Large cats like lions are beautiful, but let’s face it, having a lion as a pet would be a terrible idea (and illegal). However, if you’re a fan of large felines, you can find domesticated kitties resembling the large cats you love. In particular, several cat breeds have a bit of a mane like a lion, so if lions are your thing, you’ll likely adore these breeds!
Which cat breeds have manes like a lion? Here are 11 cat breeds that resemble lions. All of them are adorable, and all of them would make excellent pets.
The 11 Cat Breeds With Manes Like a Lion
1. Himalayan
| Origin: | United States |
| Lifespan: | 9 to 15 years |
| Height: | 10 to 11 inches |
As snuggly as the Birman may be, if you’re looking for the ultimate cuddly buddy, the Himalayan is just that. These fabulous felines look like fluffy Siamese with a gorgeous mane and were created by mixing Siamese and Persian cats. This breed loves to lay around in their loved ones’ laps, so you can’t get much cuddlier than them! The Himalayan is also an interesting mix of laid-back and playful due to their parentage.
2. LaPerm
| Origin: | United States |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 15 years |
| Height: | 6 to 10 inches |
The LaPerm is one of the more fascinating breeds on this list as they were a natural occurrence and not the result of crossbreeding. They also have gorgeous curly coats that make the fur around their faces mane-like. This breed is known for being loyal, loving, affectionate, and friendly. They adore spending time with their preferred humans, especially when their people play with them. Because these kitties are intelligent and energetic, they love games and learning new tricks!
3. Maine Coon
| Origin: | Maine, United States |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 15 years |
| Height: | 10 to 16 inches |
Maine Coons are one of the fluffiest felines around, so it should come as no surprise part of that fluff forms a lion’s mane. They’re also one of the larger cat breeds out there. These kitties make fantastic pets, as their hearts are as large as they are. Known for being playful, gentle, and affectionate, the breed is equally known for their “dog-like” behavior wherein they enjoy playing fetch and splashing in water. If you’ve been searching for a friendly, loving cat, the Maine Coon is a wonderful choice!
4. Norwegian Forest Cat
| Origin: | Norway |
| Lifespan: | 15 to 20 years |
| Height: | 9 to 11 inches |
If you want a hardy feline who’s a little chonky and larger than life and has one of the loveliest manes around, we recommend the Norwegian Forest Cat. This breed is an ancient one and an absolute delight to have around. Because of their past as forest kitties, this breed loves to climb, so you’ll often find them in the highest places of your home, observing the world as it goes by. They won’t spend all their time hanging out up high, though; these felines have a playful, affectionate nature and are always up for adventure!
5. Persian
| Origin: | Possibly Mesopotamia (later known as Persia, now known as Iran) |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 13 years |
| Height: | 10 to 15 inches |
If you’ve seen a Persian cat, you know exactly how floofy these felines are, and all that floof makes for a fabulous mane! These felines have been around for eons (their likeness has even been found in hieroglyphics!), and the breed is one of the most popular worldwide. That popularity isn’t surprising; these cats are stunning, gentle, laid-back, and enjoy lounging around with their people, enjoying the quiet atmosphere. Persians also aren’t particularly demanding, which makes them an easy cat breed to care for.
6. Ragamuffin
| Origin: | California, United States |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 17 years |
| Height: | 10 to 15 inches |
Ragamuffins are named as such because they very much resemble raggedy muffins. They’re muffin-shaped and incredibly fluffy, giving them a fabulous lion-like mane. They can be on the larger side and are well-known for being “Velcro” kitties. So, expect to never be alone again with one of these cats around! Their sweet, chill personality has made them quite popular, as these felines love to curl up with you anywhere and anytime. Despite their Velcro-ness and laid-back personalities, the breed is fine being on their own during the day and loves to play!
7. Ragdoll
| Origin: | California, United States |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 15 years |
| Height: | 9 to 11 inches |
It seems there’s a correlation between having a mane like a lion and being cuddly because the Ragdoll, like other felines on this list, is both of those things. These kitties are named after their tendency to simply melt into a flop when picked up and have fantastically gentle and docile personalities. They love to cuddle, and they love to follow their people every single place they go. These cats want to be doing whatever you’re doing, no matter what!
8. Siberian
| Origin: | Russia |
| Lifespan: | 11 to 18 years |
| Height: | 17 to 25 inches |
Siberian cats may be the largest breed on our list. These giant felines hail from Russia and are covered in fur, which is used to protect them from the cold. This means they sport an excellent mane like a lion. The breed is highly intelligent and excellent at solving problems, so you can keep them mentally stimulated by hiding treats and letting them figure out how to get to them. They’re also sweet, loyal, and affectionate, with a love of playing games.
9. Somali
| Origin: | Unknown |
| Lifespan: | 9 to 16 years |
| Height: | 7 to 11 inches |
You may be surprised to see the Somali on this list, but as long-haired felines, they can acquire a nice lion-like mane! A cousin to the Abyssinian, this cat isn’t suitable for those looking for a cuddle buddy. These felines are energetic, playful, inquisitive, and tons of fun to have around. They’re also the equivalent of having an actual child in your home. There will be no whiling away the hours napping on the sofa with the Somali. Instead, you can expect them to follow you around, seeking attention and getting into everything they can get their paws on. This feline breed isn’t right for everyone, but they make fantastic pets for the right people.
10. Turkish Angora
| Origin: | Turkey |
| Lifespan: | 15 to 20 years |
| Height: | 9 to 14 inches |
These pretty kitties may be less familiar to you than others on our list, but you should get familiar with them and their lovely lion manes! These friendly, intelligent felines have unlimited energy, so they do best in active households. A sweet and affectionate breed, the Turkish Angora bonds closely with their people and doesn’t enjoy being left on their own for long periods. With their love of socializing and playing, they’re a perfect breed for homes with lots of people around.
11. Birman
| Origin: | Burma (now Myanmar) |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 16 years |
| Height: | 8 to 10 inches |
These cute kitties may be best known for their distinctive coat color, called Mink, and unique color points that make them somewhat resemble the Siamese cat. However, they also have beautiful, floofy manes around their face, making them look like lions. The Birman is also well-known for having a “dog-like” nature, which simply means this breed is incredibly social and affectionate. With one of these felines in your home, you’ll never walk alone because they will follow you wherever you go! If you’re seeking a cuddly mini-lion of your own, this is the breed for you!
Conclusion
You may not be able to own an actual lion, but you can certainly own a domesticated feline with a mane like a lion, and that’s pretty good. All the cats on this list make wonderful pets, as they’re all sweet and friendly. Many of them are extra cuddly if that’s what you’re looking for, but you can find a more active and playful lion-maned cat if that’s what you want. Whichever breed you choose, your home is sure to be brightened by any of these gorgeous felines!
Featured Image Credit: ANURAK PONGPATIMET, Shutterstock
The 11 Cat Breeds With Manes Like a Lion
6 Responses
You left out one breed, which has a big ruff; the Nebelung. I owned one for 15 wonderful year. He looked like a gray lion
Hi David,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment!
You're absolutely right about the Nebelung, and we appreciate you bringing it to our attention. Our editorial team will review and add this majestic breed, especially with its beautiful ruff!
It sounds like your Nebelung was a wonderful companion, and we love hearing about your experience. Feel free to share more about him — we always enjoy hearing from our readers!
Our Tonkenise cat has the silkiest fur we have, ever seen. He istruly beautiful and has the most amazing blue eyes.
He is an absolute scaredy cat! He won’t even go in the lanai!
How long can we expect this male to live?
Hi Claudette, he sounds like a darling! There are many factors that can impact a cat's life, but on average, a Tonkinese cat will live 12-16 years.
What about the Somali?
Hi Fiona,
Thank you for your comment!
You can find the Somali cat featured in the #10 spot of our ranking.
It's great to see so much interest in our blog, and we love hearing from readers like you! Please feel free to keep commenting and sharing your thoughts.
We look forward to hearing more from you!