Norwegian forest cats: profile, attitude, character traits
Anyone who has never dealt with the Norwegian Forest cat will be amazed at what constitutes the unique character of the “wild” Norsk Skogkatt. Doesn’t she look like she just walked out of the wilderness to join the humans? In fact, the plush Norwegian has only been around since the 1930s. The Norwegian Forest Cat has been officially recognized as a “natural breed” since 1972.
In this article we will tell you everything about the character, species-appropriate husbandry, special features, grooming and what you should definitely pay attention to when choosing your Norwegian Forest cat!
Appearance & Character of the Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat owes its wild appearance to its semi-long, lush and fluffy fur, the lynx-like hair tips on its ears and its large paws.
The dense undercoat protects the Norwegian even at temperatures down to -30 degrees Celsius. The slightly longer outer hair, also called guard hair, has a water-repellent function. If the NWK is completely covered with its winter fur, it looks like it has “panties” on. Bottom and hind legs are extra fluffy to be optimally protected against the harsh winters of Scandinavia. The Norsk Skogkatt is very plush, it even has fur between its toes, which allows it to walk like snowshoes in the winter wonderland.
The Norwegian cat’s head is triangular with a high profile, strong chin and slightly rounded forehead. The large ears of the Norwegian Forest Cat are tapered and equipped with lynx-like hair tufts (fringes at the ends of the ears). She has large, oval eyes and an alert expression. This cat’s legs are strong and long, with the hind legs higher than the front legs. A long, bushy tail provides optimal balance and elegance.
With their large, strong and robust appearance, Norwegian Forest cats are very reminiscent of Maine Coon cats. Norwegians are also often confused with this cat breed. However, the Norwegian Forest Cat is a separate breed and is also recognized as a separate cat breed.
The character of the Norwegian Forest Cat is simply stunning! With the wild appearance, did you also expect an irrepressible and independent bundle of energy, with which living together is more like visiting a predator station? You were (fortunately) wrong!
The gentle giant kitty has an incredibly lovable and good-natured character. She is very affectionate and forms a close bond with her humans. The Norwegian loves hours of cuddling and extensive brushing. In addition, the Norwegian Forest Cat is considered to be very playful and is always happy about exciting new cat toys.
At times, the Norwegian Forest Cat has an increased urge to move and then dashes through its territory almost non-stop. For animals that are enthusiastic about climbing, it can be something more than an ordinary scratching post (it should be!). If he isn’t bored, the Norwegian loves to hang out and relax all day long. Since the large Norwegian Forest cat is considered to be very uncomplicated, it is also suitable for cat beginners. She loves company, even in the form of other cats or dogs! The talkative cat talks a lot and likes to talk to people or like-minded people.
Can I keep Norwegian Forest Cats indoors?
As long as this is cat-friendly and your cat is used to it from the beginning, it will not miss the freedom. Nevertheless, it is of course also the greatest thing for Norwegian Forest Cats when they can explore the world outdoors as they please. Unfortunately, this is not always possible and not entirely without risk. So, among other things, it depends on where you live to decide whether your Norwegian will remain a pure house cat or be allowed to keep a bit of wilderness.
Be aware that the NWK is a large and active cat. Her urge to move is strong in some phases, in other phases she is a very calm contemporary. So that your Skaukatt can also let off steam indoors, you should provide sufficient climbing opportunities. You are welcome to get creative. It doesn’t have to be the boring scratching post from the pet store! You can also build scratching and climbing trees as well as boards, ropes, ladders, etc. yourself and attach them to your home as you wish. Your Norwegian will love their home even more if they can explore a whole climbing landscape there. However, please make sure that everything is safe for your cat and that it cannot injure itself on sharp edges or pieces of furniture tipping over.
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