Marinelle Adams
Norwegian forest cats are quite a remarkable breed. They are popular for their large and dominant size. Little wonder they are believed to have accompanied the Vikings during their rampage.
As of now, they are very popular amongst feline parents. This is because they are intelligent, obedient, and active. They are compassionate and love to be around children as well. Perfect for a busy family that loves to exercise and play.
This piece is designed to teach readers essential things to know about the Norwegian forest cat. So, relax and enjoy the read.
What is the Characteristic of the Norwegian Forest Cat?
This feline breed is quite significant in appearance. Also known as Wegies, they have a triangular head with a muscular and powerful body structure. Their eyes are unique. The eyes are large and shaped like an almond.
Their ears are significant as well and tend to arch forward. As for the tails, it is long and hairy. In addition, they have a very hairy coat, which is water-resistant. This helps them to battle the harsh winter conditions.
During the winter, their undercoats get thickened. While, during the summer, the coat gets thinner and shorter. As for the color, you can find them in varieties. However, you can never find the breed in color point.
The male breed weighs about 12-16 pounds. At the same time, the female weighs less, about 9-12 pounds. The life expectancy of the Norwegian forest cat is about 15 years. You can find here more on the physical attribute of the famous Norwegian feline.
What is the Origin of the Norwegian Forest Cat?
Well, the name of this feline breed would tell us that it comes from Norway. It is one of the oldest feline breeds of today.
Norwegians call this breed the skogkatt. This means forest cat in the Norwegian language. This breed is believed to have traveled with the Vikings on their boats to take out rodents. They also performed this job in the countryside.
To ensure that this remarkable mouser would not go extinct, they began to breed them with strays. Cat lovers in Norway started a breeding program to ensure extinction was denied. However, their efforts were cut short because of world war II. It was not until after the war; the breeding was successful.
This feline breed was then elected as the official Norwegian cat. They began to appear on shows and displays. And in 1979, the Norwegian forest cat stepped foot into the United States.
Is the Norwegian Forest Cat a Good Fit for a Home?
It takes a long time for this feline to get mature. It takes as long as five years. This breed is intelligent, playful, and obedient. They are born hunters and can adapt to any kind of surroundings. They enjoy being close to their parents, little children, and toys.
Keep in mind that their compassion level sometimes varies. Sometimes they can be standoffish. So, it is best to tend to the needs of this feline. Here is a bit of helpful information to get you on track:
Exercise Needs
This feline breed is active and interactive. They relish climbing high trees or any high surface. So, its parents must provide this type of surrounding for them. They love their rest time, too, so they would appreciate no distraction during that time.
Make sure to keep this pet indoors. This isn’t just to protect it from dangers. Norwegian forest cats love to play a lot and sometimes might not be aware of the risks around them.
Grooming Needs
This breed is low-maintenance. Brushing its furs once a week can keep them looking neat and attractive. However, after the winter period is over, make sure to groom correctly, advisable thrice every week. This is to ensure its skin looks nourished and healthy.
During the winter period, their coat gets really thick. This means that you have to brush harder and consistently.
Health Needs
The Norwegian forest cats are considered a healthy breed. But some medical conditions are frequent in them. Some of their common diseases include glycogenesis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These conditions can be recognized and adequately treated by your vet. Therefore, make sure to keep close contact with them. This would help you a lot because the health needs of your pet would be taken care of as soon as possible. You can also check the holistapet website for more information about this breed and how to take care of them.
Nutrition Needs
As earlier stated, the Norwegian forest cat is quite a large breed. However, this doesn’t mean that you should overfeed them. On the contrary, they tend to get obese when overfed.
Just like all felines, they need to be fed their recommended food size for their weight. And, since they are more significant than most felines, they should be fed a bit more than the average tom.
Take note of any commercial pet food you purchase. Your feline’s food should have an excellent protein source. Check that the product has chickens and salmons. It should also have the right amount of taurine.
How to Get a Norwegian Forest Cat?
You can get this fabulous feline through several ways. First, you can choose to search for one on adoption resources. You can also check local rescues.
However, the best and most renowned way of getting this feline is by purchasing from a breeder. But, make sure to trust your breeder. Make sure the breeder offers health guarantees. Also, check the environment in which the animal was raised.
Finally, ensure that it is clean. This means that your feline is in excellent health. The link here https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Your-Cat-Clean has more health tips to help in caring for your cat.
Final Note
Norwegian forest cats are pretty unique and remarkable. They are widely popular in Norway but are newer breeds in the US. If you want one, make sure to provide a suitable environment for it. Also, check that your provider is trustworthy.