I am looking for a BIG cat.

Hi, Our cat of six years died two months ago. We want to get a new cat but I want to get a LARGE cat. I do not want to compare the new fuzzball to our old friend. This is why I want a large cat.

We keep our cat indoors unless we are with it. We love it when a cat falls all over us for pets and rubs. So we want a friendly cat.

Any ideas on breeds? We are open minded but do want it to be large.

Thank you for your help. Guy and Gretchen

Guy and Gretchen Michael wrote:

I've heard (read?)a number of people here recommend Main Coons as big, friendly cats.

Guy and Gretchen Michael wrote:

How about a Maine Coon. They are big, gorgeous, affectionate and very smart. They are the easiest cats to adopt out and just about the hardest for me to part with - they are wonderful!!

Jeannie We Take Care of Yesterday's Kittens

FWIW I've known a few BIG cats. The BIGGEST was at an old gold mine in the Panamints (CA) - I think he was an 18 pounder, the size of a smallish bobcat, & quite a lapful. A friend in Tucson has a couple of BIG old toms, getting on to 15 or 16 now, veterans of many skirmishes w/ the local coyotes - tho they've survived by being smart - they run into the carport or house when brer coyote appears. I believe one of them fought off an aerial attack by a grt horned owl when he was young.

We had a part-Siamese named Chainsaw once, friendly but a BRUTE - he would lie in wait for Laura (who had the deepest-blue eyes of any of our cats), tackle her & throw her to the ground. Laura couldn't stand Chainsaw.

Chainsaw's other notable feat was his DIY cat door - RIP thru the screen on the bathroom window. . .

I'm not sure how pertinent this is, tho I'm finding it entertaining. Except that BIG cats are also STRONG, not to mention MALE, and HEAVY on the lap or chest. Sort of an 18 lb gorilla...

Anyway, let us know how things work out

Hi G & G,

Have you considered checking out the local shelters or reading the classifieds? There are always bigger or older cats available. Everyone is so hyped on getting the right breed or a kitten, that the older, bigger cats get forgotten.

All the cats in my family have been or are of some non specific breed, mostly tabbies, and usually turn out to be on the large side. (still waiting to see how the 2 new kittens turn out...we think one is going to be a monster!) None is especially beautiful to the average person, but they are all beautiful on the inside, friendly and well adjusted. Each has their own beautiful qualities...

Looks arent everything, go for personality!!!

Good luck with your search.

Sandra (with Bentley, Grace, Buck, and the pooches, Bandit and Sammi Jo)

A traditional siamese cat is large and they are very affectionate. They are sometimes called 'appleheads' because they are much stockier and rounder than the showcat siamese of today. I have had three of them and have found that they are the most affectionate cats I have owned. BTW....my neighbor has two maine coon cats and they are both big, wonderful affectionate guys as well.

Well, I like the idea of going to the shelter, and just picking out the biggest thing you can find

But if you're asking what *breeds* are big cats, I think the Guinness (sp?!??) Book says that Ragdolls are the biggest breed.

says...

I think that the Maine Coons are probably the largest. Normal weight for males is 14-20 lbs for a slim cat but I've heard stroies up to 30 lbs, without being obese. Females run smaller 7-12 lbs.

We just lost our 20+ y.o. Maine Coon and wanted to get another big boy. We ended up getting ours from a breeder but, you can usually find cats with the coon traits at a shelter. Look for tufted ears, tufts between toes, large feet, med/long coat with a shine to it.

Our new guy Thunder Cloud just turned 4 months and weighs in at 6 lb. He was 3.5 lbs at 3 months.

I have had big cats from British Shorthairs and Norwegian Forest Cats. Both cats weighed in at 25 pounds and are/were extremely affectionate.

I saw a year old Maine Coone at a local cat show. He weighed in at 29 pounds and was still growing!

Please let us know what you decide.

Mary Owned and operated by the Beastie Boyz, Inc. Muzzin, Giapetto and Zamboni San Carlos, CA

We are breeders of Norwegian Forest Cats and own British Shorthairs. A large male Norwegian should be 18-20 pounds. A Maine Coon should be around the same. A British should be around 12-16 pounds. Anything larger is starting to get FAT. This is very dangerous for their health.

Hey G&G,

Had an ex-wife who when we married had 7 Cats. Never lived with one on a houseboat on the delta, nor in North Carolina while attending school. Pretty, took care of a big cat when I moved back to Livermore in 2005.

Returned to same 1990 Apt.

JR_Cary NC_ABQ_andnow Livermore - and now? Do you take care of a big cat now?