Largest Cat Breeds: Size, Care and Adopting One

What are the largest cat breeds?

The Maine Coon, then the Ragdoll, then a group of heavy-coated or heavy-boned breeds: the Norwegian Forest Cat, Siberian, RagaMuffin and British Shorthair. The table uses the weights the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), a pedigree cat registry, publishes for each breed, converted to kilograms. Where Australia's Coordinating Cat Council of Australia (CCCA) standard describes the size, its wording is in the last column.

Weights are the CFA's published figures for mature cats, converted from pounds and rounded. Registries do not all agree, and even one registry can differ with itself: the TICA Maine Coon page says males usually weigh around 18 to 22 lb (about 8 to 10 kg) and females 12 to 15 lb (about 5.5 to 7 kg) in its at-a-glance panel, but its breed description says males average 13 to 18 lb (about 6 to 8 kg) and females 9 to 13 lb (about 4 to 6 kg). Individual cats sit above and below every range, and none of these figures is a promise about a particular kitten.

Why do big cat breeds take so long to grow?

Because they are bred to mature slowly. The CFA says the Ragdoll reaches full size and weight at four, the Norwegian Forest Cat can take up to five years, and the British Shorthair takes three to five years to reach full maturity. The CCCA Maine Coon standard says the ultimate type can take 3 or 4 years to develop.

That matters for two reasons. First, a kitten or a one-year-old tells you little about the adult it will become, so be wary of anyone promising an exact adult weight. Second, an adult rescue cat is already finished growing. If size is the thing you care about, an adult lets you see exactly what you are getting.

What is each large breed like to live with?

Size is only part of the decision. Coat care and temperament matter more day to day. In brief, from the registry breed pages:

• Maine Coon. The CFA describes it as getting on well with children and other animals, and notes both may be startled at first by its size: “Maines are larger than many small dogs.” Breeders recommend regular combing to control shedding and matting. Our Maine Coon identification guide covers the breed traits in detail.
• Ragdoll. A blue-eyed pointed cat with a silky coat and little undercoat, so the CFA says grooming is less work than the coat suggests. It also notes Ragdolls are known for their love of food and may be at risk of obesity, so watch portions.
• Norwegian Forest Cat. A thick, water-repellent double coat and a frontal ruff, per the CFA. Much of the bulk you see is coat.
• Siberian. A dense triple coat on a strong, heavy-boned body; the CFA says it has “surprising heft for its size”. Siberians are often sold as hypoallergenic, which our hypoallergenic cats guide explains is not something any breed can promise.
• British Shorthair. Short, dense coat and a round, solid build; heavy rather than long. Our British Shorthair guide covers buying or adopting one.

Not sure which coat and temperament suit your household? The what cat breed am I quiz matches your home and routine to cat types before you start meeting cats.

Can a rescue cat be just as big?

Yes. Most of the big, fluffy cats in Australian rescue are domestic longhairs and medium hairs, cats of mixed or unknown ancestry. Across the rescues we aggregate, cats listed as Maine Coon or Ragdoll are more often crosses or lookalikes than papered purebreds. Some of them are large, long-bodied cats in their own right.

Two honest points about a big rescue cat:

• A heavy cat is not always a big-framed cat. RSPCA Pet Insurance says there is no single healthy weight for all cats and that vets look at body condition rather than the scale alone. You should be able to feel the ribs with light pressure and see a waist from above. A fluffy coat can hide extra weight, so ask the rescue whether a big cat is big-boned or carrying extra kilos.
• The label does not change the cat. Whether a rescue cat is a purebred, a cross or a domestic longhair, it needs the same space and gear if it is big. If you want to know what you might have, read Is my cat a Maine Coon? and what is a domestic shorthair.

What does a big cat need at home?

Mostly bigger versions of ordinary gear, bought for the adult cat rather than the kitten.

Does a bigger cat cost more?

A little, in a few places. A larger cat eats more food over a year, and the bigger gear above costs more up front. Parasite prevention can cost more too: a vet-written comparison of cat flea, tick and worm products sold in Australia shows they come in weight bands, and several labels tell owners of cats above the top band to combine doses as the label directs. That is a reason to weigh your cat and ask your vet which product and size suits it, not to guess from the packet.

The adoption fee is not one of those costs. A big rescue cat costs the same as any other rescue cat:

Reference figures from the organisations named, not quotes. Fees vary by cat, age and promotion; check the fee on the cat's own listing. For pedigree kitten prices, see our Maine Coon price guide and Ragdoll price guide, and for running costs, how much a cat costs in Australia.

What about Savannah cats and other “giant” breeds?

Lists of big cats from overseas often include the Savannah, a cross between a domestic cat and a wild African serval. In Australia it is off the table. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry says domestic and wild cat hybrids cannot be imported under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and lists Savannah, Safari, Chausie and Bengal cats as examples. Anyone advertising a Savannah kitten for sale in Australia is a reason to stop and check, not to pay a deposit.

Should you buy a big breed from a breeder?

Rescue is not the right fit for everyone. If you want a papered Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Norwegian Forest Cat or Siberian with a known health history, a breeder registered with an Australian cat council is a reasonable choice. Ask which council they are registered with, ask to meet the kitten's mother, and ask what health testing the parents have had. Our Maine Coon and Ragdoll guides list the specific tests for those breeds.

Big, popular breeds attract scams. Scamwatch warns against prices that look too good to be true, unusual payment methods, and paying before you have seen the animal in person. Never send money for a kitten you have only seen in photos.

Find a big cat near you

Each link shows long-haired rescue cats listed in that city right now, with every listing linking through to the rescue:

• Long-haired cats in Sydney
• Long-haired cats in Melbourne
• Long-haired cats in Brisbane
• Long-haired cats in Perth
• Long-haired cats in Adelaide

For a specific breed, watch the Maine Coon, Ragdoll and Norwegian Forest Cat pages for Sydney and set an alert, since a rare breed can be adopted quickly. Still deciding whether a cat is right for you? Try the dog or cat quiz and the adoption readiness check, and read how to adopt a cat in Australia.