In the previous article, we learned that Barivel is the current largest domestic cat in the world. When measured from head to tail tip in 2018, the big Maine Coon came in at 120 cm (3 ft. 11 in). But have you ever thought about which would be the heaviest cat in the world? If yes, read on to learn about this and much more.
What is the record for the heaviest cat ever?
There have been world record holders for the heaviest cat, though the Guinness World Records eliminated this title because of reports that cat owners were purposely overfeeding their cats to try and break the record. I have listed a few of the heaviest cats below:
| Cat Name | Sex | Weight | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger | Male | 43 lb | England | 1979 |
| Himmy | Desexed Male | 46. 95 lb | Australia | 1982 |
| Poppa | Unkown | 44.5 lb | United Kingdom | 1983 |
| Katty | Female | 44.09 lb | Russia | 2003 |
| Meow | Male | 39.6 lb | United State | 2012 |
Himmy
Himmy is the world’s heaviest house cat on record. The big domestic cat was a tabby and white cat from Queensland, Australia, weighing 21.3kg (46.95 lb). That makes the Himmy more than twice as heavy as the average domestic cat, and its size is often compared to that of a small dog. He had to be transported in a wheelbarrow.
When he was a kitten, Thomas Vyse found the neutered feline abandoned at a powerhouse in 1981. He brought him home, and he grew and grew. He became the heaviest cat in the world in 1982. The feline was measured to be 96 cm (3 ft 1 in) in length. Himmy was a much-loved pet until his death in 1986 after a short illness. He died of respiratory failure on 12th March 1986 at 10 years and 4 months old.
In 1998, editors and record managers decided to discontinue the category of pets transported in wheelbarrows to discourage irresponsible over-feeding of animals in the hopes of appearing in the book. Before this decision, Himmy was the undisputed record holder in this category.
Poppa
Right behind Himmy is Poppa, an 11-year-old tabby that weighed 44.5 pounds (about 20 kg) in 1983. The big cat was owned by Gwladys Cooper of South Wales, United Kingdom. The owner had two more cats, which weighed 24 pounds and 14 pounds. There is no more detail available about the giant cat. I’ll welcome it if anyone provides more detail about Poppa.
Tiger
Phyllis Dacey, of Billericay, Essex, England, owned a Persian-cross named Tiger. When he was one year old, he began to experience abnormal growth. By 1979, he weighed 43 pounds (19.5 kg). Tiger had a neck circumference of 12.4 inches (31.75 cm), a waist circumference of 33 inches (83.8 cm), and a total length of 37 inches (94 cm).
The part-Persian cat was diagnosed with the hormone imbalance disease hypothyroid. Tiger was treated for the disease. However, he lost weight rapidly until his eventual death in 1980 due to kidney disease at the age of 10, weighing approximately 8 kg (18 lb).
Katy
In Russia, a five-year-old Siamese feline named Katy was revealed in February 2003, believed to be the world’s heaviest cat. She weighed a whopping 20 kilograms (44.09 lb) and had a 68.6 cm (27 inches) waistline. Her owner revealed that Katy had lost her enthusiasm for activities other than eating since being put on contraception.
Appallingly, she ate sausages at a rate of one-and-a-half per minute. Katy’s owners had hoped to have her recognized as the world’s heaviest cat by the Guinness Book of Records; however, they no longer accept nominations in this category.
Meow
Meow, aka Meow, was in global headlines during 2010 and 2012 after his rescue by the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society after his 87-year-old owner could no longer take care of him. The 2-year-old orange and white tabby weighed 39.6 pounds (18.0 kilograms). This is about 6 pounds short of the weight of Himmy.
The shelter quickly realized Meow was severely higher in weight – nearly twice the size of a normal cat – and needed significant medical care. The shelter had put him on a diet to help him lose weight and regain his health. However, Meow died in Santa Fe, New Mexico, due to complications from his obesity.
What is the heaviest Maine Coon cat on record?
Maine coon is one of the biggest cat breeds in the world. Maine coons are usually big cats, but the honor of the heaviest Maine Coon cat on record goes to Verismo Leonetti Reserve Red, aka Leo. This large Maine Coon was titled the 2006 Guinness World Record Holder for Longest domesticated cat.
Leo was a purebred domestic cat with a Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) pedigree. He measured 40 inches from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. The large cat weighed 35 pounds, which is almost twice the size reported average for the breed. However, the record title was for his length and not his weight.
A news report with the cat’s owner, Frieda Ireland, and the vet, Doctor Rovner, confirmed a healthy Maine Coon! Though he was the longest cat and above average in weight, he was his natural size and not higher in weight.
Leo had a larger body frame, which could easily carry the extra pounds. Guinness compared Verismo Leonetti Reserve Red to the same size as an eight-year-old child. Leo’s paw would fit into a child’s size two shoe.
At the time of writing, I haven’t been able to source a picture of Leo – if you know how I could find a picture of Leo or any other very Maine Coon cat pictures for this site, please let me know…
Biggest cat breeds
Here is a list of some of the biggest cat breeds you may want to consider if you’re looking for a big, cuddly cat.
Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is one of the most popular cat breeds out there, and it’s also one of the biggest cats. These cats can weigh up to 25 pounds on average and have long, thick fur and big, fluffy tails. Hence, Maine Coon Price is so high. But there is a cheaper way to have this fluffy friend, and it is Maine Coon adoption.
Owning a Maine Coon requires special care due to their size. Ensuring they have the right diet, exercise, and living space will help keep your cat healthy and happy. For tips on how to care for your Maine Coon, don’t miss our post on Maine Coon Care.
Ragdoll cat
The Ragdoll is large cat breed, weighing up to 30 pounds on average. They have medium-length coats that come in various colors and are known for their friendly and affectionate personalities. Ragdolls are great for families with children, as they tend to be very gentle and patient.
Serval Cat
The Serval Cat (Leptailurus serval) is a wild cat native to Africa. It is a medium-sized cat with a slender body and long legs. The Serval Cat is easily recognizable by its golden-yellow spotted coat, long ears, and black-tipped tail. It can reach up to 60 cm in body length and weigh up to 18 kg.
There are few other big cat breeds that are crossed between big cats, and domestic cats are quite big.
Savannah cat
The Savannah cat, a hybrid of a house cat and an African Serval, is one of the largest domestic cats. They are a large breed, with some reaching up to 20 pounds. They are known for their wild looks, unique spotted coats, and tall, slender figures.
A Note of Caution for Cat Lovers:
Maine Coons require a special food, as they are larger cats with higher energy needs than other breeds, so it is important to provide them with a high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet that is tailored to their needs. Overfeeding and lack of exercise can lead to higher weight and health complications such as:
- Diabetes
- Joint Problems
- Fatty liver
- Breathing difficulties
Monitor your cat’s weight regularly to ensure they stay within a healthy range. If your cat is higher weight, talk to your veterinarian about a safe diet and exercise plan to help them reach a healthier weight.
Additionally, if your cat is higher weight, consider helping them to lead a more active lifestyle and providing them with appropriate Maine Coon toys and activities to keep them engaged and entertained.