Top 5 Cat Breeds With Big Heads [With Pictures!]

Cats come in all shapes and sizes, some are very big, some are very small, some are very hairy, and others have no hair at all. There really is a breed for everyone. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at cat breeds with big heads.

Cats with big heads are in high demand because it gives them a cute appearance. A big head is a neotenous feature, meaning that it makes the cat look younger. Because of that, we often find cats that have heads that are large for their body to be cuter than other breeds. In this overview, I will go over the top x cat breeds with large heads. That way, people who are interested in owning one of these breeds can get an idea of what their options are. Let’s begin!


1. Scottish Fold

picture of a scottish fold

The Scottish Fold is a cat breed that’s well known for its folded ears (which is where it got its name from). However, many people also find this breed very cute because of its large head and chubby cheeks. They also have short necks and short legs, which makes their large head even more pronounced.

As the name suggests, the Scottish Fold originates from Scotland, where it was first developed in 1961. They were first imported to the United States in 1971 and rapidly became popular pets because of their cute appearance and affectionate temperament. They gained official recognition from most cat associations in the mid-1970s.

The Scottish Fold is a quiet cat that doesn’t meow a whole lot. They’re also known for being a bit silly; they often have a habit of posing in very strange positions such as sitting like a frog or straight up like a meerkat. On the whole, these cats are smart and moderately active. They enjoy playtime but also enjoy lounging on the couch with their owners.

An important thing to know is that this breed does not enjoy being alone for extended periods of time.

Do note that this breed is illegal in some countries such as the Netherlands and even its native home of Scotland. The reason for this is that the breed carries a gene that can cause health problems.


2. American Shorthair

picture of an american shorthair

The American Shorthair is another cat breed with a large head relative to the size of its body. They often have a gray or tabby coat but can come in many different colors and patterns. They’re medium-sized cats with strong bodies and heavy bones.

This breed has a long history. It is believed that these cats are the descendants of European cats that were brought to the Americas by early settlers. The reason why these settlers brought these cats on board is that they are excellent hunters. Because they can hunt so well, they were used to protect food and valuable cargo from rats and mice.

The American Shorthair has been officially recognized as a distinct breed since 1906. However, at first, this breed was recognized as the “domestic shorthair”. It was later renamed American Shorthair.

This breed is playful, affectionate, and intelligent. They like humans but are not necessarily lap cats. They like standing on their own two feet but don’t say no to sitting next to you on the couch.


3. British Shorthair

picture of a british shorthair

The British Shorthair is a short-haired breed with a large and round head and big eyes, giving them a distinct and very adorable appearance. They also have broad and rounded ears, chubby cheeks, and a medium-sized, muscular body.

As the name suggests, the British Shorthair is a breed that’s native to England. The breed was first recognized in 1967 by the American Cat Association and later by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1980. As of today, the breed is recognized by all major cat associations.

The British Shorthair is an easygoing breed which makes them a great family cat. They enjoy affection and human interaction but are not needy or demanding. They do not particularly like being picked up or carried around and they will often prefer to sit next to you rather than on your lap. This breed is easy to groom due to its short coat.


4. Persian

Persians are another cat breed that has a large, rounded head. Especially when they’re kittens the size of their head is very pronounced but even in adulthood, their head remains quite imposing.

In addition to a big head, these cats have small ears, big eyes, a flat face, and chubby cheeks. This is a long-haired breed that comes in many different colors.

Persian cats are an ancient breed. They come from Persia (modern-day Iran) and have since been transported all over the world because their striking appearance made them highly desired among cat lovers.

The Persian is a very docile breed. They’re quiet and sweet and do not cause a ruckus. They’re also very affectionate and love sitting on their owner’s laps while being petted. These cats do not enjoy living in a loud and chaotic environment, they prefer a serene home where not much changes from day to day.

Do note that if you decide to get a Persian you have to be prepared to groom them every day due to their long hair.


5. Maine Coon

picture of a maine coon

The breeds that were previously mentioned have heads that are large relative to the size of their bodies. The main coon however is a very large cat with a head that’s not necessarily out of proportion. Nevertheless, I still wanted to include it because they do have one of the largest heads of all cat breeds.

The Maine Coon is a breed that hails from Maine. It’s not entirely clear how they ended up there, some people believe that the Vikings brought them there when they first landed in the Americas.

They’re a very large breed that can grow up to 20 pounds in weight. They typically don’t reach their full size until they’re three to five years old. They’re also blessed with beautiful long hair, pointy ears, a muscular body, strong legs, and a furry tail.

Maine Coons are a breed that enjoys human interaction but they’re not clingy. Furthermore, this breed is an excellent hunter, having one of these cats in your household will ensure that you will never have a mouse problem. They also love to play and many Maine Coons even enjoy playing fetch with their owners. Also, they’re highly intelligent and can be taught tricks and puzzles.

Another nice aspect of this breed is that they’re relatively quiet and don’t vocalize a whole lot.


Final words

So, those are the top 5 cat breeds with large heads. I hope you found the list informative and if you’re in the market for a cat breed with a large head that it helped you make a decision on which breed is right for you.

If you believe that there are other cat breeds with large heads that I’ve missed, feel free to leave a comment to let me know!

ThePetFaq Team