The Colossal Kings: Unveiling The World Record Largest Maine Coon Cats (Current & All-Time)

The Maine Coon, affectionately known as the "Gentle Giant," is a breed celebrated globally for its stunning looks, sociable personality, and, most notably, its immense size. As of today, December 10, 2025, the title for the longest domestic cat—a record almost exclusively held by this magnificent breed—is split between a current living champion and an all-time legend, both of whom have stretched the limits of what a house cat can be.

The quest for the world's largest feline often centers on length, measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. This article dives deep into the biographies of these colossal kings, explores a surprising new 2025 record update, and explains the unique growth patterns that allow Maine Coons to reach such staggering dimensions.

The Reigning Giants: Barivel and Stewie's Record-Breaking Length

The Guinness World Records maintains two distinct categories for the longest domestic cat: the "Longest domestic cat ever" and the "Longest domestic cat living." Both titles belong to a Maine Coon, showcasing the breed's dominance in the realm of feline size.

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Mymains Stewart Gilligan (Stewie): The All-Time Record Holder

Stewie is the undisputed king of length and holds the title for the Longest domestic cat ever recorded. His record has stood since 2010, cementing his legacy as a true giant among house cats.

• Full Name: Mymains Stewart Gilligan (aka Stewie)
• Record Title: Longest domestic cat ever
• Record Measurement: 123 cm (48.5 inches)
• Verification Date: August 28, 2010
• Location: Reno, Nevada, USA
• Owners: Robin Hendrickson and Erik Brandsness
• Notable Fact: Stewie was a certified therapy cat, using his gentle nature and impressive size to comfort patients at a local senior center.
• Status: Deceased (Passed away in 2013)

Barivel: The Longest Living Domestic Cat

Barivel, a majestic Maine Coon from Italy, is the current verified record holder for the Longest domestic cat living. While slightly shorter than Stewie's all-time record, his 120 cm length is still awe-inspiring—nearly four feet long!

• Full Name: Barivel
• Record Title: Longest domestic cat living
• Record Measurement: 120 cm (3 ft 11.2 in or 47.2 inches)
• Verification Date: May 22, 2018
• Location: Vigevano, Pavia, Italy
• Owners: Edgar and Cinzia Vesuviano
• Notable Fact: Barivel's name means "clown" or "joker" in the local dialect, which is ironic given his reportedly quiet and shy demeanor. He is often seen being pushed around in a custom-built stroller.
• Status: Current record holder (living)

A Fresh 2025 Record: The Longest Tail on a Living Cat

The Maine Coon breed's incredible size is not limited to body length. The breed is also known for its magnificent, bushy tail, which has led to another recent world record. This is a crucial update to ensure the information is fresh and unique, moving beyond the well-known 2018 record.

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In a testament to the breed's impressive appendages, a two-year-old Maine Coon named Pugsley, from Minnesota, USA, was recently verified as the holder of the Guinness World Record for the Longest tail on a domestic cat, living.

• Full Name: Pugsley
• Record Title: Longest tail on a domestic cat, living
• Verification Date: March 26, 2025
• Location: Minnesota, USA
• Breed: Maine Coon
• Significance: This record highlights that the Maine Coon's giant status extends to every part of its anatomy, from its tufted ears to its impressively long, raccoon-like tail.

The previous record for the longest tail ever was held by another Maine Coon named Cygnus, whose tail measured an astonishing 17.58 inches (44.65 cm). The ongoing competition in this category further solidifies the Maine Coon as the ultimate record-breaker in domestic cat size.

Why Do Maine Coon Cats Get So Big? Exploring Growth Stages and Genetics

The immense size of the record-holding Maine Coons is an extreme example of the breed's natural predisposition for gigantism. Understanding the unique Maine Coon growth stages helps explain why they dwarf the average domestic cat, which typically measures around 30 inches in length and weighs about 10 pounds.

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The Slow-Burn Growth Cycle

Unlike most cat breeds that reach their full size by 12 months, Maine Coons are slow-maturing felines. They continue to grow and "fill out" for an extended period, often reaching their full adult size and weight between three and five years of age.

This prolonged growth phase allows their skeletal structure and musculature to develop far beyond that of a typical cat. A male Maine Coon can easily weigh between 13 and 18 pounds, and some larger specimens can even exceed 25 pounds, which is a significant difference from the average feline.

Key Growth Milestones:

• Kitten Stage (0-6 months): Rapid initial growth, though still smaller than other breeds at the same age.
• Adolescent Stage (6-12 months): Significant lengthening and height gain. A 6-month-old male can weigh 6–11 pounds.
• Filling Out Stage (1-3 years): Growth slows down, but the cat continues to gain muscle mass and girth, achieving the breed's signature robust build.
• Full Maturity (3-5 years): The cat finally stops growing, having achieved its full, gentle giant status.

Maine Coon vs. The Competition: Other Large Domestic Cat Breeds

While the Maine Coon holds a near-monopoly on the "longest cat" record, it is essential to place its size into context by comparing it to other large domestic cat breeds. This comparison provides topical authority and addresses the question of whether any other feline can challenge the Maine Coon's colossal status.

The Maine Coon is often cited as the largest domestic cat breed by length and overall size, but there are a few contenders:

• The Savannah Cat: Often considered the tallest domestic cat breed, the Savannah is a hybrid of a domestic cat and an African Serval. They are known for their height and lean, muscular build. The tallest living domestic cat, Fenrir Antares Powers, is a Savannah cat, measuring 47.83 cm (18.83 in) in height.
• The Norwegian Forest Cat: Another large, long-haired breed from a cold climate, the Norwegian Forest Cat is comparable in weight but generally shorter in length than the Maine Coon, typically weighing up to 20 pounds.
• The Siberian Cat: This breed is also a large, robust cat, but typically falls into a slightly smaller weight and length bracket than the Maine Coon, with males weighing up to 22 pounds.

In the end, the Maine Coon's combination of immense length, substantial weight, and dense, shaggy coat makes it appear as the true gentle giant of the domestic cat world. The records set by Stewie and Barivel remain the gold standard, inspiring countless owners to measure their own magnificent felines in the hopes of dethroning the colossal kings.