Domesticated cats come in all shapes and sizes, and some breeds are known for their exceptional length. From the majestic Maine Coon to the exotic Savannah, these felines can grow to be quite large.
In this article, we will explore the top 9 longest cats in the world by breed. The criterion to get on this list is simple: the breed must have an exceptional average and maximum length. We will also take a look at the tallest cat ever recorded by the Guinness World Records and some other interesting facts about these feline giants.
You are reading: Top 9 Longest Cats
Top 9 Longest Cats
Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is a large domesticated cat breed that is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. It originated in the U.S. state of Maine, where it is the official state cat.
The Maine Coon is one of the largest domesticated cats, with an average length of 40 inches. It has a distinctive physical appearance, including a prominent ruff along its chest, robust bone structure, strong jawline, rectangular body shape, an uneven two-layered coat with longer guard hairs over a silky satin undercoat, and a long, bushy tail.
The breed is known for its valuable hunting skills and was popular in cat shows in the late 19th century. However, its existence became threatened when long-haired breeds from overseas were introduced in the early 20th century.
The Maine Coon has since made a comeback and is now the third most popular pedigree cat breed in the world. Maine Coons are gentle-natured, friendly, and sociable cats that make great companions for cat owners. They are often playful, curious, and intelligent, and they keep their kittenish playfulness well into old age.
The Maine Coon Cat Club calls them the “clowns of the cat world”. They are not an aggressive breed and will tolerate being picked up, held, and cuddled. These animals are friendly, kind, and patient with children.
Savannah
The Savannah is a hybrid cat breed that was developed in the late 20th century by crossing a serval, a wild African cat, with a domestic cat, usually a Siamese. This hybridization typically produces large and lean offspring, with the serval’s characteristic large ears and markedly brown-spotted coats.
The breed is known for its tall and elegant appearance, with long legs, a long neck, and a slender body. F1 and F2 male Savannahs can be very large, and in 2016, an F2 male attained a world record for the tallest cat at 48.4 centimeters (19.1 inches). Later-generation Savannahs are comparable in size to other large domestic cat breeds, weighing usually between 3.5 and 8.2 kilograms (7.7 and 18.1 pounds).
Savannahs are friendly, loyal, and playful cats that love to play in water and can even be trained to walk on a leash and play fetch. They have strong hunting instincts, so they aren’t always suitable for households with pets like fish, hamsters, and birds. Savannah cats have slightly coarse, short to medium-length coats that come in a range of colors, including black, brown spotted tabby, black silver spotted tabby, and black smoke.
Chausie
The Chausie is a domestic cat breed that was developed by breeding a few individuals from the non-domestic species jungle cat (Felis chaus) to a far greater number of domestic cats (Felis catus). The breed was first recognized as a domestic breed by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1995.
Chausies are bred to be medium to large in size, as compared to traditional domestic breeds, and can grow up to 22 inches in length. Their adult weight is typically between 13 and 26 pounds, and their height is about 14 to 15 inches at the shoulder.
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Chausies have a lean and muscular body with a broad chest, long legs, and large ears. They have a short, dense coat that comes in three colors: brown ticked tabby, solid black, and black grizzled tabby.
Chausies are active, intelligent, and curious cats that love to play and explore their surroundings. They are also affectionate and loyal to their owners, making them great companions for cat lovers.
Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a breed of domestic cat that originated in Northern Europe. This breed is adapted to a very cold climate, with a top coat of long, glossy hair and a woolly undercoat for insulation.
Norwegian Forest Cats are known for their large and muscular bodies, with males typically being larger than females. The average length of a Norwegian Forest Cat is between 12 and 18 inches, but when you factor in their bushy tail, they can appear even larger. Adult females weigh between 3.6 and 8 kg, while males weigh between 4.5 and 9 kg.
Norwegian Forest Cats have a long, sturdy body, long legs, and a bushy tail. They have a thick, glossy, water-repellent top layer of fur and a woolly undercoat that is thickest at the legs, chest, and head.
Norwegian Forest Cats are known for being friendly, calm, and adaptable to family life, making them excellent cuddlers who are always eager to make new friends. They are highly active and inquisitive cats that require a high level of enrichment, including simulated hunting games and interactive play.
They are sociable and dependent cats that are slightly talkative and require grooming every day. They are not ideal for family homes and need extensive outdoor space.
Siberian
The Siberian is a medium to large domesticated cat breed that is known for its thick, triple-layered, water-resistant coat and sturdy, muscular body. They are one of the largest domesticated cats, with males ranging from 15 to 25 pounds and females weighing between 12 and 15 pounds.
Siberians have a firm, barrel-shaped torso, strong hindquarters, and large, well-rounded paws. They are agile jumpers and have a bushy tail that is medium in length and slightly shorter than the torso length.
Siberian cats are believed to have originated in the dense forests of Siberia at least 1,000 years ago. They are a landrace breed, meaning they developed over time by adapting to their surroundings, which explains the thick coats needed to face those harsh Russian winters.
Siberians are known for their friendly, calm, and adaptable nature, making them great companions for families with children and other pets. They are highly active and inquisitive cats that require a high level of enrichment, including simulated hunting games and interactive play. They are sociable and dependent cats that are slightly talkative and require grooming every day.
Ragdoll
The Ragdoll is a breed of domestic cat known for its large size, docile temperament, and distinct colorpoint coat with blue eyes. Developed in the 1960s by American breeder Ann Baker, Ragdolls are best known for their tendency to go limp and relaxed when picked up, hence their name.
They have a semi-long and silky soft coat, with upside-down V-shaped markings on their foreheads (bicolor variant only). Ragdolls are distinguishable by their large round blue eyes, soft, thick coats, thick limbs, long tails, and soft bodies.
In terms of size, Ragdolls are one of the largest domesticated cat breeds. Fully-grown females typically weigh between 8 and 15 pounds (3.6 to 6.8 kg), while males are substantially larger, ranging from 12 to 20 pounds (5.4 to 9.1 kg) or more. However, there can be some variation in size within the breed, and it can take up to four years for a Ragdoll to reach its mature size.
Contrary to some beliefs, the size of Ragdolls does not differ according to their different colors or patterns. Female Ragdolls can grow to be just as big as males, with both sexes typically weighing between 10 and 20 pounds.
This makes Ragdolls one of the largest cat breeds, larger than Siamese and Persian cats but usually smaller than Norwegian Forest Cats.
British Shorthair
The British Shorthair is a medium-to-large-sized domesticated cat breed that originated in the United Kingdom. They have a short, dense coat that comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including solid, bicolor, tabby, tortoiseshell, and calico.
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British Shorthairs are known for their distinctive rounded head and face, which gives them a teddy bear-like appearance. They are heavily muscled and have heavy boning, with males potentially weighing up to 17 pounds.
British Shorthairs are sweet, affectionate, and calm cats that make great family pets. They are not clingy or needy and enjoy being with their owners but may not appreciate being held or cuddled too much.
British Shorthairs are easy to groom and only require a quick brushing once a week to keep their coat free of loose hair and dirt. They are not an overly active breed and prefer to spend their time lounging around the house.
Persian
The Persian is a large and luxurious domestic cat breed known for its long, flowing coat, round face, and sweet temperament. They have a sturdy and muscular body, with males typically weighing between 9 and 14 pounds, and females weighing between 7 and 11 pounds.
Persians have a broad chest, short legs, and a short, thick neck that supports their round head. They have large, expressive eyes and a dense, fluffy tail.
Persians are not a particularly active breed and prefer a calm and quiet environment. They are gentle, affectionate, and enjoy being pampered and groomed.
The Persian’s long, luxurious coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and keep it looking its best. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, including solid, tabby, tortoiseshell, and calico.
Persians are popular pets and are often seen in cat shows and as companions in households around the world.
Burmese
Burmese cats are a medium-sized domesticated cat breed that originated in Burma and have since been developed in the United States and Britain. They are muscular and compact cats with a solid build, large round head, and thick, straight tail.
Burmese cats are known for their friendly, playful, and highly social nature. They tend to develop strong loyalty bonds with their humans and have been described as a “Velcro cat,” wanting to spend as much time as possible around their people.
Burmese cats are medium in size, with males weighing between 9 and 13 pounds and females weighing between 8 and 12 pounds. They have short, sleek coats that come in various colors.
Burmese cats are highly energetic and require plenty of playtime and enrichment to keep them happy and healthy. They are also known for their low shedding levels and require minimal grooming. The lifespan of a Burmese cat is typically between 10 and 18 years.
FAQS
1. What is the longest cat breed in the world?
Maine Coon is the longest domesticated cat breed in the world, with an average length of 40 inches.
2. What is the tallest cat ever recorded?
The tallest cat ever recorded was an F2 Savannah named Arcturus Aldebaran Powers, who measured 48.4 centimeters (19.1 inches) tall.
3. Are long cats more prone to health problems?
There is no evidence to suggest that long cats are more prone to health problems than other cats. However, genetics and lifestyle can play a role in a cat’s overall health.
4. Are these cat breeds suitable for apartment living?
Some of the cat breeds on this list, such as the Maine Coon and the Norwegian Forest Cat, may not be suitable for apartment living due to their large size and high energy levels. However, other breeds, such as the Ragdoll and the British Shorthair, may adapt well to apartment living.
5. Do these cat breeds require a lot of grooming?
Some of the cat breeds on this list, such as the Persian and the Chausie, require daily grooming to keep their coats in good condition. Other breeds, such as the Siberian and the Norwegian Forest Cat, have self-cleaning coats and require less grooming.
Source: https://petstutorial.com
Category: Cats
