Posted on 04/29/2025 9:12:46 PM PDT by Red Badger
A Maine Coon named Zeus has taken the internet by storm, earning millions of views across social media platforms with his sheer size and playful antics. Standing at an impressive 4 feet tall when on his back legs, Zeus is not your typical house cat. This gentle giant has captured the hearts of millions, and his owner, Daniela Ermolaeva, couldn’t be more proud of the attention her beloved pet is receiving, as highlighted in a recent feature by The Independent.
Zeus, weighing 13 kg (around 28.6 pounds), has quickly become a sensation on Instagram under the handle @zeus.mainecoon.official. His rise to fame began when a video of him standing on his hind legs and performing tricks went viral, amassing millions of views in just a week. Today, his videos continue to rack up views in the tens of millions, solidifying his place as a social media superstar.
A Dream Come True for Daniela
For Daniela, Zeus was a dream come true. Having always admired the Maine Coon breed for their large size and striking appearance, she never thought owning one would be a reality. That changed in 2021 when her partner, Liviu, surprised her with Zeus. The moment Daniela laid eyes on the giant kitten, she knew it was fate. “I saw a story online about this little kitten with these big eyes and a big tail, and I just knew it was him,” she recalled.
Despite initial doubts about the challenges of caring for such a large cat, Daniela thoroughly researched the breed and was determined to make her dream a reality. Since bringing Zeus into her life, Daniela has shared his journey and adorable moments on social media, captivating followers with his size and personality.
Zeus the cat and owner Daniela can be found sharing content on @zeus.mainecoon.official (Family handout/PA Real Life)
Zeus: The Gentle Giant
While his sheer size can be intimidating to some, Zeus is described as the “sweetest cat” by Daniela. Despite his ability to stand as tall as 4 feet 3 inches when reaching for treats, Zeus is known for his mellow and playful nature. He enjoys performing tricks like high-fiving and offering his paw, and he sleeps on a husky-sized bed, where his massive tail often spills over the edge.
Zeus’s calm demeanor makes him the perfect companion, even for other animals. Daniela shared that he has made friends with their neighbor’s Golden Retriever, proving that size doesn’t dictate temperament.
A Social Media Star
Zeus’s journey to stardom started when Daniela began posting content to keep family and friends updated on his growth. Little did she know, one of her videos would go viral, earning 1 million views in a week. Now, with millions of views and followers across Instagram and TikTok, Zeus has become one of the most recognizable cats on the internet. His adorable appearance, playful tricks, and larger-than-life presence make him a captivating figure online.
Daniela never anticipated Zeus would become an Instagram sensation. “Becoming an Instagram influencer or blogger was not in our plans at all,” she explained. But the overwhelming response to his videos has convinced her that his popularity is well-deserved. Zeus’s social media fame has allowed Daniela to creatively share his journey and educate others about the unique Maine Coon breed.
The High Maintenance of a Majestic Cat
Owning a Maine Coon like Zeus comes with its challenges. With a daily diet of 500g of food, including raw beef and high-quality dry food, Zeus’s meals are as grand as his size. Maintaining his glossy, cotton-like fur also requires a strict grooming routine, with Daniela brushing his fur several times a day to keep it in top condition.
The financial investment required to care for a cat of Zeus’s size is significant, as the cost of food, grooming, toys, and veterinary care is much higher than for a typical cat. But for Daniela, it’s all worth it to see her beloved companion thrive and continue entertaining the world.
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We got our part-Maine Coon from an animal rescue. We didn’t know at the time that this little two pound kitten, that fit in the palm of your hand, would grow up to weigh over 25 pounds and stretched out measure 54 inches from tail to front toes.
He rests his chin on the 36 inch kitchen countertop to see what’s going on.
Dinky still has this tiny little meow……until he doesn’t.
EC
On my third Main Coon now. My first Sylvester lived to 20, second was Moshka who lived to 19. Current one is Mocha only about 8 months and already about 12 lbs.
Wonderful and special breed. They act like dogs but are even sweeter. They love to be around family and alternate whose bed they will be on each night. BTW they continue to grow until they are four years old. Mocha will easily top twenty lbs.
I still miss my Sylvester.
$3K for cheapest one, plus needed yearly vet expenses.
She has a real big and hairy ..... um cat.
That’s a lot of money for a.....................................cat............
.
I used to have a Maine coon named Fluffly.
One day the neighbor’s female German Sheperd wandered into my yard.
Fluffy could NOT abide this development, arched her back, with her
considerable mass of hair standing on end, and took off like a bullet
toward Gina (the sheperd), the dog stopped paralyzed by this thing
headed straight for her. I could almost hear the dog think: “What the devil IS that thing?”.
Then the dog turned tail and ran back to her own yard. Cat followed
but stopped at the fence around the dog’s yard. Stood there glaring and
yowling at Gina.
Fluffy was just a tad territorial when it came to defending her ‘turf’.
Just go to the pound, pick a kitty, call it “Maine Coon”, and save.
I’ve got a cat. She just walked up one day and said I live here now, feed me. and she brings us dead mice and other dead things and places them on the doorstep................
I have two mixed Maine Coons... certainly not as large as Zeus,. They are very dog like in their behavior, give gentle giants vibes and live well with dogs.
Dang.
You had a PolitoCat. Hopefully you had him neutered. We do not need a breeding population.
My daughter had a cat that was part Maine Coon. Beautiful long fur, friendly and smart. He was a big cat, but not nearly as big as Zeus.
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