While a giant wild cat, such as a tiger, may be out of reach for the ordinary pet owner, there are many enormous domesticated cat breeds to pick from.
Because of their manageable size and low maintenance attitude, any of these domestic cats will make excellent pets for cat enthusiasts looking for a somewhat large cat to care for.
Maine Coon
The muscular, shaggy Maine coon is a large domesticated cat with good proportions. There are numerous stories on how this breed came to be.
Some claim they originated in America as a mix between a house cat and a raccoon, however this is a scientific myth.
One explanation for the Maine coon’s long, smooth coat and voluminous tail was the raccoon myth. This distinct and friendly breed is a wonderful family pet noted for being a gentle giant in the world of domesticated cats.
Ragdoll
The ragdoll got its name from its gentle, cuddly, and friendly personality. Ragdolls, like rag dolls, collapse into the arms of their beloved person when lifted up.
Their origins are shrouded in mystery, and various theories have been advanced, including CIA experiments. This wonderful family-friendly breed gained popularity in the United States in the 1990s, and it was recognized by the Cat Fancier’s Association in 2000.
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Norwegian Forest Cat
Imagine a wild, long-haired cat with big yellow eyes and a strong body, and you’ll have a picture of a Norwegian forest cat.
Breeders in Norway may have combined domestic cats with wild cats to create these huge, strong cats. Since domestication, the breed has evolved into a perfectly amiable, playful, and clever breed with a moderate activity level. Norwegian forest cat is ideal.
Persian
The Persian cat’s most distinguishing feature is its face. This long-haired cat has a round, flat face and a short muzzle, giving it a squished face appearance.
Its lengthy hair makes it appear larger. It is, in fact, one of the tiniest of the larger kinds. This cat, unlike most larger cats, is content to lounge around all day and is not as active as some other breeds.
Chausie
The Chausie is a huge, extremely active, and intelligent cat with an unusual appearance. The Chausie was named after the Latin word “felis chaus,” which means “jungle cat.”
People most likely gave it this name because of its natural hunting abilities and regal disposition, as well as its enormous and commanding look. These cats are swift, high jumpers, and require a lot of attention.
Siberian
This one-of-a-kind Siberian cat breed is huge, strong, and intelligent. It had to be, growing up in a hard climate with excruciatingly short summers and lengthy, severe winters.
The breed was domesticated and brought indoors, away from the outdoors, to let its natural colors to shine. Siberian cats are friendly and lively, making them ideal house pets.
Savannah
The Savannah cat is a hybrid of a domestic cat and a serval, a medium-sized African wild cat with unusually big ears.
The Savannah is a popular pet among large cat fans due to its unusual, leopard-like appearance. Savannah cats are categorised based on the percentage of each breed present to notify owners of how really wild they are.
F1 and F2 generations, for example, are frequently the largest and have the most genes from the African serval since they are the first and second generations of direct breeding between a wild serval and a domestic cat.
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American Bobtail
This tamed house cat is distinguished from the other varieties by its distinctively short, stubby bobbed tail. It also possesses large hind legs and an alert hunting gaze, which are characteristics of a bobcat.
The breed was created by purposefully breeding stray cats with short tails until a separate type was discovered.
Ragamuffin
The ragamuffin is related to the ragdoll, a larger breed. The ragamuffin is a huge, friendly, and laid-back creature. Ragamuffin cats are well-known for their calm demeanor and thick, glossy coats.
Their personalities are similar to ragdolls, but their faces have a friendlier overall look and wider, rounder eyes.
Bengal
At first glance, it’s difficult to realize the Bengal is a tamed cat rather than a wild cat. The Bengal cat breed appears to be straight out of the jungle, with an athletic build and a distinctive, striped coat.
Bengal owners report that their cats are just as affectionate and friendly as other pet cats. They are people-oriented cats who spend their days playing and climbing.
I love all of them, but my top favorites are maine coon, Norwegian Forest, ragamuffian and Siberian. But I’d love to have any one of them!