The Norwegian Forest Cat Guide, a Friend to the Vikings How This Breed Became So Popular

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Small Breed Kidney Disease Glycogen Storage Disease Norwegian Forest Cat

Is The Norwegian Forest Cat Good For You?

  • 1 Norwegian Forest cats are built like warriors, well-muscled and with a thick coat of fur.
  • 2 Norwegian Forest cats are adventurers who explore anywhere they can reach, and they can reach many spots.
  • 3 Norwegian Forest kittens love to play with people and retain that good nature all their life.

HISTORY

The Norwegian Forest Cat, โ€œSkogkatt,โ€ or โ€œWegie,โ€ was the feline of choice on Viking ships and in villages, helping to keep them rodent free. Deeply entrenched in the mythology of these ancient warriors, this cat has been around for hundreds of years. However, during the 20th century, these cats fell on hard times, coming close to extinction. Thankfully, in the 1970s the Norwegians implemented a special program to help restore the numbers of their much loved โ€œWegie.โ€ Now designated the official cat of Norway, the Norwegian Forest Cat was granted Championship status in 1984.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Large

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    Lifespan

    12 - 13 years

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    Hair Length

    Semi-Long

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    Litter Size

    4 - 5 kittens

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    Male Weight

    12 - 16 pounds

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    Female Weight

    9 - 12 pounds

Personality

Norwegian Forest Cats are smart, resourceful, and affectionate cats. They love to cuddle and are not afraid to let you know. They are also quite communicative, using body language to get their point across. They are very family oriented and are more than capable of entertaining themselves, both of which make them exceptional indoor cats. However, they are also quite adept hunters and take to the outdoors very well. .

Color

The Norwegian Forest Cat can come in a wide array of colors and patterns.

Health Concerns

Norwegian Forest Cats are normally strong and healthy, and have very few inherited diseases. However, in some cats, occasionally reported diseases are:

Appearance

The โ€œWegieโ€ is known for their long, water-resistant coat, designed to help them withstand the harsh climes of Norway. They are large, muscular cats with elegant features, like their delicate bone structure, expressive eyes, and large, forward-leaning ears. While they have a thick coat, it changes between the seasons, and (as long haired cats go) is fairly low maintenance. Their feather duster tail might look decorative, but the reality is that this tail was originally used to help this breed fend off the ice and cold.

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