Norwegian Forest Cat

Description / History     

These lovely cats are really two for the price of one, they can differ so greatly in looks from summer to winter. Some time in the spring they take off their “winter underwear,” the downy undercoat that provides warmth, and the long non-tangling outer guard hairs that act as protection from rain and snow. The contrast can be quite extreme. The inner-ear hair that deflects the wind and snow (and can be three to four inches long, curving out and around the ear like flexible racing stripes) remains all year. The tail is always magnificent, being as much as twelve inches or more when fanned to its fullest. Perhaps the most impressive part of the coat is the mane. On a fully mature cat, i.e. one over five years of age and which is challenged by the most adverse cold weather, the mane is nothing less than spectacular. It is long, dense and very, very impressive! This, unfortunately, may disappear in the spring, but rest assured that it will begin to lengthen again as the days begin to shorten. 

These cats are designed by Mother Nature. They appear in coats of most colors, from pure white to deepest coal black, with every possible coat pattern and color combination in between, with the exception of the colorpoint colors as seen in the Siamese or Persian-Himalayan such as seal point or chocolate point. Darker cats require less coat to keep warm since they absorb more heat from the sun. Lighter cats tend to have fuller coats with more undercoat. Some colors change from light to darker tones with the seasons. Mother Nature is so thoughtful! And, finally, because they are a natural breed, their mature size will differ from line to line. 

Is their Norse name accurate? Yes, the skogkatt, meaning forest cat, really did come out of the Scandinavian forests some time in the last 4,000 years. However, they are not feral but are among the most people-oriented cats. Of course their personalities differ, depending upon the type home in which they spend their early kitten hood. As with any other breed, a kitten handled and petted by many loving people from birth and which has been exposed to children, cats and dogs will be different from one born and raised in an isolated area with limited human contact. 

Weight: 8-10 lbs.

Eyes: The Norwegian Forest Cats eyes are large and almond-shaped.  The color is shade of green, gold, or green-gold; white cats may have blue or odd eyes. (one eye blue the other another color)

Coat: Double coat consists of dense undercoat covered by long, glossy, and smooth water-resistant guard hairs; frontal ruff; collar at neck; side mutton chops; britches on hind legs; softer coats permitted in shaded, solid, and bicolor cats.

Associations: The Norwegian Forest Cat is accepted by most major registries.

Cat toys for the Norwegian Forest Cat:

• Play Balls for Cats by Toy Shoppe 

• Furry Mice -These are the ones that no cat can resist! 

• Fancy Kitty Toys -Pull the tongue or tail of these colorful critters and they'll shake and shiver to arouse your cat's interest Can be filled with catnip (not included) for extra fun!

• Cat Teaser Fun Pack -If you and your cat love to play with teaser toys this one's for you! Teaser wand comes with three interchangeable teasers.

View  Norwegian Forest Cat Breeder Listings: United States

View  Norwegian Forest Cat Breeder Listings: Countries