As you know, all dog breeds are usually divided into three categories - small, medium and large. But domestic cats, in the traditional view, have approximately the same size; it is not without reason that when describing the external parameters of a particular animal, we often use the expression “the size of a cat.” But in Lately Breeds whose height and weight exceed this average by several times are becoming increasingly popular. Our review is dedicated to these giant cats.
Top 10 largest domestic cat breeds
Most existing standards for cat breeds do not impose strict size requirements (canine experts, by the way, are more severe in this regard). Therefore, large animals are found even among the British and well-known Siberian cats, bobtails, etc. are very large.
I saw an ordinary yard cat of absolutely incredible size. The owners of the pet store, near which the mustachioed bandit liked to spend time, said that at first it was a completely ordinary kitten. They named him Bonus and began to feed him little by little. Over time, the baby grew so big that dogs entering the store literally shied away in horror.
The unusual size of a cat can frighten even a large dog
But the above example is rather an exception to the rule. I would like to talk about those cats for whom a weight of 8 kg or more is a standard, and not a record or the result of overeating.
Photo gallery: cat breeds that have very large representatives
Chartreuse is a French breed, a cat can weigh up to 7 kg. A British cat sometimes reaches 10 kg. Turkish Vans weigh on average 5 kg, but some cats reach 10 kg. The maximum weight of an American shorthair cat is 8 kg. The maximum weight of a Kurilian bobtail is 7.5 kg. large quantity wool Siberian cats sometimes weigh up to 9 kg
And the second point. There are several cats in our rating that, let’s say, are not entirely domestic. They either have wild ancestor as one of the parents, or they themselves represent wild animals. And now - our version of the top ten large breeds cats.
A very rare breed in Russia due to the difficulties associated with exporting these cats from Canada and the USA, where they were bred.
Pixie Bob - a massive cat with a short tail
Distinctive features of the breed are massiveness, a large head with sideburns, a wide chest, strong legs And short tail. Another feature of these cats is polydactyly (the presence of extra fingers), which is not considered a defect.
Most sources indicate that "pixie-bob" is translated from English as "short-tailed elf", but another option can be suggested. The fact is that, according to one version (not actually confirmed), the breed is the result of a natural, without human intervention, crossing of a domestic cat and a North American lynx. All that people did was catch several of these semi-wild cats and began to breed them, turning them into pets. The owners named one of the first cats domesticated in this way Pixie (“pixie” means “fairy”, but can also be translated as “elf”), and she gave the first part to the name of the new breed. But the second part is intended to indicate not so much the short tail of the cat, but its relationship with the wild lynx (“lynx” in English - “bobcat”).
The North American Lynx is a close relative of the Pixie Bob.
Actually, because of this semi-mythical connection with a wild cat, we put the pixie-bob on the tenth step of our rating. In reality, these animals are quite modest in size, their height is only 30-35 cm, cats weigh on average 3-5 kg, but cats are really large, their weight ranges from 6 to 10 kg.
Owners have different opinions about the character of the “domestic lynx”. Some argue that these cats easily adapted to the role of pets, get along well with people, and are also distinguished by literally canine devotion to their owner. Others, on the contrary, insist that the pixie-bob has inherited some detachment from its wild ancestor; in any case, these animals are extremely reluctant to make contact with humans.
Cheeto
Chito is an experimental breed and is not recognized by most felinological organizations. Its name comes from the English “cheetah” (cheetah) and reflects the main goal of the breeder: to achieve maximum resemblance of a domestic cat to one of the most beautiful representatives of this family.
Cheeto - a smaller version of a cheetah
But unlike many other breeds, which we will talk about later, there is practically no wild blood in the Chito. At least eight generations separate it from its forest ancestors. It was bred by crossing and, which, in turn, was created on the basis of the Abyssinian and Siamese breeds.
Photo gallery: ancestors of the Chito cat
The Bengal cat has a wild ancestor - the Asian leopard cat 
Siamese cats- the embodiment of grace Abyssinian cat - tame puma without any admixture of wild blood Ocicat - a hybrid of Abyssinian and Siamese cats
Cheeto cats, with a standard height of 30 cm, can weigh from 6.5 to 10 kg, which is almost twice the average weight of a domestic cat.
Brave, like a wild one, and obedient, like a domesticated one - this is a brief and at the same time capacious description of the character of a cat of the Chito breed.
Norwegian forest
Despite the formidable name, we are talking about a completely domestic and very friendly animal. The Norwegian Forest has a strong build and a characteristic double coat with a dense, water-repellent undercoat, long guard hairs hanging down the sides and fluffy “pants” on the hind legs.
The Norwegian Forest is a large cat with a thick double coat.
The standard weight of a cat is from 5 to 9 kg, but larger individuals are also found.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is not the result of selective breeding. This is really a beast that once lived in the Norwegian forests. There is an assumption that Angora cats, which adapted to the local climate and came to Northern Europe from Turkey, acquired this appearance over time. According to another version, we are talking about a mutation of forest cats brought here from Scotland by the Vikings.
There is a version that Norwegian forest cats descended from the Turkish Angora
The Norwegian cat has very tenacious claws and is an excellent tree climber (they even say that it is able to descend from a tree head down, although, given the structural features of a cat's claw, it is difficult to believe this). In addition, Norwegian cats are excellent fishermen.
Norwegian Foresters were once excellent hunters
FIFe recognized the breed in 1977, but these cats have lived on Scandinavian farms for a long time, getting along well with children and pets. With such a long history of domestication, Norwegian forest animals have now largely forgotten their wild habits. They are distinguished by an intelligent disposition, patience, gentleness and even some effeminacy.
Norwegian Foresters have long been kept on farms
Not having to get their food by hunting or fishing made the Norwegians lazy and a little slow.
Maine Coon
Perhaps the most common breed of big cats in post-Soviet territory. Its length can reach one meter.
Maine Coon - raccoon cat from Maine
Like pixie bobs, these animals are associated with the North American lynx, and in the same way, this version of the origin of the Maine Coon is more like a legend.
It is only known that no one specially bred this breed, but huge cats with tufts on their ears, long mustache and thick wool have been considered the national pride of North America for a century and a half (Maine is the name of a state located in the northeastern United States).
Having long been domesticated, Maine Coons have a soft and gentle character, while maintaining independence and self-esteem. They say that these cats make excellent nannies for small children.
Maine Coons make good nannies
Surprisingly, despite their frighteningly large size, Maine Coons do not weigh that much: for a cat, the norm is between 7 and 10 kg, cats are rarely heavier than 6 kg. A certain illusion of bulkiness is created by a muscular body and long hair.
The statement that Maine Coons should reach 20-25 kg is erroneous. Even 12 kg for a Maine Coon is a lot; such weight occurs only in castrated male cats. clear signs obesity.
Maine Coon's too much weight is not the norm, but a sign of obesity
Literally, “ragdoll” is a “rag doll.” The name well reflects the phlegmatic and good-natured nature of these giant domestic cats bred in the USA. In the hands of its beloved owner, it completely relaxes, as if spreading and floating, like a candle.
Ragdoll - "rag doll" with blue eyes
These animals have a low pain threshold, which, combined with pliability and natural laziness, makes them poorly protected from “ domestic violence" Families with small children should not get a Ragdoll, since this bumpkin, unlike most other cats, is not always able to stand up for himself.
The Ragdoll is a semi-long-haired, massive animal with puffy collar around the neck and certainly blue eyes.
Blue eyes are the calling card of the ragdoll.
The cat's body length can reach one meter, weight - up to 12 kg. Cats are smaller, but also by no means miniature: 80 cm in length and 7 kg in weight.
The breed was developed by crossing Ragdoll cats with Persian and Himalayan cats to achieve larger sizes and a variety of colors.
The Ragamuffin is a colorful relative of the Ragdoll.
According to another version, " rag dolls" were bred with ordinary mongrel cats, which is why the new breed received such a strange name (the word “ragamuffin” is translated from English as “stray”, “ragamuffin”).
However, despite the fact that Ragamuffins are recognized by the CFA as a separate breed, they differ from Ragdolls only in color. The cat did not become larger, but retained the impressive dimensions of its predecessor, so it fully deserves to be given its own step in our rating.
Safari
If the creators of cheats tried to achieve only an external resemblance between a domestic cat and its wild relative, then safari is the result of direct crossing of these animals.
Safari - a hybrid of a wild and domestic cat
The South American species was taken as the main participant in the experiment. wild cat Geoffroy. Obtaining a stable hybrid immediately encountered two problems: serious problems. Firstly, wild cats, instead of performing an act of love with domestic pets, simply killed them. A way out of the situation was found quite easily: the two animals were raised together from infancy, and the aggression between them disappeared. But then “secondly” arose.
It turns out that wild and domestic cats have different numbers of chromosomes (Geoffroy has 38, the domestic cat has 36). From such crossing in the first generation, males with 37 chromosomes were born, which were infertile, therefore, hybrid females of the first generation (F1) were crossed with American or European shorthairs, as well as Siamese cats.
Geoffroy - the wild parent of the safari
Whether a stable hybrid was eventually achieved remains a mystery. The breed is not recognized by any felinological organization, and when selling kittens, the serial number of the hybrid is always indicated, indicating how many generations separate it from the wild ancestor (the lower this number, the more expensive the kitten).
Safari F1 is a large and strong animal. Cats weigh on average 8 kg, males - 14 kg, some specimens reach 17 kg.
Safari F1 - very large cat
In the nature of the safari, the owners primarily note independence. Aggression is not typical for cats; they will happily sit at their owner’s feet and allow themselves to be petted. But only on the condition that the animal itself wants it, and not its owner.
Safari can be very affectionate
Moreover, if the cat is in the mood for affection, and the person is busy with something else, he will be politely but persistently asked to drop everything and take care of the “pet” pet.
An attempt to cross domestic and wild cats, in addition to safari, allowed the Americans to get two more large hybrids that occupy the next steps of our rating.
These are not only the largest, but also the most expensive of all domestic cats, since, as in the case of safari cats, they cannot interbreed and after a few generations they degenerate into ordinary domestic cats.
Chausie - a hybrid of a jungle cat and an Abyssinian cat
Chausie is a hybrid obtained by mating a jungle cat and an Abyssinian cat.
The jungle cat is the wild ancestor of the Chausie
The animal's height is 40 cm, weight - from 10 to 15 kg.
Chausie is much larger than a regular house cat
Chausie is a balanced and noble animal that inherited a love of water from its wild ancestor. Does not require much attention from the owner, although he can be affectionate and devoted friend, how much opportunity to frolic to your heart's content.
Savannah
The next hybrid of a wild and domestic cat is the Savannah. To date this is the largest domestic cat. Her height is about 45 cm, at the withers - 60 cm, average weight is 12 kg, but can reach 20 kg.
Savannah is the largest and most expensive cat in the world
An African serval (bush cat) was used for crossbreeding.
The ancestor of the safari is the African serval
Despite the fact that the breeder positions the Savannah as a sociable, playful and docile animal, trainable and dog-like in character, all this is nothing more than an advertising gimmick.
The breeder claims that the Savannah is dog-like in character
In fact, the first generation hybrids have retained the features of their wild ancestor: they are distrustful of strangers, and they are unlikely to forgive “their own” for excessive familiarity. This behavior becomes understandable if we consider the conditions in which these animals were born and at what stage their socialization took place. Any cats designated F1 were kept from the first days of life not in a family, like pets, but in a cage or other enclosed space, more or less reminiscent of a zoo. Friendly and trust for such animals is not something taken for granted.
Hybrids of domestic and wild cats are raised in cages
Subsequent generations of the savannah are better socially adapted, but their external resemblance to the serval, and, accordingly, their value and size decrease sharply.
Wild cats as pets
Since semi-wild and feral cats are increasingly becoming residents of private houses and even city apartments, we could not ignore them when compiling the rating. Fashion for this kind pets came to us from the USA and is largely caused by strange desire people to have a large, “serious” cat.
The difficulties that arise when trying to cross a wild cat with a domestic one are not able to stop people who want to keep a large feline in their home. Having failed to achieve convincing results from breeders, the most desperate enthusiasts take a simpler route: they purchase exotic wild cats as pets.
Some people really want to domesticate wild cats
It must be said that the idea of keeping pumas and cheetahs at home instead of domestic cats is by no means new.
The Berberov family, which, to the surprise of the whole country, kept a lion and a puma in their apartment for many years, paid a bloody price for this. Lev King, a movie star, was killed in the summer of 1974, after which the Berberovs decided to “adopt” another lion cub. But what they succeeded with one predatory animal, they failed with the other. On November 24, 1980, King II, in a fit of rage, attacked the owner Nina Berberova and tore her son Roman to pieces. Both the killer lion and the puma died from the bullets of the arriving policemen.
King I and King II, or the Tragedy of the Berberov family - from glory to bloody denouement
https://www.trend.az
The tiger is probably the largest of all domestic cats.
Table: wild cats that are often kept indoors
| No. | Animal name | Height to shoulder, cm | Body length (excluding tail), cm | Weight of an adult male, kg |
| 1. | Asian leopard wild cat (ancestor of the Bengal domestic cat) | 16–41 | 45 | 10–15 |
| 2. | Jungle cat (ancestor of the Chausie) | 40 | 56–90 | 8–12 |
| 3. | Geoffroy (ancestor of the safari) | 23 | 45–75 | 4,8 |
| 4. | Caracal | 40 | 74 | 16–20 |
| 5. | Serval (ancestor of the savannah) | 52 | 83–100 | 8–18 |
| 6. | Ocelot | 32 | 68–100 | 10–16 |
| 7. | Canada lynx | 48–56 | 76–110 | 8–16 |
| 8. | Vivver cat (fisher) | 35 | 95–120 | 11–15 |
| 9. | Far Eastern forest (leopard) cat | 35 | 50 | 4–8 |
| 10. | Jaguarundi | 35 | 55–70 | 4–8 |
Video: how a cheetah purrs when it is scratched behind the ear
Features of keeping large cats
- animals whose impressive size is determined by breed or individual characteristics, but at the same time are completely domesticated;
- wild cats or animals that have a wild ancestor in the next generations (hybrids).
If in the first case the advice to future owners can be clearly formulated, then in the second the only truly valuable recommendation will remember the tragic fate of the Berberov family and think again about his decision.
Care
Large domestic cats (we emphasize the word “domestic”) make the same demands on the owner as their standard-sized relatives. To paraphrase the old humor, we can say that they look like small ones, but they eat like big ones. The basic rules for caring for domestic cats are determined not by size, but by the characteristics of the breed. For example:
- long hair requires constant attention; short-haired cats do not need to be combed at all;
- There are breeds with stronger immunity, while others have it weaker, but in general, each breed has its own “bouquet” of the most common diseases;
- Some cats require constant attention and communication, others are great at doing without people.
Long-haired cats need to be combed
Large cats only need:
- more space;
- more food.
Games and walks
The amazing grace that we love so much about wild cats must be constantly maintained by an active lifestyle. All cats, without exception, are excellent hunters by nature. Constantly being indoors and receiving food without making the slightest effort, a pet can very quickly lose all its luster. Therefore, outdoor games, the ability to run, jump, overcome obstacles and climb to the top are necessary for cats.
But if an elegant and fragile Angora or a miniature Singapura can frolic to its heart's content even within the confines of a small city apartment, then a ten-kilogram carcass briskly jumping around the house is not a sight for the faint of heart, and it is difficult for the animal itself to take its soul away within the four walls of a small apartment.
A kitten doesn't need a lot of space to play.
Ideal conditions for keeping big cats are your own country house, which comes with an owner who is ready to walk his pet on fresh air. This rule applies primarily to wild and semi-wild cats. They need to exercise their hunting instincts and release their energy, otherwise both will be used against you.
Hunting plays an important role in a cat's life.
Nutritional Features
The amount of food a cat should eat depends on many factors - the age of the animal, its lifestyle and individual characteristics body. On average, one should proceed from daily norm, constituting 5-10% of the cat’s weight. Approximately 70% of the diet should be meat (replaced with fish once a week), the rest should be dairy products, vegetables and cereals. Thus, the pleasure of keeping a pet weighing 15 kg in the house will cost the owner “only” half a kilo fresh meat daily.
A big cat needs a lot of meat
It is enough to feed adult animals once a day. You can divide the daily ration into two meals, but it is very important that feeding is carried out at the same time, and everything that the animal does not eat is removed until the next time.
It’s more difficult with wild cats: to maintain their “tone,” these animals do not need an imitation of hunting, but a real process. Breeders recommend giving such cats live food: mice, rats, day-old chicks or quails, and the predator eats all this whole, along with offal, stomach contents, fragments of feathers and skin.
If live food is entertainment for domestic cats, it is a necessity for wild cats.
Some two mice or one rat a day, according to experts, will be quite enough for a serval or jungle cat.
Wild cat in the house
The main difference between a domestic cat and a wild and semi-wild cat is that the former lived among people for many generations and managed, let’s say, to adapt socially. Moreover, if we are talking about breeding animals, the likelihood of them showing causeless aggression is minimized, since individuals in which such behavior has been identified are disqualified and not allowed to breed.
The situation is the opposite with hybrid and wild cats. For them, life in a “human pack” is unnatural. You can talk as much as you like about how sweet and obedient Savannahs and Chausies are, but, in fact, these are wild animals that do not have to be tame at all.
A wild cat doesn't have to be tame
Breeders often recommend sterilizing such cats to prevent them from showing aggression. According to generally accepted standards, similar procedure All domestic animals not used for breeding should be subjected to. This is necessary for the health of the cat itself ( sexual abstinence with “playing hormones” it has a detrimental effect on both the psyche and somatics of the animal), but in the case of a wild animal, it can indeed pursue an additional goal - to protect the owner.
Still, the consequences of sterilization should not be overestimated. Aggressive behavior an animal is not always associated with sexual instincts. Thus, it is customary to distinguish the following types of aggression in cats:
- intraspecific (territorial and dominant) - animals sort things out among themselves, fighting for territory, a female, etc.;
- maternal - protecting the babies, the cat can rush at anyone in whom it sees a threat;
- redirected - not being able to get to the irritant (for example, a bird brazenly chirping on a branch outside the window), the cat takes out its anger on everything that is within reach;
- caused by affection - the animal does not like how and where it is scratched, or it is simply not disposed to manifestations of love, and the owner does not understand the signals sent to it;
- caused by fear - the effect of a rat driven into a corner;
- caused by pain - the self-preservation instinct is triggered;
- playful - when the cat gets excited, it can bite or scratch;
- unprovoked - has no apparent reason, is the result of mental disorders.
The fight for territory is just one of the possible reasons aggression
Only the first two types of aggression can be stopped by sterilization, and even then only partially. Even neutered cats fight for territory, it’s just that the range they claim is much smaller. And the fact that a complex medical operation, which also involves the use of general anesthesia (narcotic drugs), does not exclude, but, on the contrary, provokes aggression caused by fear or pain, is not at all in doubt.
Cat fangs are a terrible weapon
In conclusion, I’ll tell you a story that I really don’t like to remember. It concerns the same unprovoked aggression in a normal-sized domestic cat. Obviously, we were unlucky to acquire an animal (I won’t name the breed, but it was an expensive kitten from a prestigious nursery) with congenital mental pathology. For the time being, the disease did not manifest itself in any way, except that the cat might unexpectedly hiss at one of the household members, except for its beloved mistress. But one day, something switched in the animal’s head, and the “pet” began to attack everyone, including the main Person in his life, as soon as he spoke to someone or picked up the phone. Believe me, it had nothing to do with a fun game when a cat from around the corner grabs your leg and accidentally leaves a couple of scratches on it! The cat was clearly aiming for the head, trying to grab the eyes and tear off the hair along with the skin. No sedatives helped, the animal fell off its feet under their influence, got up and jumped again. Of course, this is an anomaly; the likelihood of encountering such a nightmare is minimal. But we're talking about something else. I speak with all responsibility: four kilograms of fury, armed with razor-sharp claws and no less terrible fangs, is an incredible force that cannot be stopped without killing! To those who do not believe, I can only wish to continue to be in illusions. But I'm scared to think about what would have happened to us if our unfortunate cat had been a little large sizes.
A wild cat doesn't have to want to hurt you. She can do this in the game, and when she smells blood, she can get even more excited. This behavior seems inappropriate, but in reality we behave abnormally, dragging a cougar or caracal into our house. The desire to tickle your nerves, stroke your pride, show off to your neighbors is great, but there are many ways to get the same result without risking the life of your family, let alone the life of the unfortunate cat who will die if she accidentally loses control of her emotions, worthless.
Cats, so light and miniature, often become favorite pets. Their grace and capricious character leave no one indifferent. However, large breeds of these animals, whose weight can reach 8-10 kg or more, are becoming increasingly in demand around the world.
Large domestic cats are found in celebrity mansions and homes ordinary people, they are bred in many nurseries around the world. In addition, you can choose your favorite pet from a large number of varieties, however, there are breeds that are considered favorites.
"Savannah"
The large domestic cats belonging to this group are considered to be among the largest currently domesticated. The height of an adult animal reaches 60 cm at the withers. The weight, reaching 15 kg, also seems impressive. By appearance they resemble a miniature leopard. The animal is distinguished by rounded ears and a solid appearance.
If you breed a breed, each subsequent generation, with an inexperienced approach, will lose a certain percentage of similarity with its wild counterpart. Simple Siamese, Egyptian, simple domestic cats, Oriental and Bengal shorthaired animals took part in the selection. This made it possible to obtain representatives with a powerful body, a slightly elongated neck and thick fur of a brown, silver or chocolate shade. The more real Serval blood in a pet, the more expensive it is, especially if it is male.
This type of pet has a truly canine disposition: they are loyal, friendly, and can be trained, as they are easy to train. Large domestic Savannah cats can learn the fetch command. These are benevolent, active and playful friends. If you want to purchase such a breed, you must take into account that the animal needs regular walks in the fresh air.
"Ragdoll"
The name of the breed is translated as “rag doll”, which fully reflects their characteristic feature. These wonderful pets can truly relax the muscles of the body phenomenally. The owner of such a pet must be careful and prevent it from falling from a height, otherwise death may occur. Large domestic Ragdoll cats cannot land on their feet.
Representatives of this group are characterized by amazing kindness and phlegmatism, which is absolutely impossible would be better suited a balanced owner, devoid of a tendency to display violent emotions. A peculiar highlight is the color of the animal - almost white, soft fur and blue, translucent eyes.
"Maine Coon"
Large domestic cats of this breed are not inferior in weight to their brothers. Adult males reach 13=15 kg, and the length of the animal can be 1 m. Females are more modest in size - 80 cm in length, 8 kg in weight.
Initially, only those individuals that were distinguished by their unique “black tabby” color were included in this group. Powerful physique and a long tail coupled with this coat color made these cats somewhat similar to raccoons. This was the reason for the name of the breed, which is translated as “Manx raccoon”. The largest cat in the world (photo of a domestic female Maine Coon is posted below) has gained real fame.
These pets are friendly, affectionate and love to play. Their character is distinguished by cunning and a certain hooliganism - a cat can easily hide its owner’s slippers in a secluded place.
In appearance, they resemble a lynx, which is due to the presence of characteristic tufts on the ears. By the way, the largest domestic cat in the world belongs to this species and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
"Siberians"
These are amazing animals with a wayward character. The weight of the male does not exceed 12 kg, the female - 7 kg. Despite being stubborn, this is a very friendly pet. From the very beginning, kittens of the Siberian breed try to take a dominant place in the family and choose their own place for feeding and rest. The owners have to arrange a corner exactly where the cat wants. It is noteworthy that representatives of the breed practically do not suffer from allergies.
As children they are very playful, but as they grow older they prefer real hunting to games. This trait makes them ideal for keeping in a private home. The pet's coat is long and fluffy and can be colored in a wide variety of shades.
Large domestic cats, photos of which are presented below, have long gained fame throughout the world. “Siberians” live in Europe and America.
"Norwegian Forest"
Pets belonging to this breed are somewhat reminiscent of the previous group, but are slightly inferior to them in weight. The animal has one characteristic feature - a two-layer coat, which has increased water-repellent properties. Therefore, representatives of the “Norwegian Forest” need additional care.
By nature, these are affectionate and friendly friends who cannot stand loneliness and long separation with the owner. In addition, they need regular walks in the fresh air and do well in rural areas. Large domestic cats, the breeds of which are becoming increasingly widespread, are excellent at catching mice.
"Asherah"
The English-American breed was developed by crossing a common domestic cat, a leopard cat and an African serval cat. The weight of the largest representatives reaches 15 kg. Not every owner can afford to purchase such an animal; the cost of purebred individuals reaches 22 thousand dollars.
The Ashera cat has a very beautiful color, reminiscent of a leopard print. She has a beautiful, amazingly flexible body and large black eyes. Representatives of the breed are quick-witted, intelligent and dote on their owners. Despite their menacing appearance, pets are great with children.
Their diet consists of the simplest food, and walking can be done on a leash - the cat will proudly perform next to its owner. The largest domestic cats (photos of which are listed below), belonging to the Ashera breed, are considered rare and valuable.
"Chausi"
This is a reed breed, which got its name from a cat that lives in the South Asian region. A long period such animals were considered purely wild, however, their breeding began in 2003.
This type of pet was created by crossing jungle cats and Abyssinian cats. Purebred representatives of the genus are powerful, strong animals, with a narrow head, almond-shaped eyes and wide chest. There is a characteristic black tip on the tail, and small tassels on the ears.
With proper care, a pet reaches a weight of 12 kg. Despite such mass, the animal has a royal posture and grace. The character is characterized by obedience, kindness and complaisance. This friend loves communication and affection very much, without this he begins to feel sad and falls into the blues, even to the point of loss of appetite. The largest domestic cats (the Chausi breed) are distributed throughout the world.
"Pixie Bob"
This is a relatively young variety, bred in America. Its representatives have a short tail, a strong torso, and external characteristics resemble a lynx. This is the only species in the world whose cats have multi-toed paws. Body weight is relatively small - 5 kg in females, 10 kg in males. The largest domestic cat in the world (the Pixie Bob breed) lives in Norfolk in the family of a bank employee.
By nature, these are very discreet, unobtrusive and tactful pets. If they love their owner, their devotion to him will be commensurate with that of a dog. Animals are a little wary of strangers, but without aggression. They love affectionate stroking, games during which they make a loud growl and interact well with children.
Basic principles of care and maintenance
The largest cat in the world (photo, whose home life invariably attracts attention) does not require special care, regardless of what breed it belongs to. Thanks to special selection, all large pets do not require a special diet, which is due to the genes of their independent wild counterparts. Such an animal can even start business man, - the pet will not bring unnecessary trouble. Surviving in harsh climates, the ancestors of these cats passed on to them the amazing ability to be content with little.
Note to the owner
To keep your family friend healthy and full of strength, it is recommended to follow the following instructions:
- The animal must be brushed 1-2 times weekly.
- Increased attention to wool is paid only during molting, that is, once a year. The pet is thoroughly combed with special accessories.
- Bathing is only necessary if the cat has soiled himself with something difficult to remove and cannot clean himself on his own.
- To avoid damage to all property, nails are cut short.
- It is enough to wipe healthy ears when they become dirty.
- If breeding is not planned, spaying and castration will allow the animal to maintain excellent health for life. The owner will be able to avoid problems with the treatment of breast cancer, tumors of the reproductive system and other diseases.
- Meals should be organized with the participation of professional feeders.
The largest domestic cat in the world belongs to the May Coon breed. The animal lives in America in the state of Nevada. Its length reached 123 cm.
The good thing is that she home. But a person is characterized by an interest in everything himself, so it is quite natural that big cats attract attention and arouse curiosity. Plus, these animals are truly impressive.
There is still a myth on the Internet that the biggest(and at the same time the most expensive) domestic cat is Asherah. But since this breed of cat does not exist, and scammers passed it off as an Asher big cats Savannah breed, then we will not consider this mythological character.
Maine Coon
One of largest domestic cats Maine Coon is rightly considered. Some specimens of cats of this breed reach a weight of 15 kilograms. The Maine Coon is very beautiful, noble-looking, with very thick hair and tufts on the ears, and looks a bit like a lynx. Detailed article about the breed with photos in the article
Savannah
This cat is large, mostly tall. Representatives of the Savannah breed can weigh 15 kilograms. Savannah is the result of crossing a wild serval and a domestic cat, so she boldly lays claim to the title largest domestic cat. One of the representatives of this breed was included in the Guinness Book of Records as. Read more about the breed in the article ""
Chausie
She is also a houseie and a shawie - this cat is also called a domestic reed cat, since it was obtained as a result of crossing a wild reed cat and. These animals can reach a weight of 18 kilograms, and their appearance is very impressive and wild. These cats have wild grace and produce indelible impression. Detailed article about the breed with photos and videos in the article
Pixiebob
Another one big domestic cat- pixie bob, or domestic lynx. He's Hemingway's cat. The origin is mysterious and overgrown with speculation and rumors. It is possible that these cats actually evolved naturally as a result of interbreeding. But breeders have had a hand in improving this breed - that’s a fact. Cats can weigh up to 10 kilograms. Given the short tail and tufted ears, these cats do look a bit like a lynx. In addition, one of the characteristics of this breed is polydactyl (multi-toed) snowshoe paws. Detailed article with photos and videos in the article
British Shorthair
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Along with dogs, cats are the most popular pets among people. They are often called companion animals that try to be equal to their owners, and not be content with the role of a faithful assistant.
Domestic cats were once thought to be a separate species, but in fact they were born carnivores and belong to the feline mammal family.
Modern domestic cats are considered descendants of forest cats, which were domesticated tens of thousands of years ago. According to statistics, there are now about 600 million domestic cats in the world. And there are 256 breeds, and they are all completely different. But there are also record-breaking cats. Today we will talk about the biggest cats in the world.
The largest domestic cats in the world
Cats and male cats can be different in size. Much depends on their breed. For example, the smallest cats in the world are representatives of the Singapore breed, whose weight in adulthood reaches 2 kg.
And as for the most big cats, then the following two breeds compete for this title:
- Asher;
- Maine Coon (Maine Coon).
Below we will look at their features and characteristics in more detail.
Characteristics of big Maine Coon cats and representatives of the breed
An adult cat of this breed can weigh about 10 kg and may resemble a lynx. Like this animal, cats of this breed have a similar tiger gait and tufted ears. Maine Coons also look like jungle cats wild cats, but, in comparison, they are friendlier.
Cat Stewie, living in the city of Reno (Nevada, USA), a representative of this breed, was recognized as not just the largest, but the longest cat in the world. When stretched from head to tailbone, the length of the animal is 123 cm. This record was officially registered by representatives of the Guinness Book of Records.
The owner of the animal submitted an application to the Book when all his friends began to be amazed at its length. And here's the cat Lobster, living in Melbourne (Australia), will be slightly shorter in length, 120 cm. He even has his own page on social networks. Omar is also a Maine Coon. When his owners took this orange baby into their home in 2013, they could not imagine that their pet would grow into one of the largest cats in the world.
Those interested can watch him through social media. Seeing a cat playing in the yard, sleeping and running around the house. The owner says that their huge pet needs special nutrition. The only meat he eats is raw kangaroo, which they buy from the local supermarket. In addition to this, the cat also eats regular dry food.
Omar's weight is 14 kilograms. Not only is he big, but he has an incredibly large coat. The owner complains that she constantly has to be found in all corners of the house.
She also notes that the pet does not particularly like his popularity, he has a restive character and often mopes when, instead of living the simple life of a pet, he has to pose for his blog.
Asherah, or leopard cat
Representatives of this breed are also considered to be the largest cats in the world. Ashera was artificially bred by American biotechnologists relatively recently. As a result, the following cat breeds were crossed:
- wild predatory cat;
- Asian leopard;
- African long-legged serval.
The breed was named Ashera in honor of the pagan goddess.
The specialists who took part in the development of this breed recently developed another breed - a hypoallergenic cat. Thanks to this, anyone who would like to have a pet cat, but suffers from allergies, can afford it. However, not for modest money, this is the only negative.
Ashers have been recognized as the largest cat breed in the world, but this title is disputed by the creators of another artificial breed, the Savannah, which was bred in the 80s. At the same time, specialists conduct DNA tests, and the case itself is considered in court. External description Ushers are:
- The height of the cat is about a meter;
- the average weight of the animal is about 15 kilograms;
- predatory grin;
- powerful paws.
However, despite their external formidability, the Ashers are distinguished by friendliness and agreeableness, they love to play with children and sleep.
Ushers though good breed, but do not belong to the budget. You can buy a pet for about 2 thousand dollars. But this applies to the economy option. But if you want to buy special option for allergy sufferers, such a kitten will cost about 6 thousand dollars. But the cost will include not only the animal, but also the following package:
- animal vaccination;
- insurance for a year;
- 10 consultations with doctor Ronald Tripp (one of the famous veterinarians in the world);
- pet care kit;
- elite dietary food;
- vinyl claw attachments;
- implanted microchip identification.
Big Savannah cat
Another record-breaking cat is Trouble, which belongs to the Savannah breed. She was bred by crossing domestic non-pedigreed cats and African wild cats. Trouble's height is the highest in the world and is 48 centimeters. But the weight of this cat is only 9 kilograms. Despite the fact that the cat leads a very active lifestyle, it is not voracious. And she loves to run just like a real wild cat. The record holder lives in the USA.
The fattest cat in the world
Cats with non-standard parameters often become record holders and world celebrities.
For example, the tiniest cat in the world was recognized as a Himalayan cat named Tinker Toy that weighed less than a kilogram. His height was 18 centimeters in length and 7 centimeters in height. These parameters were the result hormonal disorders in an animal.
The largest cat in the world is often called the animal with overweight. For cat owners, such an achievement does not seem the most pleasant, because overweight extremely negatively affect the health of the pet.
The fattest cat in the world was recognized Himmi from Australia. He weighs 21 kilograms and has an abdominal girth of 84 centimeters. Before Himmi, the fattest cat in the world was considered to be Spice the cat from Connecticut. He weighed 20 kilograms; he gained his weight solely due to natural laziness.
But the category “The fattest cat in the world” was canceled by the administration of the Guinness Book of Records. The reason for this is so that the owners, wanting to become famous thanks to their pets, do not harm them. As for the fate of the Australian Himmi, he died at the age of ten from respiratory arrest, having previously lost the ability to move independently.
Large Hercules
According to experts from the Guinness Book of Records, the largest pet in the world is Hercules. His daily diet consists of 45 kilograms of food. Even though it is not a domestic breed, this cat is capable of living with people. This breed is a hybrid and is called a liger. The animal's father is a lion, and its mother is a tigress.
Unlike predators, ligers are very obedient and kind. Hercules, who loves his master so much, is proof of this. His weight is 408 kilograms, his height is 1.8 m, and his body length is 3.6 m. Domestic cats are different, some like small ones, some like large ones, some like hairless breeds, and others like long-haired ones. However, only a few can boast that their pets have been recognized as the largest representatives of the cat family in the world.
Oh, these purrs. Some are quite miniature, while others have such dimensions that some dogs are even smaller. Some owners boast that their pet is so polished, well-fed, and large. However, after seeing a photo of the largest domestic cat, he realizes that his cat, compared to the record holder, is just a newborn kitten that still has time to grow and eat.
So which one is the best large breed cats? Believe it or not, there is even a top of big fluffy purrs. And both mini-cheetahs and mini-lynxes found a place in it. In general, get acquainted!
Below is the top largest and most beautiful breeds of domestic cats.
Asherah
By right, first place is given to this species of the cat family. This pet reaches a meter in length and a body weight of almost 14 kilos. This breed is the result of a hybrid cross between a domestic cat, an African serval and an Asian leopard kitty. Oh, these scientists. In 2006, their experiment bore fruit. And now you can buy a kitten of the biggest cat for only 22 thousand dollars. The amount is considerable, but believe it or not, the queue for such a kitten is booked a year in advance! Scientists raise only 100 kittens per year. Since this is a hybrid, it cannot be bred at home.
Due to the fact that the cat is quite large, it is still better to walk him on a leash. However, do not be afraid of its terrifying appearance. Even though this is a mini-leopard, he is very affectionate, he also rubs against his legs, asks to be held in his arms and plays with pleasure with the kids.
This is where the scientists went crazy, mixing so many genes and combining them in one kitten. These include the African Serval, the Bengal Shorthair, the Egyptian and Siamese Mau, the Oriental Shorthair, and, of course, the domestic cat. As a result, scientists managed to breed a kitten, who was given the name Savannah.
The ears are round, and the body is athletic, so to speak. It is clear that the cat has real predators in his family. Although their body weight reaches 15 kilos, their “height” (more precisely, body length) is “not higher” than in first place – only 60 cm. But if you measure it at the withers, the figure will surprise you. It can reach 45 centimeters!
Kittens cost from five to ten thousand dollars, but females are considered the most valuable. After all, the boys are infertile (up to the 4th generation, kittens). Received in the 4th generation, the boys can participate in breeding. However, the cost of a kitten depends not only on gender, but also on how much “blood” the serval has in the savannah. The more it is, the more expensive the pet will be.
Apartment living is not suitable for them. They need a private house with the possibility of free walking. And if there is still a small reservoir, then you can burst into tears from the emotion of watching how the savannah frolics. The cat loves to play, run, and rush around. And he loves water, unlike other cats.
Maine Coon
Truly a beautiful cat. It is something between a raccoon and a lynx. The Maine Coon breed, compared to other hybrids, is quite old - more than a century. Beautiful cats, are capable of reproduction at home, but reach fertile age only after 4 years of life. Very hardy and affectionate cats. They weigh about 15 kilos, but the length can be very different. Some owners have cats reaching a length of 70 cm, but there are also coons that grow up to a meter. Kittens are not cheap. The cost of one such handsome man is one thousand or two euros!
The cat is large, but almost invisible in the apartment. It won't get under your feet. But he won’t hide from you either. He will happily climb into your arms and sing a song, full of tenderness and love. They purr loudly. And the voice is unique for each individual.
Chausie (chausie, house)
For a long time, the predecessor of this breed was wild, but in 2003 it was possible not only to train this reed cat, but also to put it on public display. Chausi is a crossbreed Abyssinian and a wild jungle cat. In appearance, the Chausi is very similar to the Abyssinian cat, but much larger. Representative from wildlife reaches a weight of 16 kilos, but the domestic “version” of the jungle cat ranges from 6 to 12. The cat is very fond of affection and attention to its person. If you do not provide him with all this, the chausi will become sad and may completely lose interest in life.
In Russia, no one breeds this breed yet; it is a very rare and expensive cat. In addition, your pet needs not only your attention, but also space to play. These cats feel extremely uncomfortable and uncomfortable in apartments. But a private house is ideal. Especially if you have the opportunity to go out onto the site and frolic in nature.
Pixie bob
Perhaps this is not the largest domestic cat in the world, but it is far from average in size. This breed was recently developed. And she came from the wild forest cats and lynxes, which live in Canada and the USA. The cat is very similar to a lynx, the same triangular eyes recessed into the muzzle, the same build, the ears are very similar. And if you remember the lynx’s tail, it’s immediately clear where the name pixie-bob comes from.
If you translate the name of the breed, you get something like a short-tailed elf. Boys reach a mass of 10 kilos, but females are twice as light.
Very affectionate and gentle pets, they love playing with children. Find it quickly mutual language with other pets, absolutely no conflict. The cost of a kitten ranges from one to five thousand dollars.
British Shorthair
The Briton completes the list of the world's largest domestic cats. The females are not that large. Their body weight is usually about three kilos, but males... Sometimes the number on the scale becomes 12. Therefore, this is one of the largest cat breeds in the world. Moreover, the British have become very popular. Their nurseries are becoming more and more numerous. British kittens are no longer a rarity in our animal market. If pixie bob, savannah or chausie are almost exotic for our places, then the British will no longer surprise anyone.
Despite their massive size, these cats are very dexterous. They look like bear cubs, so soft and plush that you don’t want to let go of them. I want to constantly squeeze and hug you. In addition, they have a wide variety of colors. Much depends on the parents. And what kind of eyes they have, eyes. Huge, warm, you can drown in them.
The British tolerate loneliness calmly. Therefore, they can be purchased by those who spend a lot of time at work, but want to come home and feel loved and needed.