Top 10 Largest Cat Breeds in the World You Might Want to Know

1. Maine Coon

• Length (including tail): 80 - 100 cm
• Height: 25 - 41 cm
• Weight: 6.8 - 11.3 kg
• Fur, Coat Color: Long, dense; various colors
• Lifespan: 10 - 12 years
• Price: $1,000 - $2,000 (22.6 - 45.3 million VND)

The Maine Coon is considered the largest domestic cat breed today. It is native to the state of Maine, USA. Maine Coons are highly favored in the United States and currently rank 2nd in the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) list of the 41 most popular cat breeds worldwide. In 2010, a Maine Coon named Stewie was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the cat with the longest length in the world: 123 cm (including the tail).

The Maine Coon is an intelligent breed with excellent hunting skills. Their large, robust bodies feature flexible joints and sharp claws. Despite their large size, Maine Coons take a while to mature, needing about 3 - 5 years to reach their maximum size, compared to 1 - 2 years for other cat breeds. Although gentle, they are wary of strangers. While they are docile, Maine Coons are vigilant with unknown individuals. It's advisable not to keep them confined indoors only to prevent boredom-related issues.

Maine Coons are active and particularly fond of water. Creating opportunities for regular exercise is essential to prevent boredom. Despite their calm demeanor, this breed may be prone to certain health issues such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, spinal muscular atrophy, and polycystic kidney disease.

• Length (excluding tail): 60 - 70 cm
• Height: 20 - 30 cm
• Weight: 4 - 7 kg
• Fur, fur color: Short, snug to the body; non-solid fur color, a blend of three colors - gray, silvery gold, and black
• Lifespan: 12 - 14 years
• Price: 400 - 600 USD (9 - 13.5 million VND)

Chausie is a hybrid cat breed, a cross between a wildcat and a domestic cat with origins in Egypt. This breed was developed in the 1960s and officially recognized as an independent breed in 1995. Chausies inherit the sleek and powerful physique of wildcats, along with large ears well-suited for hunting. They are agile jumpers with a preference for bird prey.

Chausies are highly active, enjoy playfulness, and interact well with their owners. It's important to note that they show affection and interest primarily to their owners, while being somewhat aloof and cautious with strangers. Chausies may get along with some pets like dogs or other cat breeds but can be impatient with small children and might become aggressive. This breed is not recommended for families with babies, and caution should be exercised when introducing them to children. Due to their wildcat heritage, Chausies have a strong personality, enjoy owner interaction, and need experienced owners who are not too busy. You should dedicate time to play and show affection to prevent them from getting destructive out of boredom.

Chausies are generally healthy, with almost no genetic health issues, so you don't have to worry much about their medical expenses. They also don't require frequent grooming. However, pay attention to Chausie's diet as they are prone to digestive issues and can be picky eaters.

• Length (excluding tail): 30 - 50 cm
• Height: 18 - 25 cm
• Weight: 3.6 - 7.7 kg
• Fur, fur color: Thick and long; diverse colors
• Lifespan: 11 - 15 years
• Price: 1300 - 1600 USD (27 - 33 million VND)

Siberian, originating from the Siberian region of Russia, is a natural cat breed. It's considered an iconic cat breed of the country and is highly favored by the locals. The breed has a significant presence in Russian folklore and is believed by many researchers to be the ancestor of modern long-haired domestic cats. Recognized as a breed in 1996, it currently ranks 30th out of 41 most popular cat breeds worldwide.

Siberian has a robust and flexible body, excelling in hunting and being highly active. This breed is energetic, lively, and always cheerful. Siberians enjoy being with their owners, are friendly to strangers, children, and other pets, making them an ideal pet for families with multiple members. Perhaps stemming from their wild traits, Siberians particularly enjoy playing with water, so there's no need to worry when it comes to bathing them.

Siberian is generally healthy, adaptable to various environments. However, they shed quite a bit and require regular grooming. Proper hygiene, especially cleaning areas like ears, eyes, and nose, is essential to prevent infections.

• Length (excluding tail): 40 - 50 cm
• Height: 20 - 30 cm
• Weight: 5.5 - 7.5 kg
• Fur, fur color: Double-layered fur consisting of a long, coarse, water-resistant outer layer and a thick, fine, insulating underlayer; fur color ranging from gray to brown with black stripes
• Lifespan: 12 - 16 years
• Price: 600 - 800 USD (12 - 17 million VND)

Norwegian Forest Cat, also known as the Norwegian Wood or Norsk Skogkatt, is a native cat breed of Norway. Domesticated and cherished as pets, especially in European countries like Norway, Sweden, and France, it was officially recognized in 1987 and currently ranks 11th out of the 41 most popular cat breeds worldwide.

Adapted to cold climates, the Norwegian Forest Cat has a luxurious double-layered coat that contributes to its majestic appearance, resembling a miniature lion. As a naturally robust breed, they possess a sturdy physique, sharp claws, and excellent climbing skills. They have a strong hunting instinct, but unlike the Maine Coon, they can adapt well to apartment living. Intelligent and independent, Norwegian Forest Cats don't demand excessive attention, making them suitable companions for busy individuals.

Norwegian Forest Cats have a slow maturation process, taking around 4-5 years to reach their maximum size. Due to their dense fur, regular grooming (at least twice a week) is necessary to prevent tangling. This breed may be prone to some health issues related to the kidneys or heart.

• Length (excluding tail): 30 - 50 cm
• Height: 32 - 36 cm
• Weight: 4 - 8.5 kg
• Fur, fur color: Soft, silky short fur; dominant white color with black or orange spots concentrated on the tail, ears, and head.
• Lifespan: 12 - 17 years
• Price: 200 - 300 USD (4.2 - 6.3 million VND)

The Turkish Van is a natural cat breed originating from the Van Lake region in Turkey and is considered the national treasure of the country. Recognized as a breed in 1985, it currently ranks 34th out of the 41 most popular cat breeds worldwide.

Due to their wild origins, Turkish Vans are independent, active, and have a strong instinct for territory protection. They bond with their family but are cautious and not very friendly towards strangers. This breed is energetic, cheerful, and intelligent, capable of learning tricks as long as the owner provides appropriate training. Turkish Vans can get along with other pets and play well with children in the family, but caution is needed when introducing them to unfamiliar children. Turkish Vans are exceptionally skilled swimmers and love playing with water. Therefore, be mindful of water faucets in the house as they might turn them on and indulge in water baths.

Turkish Vans are generally healthy, with almost no significant health issues. They don't require excessive grooming, but attention to hygiene in areas prone to infection, such as eyes, nose, and ears, is necessary. Another important note is that this breed is not suitable for transportation, as they may experience dizziness or even vomiting when traveling by vehicle. Gradual training from a young age can help minimize these symptoms.

• Length (excluding tail): 30 - 45 cm
• Height: 18 - 25 cm
• Weight: 5.5 - 9 kg
• Fur, fur color: Short but very dense; various colors, with gray-blue being the most popular and preferred
• Lifespan: 12 - 17 years
• Price: 800 - 1200 USD (17 - 25 million VND).

The British Shorthair is an ancient cat breed originating from England. Highly popular in the 1800s, its numbers declined after the two World Wars due to crossbreeding. Currently, the British Shorthair is regaining popularity, with increasing numbers, though purebred specimens are rare. It now ranks 16th out of the 41 most popular cat breeds worldwide.

The British Shorthair is a calm breed. They are less playful, quite serene, and prefer quiet places over noisy ones. They are affectionate with their owners, enjoying quietly following them around without demanding much attention. This breed exhibits gentle behavior towards children and friendliness towards other animals. British Shorthairs can entertain themselves, making them suitable for individuals with limited time for pets.

Due to their low activity level, British Shorthairs are prone to obesity. Monitoring their diet is crucial to ensuring their well-being. Their dense fur is easy to care for, requiring only weekly grooming. Additionally, British Shorthairs may be susceptible to conditions such as gum inflammation or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

• Length (excluding tail): 30 - 45 cm
• Height: 25 - 35 cm
• Weight: 3 - 6.5 kg
• Fur, fur color: Short, sleek; dominant fur colors are bronze, silver, or smoke gray, with distinctive black spots
• Lifespan: 12 - 15 years
• Price: 500 - 800 USD (10.5 - 16.9 million VND)

The Egyptian Mau is an ancient cat breed with origins in Egypt. It is a crossbreed between African wildcats and domestic Egyptian cats. Recognized in 1997, it currently ranks 20th out of the 41 most popular cat breeds worldwide.

The Egyptian Mau has a sleek and agile body. It enjoys jumping, climbing, and hunting small prey such as birds or mice. This breed is energetic, intelligent, friendly, and loves the members of its family. It has a special affinity for water and can even catch small fish as prey. Egyptian Mau is not suitable for living with small animals due to its hunting nature. However, it is a friendly breed with children and other pets in the family.

The Egyptian Mau is very healthy, with no significant genetic diseases. Due to its short fur, it does not require frequent grooming, and bathing is almost unnecessary. It is not picky about food, making it easy to care for and suitable for busy individuals.