Norwegian Forest Cat
Published on 5 May 2021
Their ancestors were the cats of Vikings, but today they make a striking and intelligent addition to the family.
The Norwegian Forest cat’s ancestors are thought to have been brought to Norway on Viking ships over a thousand years ago. They likely served to keep ship rats at bay.
Like many breeds of cat, numbers of Norwegian Forest Cats (locally known as Skogkatt) became dangerously low during World War II. Thankfully they were recovered, and the beautiful Norwegian Forest Cat is a popular companion once again, especially in Northern Europe.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a very large cat and can grow up to 40 cm tall and weigh up to 8kgs. They come in a wide array of colours including brown tabby, black and white, tortoiseshell, ginger and so on.
Cat Breed Facts & Characteristics
Origin | Norway |
Also known as | Skogkatt |
Size | Large, up to 40cm tall, 3.6 to 8kgs |
Weight range | 3.6 to 8kgs |
Colours | White, Black, Blue, Red, Cream, Brown, Silver, Tortoiseshell, Blue cream, Golden |
Life expectancy | 14 to 16 years |
Coat | Long, with woolly undercoat, daily brushing required |
Temperament | Intelligent, energetic, friendly |
Exercise requirements | High |
Best suited for | Singles, couples, families |
Apartment friendly | Yes |
Personality
Norwegian Forest Cats are said to be a gentle cat that enjoys company but retains an independent streak. They aren’t typically lap cats. They are playful and enjoy climbing and jumping, so keep plenty of toys and scratchers available and be ready to enjoy playtime with a Norwegian Forest Cat. They are well suited to apartment living if they have plenty to keep them occupied.
Keeping your Norwegian Forest Cat indoors or in a cat friendly enclosure helps keep them safe from roads, other cats, snakes as well as helps to keep wildlife safe from your feline friend.
Grooming
With medium to long hair with a woolly undercoat, brushing daily or every second day helps keep the coat tangle free as well as helps remove loose hair as the Norwegian Forest Cat does shed. That long coat can make it hard to see nasties like ticks and fleas so year-round flea control is recommended as well as tick control if in a tick area.
Feeding
When choosing a food for a Norwegian Forest Cat, select a premium food appropriate to the cat's age and life stage, ideally that is formulated for optimal urinary health.
Always the recommended feeding guides on the food to help avoid obesity and ensure appropriate nutrition.
Always ensure cats have constant supply of fresh water available, and consider providing them with a water fountain, as many cats prefer drinking moving water.
Common Health Concerns
With sensitive stomachs and urinary tracts, nutrition as noted above is very important in the Norwegian Forest Cat. Skin problems were also observed in the top five reasons why they visited the vet across 2019 and 2020, according to PetSure claims data.
According to PetSure claims data across 2019 and 2020*, the five most common reasons for a Norwegian Forest Cat to visit the vet (excluding for routine visits like vaccinations) were:
| Rank | Condition | Average cost for single treatment (average pet insurance claim amount) | Highest cost for single treatment (highest pet insurance claim seen for this condition) |
| 1 | Constipation/obstipation | $211 | $1,542 |
| 2 | Gastrointestinal problems, including vomiting and diarrhoea | $309 | $2,052 |
| 3 | Urinary tract disease, including urinary tract infections | $185 | $643 |
| 4 | Skin problems, including dermatitis | $109 | $191 |
| 5 | Cancer | $338 | $1,422 |
*Disclaimer: Reimbursement for these claims would be subject to limits, such as annual benefit limits or sub-limits, benefit percentage, applicable waiting periods and any applicable excess. Cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions. You should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording available from the relevant provider
Most popular Norwegian Forest Cat names
According to PetSure data from 2017-2020, the most popular names for Norwegian Forest cats were
Most popular names
- Pablo
- Cat
- Freya
- Missy
- Asha
- Bella
- Bowie
- Frank
- Jaxon
- Leo
Most popular female names
- Freya
- Missy
- Asha
- Bella
- Bowie
- Lexi
- Molly
- Momo
- Storm
- Tinka
Most popular male names
- Pablo
- Cat
- Frank
- Jaxon
- Leo
- Loki
- Lucky
- Meeko
- Odin
- Sir
Did you know?
The Norwegian Forest cat is the national cat of Norway.
Norwegian Forest Cat FAQs
Are Norwegian Forest Cats expensive?
Norwegian Forest cats are generally priced between $800 to $1500 and depending on the breeder's popularity, the rare breed can range anywhere between $1200 to $5400 in Australia.
Are Norwegian Forest Cats friendly?
Though they take a little time to get comfortable around people, Norwegian Forest cats are one of the most friendly and gentle breeds around. They love being around company and enjoy showing affection frequently.
Which is the bigger cat, Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest?
Though there isn't much size difference between both breeds of cats, Maine Coon cats generally grow bigger than Norwegian Forest Cats.
Where a healthy male Maine Coon cat weighs around 5.9 to 8.2 kg and a mature female Maine Coon cat weighs around 3.6 to 5.4 kg; a healthy male Norwegian Forest cat weighs around 5.4 to 7.2 kg and a mature female Norwegian Forest cat weighs around 4 to 5.4 kg.
Can Norwegian Forest cats live in hot weather?
Big cats like the Norwegian Forest breed have thick coats and tough paws allowing them to adapt to freezing temperatures and heavy rain easily. Norwegian Forest cats do not live well in hot climates unless provided with air conditioning throughout the day.
Do Norwegian Forest cats shed?
Norwegian Forest cats are quite the high-maintenance breed when it comes to their grooming. They have dense undercoats that shed heavily and require a lot of combing to keep away knots and maintain their beautiful look.
Where can I get a Norwegian Forest Cat?
Your local animal shelter or rescue organisation is the best place to look for a cat as shelters generally have many cats. It may be possible to find a Norwegian Forest Cat through a breed specific rescue.
References
- Wikipedia, Norwegian Forest Cat, accessed on 02/03/2021
- Cat Fanciers Association, The Norwegian Forest Cat, accessed on 02/03/2021
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