Origin
Norway
Lifespan
14–16 years
Weight
4–8 kg
Group
Semi-Longhair
Personality
Colors & Patterns
Brown Tabby · Black · Blue · White · Red · Cream · Silver
Norwegian Forest Cat
About This Breed
The Norwegian Forest cat is a breed of domestic cat native to Northern Europe. This natural breed is adapted to a very cold climate, with a top coat of glossy, long, water-shedding hairs and a woolly undercoat for insulation. The breed is friendly but independent. These cats are very skilled at climbing due to their strong claws. They appear in Norse mythology, where they were the beloved companions of the goddess Freya.
Characteristics
Scores describe general breed tendencies, not an individual animal. A higher score means more of the named trait or need; it does not always mean better.
Life with a Norwegian Forest Cat
Origin
| Origin | Norway |
| Group | Semi-Longhair |
For the breed’s history, see the reference sources and Wikipedia link below.
Size and coat
| Weight | 4–8 kg |
| Lifespan | 14–16 years |
| Colors & Patterns | Brown Tabby · Black · Blue · White · Red · Cream · Silver |
These are approximate adult ranges. Individual animals may be smaller or larger.
Temperament
| Personality | Independent · Gentle · Intelligent · Playful · Friendly |
Usually active. Make time for play, exercise, and activities that keep it interested.
Often seeks company and attention. Allow time together and help it get used to short periods alone.
Coat care
Coat care can take more time. Check for tangles and choose a brushing routine that suits the coat.
Can shed a lot. Regular brushing can help manage loose hair.
Living together
Often adjusts to changes fairly well, though a gradual introduction still helps.
Often gets along with children, but an adult should still supervise their time together.
Often gets along with other pets. Introduce them gradually rather than assuming they will be friends.
Health and lifespan
A lifespan range is not a prediction for an individual animal. Breed scores cannot diagnose illness or replace a veterinary assessment.
Offer places to climb, hide, scratch, and rest. Try different toys to see what your cat enjoys.
More from breed and care sources
Excerpts from the linked sources. Read the original for full details.
About the Breed
Whether you believe—as they do in Norway—that the Norwegian Forest Cat was a gift from the Norse gods or consider it one of Mother Nature’s most superbly adapted creations, there’s no denying the otherworldly charm of this magnificent breed. The strikingly profuse coat and voluminous ruff may catch your eye at first, but it is the “Forest Cat or Wegie” expression, with its riveting glance and dramatic triangular head, that draws you in like that of no other breed. No wonder this majestic cat has thousands of years of history living in partnership with humankind.
Breed History
The exact origins of the breed are not clear, but it is thought to have emerged from the forest some 4,000 years ago, transitioning to life as a working farm cat and rodent-control specialist. Norse mythology tells us that the breed was the favorite of Freya, the goddess of love, beauty, fertility and health, and that two gigantic “Skogkatts” drew her chariot. It seems likely that Viking explorers may have brought a few Forest Cats with them to keep their ships free of rodents, so they could have arrived on the east coast of North America in the late 900s AD. Named the official cat of Norway by King Olaf in the 1970s, the first breeding pair of Norwegian Forest Cats was brought to the U.S. in 1979. The breed achieved CFA championship status in 1993.
Character & Temperament
This is an independent, intelligent breed, in keeping with its long history of self-sufficiency. Though Norwegian Forest Cats are not clingy, they will go looking for companionship if left alone for too long. They can be lap cats, but it will always be THEIR decision as to when to get on or off that lap. They will stay near you and sometimes help with whatever you are doing—until they remember something more important they want to do on their own. They are moderately active, sensitive, friendly, adaptable, and enjoy being part of the human family’s daily activities. Moderately active, Forest Cats are known to have random bursts of energy. They can entertain themselves with toys, running, hiding, and then ambushing them like prey. Another distinguishing trait is the noises that they make, which range from a soft purr to bird-like chirps when they are excited. They get along well with other cats, dogs and children. Since Wegies have a fondness for high places, it is important to provide tall scratching posts or cat trees, or your cat may decide its favorite spot is on top of the kitchen cabinet.
Physical Appearance
An adult Norwegian Forest Cat will be large and sturdy, with a luxuriantly thick double coat, marked by a silky, water-repellant overcoat, and frontal ruff adorning the neck and chest. The head should form an equilateral triangle. The profile is straight (from the brow ridge to the tip of the nose.) Large, almond-shaped eyes add an aura of mystery to their already captivating appearance. Heavily furnished ears, tufted paws, and long bushy tail equip the Norwegian Forest cat to deflect wind and snow and brave chilly Scandinavian winters. This slow-maturing breed can take up to five years to reach full growth; at that stage, a male will weigh from 12 to 16 pounds, and females from 9 to 12 pounds.
Grooming
Surprisingly, the impressive double coat does not require a lot of maintenance. Regular combing with a stainless-steel comb will help with any tangles. The coat is generally tangle free, compared to other long-haired breeds, which helped these cats survive in the wild. More attention is required in the springtime, when the winter coat gives way to a lighter warm-weather coat. Some coat textures may be more prone to matting and require more frequent upkeep. If you plan to bathe your cat, consult your breeder for the right products and techniques; remember that the water-repellent coat takes a long time to get wet and even longer to get to dry.
Life at home
For a while, the Norwegian Forest Cat was almost lost as a distinct breed due to interbreeding with shorthair strays. It was not until the mid-1970s that the first breed club was formed in Norway; members began a breeding program based on carefully selected non-pedigreed cats, who were then certified for registration by a panel of judges. Some hereditary health issues—hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and glycogen storage disease—have occurred in the breed, but breeders now routinely test for them and are working to remove carrier cats from the gene pool.
Breed Overview
The playful Norwegian Forest Cat is a large, muscular, friendly cat that typically weighs 12–15 pounds, with some caveats: Mature females can be as small as 8 pounds, while some males can get up to 19 pounds or more. Known as the Wegie (pronounced “wee-gee”) by breed aficionados and as skogkatt (meaning “forest cat”) in Norway, where the breed is the country’s official feline, this cat has a rich history dating back to the time of the Vikings, when they were kept on ships to keep the rodent population down.
Care Guide
The Norwegian Forest Cat is larger than your average domestic feline, but he’s a true gentle giant that befriends everyone he meets, while still maintaining his independence. Wegies tend to be quite loyal, often devoting themselves to one member of the family (but wanting to be adored by all), says Donna Armel, the breed chair for the Norwegian Forest Cat with The International Cat Association (TICA). A licensed Allbreed Cat Judge for TICA, she’s been breeding and showing Wegies for 20 years and describes them as extremely intelligent, resourceful, and mild-mannered, and at the same time playful and interactive. Armel says the breed’s semi-long coat requires weekly combing, so potential pet parents should be prepared to take on those grooming duties; heavy seasonal shedding may require additional efforts. Having tall cat trees available is important because this breed loves to climb and perch, and with the Norwegian Forest Cat’s size, make sure any surfaces he’ll be jumping on will hold his weight.