful, and intelligent.
Savannah cats tend to be on the larger side, with some weighing up to 25 pounds. But don’t let their size fool you – they are known for being friendly and loyal companions. They form strong connections with their families and love to greet their humans at the door. You might even find them following you around the house! These big kitties also love the water and may join with you in the shower. However, they also appreciate having their own personal space, so don’t be surprised if they choose to hang out nearby instead of on your lap.
Final Thoughts
Every cat breed has its own unique charm and personality traits. Whether you’re drawn to the playful Bengal, the gentle Maine Coon, or any of the other breeds we’ve discussed, one thing is for certain – you will fall in love with these large cats.
