When it comes to cats, there certainly isn’t the same level of difference in the sizes of domestic breeds as with dogs, and you may think that all cats are within the same basic size range. However, there are a few breeds of domestic cat that are typically larger than the average house cat, and while the size difference doesn’t make the same kind of difference in their needs and care as with a large dog like a Great Dane versus a Chihuahua, there are some things to consider if you are trying to choose whether or not to get one of these bigger cats.
Large Cats
The largest cat breed is the Maine Coon, followed by the Norwegian Forest Cat, and these are usually the two breeds people are talking about when they talk about larger cats. Of course, there are also other breeds and hybrid variants like the Siberian and Savannah, and mixed breeds that include some Maine Coon or Norwegian in them that can also end up growing to the same sort of size. These cats are really appealing for a lot of people because as well as being big, they’re also breeds from cold climates and so they’re both very fluffy and grow big, plush winter coats, making them beautiful and also extremely cuddly! But, if you’re tempted by a larger cat, is there anything special you need to know about them to care for them correctly?
Heavy and Strong!
While they’re big for house cats, the size difference isn’t really enough to mean that you need a bigger house to have a bigger cat. Anywhere you can keep a cat will be fine for these breeds, too. However, when you are buying things for your new cat, you do need to remember that these robust, chunky breeds are not just big because of all the fur – they have large frames and are pretty strong. This can mean that things like cat trees that would be fine for a regular cat will be easily knocked over or broken by a large cat breed, so you need to choose things that can take a bit more punishment. Here you can find a comparison of a strong best cat trees for large cats. You may also want to consider the type of basket you use when you need to take your cat somewhere, such as to the vets, making sure it is robust and big enough for a large breed, as well as that you are able to carry it easily with the cat inside!
Grooming
While this isn’t just a consideration for large cat breeds, it is worth noting too that very fluffy breeds like the Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest Cat do have long hair and shed a lot when they are switching between summer and winter coats. This means you’ll want to get them used to being brushed early on and make grooming a part of your routine as you would with other long-haired cats like Persians and Ragdolls.
Large cats are gorgeous and make great pets, just make sure your home is ready for a big, strong beast before you adopt one!