Norwegian Forest Personality and Temperament
Striking looks and a warm personality help the Norwegian Forest Cat stand out from the crowd. This exquisite long-haired cat breed is an ancient one, with ample intelligence, fantastic social skills, and an appreciation for all of life's comforts.
Even though the Norwegian Forest Cat comes from a cold climate, these kitties love to keep warm. They appreciate an indoor lifestyle with plenty of soft, comfortable surfaces to accommodate frequent naps. They also have an appreciation for their families, but affection takes place on their terms rather than yours.
The Norwegian Forest Cat may very well decide to cuddle up in your lap or sleep on your pillow, but doesn't typically appreciate being picked up or held when it's not the cat's idea.
Despite the breed’s reputation for having quite an independent streak, Norwegian Forest Cats are loyal to their favorite people and are perfectly capable of making friends with other pets including well behaved dogs and other friendly felines.
If you see similarities between the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Maine Coon, you’re not imagining things!
The two breeds do have quite a bit in common including large stature, ultra-thick fur, and exceptional hunting prowess. It’s entirely possible that some of the cats that contributed to the Maine Coon (which, by the way is a natural breed) might have been Norwegian Forest Cats.
Care
Nutrition
Grooming
Exercise
Health
As a relatively large breed, the Norwegian Forest Cat often requires more calories per day then the average kitty. These cats need a high-quality diet and will thrive on high-protein food with real meat or fish as the primary ingredient.
If you are able to offer fresh food, your Norwegian Forest Cat will certainly appreciate it. At any rate, consider choosing food that contains extra Omega fatty acids to support your pet's skin and keep their coat looking and feeling its best.
Because the Norwegian Forest Cat has a very thick double coat, frequent grooming is a necessity. You may need to brush and comb this cat daily to prevent mats and keep their luxurious coat looking its very best.
Additional grooming routines to consider include regular nail trimming and toothbrushing. Both should be introduced from a young age.
The Norwegian Forest Cat may be very fond of lounging, but this doesn't mean that it's a complete couch potato. These big, fluffy cats are athletes at heart, with a fondness for running, jumping, and climbing.
They have the unique ability to descend from their cat tree headfirst, and their size allows them to clear several feet in a single leap. Appropriate enrichment items are essential including tall cat trees, big scratching posts, and an abundance of toys.
Norwegian Forest Cats typically enjoy excellent health and are known for their longevity. It is not unusual for one of these kitties to live well beyond 15 years. Even so, the Norwegian Forest Cat breed is prone to a few known health issues.
Although these don't occur often, it's important to be aware of their existence. Potential problems include glycogen storage disease IV, which can be detected in parents via a DNA test. Glycogen storage disease IV often causes kittens to be stillborn or survive for under six months.
Norwegian Forest Cats may also suffer from polycystic kidney disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
History
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a natural breed, meaning that it developed over time without intentional intervention or human manipulation. These cats - also called Skogkatt in Norwegian - were brought to Norway hundreds or perhaps even thousands of years ago. No one knows for certain whether they accompanied Turkish traders or if they were brought back by Viking raiders. What we do know is that Norwegian Forest Cats have an intriguing place in Norse mythology. For example, the giant cats that pulled the goddess Freya’s chariot were said to be Skogkatts.
These incredible felines simply enjoyed life in Nordic countries until 1938, when a Norwegian Forest Cat was presented at a cat show. Shortly afterward, enthusiasts came together to form the Norwegian Forest Cat Club.
Like many other breeds, the Norwegian Forest Cat was nearly made extinct during the second world war. After the war however, members of the club came together to revive the breed and propel it back toward popularity. Federation Internationale Feline (FIFe) granted official recognition in 1977. It took another ten years for the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) to recognize the breed. CFA granted Norwegian Forest Cats full championship status in 1993. Today, major registries worldwide have accepted the breed with open arms.
Did You Know?
Norwegian Forest Cats are slow to mature, taking up to five years to reach their full potential.
While many cats dislike water, the Norwegian Forest Cat isn't afraid to get wet; in fact, this cat will happily attempt to fish in a pond or cleanout all the fish in its family's aquarium.
Norwegian Forest Cats are nicknamed "Wegies." During the 1950s, the breed was declared the official cat of Norway by King Olav V.
The Breed Standard
Eyes
Legs & Paws
Tail
Body
Head
Ears
Coat
Color
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Norwegian Forest cat cost?
Norwegian Forest cats cost between $900-$1,500.
How big do Norwegian Forest cats get?
Norwegian Forest cats tend to be large in size. A fully grown Norwegian Forest cat might weigh between 12-16 pounds or more and range in height anywhere from about 9"- 12" inches tall.
How long do Norwegian Forest cats live?
The Average lifespan for Norwegian Forest is 14-16 years.
Do Norwegian Forest cats shed?
Norwegian Forest are long-haired cats, so you do have to expect a certain amount of shedding from this breed, but they don't shed as much as other cat breeds.
I have a wegie her name is Hanna, what flea stuff do I use
Use the same flea products and medications you’d use for a cat of any other breed! Here’s a link to our guide to the safest and most effective products you can buy.
Very talkative and friendly
OMG I would love one of these. Are there breaders in the US?
Yes, there are! Here’s a nice directory for you.
I have a kitty that is this. He’s so playful and loveable. For the longest I thought he was part Maine coon. He’s such a wonderful addition to the our family. He’s great with kids. I will say, he is a large breed so don’t put food or things low because he will get it by standing on his hind legs lol. Also be prepared for a hefty food bill. They, well at least mine, eats a lot. By 3 months he was larger than my 10 year old silver british tabby. I would fill the cat dish 2 times a day where before I got him I could go 3 days without refilling it. He loves meat and has very natural hunting instincts. I hope you got one because they are wonderful!
P.s this article is spot on from looks to how they act
I found my wedgie abandoned in my parking lot 4 yrs. ago! Had no idea what breed she was til I took her to the Vet. Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear that! She is the most AWESOME cat I’ve ever rescued! And checking into her breed was so helpful in raising her as she was about 1 -1/2 yrs. old when I found her. Couldn’t believe someone just dumped her…I actually saw the girl that did it as she lived across the street and told me she had to get rid of it because it was eating her canaries …well DUH!! I tried to say nicely to her that cats and birds really don’t go together inside!! Hey, her loss, my GOLD as I say! I would recommend this breed to anyone that can afford one; well worth the money even tho’ I got my girl FREE!
Thanks for sharing, Pam!
Ours was found abandoned in an empty alley brick building. He’d been hurt. We took him in and nursed him back to health. He was about a year old. Our vet found no chip and so we kept him. He is an absolutely wonderful cat. He does not meow, but squeaks. It is an endearing sound. We imagine he may have been injured and that caused it. He is now three and BIG! He’s just as they are described on this page about them.
My Wegie is a sweet, loving, intelligent 9 year old male. He is huge and makes his presence known with his loud meowing; it almost sounds like he is saying hello. I often find him sitting in an upright position grooming himself or laying on his back. He snores lol
He is shy around strangers, he doesn’t like loud noises or sudden movements.
I love my Wegie, he is the best cat I’ve owned
.We first found our Orange Tabby cat that we were told it was a Maine Coon and for the first 10 years we have grown to love this huge loveable Cat. One of the characteristics was he was dog like in his actions and playfulness. He will “growl” at someone coming to the door, then run and hide as we open the door. He likes to play “fetch” and is very dog like in so many ways and has all the characteristics of a Maine Coon, until we saw the Norwegian Forest Cat. I know that is his breed as it is him exactly so he is not a Maine Coon but a Wegie. one problem we are having is he keep defecating on the carpet. He will go in his box but sometimes will step out and drop it on the carpet, His box is clean when this happens as we have been wanting to try and correct this but to no avail. Does anyone have any suggestions? We keep his box clean and emptied to not encourage anything or anywhere else. He is a house only cat …. HELP
Hey James, that’s a good question. It sounds like your cat might have some constipation causing his poops to stay “in” rather than coming out all the way while he’s still in the litter box. You might find some helpful information in our article on the best cat food for constipation.
Try standing with your back toward the litter box facing away from the cat in the box. Stand tall and be quiet. When your cat is done doing it’s business, slowly walk away. Do this frequently and this will give your cat confidence that you really do love and protect it. And always keep box clean daily in fact multiple cleans a day if possible. Cats read that as a very loving thing.
Best cat I’ve ever had. very affectionate and sweet but for some reason will not sit in your lap. Just as well, she weighs a ton!
I lived on a small forested lake in Michigan, and occasionally fed the forest wild cats. I was developing a playful relationship with one of the Spring forest kittens when I noticed a fisherman’s Treble hook stuck in her mouth and gums. I figured she was hungry and smelled the bait left on the ifshing poles. After the Vet removed the lure and ‘fixed’ him, he came to live with my other cat. Little did I know this new addition to my cat family was a Norwegian forest cat. Amazing! He is loving, playful, attentive, and understands Basic Cat English 🙂 A beautiful and sweet addition to our Family.
I got Jinx at Pet Welfare on Eglin AFB for $100, which covered neutering, shots, chip, and a full exam by a vet. Back then, everyone thought he was a DSH. That didn’t last very long. 🙂 From the day I got him he’s been the most loving cat. He loves using one or both of my legs as pillows, and sleeps between them at night. Their reputation as gentle giants is well deserved. Jinx will finally be an adult in 7 months when he’ll be 5 y/o.
If you can afford them (or get lucky like I did), don’t hesitate. But be prepared for a LOT of sweeping, as Wegies shed more in one day than most cats do in a week.
I had to run DNA on my tom cat I received a report stating he has Norwegian Siberian Mane Coon etc he is 26 lbs but very affectionate SPECIAL. I love him
In the youtube wegie group, I don’t know jf they still do this (I left the group because of it), but in the past, they said that even if Jinx was 100% purebred Wegie, without papers, he is nothing. Totally insane, if you ask me. To me, if it looks exactly like a duck, plays exactly like a duck, acts exactly like a duck the rest of the time, and has ALL of the characteristics of a duck, it’s not a chicken, it’s a duck. 🙂
My roommate rescued and adopted one of these guys a few months ago when he saw him starving in the road during the dead of winter. He first thought it was a Maine Coon kitten but I recognized it as a Norwegian Forest Cat as one of my friends had one that lived to 21 or 22. I do like this breed, but I do have some qualms about it too. It is a very pretty cat with it’s long hair, ear tufts, big paws, derpy face, and toe hairs. It’s also a very friendly cat. The playful nature and natural hunting instinct can be trying at times though. Basil, the name my roomie and I chose for his cat, will often playfully attack people and my cat. Him play attacking wouldn’t be so bad if his claws weren’t as sharp as daggers. My cat, an older Russian blue/DSH mix, doesn’t really like to be bothered by other cats so she’s often distressed when he play attacks her too. My friend who had one also said his would do the same thing too and that lasted for about eight or so years. So, it’s definitely a beautiful and friendly cat but you have to be patient or this cat may be too much for you.
Our Wegie loves to be swept on his back with a broom. I let him walk into the raised broom and scratch his back as he coyly walks by. He will make about 20 passes until finished. We found our golden nugget at the animal rescue. He is also a great mouser and brings me “presents” of his treasures. Thankfully this happened only once that I am aware.