Norwegian Forest Cat | Breed Information, Personality, and Care Tips

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a breed with beautiful fur and rather large bones, which comes from Norway and its forests. This cat has a fairly long and thick coat, large tufted ears, and a bushy tail – it seems to have left the world of Norse legends. The Norwegian Forest Cat is adaptable, independent, intelligent and affectionate and is well loved by many cat lovers all over the world. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about this breed including its background, category and how to take care of it and where to get one for sale.

History of Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest Cat is an ancient breed and has been around for many years. It is thought that this breed evolved in the forests of Norway, and adapted a dense, waterproof coat for winter conditions. It is believed that these cats were belonging to the Vikings and were used to control the rodent menace on ships. It is believed that this breed was taken to Norway by the Romans; over the years it evolved to become a natural in the snowy climate of the country.

It is important to note that Norwegian Forest Cat is the official cat of Norway and people there appreciate both its appearance and its abilities to survive. The breed has been established in the beginning of twentieth century and has become widespread in Europe and North America. A majestic looking cat and friendly but aloof, this breed is highly sought after by many cat lovers.

Classification of Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a large cat with semi long hair. Boasting of a muscular body, tufted ears and a course coat that enables the dog to live in cold conditions. These cats are muscular and large boned with broad chest and appear to be powerful. They are great for an outside environment, but are perfectly content to be house pets if they have enough room to roam.

Another outstanding feature of the Norwegian Forest Cat is its fur: it is thick, long and consists of two layers. It’s tough on the outside, which makes it highly water resistant and the undercoat is soft, which adds to its insulation. This breed has tufted ears besides having a ruff coat around its neck and a long straight tail which are special features of the breed.

By Purpose

Firstly, the Norwegian Forest Cat was developed in accordance with practical performance abilities. The so-called working cats, utilized these felines as mouse hunting cats, mainly in farms and on ships. This instantly made them assets to the Norse farmers and sailors since they were smart animals, known to be strong, very fast, and very independent.

Although the breed still has its fighting instinct it is not used as a fighter, but rather kept as a pet. They are friendly, very affectionate and intelligent animals. While they love companionship they are not clingy like some of the other breeds and can quite happily be left alone for some time.

By Size

This breed is recognized as being large; the Norwegian Forest Cat male is larger than the female, measuring 12-16 pounds and the female measuring 8-12 pounds. They are, however, very nimble, and their large muscles denote an animal whose major activities include climbing and leaping.

They are big dogs with a thick coat, but they are friendly, loving dogs to their families. They are not a sickly breed of cats, but the large size of some of them may cause some arthritis problems; so, the cat should be put on a good diet to avoid being overweight and should have a chance to play.

Most Popular Norwegian Forest Cats

The Norwegian Forest Cat is available in many colors and patterns however the ideal coat is semi long and the tail is tufted. The most common colors seen in Norwegian Forest Cats include:

Solid colors: Black, white, blue, and cream.

Tabby patterns: It has mackerel tabby pattern, classic tabby pattern, and the spotted tabby pattern.

Bicolor and tricolor: Some Norwegian Forest Cats also feature bicolor or tricolor patterns, with a mix of white and another color.

The breed’s eye color is golden or green, which suits the warm color of the fur well. Apart from their fur, Norwegian Forest Cats possess large, beautiful round eyes which make them even more attractive.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Norwegian Forest Cat

Before purchasing or adopting a Norwegian Forest Cat, there are several important factors to consider to ensure that this breed is the right fit for your home:

Living Space: As with any cat breed, Norwegian Forest Cats are playful creatures that especially enjoy climbing. They are suitable for homes with a yard or other outdoor areas but can adapt to big interior spaces with towering climbing structures, scratching posts and toys.

Grooming Needs: Although they have long and thick fur which looks very nice, dogs of this breed need constant grooming. Norwegian Forest Cats have a long, thick and silky fur that should be groomed at least once or twice a week to avoid tangle, worst during the shedding period.

Activity Level: Norwegian Forest Cats are relatively active and love to play. The most important thing to give them is enough mental and physical challenges. They are suitable for homes that have stairs, high shelves, and anywhere a child could climb, jump or play.

Health Considerations: Norwegian Forest Cats like many large breeds are also susceptible to some joint problems such as hip dysplasia. This involves ensure they have regular vet check up, they feed them well and make sure they do not gain unnecessary weight.

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For Sale

When searching for a Norwegian Forest Cat, it’s important to only work with a breeder who has the cats’ best interest at heart. The best place to look for Norwegian Forest Cats is through CFA.org, the official website of the Cat Fanciers’ Association. These sites have lists of breeders, and they only recommend those that exercise high standards of ethics. One more site that might be of interest is Petfinder.com with the list of Norwegian Forest Cats needed for adoption.

When buying a cat, then ensure that you ask about its medical history, its vaccination records and whether it has any inherited diseases. It is preferred that the breeder should be able to provide the above information as well as the cats are born and raised in a proper manner.

Tips for Responsible Norwegian Forest Cat Ownership

Provide Enrichment: Norwegian Forest Cats are alert and playful, and therefore should be kept busy with a lot of activity. These may range from responder toys, scratch pads, Heights climbing trees, and playing with the owners.

Regular Grooming: They have long thick fur which will require periodical grooming in other to avoid cases of tangles and mats. Bathe them at least once weekly, and more often during the shedding time.

Fun Facts About Norwegian Forest Cats

Strong Climbers: Norwegian Forest Cats are typical climbers and you will often find them climbing trees and other structures in your house. This is something that proved to be pretty useful to them when they first lived in the jungle.

Viking Legends: Viking folklore says that these cats were taken on sea voyages to fend off rats and mice.

Weatherproof Coat: Because of their muscular and thick body with water-proof fur, they have appropriate ability to survive in cold climate of Norway.

FAQs About Norwegian Forest Cats

Conclusion

Over all the Norwegian Forest Cat is a great pet for people who prefer strong, self-sufficient, yet kind and good-natured cats. They are so beautiful to behold and they are fun loving intelligent creatures that make every home a better place. They need to be taken for regular vet check-ups, and should also lead healthy lifestyles for them to be healthy.