Barivel The Maine Coon: Longest Domestic Cat (2024)

Barivel the Maine Coon has become a legend among cat lovers for being the longest cat in the world!

This enormous cat has also brought a lot of attention to the Maine Coon breed, leading many people to desire a Maine Coon of their very own.

In 2018, Barivel set the record for the longest living domestic cat in the world. Measuring a total of 3 feet and 11.5 inches, or 120 centimeters, Barivel stunned cat lovers across the world with his incredible size. The only cats to even come close to Barivel’s size today are all Maine Coons, proving just how massive this breed is.

Barivel the Maine Coon still holds the record for longest living domestic cat, although many Maine Coons have tried to surpass his enormous size.

If you wish you had a cat as huge as Barivel, read on to learn how you can find a cat that matches his impressive size.

Barivel The Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is one of the most famous breeds in the world, and these cats are only becoming more popular with each passing year.

Their main claim to fame is their enormous size; while the average domestic cat only weighs between 7 and 10 pounds, Maine Coons typically weigh between 8 and 25 pounds!

These cats originated naturally in the cold state of Maine, where they developed long, thick fur to keep them warm in the winter.

This breed’s enormous, majestic appearance is not the only reason they are so popular, though. Maine Coons are also famous for their gentle, loving personalities.

One cat that has helped the Maine Coon breed become even more popular is Barivel.

Barivel became world-famous for his enormous size, and even four years after his initial rise in popularity, people are still dying to learn more about him.

Below is a short video of Barivel the Maine Coon cat, from the Guinness World Records Youtube channel:

Barivel Maine Coon Facts

Here are some Barivel facts to help you get more acquainted with this incredible cat:

1. Breed

Ever since he became famous for his record-breaking length, people all over the world have wondered about the Barivel breed, so they can find a cat just like him.

Barivel is a Maine Coon cat, the largest domesticated cat breed in the entire world.

Of course, while Barivel is much bigger than the average Maine Coon, he is still the perfect cat to represent all the amazing qualities of this cat breed.

Barivel is not a breed of cat, but instead the name given to this impressively long cat by his owners.

2. Famous for Being the Longest Cat in the World

Barivel’s owners always knew that he was special – not only was he incredibly calm and loving, but they were also shocked at just how massive he was.

On May 22nd, 2018, experts from Guinness World Records verified Barivel’s length. They were able to determine once and for all that he was the longest domestic cat living.

Barivel is the world’s biggest house cat!

3. Barivel Size

The average Maine Coon measures between 19 and 40 inches long, and while this is already well above the average length of a cat, Barivel completely blew that statistic out of the water!

Barivel was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2018, for being the longest domestic cat.

He claimed this title from another Maine Coon cat, named Ludo (meet Ludo here) whom measured 46.6 inches long.

Barivel’s length is as follows, depending upon which metric you prefer:

• 3 feet and 11.5 inches
• 120 cm
• 47.2 Inches

As you can see, Barivel won the record for being the longest-living house cat by just 0.6 inches!

Since Barivel was awarded the title longest living house cat by the Guinness World Records in 2018, no other cat has yet beaten his epic length.

However, that doesn’t mean the challenge isn’t impossible! Since Stewie officially holds the record for the longest cat, yet sadly he passed some years back.

Barivel may be the longest living domestic cat, but he has not quite surpassed the all-time record for the longest cat ever recorded.

That honor goes to Stewie, a Maine Coon who measured a total length of 4 feet and 0.5 inches, or 123 centimeters.

Sadly, Stewie passed away in 2013, when he was just 8 years old.

While everybody knows the length of Barivel, his weight and height were never publicly announced.

This is because The Guinness Book of World Records once recorded cat size by weight, however, they eventually decided to measure length, instead.

While a cat’s weight is generally a good indicator of its size, experts realized that it might encourage owners to overfeed their cats in order to break records.

How tall is Barivel? Unfortunately, this information has not yet been made public by his owners.

4. Age

Barivel was born in 2016, meaning he was just two years old when he was originally measured for The Guinness Book of World Records. This makes Barivel age 6 years old, in 2023.

Considering the average Maine Coon lifespan is 12 – 15 years, Barivel is likely to retain the record for being the longest house cat alive for a few more years, at least!

While most cats reach their full size between one and two years old, Maine Coons have a much slower growth rate and do not reach their full size until they are between three and five years old.

As a result, while Barivel was measured at 3 feet and 11.2 inches when he first broke the record, he eventually reached his full size at 3 feet and 11.5 inches.

5. Color

Barivel looks brown, but among breeders, he is known as a black classic tabby.

This is because a tabby cat’s color is determined by the color of its stripes, rather than the color of the rest of its fur.

While Maine Coons can come in a huge variety of colors and patterns, black classic tabbies are the most common.

Of course, Barivel is anything but common!

Even though he may have one of the most common Maine Coon colorations, his classic tabby pattern results in thick, bold stripes that form a gorgeous bull’s eye on both sides.

Learn more about the Maine Coon color types, here.

6. Where Does He Live?

While Maine Coons originated in the United States, this popular breed has catteries and breeders all over the world. Click here to see a trusted list of Maine Coon cat breeders.

Barivel lives in the town of Vigevano, located in the province of Pavia, Italy, just south of Milan.

7. Who Are His Owners?

Barivel’s owners, Chinzia Tinnirello and Edgar Skandurr, always knew that Barivel was a special cat.

He lives with the happy couple and their children, where he is beloved for his charming, shy nature.

Even though Barivel is world-famous, he has never liked being the center of attention and prefers cuddling with his family.

Still, his owners like to take him on walks outside in a little buggy, where passersby always ask for photos with the huge cat!

Barivel’s owners are always happy to comply, so long as Barivel is comfortable being in the spotlight for a few moments.

According to the Guinness World Records website, Barivels owner, Edgar, said the following:

“He is a very special cat for us because he is a little shy… when people see him they are very shocked, but for us he is a little gift… a big gift!”.

You might be amused to learn that whilst the meaning of Barivel in general terms, stands for honesty, sacrificer, and admirer, in Edgar’s local Italian dialect, the name Barivel means joker or clown! (source 1).

Whether the owners hoped their Maine Coon kitten would be larger than life, like many male Maine Coon personalities are, we don’t know.

However, since Barivel has actually grown to be quite shy, the suggestion that he is a clown or a joker makes his name even more comical and ironic!

8. Number of Followers

If you love hearing about Barivel’s life, and seeing his Maine Coon cat pictures, why not follow him on Instagram account: @barivel_maine_coon

Barivel’s owners quickly realized how loved Barivel was around the world, so decided to share their special cat with the whole world by making a social media page for Barivel, the longest Maine Coon cat on Instagram.

His Instagram profile is @barivel_maine_coon, where he has a total of 6,333 followers (figure accurate as of May 2023).

His owners post all sorts of pictures of this lovely cat, as well as his other adorable cat siblings, who are all Maine Coons, as well.

Is Barivel Still Alive?

Barivel holds the record for being the longest cat in the world, and is still very much alive! (Fact checked: May 2023).

Barivel is a six-year-old Maine Coon cat, so we hope he has many years left in him.

Most Maine Coons live between 12 and 15 years old, provided they are given access to quality cat food and regular medical care, so Barivel should have many more happy years left in him.

Since Barivel is still relatively young, he is likely to retain the 2018 Guinness World Record for being the longest cat alive for many more years.

Barivel’s owners make sure to provide him with a high quality diet, especially since this large cat loves proteins like:

• Chicken
• Tuna
• Other Fish

They also take him for walks outside in a little buggy, so he can experience the outdoors without facing the potential dangers of the wilderness.

Even though he’s huge, even the strongest of Maine Coons can succumb to infection, disease, and injury from wild animals.

Keeping Barivel indoors with plenty of enrichment and high-quality food will ensure that this special cat will live for many long years.

What Is A Barivel Cat?

Many people want to find the Barivel cat breed, so they can have a cat just as enormous as he is.

Those who already know a lot about cats often wonder, is Barivel a Maine Coon, after they learn about his immense size.

Barivel is in fact a Maine Coon, which is the largest domestic cat breed in the entire world.

If you want a pet as huge as Barivel, cats like Norwegian Forest Cats and Siberians are also quite large, but Maine Coons are still the biggest by far.

Unfortunately, since Barivel is a unique record-breaker, there is no guarantee that you will be able to find a Maine Coon just as big as he is.

Still, size isn’t all that matters; Maine Coons are also incredibly popular for their loving, easygoing personalities.

How Much Is A Barivel Cat?

If you want a Maine Coon similar to a Barivel cat, price is, unfortunately, one of the most difficult factors.

Maine Coon cats are not easy to come by as strays or shelter cats, so most people source them from registered breeders like these.

Raising Maine Coons takes a lot of time and money, though, so breeders must charge a high fee.

Here are the different prices of Maine Coon cats, ranked from cheapest to most expensive:

Free Cats

The cheapest way to source a Maine Coon is to find one for free. However, this is certainly the most difficult way to find a Maine Coon, as well.

Only about 1 to 3% of cats in the wild are any kind of breed, so finding a stray that just so happens to be a purebred Maine Coon is no easy feat!

However, you may also find free Maine Coons from owners who need to rehome their Maine Coon, or who end up with an accidental litter of kittens.

Don’t give up though, as here are 10 places to find a Maine Coon cat for free.

Shelter And Rescue Cats

An easier way to find a Maine Coon is through an animal shelter or a rescue center.

Mixed and purebred Maine Coons can occasionally show up in shelters, which typically charge between $100 and $250 per cat.

Maine Coon rescue centers, which focus solely on rehoming mixed or purebred Maine Coons, generally charge between $150 and $400.

While this is probably the most reliable way to find a cheap Maine Coon, it can take some time and patience to actually find one.

Unregistered Breeders

Unregistered breeders have not been vetted by a governing cat body such as TICA or CFA.

This comes with some degree of risk, as there is no guarantee they provide safe, clean environments for their cats.

Furthermore, many unregistered breeders use Maine Coons as a means of making quick money, and they may lie about a cat’s pedigree status.

Maine Coons from unregistered breeders are also more likely to suffer from genetically inherited conditions such as:

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Unregistered breeders will usually sell Maine Coons for between $500 and $1,000.

Adult Cats From Registered Breeders

Breeders that have been registered through TICA or CFA usually focus on selling kittens, but sometimes, they will sell retired breeding cats or show cats.

Registered breeders typically sell senior and adult cats for about $1,200 to $1,600.

Kittens From Registered Breeders

Albeit the most expensive option, purchasing a kitten from a registered breeder is the surest way to get a kitten that is healthy and raised in a safe environment.

Breeders can charge anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on the cat’s bloodline, coloration, and patterns.

However, most Maine Coon kittens only cost between $1,000 and $2,500.

For an up-to-date list of Maine Coon cat prices click here to read my article.

How Big Is A Barivel Cat?

Barivel is famous for being the world’s biggest house cat.

He measures an incredible 120cm in length and has been awarded the Guinness World Record for being the longest house cat alive.

If you do the maths, that equates to a whopping 3 feet and 11 inches in length. Now that is a seriously LONG CAT!

Barivel is a Maine Coon, a cat breed that is thought to have originated in Maine, United States.

Maine Coon cats weigh between 8 lbs – 25 lbs, with the male Maine Coon usually achieving 15 – 25 lbs. The female Maine Coon cat tends to be smaller, weighing 8 – 12 lbs.

Many people wrongly assume that there is a Barivel cat breed, but this is incorrect since no such cat breed exists.

Learn some fascinating Maine Coon cat breed information in this article.

Are All Maine Coon Cats Big?

Many potential buyers search high and low for a Maine Coon kitten that will someday become a giant Maine Coon cat.

Whilst the average Maine Coon size is 8 – 25 lbs, it is impossible to be 100% sure that the Maine Coon kitten you purchase or adopt will grow bigger than these Maine Coon dimensions.

If you are wondering, are all Maine Coon cats as big as Barivel, the quick answer is no.

Barivel’s length is not common among Maine Coon cats who usually only measure 19 – 40 inches in length.

Reaching Barivels 47.2 inches in length is a staggering 7.2 inches longer than even the longest Maine Coons usually reach.

Giant Maine Coon cats that exceed the standard Maine Coon sizing are rare, but when compared to the normal cat size, it is immediately clear that Maine Coons grow pretty big!

Take a look at the infographic I produced below, so you get a better understanding of just how big Maine Coon cats grow, compared to a standard sized moggy cat:

How Big Is The Largest House Cat In The World?

The largest house cat in the world is currently a Maine Coon cat named Barivel.

This six-year-old cat became famous overnight when he was awarded the title of being the longest domestic cat in the world, having been measured as 47.2 inches! (120cm in length).

Maine Coon cats grow exceedingly slowly, not reaching their full-size until 3-5 years of age.

Since Barivel was measured when he was just 2 years old, it is likely that Barivel is now far longer!

We look forward to seeing Barivel compete in future Guinness World Records, so we can discover his full-size Maine Coon dimensions!

If you are wondering how to make your Maine Coon cat grow bigger than average, check out this article.

What Is The Largest Maine Coon Cat On Record?

How big is the biggest Maine Coon cat?

If you want to learn about the biggest domestic cat in the world, 2021 Guinness World Records still states Barivel as the biggest Maine Coon alive.

He measures a total length of 3 feet and 11.5 inches!

The title for largest cat in recorded history, however, goes to another Maine Coon named Stewie, who measured 4 feet and 0.5 inches.

Sadly, Stewie died in 2013, and the title of biggest domestic cat alive has been passed on to Barivel.

What Is The Heaviest Maine Coon Cat On Record?

Today, Guinness World Records record cat size based on length rather than weight. This way, owners are not encouraged to overfeed their cats to break records.

Still, measuring healthy Maine Coons based on weight is a good way to estimate their size.

The heaviest recorded Maine Coon right now is Ludo, who weighs an incredible 34 pounds. This is well above the average weight for Maine Coons, who typically weigh between 8 and 25 pounds.

As heavy as he may be, though, Ludo is not quite long enough to hold the record for largest domestic cat today.

In 2015, after Stewie’s passing, Ludo was crowned the longest domestic cat when he measured a total of 3 feet and 10.59 inches.

Three years later, however, Barivel stole the crown when he was measured at 3 feet and 11.2 inches long (source 1).

Most Famous Maine Coon

There are dozens of popular Maine Coons all over social media sites such as Instagram and TikTok.

The most famous Maine Coon, however, is probably Stewie.

This gentle giant was the longest cat in recorded history, and nearly ten years after his death, no cat has been able to surpass his incredible size.

Many other Maine Coon cats have become famous, as you will discover if you read this awesome article.

How To Tell If Your Cat Is A Maine Coon

Only about 1 to 3% of cats are actually from a specific breed, so most cats are either domestic:

• Shorthairs
• Medium hairs
• Longhairs

Just because a cat is big, friendly, and has long fur does not mean it is a Maine Coon.

Still, if you think your cat may be partly or even purebred Maine Coon, here are some ways you can identify your cat’s heritage:

1. Size

Barivel stunned cat owners all over the world when he was measured at a total length of 3 feet and 11.5 inches.

If you are comparing Barivel vs Maine Coon cats, though, you will soon realize that not all Maine Coons are quite as massive.

Since Maine Coons can weigh between 8 and 25 pounds on average, some cats of this breed are normal-sized in comparison to the average house cat, which typically weighs between 7 and 11 pounds.

Still, if you have an extra-large cat, this may be a good indicator that your cat is a Maine Coon.

2. Paw Size

Maine Coons also have much larger paws in proportion to their bodies.

Since they originated in the snowy state of Maine, they developed wide paws to help them walk on snow.

Maine Coons are also more likely to be polydactyl than many other cat breeds, meaning some of them have extra toes.

Do all Maine Coon cats have big paws? Find out HERE.

3. Fur

Maine Coons have a shaggy, three-layered coat, and their fur varies from medium to long throughout the body.

Their fur is dense and semi-water repellant.

Maine Coons also tend to have longer fur around their:

• Shoulders
• Neck
• Tails
• Backside

Some Maine Coons even have long tufts of fur around their paws and on the tips of their ears.

4. Square Body Shape

Many cats are known for having tubular bodies and round features.

Maine Coons, however, typically have a “wild” appearance, with a square, sturdy body and a chiseled muzzle.

5. Personality

Maine Coons are a lot more than just their looks. Part of what makes this breed so unique is its personality.

Maine Coons are famous for being incredibly:

• Gentle
• Loyal
• Loving

They are very patient with children, cats, and even dogs. This makes them an ideal family pet.

Furthermore, they are known to be incredibly playful and intelligent; some even learn how to play fetch and do tricks!

Another little quirk about Maine Coons is their love of water; most cats of this breed not only tolerate water but love to play in it.

Some Maine Coons are known to play with running water or even go swimming!

Discover more about the Maine Coon characteristics and personality traits, in this article.

6. Vocality

Cats may be famous for meowing, but the unusual Maine Coon has a unique voice.

Listen to this Youtube video of our male Maine Coon cat Pippin talking to his owner.

These cats tend to be pretty chatty, but rather than meowing, they usually chirp or trill.

While typically not obnoxious, Maine Coons do like to have “conversations” with their owners, particularly if they are hungry or want attention.

7. Genetic Testing

Usually, there is no way to know for sure if your cat is a Maine Coon unless you have official papers from a governing cat body.

Thankfully, it is possible to know for sure if your cat is purebred or partly Maine Coon through a simple DNA test.

Companies such as Basepaws and Wisdom Panel allow you to send in a sample of your cat’s DNA (typically through a cheek swab).

After a waiting period, you will be able to see what breeds have been detected from your cat’s DNA, as well as potential genetic disorders they may be at risk for (sources 1,2).

How To Buy A Maine Coon

If you are searching online for a Barivel Maine Coon for sale, you may be overwhelmed with the results.

Unfortunately, many irresponsible and unregistered breeders can pop up in search results, leading to scams.

The best way to buy a Maine Coon is to find one through a:

• Shelter
• Rescue Center
• Registered Breeder

Animal shelters and Maine Coon rescue centers take in cats in need of a home and will offer them to potential owners for about $100 to $400.

This is certainly a cheaper option, but keep in mind that it can take a while to find a cat that is available.

The most reliable way to purchase a purebred Maine Coon is through a breeder that has been registered through a governing cat body like:

• TICA
• CFA
• ACFA

If you find a breeder that claims to be registered, you can cross-reference through the governing cat body’s site, or even send an email to ensure you are purchasing from a registered and responsible breeder.

Conclusion

Barivel the Maine Coon has become famous for holding the record for longest domestic cat alive.

Measuring a grand total of 3 feet and 11.5 inches, this massive cat has inspired many cat lovers to buy a Maine Coon of their very own.

Most Maine Coons only measure between 19 and 40 inches long, but even if you do not get a Maine Coon quite as big as Barivel, you will still have the pleasure of living with a social, loving, and intelligent cat.

Related Questions

How To Spell Maine Coon

Many people call this breed “Mane” Coons, thinking their name refers to the ruff of long fur around their necks. However, their name actually comes from the state of Maine, where the breed originated.

What Is A Cameo Maine Coon?

Cameo Maine Coons have a base of white fur, with red tipping on the end of each strand. Cameo Maine Coons can come in shell, shaded, or smoke, which all have various degrees of tipping (source 1).

How To Get A Maine Coon To Like You

The best way to get a Maine Coon to like you is to respect its space. Cats appreciate people who respect your boundaries, so it is best to let a Maine Coon come to you before cuddling it.

Are Maine Coons Dangerous?

While any cat bite can lead to a serious infection, Maine Coons are not known for being dangerous. In fact, they are one of the sweetest, most gentle cat breeds in the world.

** Please note that the featured image on this article is not a picture of Barivel the Maine Coon cat, but simply a similar-looking cat.