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12 Most Fluffy Cat Breeds (With Pictures)

Written by: Patricia Dickson

Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

ginger Maine coon cat

12 Most Fluffy Cat Breeds (With Pictures)

Every feline has a bit of fur on them, even hairless cats. However, some have much more hair than others. Of course, if you have a cat, fluffy or otherwise, you’ll need to groom them to keep their coat healthy. However, grooming a cat with a thick coat is more involved and takes more time than one with a thin coat. If you’re looking for a fluffy cat to give a forever home and aren’t quite sure about the best breed for you, we have you covered here, so read on!

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The 12 Fluffy Cat Breeds

1. Maine Coon

Tortie Maine Coon
Image Credit: Nynke van Holten, Shutterstock
Weight 7.9 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy 13 to 14 years

The Maine Coon is an enormous feline and is the official cat of that state. You can expect this feline to weigh up to 18 pounds when they are fully grown. They have an average life expectancy of between 13 and 14 years. The Maine Coon is the largest domestic cat in the world, and they’re also the second most popular cat to be adopted and given a forever home.

You can expect your furry friend to be loving and loyal but not needy. In other words, a Maine Coon won’t mind being left alone and is unlikely to experience separation anxiety. Unlike other felines, they chirp rather than meow, and while they’re not loud, they’re very talkative!


2. Persian

cream point himalayan persian cat
Image Credit: Dorottya Mathe, Shutterstock
Weight 7 to 12 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 17 years

The adorable Persian cat is a household favorite and has been around since the 17th century. The Persian is the most popular purebred cat. The average weight for this cat is between 7 and 12 pounds. You can expect the cat to live for between 12 and 17 years if taken care of properly.

Their adorable faces and fluffy coats have made them extremely popular in everything from movies to TV shows. Persians require extensive grooming, though, and their long fur can become matted easily if they aren’t brushed every day.

If you brush the cat daily and bathe them once a week, you should be good to go. While the breed is quite adaptable, they do best in a calm, relaxed environment.


3. Siberian

siberian kitten_dien_shutterstock
Image Credit By: dien, Shutterstock
Weight 15 to 20 pounds
Life Expectancy 10 to 18 years

If you’re looking for a cat with a lot of fur, the Siberian cat could be the ideal pet for your family. They are fluffy, live between 10 and 18 years, and top out at around 15 to 20 pounds at full growth. The Siberian is a medium-to-long-haired cat that was bred to live in a colder climate.

You can expect your furry friend to have a bushy tail and a furry back end. These are loving, quiet, easygoing cats that love to play with their pet parents. Unlike most fluffy cats, the Siberian is said to be as hypoallergenic as a cat can get. Of course, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic animal. However, some are less likely to cause allergies than others, and the Siberian cat is one of those.


4. Ragdoll

female owner holding her ragdoll kitten
Image By: Tatyana Vyc, Shutterstock
Weight 8 to 20 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 15 years

The Ragdoll got their name because they go limp as a ragdoll when picked up by their pet parents. This adorable, large cat weighs up to 20 pounds when full-grown. They are loving, gentle cats and have been known to greet their pet parents at the door when they get home from work.

Ragdolls get along well with young children and don’t mind being held and petted. The grooming needs of the Ragdoll aren’t as intense as other fluffy cats, but they need to be brushed daily to keep their skin and fur healthy. Unlike most cats, Ragdolls don’t need high platforms or a cat tree to survey their environment; they prefer staying close to the ground.


5. Birman

birman cat eating
Image Credit: Patrik Slezak, Shutterstock
Weight 7 to 12 pounds
Life Expectancy 9 to 15 years

The Birman is one of the fluffiest felines on our list. They used to keep Burmese monks company, which is where they got the adorable name from. Birmans can weigh up to 12 pounds and live 9 to 15 years.

They have an affectionate, sweet temperament and make great companions. The Birman is fluffy and requires daily brushing, but their coat is easier to maintain than that of other longhaired felines. Like Maine Coons, Birmans make chirping sounds, but they enjoy being around their family all the time and follow their owners everywhere.


6. Somali

a portrait of ruddy somali cat
Image Credit: Nataliya Kuznetsova, Shutterstock
Weight 8 to 12 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 14 years

The Somali cat is easy to recognize by their vibrant red-brown coat. They also have bushy tails and weigh up to 12 pounds as adults. Their long hair gives them a wild appearance, and their red fur and scruffy facial hair make them look “wolf-like.” Somalis don’t shed as much as most longhaired cats, but their thick fur should be brushed at least three times a week.

They love playing with humans and lounging around on the couch, but they can be mischievous. They’re intelligent enough to open cabinets and drawers, and owners typically have to cat-proof their homes to protect their curious Somali cats from injuries.


7. Turkish Van

Turkish Van
Image By: platinumportfolio, Pixabay
Weight 10 to 20 pounds
Life Expectancy 12 to 17 years

If you’re looking for a unique cat as a pet, the Turkish Van might be a good choice for you to give a forever home. They enjoy playing in the water and may join you when you’re taking a shower.

Turkish Vans can weigh up to 20 pounds and live between 12 and 17 years. In most instances, they will have one green and one blue eye, but that’s not always the case. They’re semi-longhaired cats, and unlike many longhaired felines, they only need to be brushed about once a week. Turkish Vans are intelligent and playful, and many love playing fetch with their owners.


8. Highland Fold

highland fold kitten_Sel_sanders_shutterstock
Image Credit: Sel_Sanders Shutterstock
Weight 6 to 13 pounds
Life Expectancy Around 15 years

The Highland Fold has a life expectancy of around 15 years and weighs up to 13 pounds. Although some believe the Scottish and Highland Folds are the same, they’re separate breeds with slight differences. Both were named after their folded ears, but if you want a long-haired fluffy cat, the Highland Fold is your best choice between the two.

They will get along great with adults and children, but they’re not quite as active as some of the others on our list. To keep the cat’s coat from matting and becoming tangled, it’s best to groom them once or twice a week.


9. Ragamuffin Cat

Tuxedo-Ragamuffin-Cat
Image By: Kill_Baal, Shutterstock
Weight 10 to 20 pounds
Life Expectancy Around 18 years

The Ragamuffin cat lives around 18 years on average and weighs 10 to 20 pounds. They have medium-length fur that is thick, soft, and luxurious. They’re available in several coat colors, but white and mink are two of the most popular hues.

Ragamuffins are very sweet cats that love to be close to their pet parents. They’re not very energetic and are content to hang out with you on the couch or curl up in your lap. Their coats don’t mat or tangle easily, so you can get by with minimal grooming and combing.


10. British Shorthair

Calico Scottish Fold
Image Credit: Witsawat S, Shutterstock
Weight  7 to 17 pounds
Life Expectancy 14 to 20 years

The British Shorthair weighs up to 17 pounds and has an average life expectancy of between 14 and 20 years. While they’re a shorthaired cat breed, their fluffy fur certainly makes up for not having long hair. Their dense coats require daily grooming, which will reduce the loose hair from shedding. Although they’re sweet and loving, British Shorthairs are not lap cats and don’t mind being left alone. However, they love playing games with their owners and make excellent pets.


11. Himalayan

Himalayan cat
Image Credit: Nattapong Pongpiyapan, Shutterstock
Weight 8 to 12 pounds
Life Expectancy Around 15 years

The Himalayan cat is a cross between a Persian and a Siamese and will live around 15 years. Like the Persian, the Himalayan has a thick, fluffy coat that requires daily brushing to stay healthy.

They get their fluffy long hair from their Persian parent and their pointed color pattern from their Siamese parent. They’re sweet and lazy but are wary of strangers and take time to warm up to new faces. Some cat registries refer to the Himalayan as the Himalayan Persian cat.


12. Japanese Bobtail Cat

Japanese Bobtail Cat
Image Credit: Algorithm images, Shutterstock
Weight 5 to 10 pounds
Life Expectancy 9 to 15 years

The Japanese Bobtail Cat lives up to 15 years and weighs between 5 and 10 pounds. They originated in Japan and are considered good luck in the country. They’re named after their bobbed tail, which is short and kinked. They’re beloved for their sweet demeanors and can have short or long hair. Longhaired Japanese Bobtails took longer to reach championship status by the Cat Fancier’s Association than shorthaired cats, but they were finally accepted in 1993. You should be able to get by with brushing this cat once or twice a week, but it’s best to groom them more during the shedding seasons.

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Conclusion

As you can see, there are quite a few fluffy cat breeds to choose from if you’re looking to give one a forever home. Many potential cat owners don’t realize that fluffy cats don’t have to have long hair; they can have short hair as well.

If you’re searching for a fluffy cat to give a forever home, make sure you’re ready for the intensive grooming that some of these cats require. Fluffy cats are adorable and friendly and make great companions. If you adopt one of these fluffy cats, you’ll certainly get plenty of love and loyalty in return.

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Featured Image Credit: Meriluxa, Shutterstock

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