Domesticated cats come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. While most breeds are small and petite, a few of them are so big they almost resemble a wild cat. This article will cover the top 9 types of 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.
It is no coincidence that some of these cat breeds originate from some of the coldest climates on the planet and also tend to have some of the densest fur. Scientists believe that larger body size may help reduce heat loss when it’s cold outside. Of course, when human breeders took over, they often selected for the larger body sizes. The following list of cats offers plenty of big fur balls for owners to snuggle with.
#5: Burmese Cat
The Burmese start off the list. The breed actually descends from a single cat found in Burma (now Myanmar) around 1930. It was then developed in the United States and Britain to achieve the current look. The body can often reach up to 18 inches long (not the tail) and sometimes even longer; the British Burmese tends to be slightly longer than the American Burmese. Compared to other breeds on this list, the Burmese have a shorter, glossy coat, mostly solid in color except for some darker points on the extremities.
#4 Persian Cat
The Persian cat was first exported to Europe in the early 17th century. It has since become one of the most popular cat breeds in the world. The typical Persian is characterized by a flat face, short muzzle, large eyes, and a strong, muscular body. The long, elegant coat can come in a variety of colors and patterns, tabby, calico, solid white, and bicolor. The typical Persian can reach up to 18 inches long and stand about 10 inches tall at the shoulders, making them one of the longest types of cats in the world. These quiet, placid cats are to lie around the house without getting into too much trouble.
#3: Siberian Cat
Although the history of this breed dates back centuries, the national cat of Russia is a relative newcomer to the United States, having only arrived here in the 1990s. The Siberian is insulated from the extremely cold weather of its native northern environment with three glossy layers of fur: the guard hairs, the awn hairs, and the down hairs. The coat comes in various color patterns, solid, tabby, tortoiseshell, and color point.
Siberians are also characterized by strong, powerful bodies, round paws, large eyes, triangle-shaped ears, and a big fluffy tail. They are considered to be very powerful and adept jumpers that like to climb on things around the home. Overall, the appearance shows strong similarities to the Norwegian Forest Cat, about which more will be said later. Just like the Persian, the body of the Siberian cat can easily reach up to 18 inches long and sometimes even more. The long tail adds even more length to the already impressive body.
#2: Chausie
The Chausie ranks among the largest domestic cat hybrids in the world. It was originally developed by crossing a domesticated cat with the wild jungle cat. Built for running and jumping, the Chausie is characterized by long legs and a lithe body. The International Cat Association, which officially recognized it in 1995, accepts three possible color combinations: solid black, black grizzled tabby, and black ticked tabby. While other combinations are sometimes possible as well, they are generally discouraged by breeders.
As a descendent of the jungle cat, the Chausie is incredibly athletic, outgoing, and intelligent. Their body and tail size can vary, but they are considered to be exceptionally long cats with thin ringed tails.
#1: Maine Coon
The Maine Coon consistently takes the spot for the biggest domestic cat breed in the world. Originally bred as a farm cat to hunt annoying vermin and pests in the state of Maine, this gentle giant combines many excellent qualities, a strong affection toward people, a playful personality, and long, elegant fur. They can reach sometimes reach 40 inches long and stand about 16 inches high at the shoulders (compared to only 10 inches for most house cats).
The Guinness World Record holder for the longest cat ever was a Maine Coon called Mymains Stewart Gilligan from Reno, Nevada. When he was measured on August 28, 2010, he reached just over 4 feet long (or 123 centimeters) from head to tail tip. Other exceptionally long Maine Coons include Barivel from Vigevano, Italy (3 feet and 11 inches) and Ludo from the United Kingdom (3 feet and 10.5 inches). A Maine Coon by the name of Cygnus also holds the record for longest tail on a domestic cat at 17.58 inches. Maine Coons are well-represented among the biggest domestic cat breeds in the world.
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