We often think of cats as small and lithe, but some breeds are actually quite large and can weigh up to 25 pounds. Though we don’t condone allowing cats to become fat, some breeds are just naturally bigger in size — but still healthy.
From the muscular Maine Coon to the long and large Savannah, meet 10 sizable cat breeds.
Get to Know These Large Cat Breeds

Leesia Teh, Animal Photography
Maine Coon
Weighing from 9 to 18
pounds, the muscular Maine Coon is certainly a larger cat. The friendly breed
typically gets along with everyone, including dogs and other cats. In fact, the
Maine Coon tends to be so easygoing that he might even let you walk him on a
leash.

Tetsu Yamazaki, Animal Photography
Norwegian Forest Cat
Not to be confused with the Maine Coon, the Norwegian Forest
Cat is also a large and very furry cat. The breed hails from Norway,
where these cats once used their excellent mousing skills to help farmers. And though they
originated from the harsh Scandinavian woods, nowadays the breed is generally far from
feral. Wegies are typically low-key and mellow.

Johnny Kruger, Animal Photography
British Shorthair
Nearly everything about the British Shorthair is round:
his head, his eyes, his paws and even the tip of his tail. The solid and muscular
breed is usually quiet and laid-back, with an air of dignity about them, which makes sense. They are British after all.

Tetsu Yamazaki, Animal Photography
Chartreux
Said to resemble a potato atop toothpicks, the Chartreux is
one big lap cat. And when he’s not demanding to curl up on top of you, he’ll
likely be following you from room to room. Though the breed is large, the Chartreux is usually quite stealthy. Don’t be surprised if he opens cabinet doors or
successfully hunts mice in your home.

Anna Pozzi, Animal Photography
Bengal
The Bengal might not be as big as the wild cats she
resembles, but she’s still pretty large for a domestic cat. Her striking coat
will draw plenty of admiring looks, which is exactly what this attention-loving
breed wants. In fact, a Bengal will usually do just about anything to get you
to interact with her, even if it means jumping on the kitchen counter or
stealing your things.

Leanne Graham, Animal Photography
Ragdoll
Warning: Your arms are going to be very tired after cuddling
with the typically affectionate Ragdoll. These gentle lovebugs can weigh up to 20 pounds
and usually prefer to be in your lap, arms or lying right beside you. They
generally want to be with you at all times.

Tetsu Yamazaki, Animal Photography
Ragamuffin
Like his shorthaired cousin, the Ragdoll, the Ragamuffin has
probably never met a lap he didn’t like. The big breed typically weighs 10 to 20 pounds, and tends to stick to his people like Velcro, following them
from room to room.

Tetsu Yamazaki, Animal Photography
Savannah
As a breed that began with a kitten whose parents were a
serval (a small African wild cat) and domestic cat, it’s no surprise that the
Savannah is large. The typically intelligent cat has a long body with
long legs and large, tall ears that sit on the top of his head. And because he’s
so smart, he usually needs plenty of mental and physical stimulation — or he’ll
find a way to entertain himself.

Tetsu Yamazaki, Animal Photography
Siberian
The Siberian sports a thick and glamorous double coat that, once upon a time,
helped him survive the cold, harsh northern Russia climate. These cats also have sturdy, muscular bodies; some neutered males can weigh up to 25 pounds.

Tetsu Yamazaki, Animal Photography
Turkish Van
Known as the swimming cat, the Turkish Van is a large and
heavily built cat who is said to enjoy a dip in the water, which, historically, was Turkey’s Lake Van.
Females tend to weigh 7 to 12 pounds, and males are typically 10 to 20 pounds. When he’s not
trying to play in the kitchen sink, he’ll likely be following you around the
house or trying to cuddle in your lap.
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