Norwegian Forest Cat
Norwegian Forest Cat History
- The Norwegian Forest Cat is believed to originate as a result of ancient Romans bringing shorthaired European cats to Norway.
- Its thick coat evolved in response to the harsh Norwegian climate characterized by sunless winters and moonless summers.
- Known as Norsk Skogkatt in Norway (skog translates to forest).
- Accompanied the Vikings to the New World on ships to prevent mice from getting into their grain storages.
- Mistakenly viewed as a standard house cat in Europe until shown in Germany in the 1930s.
- Reached championship status by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1993.
Norwegian Forest Cat Behavior Concerns
- A feline comedian that loves to charm and amuse.
- Extremely friendly, affectionate but not overly demonstrative.
- Smart and excellent hunters.
- Welcomes the company of children, other cats and dogs.
- Mellow and adaptive to various household lifestyles.
- Prefer to view their surroundings from high perches.
- Fairly quiet, but deliver steady purrs when content.
Look of Norwegian Forest Cats
- This large-sized breed sports a double-layered coat that includes a water-repellent overcoat and long, non-tangling outer guard hairs that shield against snow and rain.
- Coat comes in a variety of colors and feels silky. Colors range from solid white to coal black and everything in between except for color point colors seen in Siamese.
- A sweet expression, emerald green, almond-shaped eyes, jaunty ear trimmings, arched forward ears and a straight nose highlight its triangular-shaped head.
- Its bushy tail fans out and extends up to 12 inches in length.
- Takes up to five years to reach full physical maturity.
Grooming Norwegian Forest Cat Cats
- Thisbreed has a long flowing coat and a full undercoat that needs to be brushed at least twice a week to prevent mats.
- During seasonal shedding times, this breed sheds so much of its undercoat that it looks like a different and smaller cat.
Suggested Nutritional Needs for Norwegian Forest Cat
Please consult with your veterinarian about the type of dieta nd amount to feed your cat during their different life stages. Different breeds may have a greater risk of obesity based upon their diet, metabloism, activity and age. Thus, your veterinarian is your best source for information on this topic.
Fun Facts of Norwegian Forest Cats
- Affectionately nicknamed "Wegies."
- According to a Norse legend, this breed includes a mountain-climbing fairy cat named Skogatt, the only feline capable of scaling sheer rock faces.
