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'Majestic' 28lb cat called Zeus is 4ft 3in, eats raw meat but is a 'gentle giant'
Zeus, a Maine Coon cat owned by Daniela Ermolaeva and her partner Liviu, who live in Moldova, weighs 13kg and stands at 130cm (4ft 3in) when he stands on his back paws
A "majestic" feline named Zeus, tipping the scales at a whopping 28lb and towering over four feet when he stretches up, has become an internet sensation. Daniela Ermolaeva, a 33 year old IT whizz, had always fantasised about owning a Maine Coon but figured it was just wishful thinking – that is until her other half, Liviu, gifted her with Zeus in 2021.
Despite his intimidating stature, weighing in at 13kg and standing 130cm (4ft 3in) tall on his hind legs while reaching for a snack, Daniela insists Zeus is "the sweetest cat" you could meet.
This "gentle giant" isn't just about size; he's got skills too, performing tricks like giving paw, high-fiving, and even hitting buttons to snag treats. He snoozes on a bed fit for a husky, which still can't contain his luxurious tail.
Daniela takes pride in sharing this "fantastic creature" with the world via social media @zeus. mainecoon.official, where his antics have captivated millions.
She said: "He's a very good actor, but he is a cat. He will do something for 10 seconds and then he wants to lay down and is like, 'Give me food, please. I'm Zeus, I'm a majestic cat'."
Hailing from Moldova, Daniela has been an animal lover through and through. As a child, she marvelled at Maine Coons – the largest breed of domestic cats – imagining them as creatures straight out of a storybook, never really believing one would become part of her life.
"I was fascinated by this breed, but it was not an available option in my life at that moment," she reminisced. "That just stayed in the back of my mind, and I thought, someday, maybe, I will fulfil this dream."
Daniela shared her dream of owning a Maine Coon with her partner, asserting that she didn't "need presents like jewellery or fancy cars". However, even he was sceptical about the feasibility of caring for such a colossal feline.
But with Liviu's backing, Daniela delved into researching the breed's traits and spent a quarter of a year hunting for the perfect Maine Coon. The moment she laid eyes on a photo of Zeus, who was up for sale, she knew he was the one.
"I saw a story online about this little kitten with these big eyes, a big tail, and I just knew it was him," she recalled. She urged her boyfriend to put down a minimum deposit to secure the kitten, and he surprised her by bringing the tiny furball home.
In 2021, Daniela met Zeus for the first time – even as a kitten, he dwarfed their eight year old rescue cat, Mata (pronounced Mitza). By his first birthday, Zeus tipped the scales at 10kg and has been packing on an extra kilo each year since.
"Nobody believed that he could get bigger, but every year he has gained one more kilogram," she revealed. "So now, at four years old, he is 13kg – he's huge."
Daniela noted that Maine Coons typically continue growing until they hit five years, suggesting that Zeus is likely to reach a whopping 14kg. Maine Coons are known for their grand, tufted ears, sharp-witted gaze, luxurious fur, and impressive tails that they can curl around themselves for warmth, according to Purina.
These felines usually tip the scales between 4.8kg and 8.2kg, so Zeus is tipping the heavier end, with his nose-to-tail measurement hitting a whopping 120cm (4ft).
When Zeus stands tall on his hind legs, front paws outstretched as if he's begging for a snack, he towers at 130cm (4ft 3in), almost eye-to-eye with Daniela who stands at 5ft 3in.
His diet is no joke either; he wolfs down 500g of grub each day, which includes 250g of raw beef, top-notch dry food, and treats that can add up to 50g. "It is very expensive for the maintenance of a Maine Coon," Daniela confessed.
She couldn't pin down the exact figures, but she hinted: "While I can't give any specific numbers on how much I spend in total per month, everything he needs – food, grooming, toys, veterinary care – if you multiply the maintenance expenses of a regular cat by three, you'll get an idea."
Despite his intimidating stature, Zeus is quite the gentle giant, according to Daniela. He's "mellow and quiet" and has even buddied up with the neighbour's Golden Retriever.
Daily Star Sunday
Zeus, a Maine Coon cat owned by Daniela Ermolaeva and her partner Liviu, who live in Moldova, weighs 13kg and stands at 130cm (4ft 3in) when he stands on his back paws
A "majestic" feline named Zeus, tipping the scales at a whopping 28lb and towering over four feet when he stretches up, has become an internet sensation. Daniela Ermolaeva, a 33 year old IT whizz, had always fantasised about owning a Maine Coon but figured it was just wishful thinking – that is until her other half, Liviu, gifted her with Zeus in 2021.
Despite his intimidating stature, weighing in at 13kg and standing 130cm (4ft 3in) tall on his hind legs while reaching for a snack, Daniela insists Zeus is "the sweetest cat" you could meet.
This "gentle giant" isn't just about size; he's got skills too, performing tricks like giving paw, high-fiving, and even hitting buttons to snag treats. He snoozes on a bed fit for a husky, which still can't contain his luxurious tail.
Daniela takes pride in sharing this "fantastic creature" with the world via social media @zeus. mainecoon.official, where his antics have captivated millions.
She said: "He's a very good actor, but he is a cat. He will do something for 10 seconds and then he wants to lay down and is like, 'Give me food, please. I'm Zeus, I'm a majestic cat'."
Hailing from Moldova, Daniela has been an animal lover through and through. As a child, she marvelled at Maine Coons – the largest breed of domestic cats – imagining them as creatures straight out of a storybook, never really believing one would become part of her life.
"I was fascinated by this breed, but it was not an available option in my life at that moment," she reminisced. "That just stayed in the back of my mind, and I thought, someday, maybe, I will fulfil this dream."
Daniela shared her dream of owning a Maine Coon with her partner, asserting that she didn't "need presents like jewellery or fancy cars". However, even he was sceptical about the feasibility of caring for such a colossal feline.
But with Liviu's backing, Daniela delved into researching the breed's traits and spent a quarter of a year hunting for the perfect Maine Coon. The moment she laid eyes on a photo of Zeus, who was up for sale, she knew he was the one.
"I saw a story online about this little kitten with these big eyes, a big tail, and I just knew it was him," she recalled. She urged her boyfriend to put down a minimum deposit to secure the kitten, and he surprised her by bringing the tiny furball home.
In 2021, Daniela met Zeus for the first time – even as a kitten, he dwarfed their eight year old rescue cat, Mata (pronounced Mitza). By his first birthday, Zeus tipped the scales at 10kg and has been packing on an extra kilo each year since.
"Nobody believed that he could get bigger, but every year he has gained one more kilogram," she revealed. "So now, at four years old, he is 13kg – he's huge."
Daniela noted that Maine Coons typically continue growing until they hit five years, suggesting that Zeus is likely to reach a whopping 14kg. Maine Coons are known for their grand, tufted ears, sharp-witted gaze, luxurious fur, and impressive tails that they can curl around themselves for warmth, according to Purina.
These felines usually tip the scales between 4.8kg and 8.2kg, so Zeus is tipping the heavier end, with his nose-to-tail measurement hitting a whopping 120cm (4ft).
When Zeus stands tall on his hind legs, front paws outstretched as if he's begging for a snack, he towers at 130cm (4ft 3in), almost eye-to-eye with Daniela who stands at 5ft 3in.
His diet is no joke either; he wolfs down 500g of grub each day, which includes 250g of raw beef, top-notch dry food, and treats that can add up to 50g. "It is very expensive for the maintenance of a Maine Coon," Daniela confessed.
She couldn't pin down the exact figures, but she hinted: "While I can't give any specific numbers on how much I spend in total per month, everything he needs – food, grooming, toys, veterinary care – if you multiply the maintenance expenses of a regular cat by three, you'll get an idea."
Despite his intimidating stature, Zeus is quite the gentle giant, according to Daniela. He's "mellow and quiet" and has even buddied up with the neighbour's Golden Retriever.
Daily Star Sunday