Norwegian forest cat: description, maintenance and breeding

Norwegian cats are descendants of wild forest animals that lived in the dense thickets and rocky areas of Norway. Living conditions in harsh climatic conditions gave these creatures a fluffy thick coat with a warm undercoat, the ability to easily withstand cold weather and excellent health. Domesticated cats have retained their wild appearance, but at the same time acquired a soft and docile nature.

According to its characteristics, the Norwegian forest cat is comparable, perhaps, to the Maine Coons, which are popular in all countries of the world. There are many legends about the appearance of cats of this breed. Scandinavian myths tell of an unusually beautiful goddess of love and war, Freya, who moved across the sky in a chariot drawn by Norse cats.

Straight from the magical legends, the Norse pussies moved to the Viking ships, where they actively exterminated ship rats. Breeders from the United States are proud to tell the story of the first Norwegian who set foot on American soil from the ship of the famous navigator Leif Erickson at that time.

According to separate sources, the history of modern Norwegian cats began four centuries ago, at that time, due to living in the northern regions, animals formed a thick and long coat of wool with high water-repellent characteristics. Most researchers tend to believe that the ancestors of these creatures were Angora cats.

In the 16th century, they were brought to Norway, and over time, wild fluffy animals were able to successfully adapt to difficult living conditions in a harsh climate. They ran, climbed tall trees, and even fished, thanks to which they acquired tenacious strong claws.

According to another version, the breed got its origin from the crossing of wild animals brought by the Vikings from Scotland. If you look closely at the paintings and engravings depicting the goddess Freya, then in the depiction of animals you can see a clear resemblance to those same Norwegian forest cats. There is another legend - it says that Norwegian cats became popular thanks to the famous priest in those years, who first found and described these animals, calling them predatory cats. These creatures are often mentioned in the Scandinavian epic - in ancient legends they are represented in the form of a cat with a long and very fluffy tail.

In the post-war years, the breed almost disappeared from the face of the earth - at that time animals began to be crossed everywhere with cats of some other breeds. Thanks to the actions of environmental scientists, at the official level, a decision was made on measures to preserve the population of Norwegian forest cats. A special commission was created that oversaw the breeding process, breeders brought their pets there, and if they had many characteristics in common with the standard Norwegian breed, then the pets were registered.

Only after that did the animals get the full right to perform at international exhibitions. Thanks to these measures, it became possible to preserve animals with pronounced species characteristics. The Norwegian forest cat was officially approved only in 1977, and the peak of popularity came in 1985 - from that moment the animal came to America and Russia, where these fluffy pets immediately won the hearts of breeders.

The main features of the Norwegian Forest Cat are: strong body, thick fur, large size and very graceful movements. Representatives of these animals are characterized by slow growth and reach sexual maturity only at 4-5 years.

In accordance with the approved breed standard, the following features of animals of this variety can be distinguished.

• Weight. The weight of an adult cat is 9-10 kg, the female is slightly lighter.
• Height. The length at the withers is approximately 30-45 cm.
• Color. In accordance with the standards, the color of the animal can be any, with the exception of colors obtained during hybridization. These are cinnamon, chocolate and lavender.
• Character. Norwegian cats are very sociable, friendly and playful, they are wary of strangers, but try to remain calm in any situation.
• Intelligence. This is one of the smartest cat breeds, even the youngest kitten can always be quickly taught to a scratching post and a litter box. Animals understand words, tone of voice and gestures very well, they learn quite easily, and from a very early age they learn the rules of behavior in the house.

The Norwegian cat looks quite serious, so she is often presented at all kinds of exhibitions. The following parameters for assessing the breed are distinguished:

• the head resembles a triangle with equal sides;
• the neck is straight, shortened;
• the forehead is flat;
• straight profile;
• the chin is strong, slightly rounded;
• mustache pads are not marked;
• ears are large or medium in size, their base is widened, there may be tassels at the tips;
• the eyes are large, almond-shaped, with the outer edge slightly higher than the lower one;
• body of medium length with prominent muscles;
• strong skeleton;
• the hind legs are of medium length, with tufts of hair visible between the toes;
• double fur;
• the collar is pronounced.

Owners of Norwegian forest cats agree that representatives of these cats are extremely calm, balanced and intelligent creatures with an unpretentious and attractive character. They are suitable for keeping in the house: they communicate well with children and adults, love to play active games and prefer to be in constant contact with the breeder. Cats of this species need frequent companionship.

However, like people, sometimes they need periods of rest - at these moments they retire for a short rest, but immediately after it they again present their owners with affection and a playful mood.

This fluffy pet will never scratch, get angry and get his way through the manifestation of aggression. Even if these cats do not like something, they will still accept everything that happens with calmness and dignity. It is very important that the Norwegian forest cats are absolutely not vindictive, they are by their nature incapable of harming humans. The animal perfectly adapts both to home life and to the hustle and bustle of the street: in the yard they show energy and mischief, but, having crossed the threshold of their home, they turn into grateful and obedient pets.

These cats equally love all their owners, but need a responsive respectful attitude. These cats love to be stroked, picked up and brushed. But they do not tolerate kisses. A characteristic feature of these cats is hospitality. They are the first to meet all people who come to the house, they immediately show interest, sit next to them and show other signs of attention. However, it is unlikely that a stranger will be able to take him on his knees - the pet will take time to get used to the guest.

Norwegian Forest cats are very loyal to other pets: they do not begin to fight them for the attention of the owners, and do not try to dominate. Little children will surely be delighted with playing with cats - the fact is that these pussies reach their final maturity only by the age of 4, so you shouldn't be surprised that your adult cat will start running after a bow on a rope, like a very small kitten.

Norwegian cats are distinguished by a rather loud voice, much more sonorous than representatives of many other breeds, but they do not use this "weapon" and never annoy their owners with annoying meows.

Anyone who plans to become the owner of an adorable Norwegian cat will probably be concerned about how long these pets live. It should be noted that representatives of this breed are quite hardy and have excellent health. With proper care, these cats have a lifespan of 10-14 years.

There are several common types of colors for the Norwegian Forest Cat.

• Monochrome. Usually presented in black, gray, blue, as well as white colors.
• Smoky. For these varieties of cats, the color is characteristic when the hair is white near the roots, and the hairs are colored only half.
• Warm colors. The representatives of the breed have a wide variety of shades of red and red.
• Tabby. As a rule, this is a striped color.
• Marble. This is a pronounced marble pattern in the prevailing shade.
• Combinations of white. Usually, Norwegian cats are black-and-white and reddish-white, tricolor and some other variants are less common. This unusual color is due to the fact that the ancestors of modern Norwegian cats lived in natural conditions.

The standards impose rather stringent requirements on the color of the breed. So, monochromatic colors should not include even the smallest inclusion of other shades.

Taking care of your Norwegian Forest Cat is a snap. The main point of keeping the animal comes down to the need for daily brushing of the long hair of the pet. Cats shed quite a lot, especially in the off-season, so grooming should be systematic, otherwise the fur begins to get tangled and can spread throughout the living room.

It is better to refuse to use slicker shoes when grooming wool; it will be correct to use combs with long, infrequent teeth. From time to time, you need to comb the animal with a comb with short teeth. It is very important to monitor the ears and eyes of the pet: the ears should be periodically wiped with a cotton swab, and the eyes are regularly washed with tea leaves or a weak solution of furacilin.

Cats of this variety need constant movement and physical activity: this will allow the pet to maintain good shape, strengthen immunity and throw out the accumulated energy. It is advisable to have such an animal for the inhabitants of a private house, and if the pet is kept in an apartment, then it is necessary to regularly take it for a walk, in this case it is worth putting on a harness or a leash on the pet.

Special attention should be paid to the condition of the cat's tray. The fact is that cats of this breed have very fluffy paws, therefore it is advisable to use coarse wood filler, and in front of the tray it will not be superfluous to place a rubber matso that the pet can dry its paws on it after the toilet.

As for training, the Norwegian cat will angrily reject any attempt on the part of the breeder. You can't force your pet to follow commands with a loud cry and even more physical strength, otherwise you will quickly lose the trust of your furry.

For full growth and development, the animal must receive a balanced diet, consisting of all the necessary proteins, fats and carbohydrates, enriched with useful micro- and macroelements. It is best to use premium food, but you can also feed your pet with natural food. In this case, the diet should include the following food groups.

• Meat. It is allowed to feed the animal with veal, beef, chicken and turkey; from by-products, the liver, lung and heart should be offered from time to time. But smoked meats and sausages should be avoided; it is also not recommended to include duck, pork and kidneys in the menu.
• Dairy products. Many people think that cats of all ages love milk. However, this is a common misconception. The fact is that the body of adult animals does not produce enzymes that facilitate the digestion of milk, so the product can only be offered to very young kittens, starting from 2 months, it is simply not assimilated in the body. And natural yogurt, fermented baked milk and low-fat cottage cheese will be a good source of calcium for fluffies, so they should be part of the animal's diet. Besides milk, cream, sour cream and butter should be avoided.
• Vegetables... From vegetables, cats can be offered chopped pumpkin, broccoli, zucchini and beets, they are added to food, and a firm "no" should be said to legumes, potatoes and all kinds of exotic fruits.
• A fish in the diet of a fluffy, only marine low-fat is allowed, red varieties and river fish have no place in the menu of a Norwegian cat.
• Eggs. Once a week, you can offer the animals eggs, but keep in mind that cats only eat the yolk, the protein is bad for them.

If you have brought a cat not for breeding, you should think about spaying or neutering your pet: cats in this case will not mark their territory, and cats after surgery become less susceptible to malignant tumor diseases.

If you plan to knit an animal, then you need to do this only after the pet reaches puberty. If the cat starts a new life early, then the growth of the animal will stop, pregnancy and childbirth will be painful and seriously weaken the animal. The minimum permissible age of the first mating is 2 years, the optimal one is 4.

The Norwegian Forest Cat should only be mated with cats of the same breed, otherwise there is a high probability of the appearance of weakened offspring with severe genetic abnormalities. Kittens are carried for about 9 weeks, usually without complications. At this time, it is very important to pay special attention to the animal's diet: the daily dose of feed should be increased, as well as special vitamin supplements with an increased content of folic acid should be introduced.

If you are determined to become a "parent" of a Norwegian, then it is advisable to purchase a kitten in a specialized nursery. Before buying, you should carefully examine the baby, paying special attention to the eyes, fur and activity of the animal. It is necessary to require a certificate of vaccination from the breeder, to clarify all aspects of antiparasitic treatment.

As a rule, these kittens are sold together with the pedigree. The cost of animals usually starts from 2 thousand rubles, however, there is no guarantee that for this amount you will receive a Norwegian forest cat. Even kittens with signs of defectiveness in reliable catteries cost at least 5 thousand rubles, so it is better to make a purchase only from a trustworthy seller.

The final cost of a kitten is influenced by the following points:

• reputation of the breeder and the prestige of the nursery;
• location - usually in nurseries located in large cities, the cost of animals is slightly higher;
• color - cats of different colors are evaluated differently;
• kitten class: the degree of its conformity to the standards, as well as the pedigree.

Purebred kittens with a full set of all the necessary documents and an excellent pedigree, a veterinary passport and the presence of all the necessary vaccinations are estimated at 50-70 thousand rubles, there are cases when the rarest samples cost even 150 thousand rubles.

The Norwegian Forest Cat comes from wild animals, so it is naturally endowed with good health. With proper care and a balanced feed, she lives 15 years without significant health problems. On rare occasions, your pet suffers from one of the following genetic diseases.

• Glycogenesis. This pathology is associated with impaired glucose metabolism, which often causes serious liver damage. The disease is congenital, and most often sick kittens die before six months of age.
• Lack of pyruvate kinase. This problem is caused by a deficiency of red blood cells, which causes anemia in the animal. If this disease develops, the cat needs a balanced diet and supportive therapy. If the recommendations are followed, cats can live to a ripe old age.
• Obesity. Cats after castration are often obese. To avoid such an ailment, as well as cardiovascular diseases, which often appear in cats with increased body weight, you should adhere to a balanced diet and create conditions for the physical activity of the pet.

Please be aware that the Norwegian forest cat is vaccinated without fail, pets receive the very first vaccinations at 1.5-2 months, at the age of 6-8 months they are re-vaccinated... In the future, vaccinations are carried out every year.

All about the Norwegian Forest Cat, see below.