Norwegian Forest Cat breed portrait

Little is known about the specific origins of the cat breed, as it is assumed that this breed developed naturally and was not deliberately bred. The ancestors of the Norwegians migrated from Central Europe to the northern regions. The cold and harsh weather contributed to the cats' hair becoming longer and thicker as a result of evolution.

In the 1930s, breeding of the original wild cat finally began in order to preserve the cats' genes and unique characteristics. In 1938, the Norwegian Forest Cat was presented at a show for the first time. The first male was recognised by the international breeding association Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) in 1977. Since then, Norwegian Forest Cats have also been called Skogatt. Even today, representatives of the breed still live free and independent of humans in Norway's forests.

The Norwegian Forest Cat has a majestic appearance. It is characterised by its long ruff and bushy tail, which give it a wild but graceful appearance. The Norwegian Forest Cat can weigh up to 10 kg, grow up to 45 cm tall and be 100 to 130 cm long. It has a semi-long coat with a woolly undercoat, which protects it from the cold, and water-repellent topcoat on the back and flanks. In the cold months of the year, the cat develops a winter coat that protects the animal's body with particularly thick fur. All coat colours are recognised in the cat breed, with the exception of the colours lilac, chocolate, cinnamon and fawn, the breeding of which is prohibited. The basic colours are black, red and white and the coat can be with or without markings.

The front legs of the animals are shorter than the hind legs. The paws are broad and often have tufts of hair that act as "snowshoes". Outwardly, they resemble the Maine Coone - but they differ mainly in their head and ears: The Norwegian Forest Cat has a long triangular head and large ears, which are also often heavily furred, also reminiscent of wildcats. Overall, their appearance is a mixture of elegance and robustness, which sets them apart from other cat breeds and makes them popular as pets and breeding cats.

The Norwegian Forest Cat is known for its friendly and even-tempered nature. It has a strong character, is social and loves the company of humans and other cats. It is very affectionate and cuddly and forms a strong bond with its humans. Despite her wild appearance, she is a true house tiger who loves spending time with her family.

This cat breed is playful, independent and intelligent and loves to climb, making it an excellent hunter. At the same time, it is patient, gentle and adaptable, making it an ideal choice for families with children or other pets, with whom it usually gets on well.

The Norwegian Forest Cat also has a very special feature: unlike most of its conspecifics, which are afraid of water, it loves swimming!

The Norwegian Forest Cat does not necessarily need to be kept outdoors, although it is not averse to a trip into the great outdoors. It is therefore an ideal indoor cat that needs sufficient space, company and variety to be kept in a species-appropriate environment. If it is kept alone, it will constantly demand your attention, which is why a second cat is a good idea. The cat breed demands a lot of time for cuddling and playing and should therefore not be left alone for too long. Cat owners should therefore be aware that this breed needs a lot of activity and should also be mentally challenged.

Due to their high urge to move, there should be enough cat furniture such as cat trees in your home that are stable and therefore suitable for large and heavy cats so that the climbing-loving family members feel comfortable.

Grooming the Norwegian Forest Cat is somewhat more complex due to its dense coat. Regular brushing is necessary to keep the undercoat and awn hairs in check and prevent hairballs from forming. You should brush your cat more often - up to once a day - especially during the shedding season in spring and autumn. During the rest of the year, weekly grooming is sufficient. So that your cat can enjoy the regular grooming session, you should get them used to being brushed as a kitten. Grooming their paws, ears and eyes is also important in order to recognise possible diseases and parasites at an early stage. Despite their thick coat, Norwegian Forest Cats are not prone to excessive matting if they are groomed regularly.

As the Norwegian Forest Cat is a natural breed, it is very robust. Hereditary diseases, which are more common in other breeds, are therefore rather rare in the Norwegian Forest Cat, but there are few breed-specific diseases:

• GSD IV (glycogen storage disease): The disease is characterised by a deficiency of enzymes that are responsible for glycogen synthesis or breakdown in the body. It is incurable and can be fatal. Affected kittens show chills, high fever, muscle cramps and muscle wasting. The disease can be prevented by testing both parents for the disease when mating.

• Pyruvate kinase deficiency: This is also a glycogen storage disease that destroys the red blood cells. Symptoms include jaundice, lethargy and breathing difficulties.

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): This disease leads to a thickening of the heart muscle, which means that the heart is no longer supplied with sufficient blood. The main symptoms are panting, loss of appetite and tiredness.

• Hip joint dysplasia: Cats with this joint disease show a lack of mobility or lameness. However, affected cats can be helped with medication or, in severe cases, surgery.

Regular visits to the vet and a balanced diet with protein-rich and balanced food are therefore crucial to ensure your cat's health. With the right care and attention, the Norwegian Forest cat can lead a long and healthy life.

Natalie tells us: “We decided in favour of this breed because they are very open-minded, affectionate and cuddly. They are very curious and courageous. They approach strangers without hesitation. They are the perfect cat breed for families, as they are also very calm and relaxed around children. To encourage their intelligence, I make sure that they don't get bored. We use cat intelligence toys such as an activity board. This keeps them occupied for a while. They are also quite uncomplicated during car journeys and visits to the vet. We would choose a Norwegian Forest cat again and again. ”

Laura reports: “We live in the countryside near Düsseldorf. When we say "in the country", we really mean it. Our little family consists of five members. Firstly the two proud cat parents Laura & Sebastian and the three fur noses Ginny, Molly and Charly. Any Harry Potter fan will probably be listening attentively now, as the three names all come from the Weasly family. All three come from the same kennel. Our happiness began with the two girls. Living together with us worked out really well. As we had a very friendly relationship with our breeder, we were always up to date. On 01 October 2021, a new litter was born, but unfortunately one of the babies was born with only 3 legs. Many people are now asking themselves how this can happen in a good breeding programme. It was nature. A few days after the birth, we realised that we wanted to give the little three-legged cat a home.

After Charly moved in with us, it took a few days for all three cats to get used to each other. But from the moment the ice was broken between them, they have been inseparable. They wrestle, cuddle, groom and play. Molly and Charly are absolutely open-minded and love visitors. Ginny always wants to be there too, but always needs half an hour to get used to the new situation. They are all really people orientated and active. We will try meeting dogs in the future. They got to know Sebastian's parents' cat. They didn't hide, but communicated clearly. Otherwise, such encounters are rather rare, as our cats are purely house cats. We do go on little trips on the lead from time to time, but that's not the rule. Living together is wonderful!"

Laura´s conclusion

“Honestly? We didn't even know the breed at first. We were visiting friends who had two Norwegians living with them and fell head over heels in love with this natural breed. The three fluffy dogs all have different but very distinctive characters. They all have many of the aforementioned characteristics that are typical of this breed, follow us everywhere we go and want to cuddle almost all day long. Ginny (the red cat) is very talkative and enjoys chatting with us for hours. What we have noticed most is their empathy towards us and their devotion to each other. They complement our little family perfectly. We regularly do clicker training with them and all 3 of them have already learnt a few tricks.”

_In collaboration with Natalie from @nalaandfrieda and Laura from @norwegiancatfamily