Fun Norwegian Forest Cat Facts For Kids

The Norwegian forest cat breed belongs to the family Felidae. They are popularly known as a breed of domestic cats in the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and France and are prevalent in northern Europe, hugely adored by cat fanciers.

Norwegian forest cats, also called Norsk skaukatt, are said to be one of the most loved and popular cat breeds in Norway.

A Norwegian forest cat kitten is generally larger than other kittens and has a thick coat of fur covering its body.

This thick fur coat is what keeps this good pet water-resistant. Both Maine Coon and Norwegian forest cats are giant breeds of cats loved widely by the people of Norway, but you can tell the Maine Coon vs. Norwegian forest cat difference by noticing the distinct eyes and facial structures on both these breeds.

The Maine Coon vs. Norwegian forest cat difference is that the eyes of Norwegian forest cats are generally almond-shaped and set on an almost triangular head with a straight nose, while the Maine Coon has predominantly high cheekbones and a chock-shaped head.

The Maine Coone is the larger cat when compared to the Norwegian forest cat.

This cat breed is highly domesticated and is said to be a fantastic pet for this region, enjoying a lifespan of eight to 14 years on average. On the other hand, the Norsk skaukatt kitten does encounter some health problems (due to their large size) like obesity, hip dysplasia, and heart and kidney disorders.

These cats, therefore, require a carefully balanced diet to maintain optimum health and fitness.

This cat is also crowned as the national cat of Norway. Their existence relates to a mystical creature that is considered a legend in Norway.

As their local name suggests, these cats are considered to be direct descendants of Skogkatt, which is said to be loved by the Norse goddess of beauty and love.

This beautiful creature is big enough to climb mountains in one jump that no other cat can do. They can also climb headfirst down a tree, as their claws are much stronger than those of other cat breeds.

The origin of this Norwegian national cat is still a mystery to many. Some relate Norsk skaukatt to the black and white cats of Great Britain, while some say they have ancestry originating in the mountains of Mongolia.

They are also called the warrior cats of Norway and are considerably related to the Vikings as it is said that Vikings used them as mousers (mouse-catching animals) on their ships. Their existence, therefore, relates to descendants of cats brought by these crusaders.

To find out more interesting facts and information about other animals. You can also check our guides on the South China tiger and Jaguarundi for more enriching and mind-blowing facts and guides.

Norwegian Forest Cat Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Norwegian Forest cat?

The Norwegian forest cat is one of the giant cats breeds of domestic cats and belongs to the family of Felidae. They are very popular in Norway and are also known as Skogkatt.

What class of animal does a Norwegian Forest cat belong to?

These cats belong to the class Mammalia.

How many Norwegian Forest cats are there in the world?

There are many of these cats spread around different regions of the world. It is one of the famous cats breeds all around northern Europe, America, and Norway, and as such we do not know their exact population.

Where does a Norwegian Forest cat live?

These cats generally live in the farms and forests of Norway. Norwegian forest cats are well-suited to brave the cold and harsh conditions in these lands. They are one of the best-domesticated cat breeds.

What is a Norwegian Forest cat's habitat?

It is a domestic breed famously found in Norway and northern Europe. In natural circumstances and the wild, the Norwegian cat breeds are naturally accustomed to harsh and cold temperatures. They are heavily muscled and have a dense undercoat that makes them water-resistant.

Who do Norwegian Forest cats live with?

This is a breed best known to be domesticated and is very friendly and warm. Thus, they are the best pet as they can live with children and other pets exceptionally well.

How long does a Norwegian Forest cat live?

Norwegian forest cats have an average expected life span of eight to 14 years of age. As domesticated cats, they generally can live longer than this.

How do they reproduce?

These cats can give birth to four kittens at a time in domesticated conditions. They are generally crossbreeds and reproduce in a controlled observatory environment. If taken care of, they breed well and live up to their expected life span of eight to 14 years.

What is their conservation status?

The Norwegian Forest cat may be known as the official cat of Norway today, but there was a time when this cat breed was on the verge of extinction.

Before the 1930s, farmers and sailors around Norway prized this cat breed for their highly effective mousing skills, which led to the mass adoption of the cat breed.

Cat enthusiasts worldwide started noticing the decline and near extinction of the Norwegian Forest cat breed in the late 1930s, and then during the second world war era, more attention was paid to the declining numbers of this cat breed. With the help of crossbreeding programs and cat fanciers across the world, the breed was finally saved from extinction.

Eventually, in 1977, the Norwegian Forest cat was officially recognized as a breed by the Fédération Internationale Féline.

Norwegian Forest Cat Fun Facts

What do Norwegian Forest cats look like?

A black Norwegian forest cat is one of the most common types of Norwegian forest cats with medium-sized ears. Also known as the Skogkatt, the black smoke Norwegian forest cat, and the gray Norwegian forest cat, they are in much demand.

Among all Norwegian forest cat colors, the orange Norwegian forest cat and the white Norwegian forest cat with medium-sized ears are much loved by enthusiasts. These lovely cats have a thick and bushy double coat of fur on their body.

How cute are they?

This national cat of Norway is said to be cute and pretty because of its double-coated layer of fur, almond eyes, and bushy tail. Cats from this breed are pretty warm and friendly towards their owners and other people.

How do they communicate?

The Norsk skaukatt is talkative and communicative and never steps back from displaying their needs. They have different gestures for their owners to know their needs and demands. They have a soft voice, but they are pretty social cats, and they love to play games.

How big is a Norwegian Forest cat?

The Norwegian forest cat's size ranges from 12-18 in (30.4-45.7 cm) with a height of nine to 12 in (22.8-30.4 cm). While adult Norwegian forest cat males can weigh between 10-20 lb (4.5-9 kg), adult Norwegian forest cat females weigh between eight to 18 lb (3.6-8.1 kg).

They are generally two times bigger than other pet cats and a good three times bigger than the average Chihuahua.

How fast can a Norwegian Forest cat run?

Cats of this breed are known for their challenging living conditions and can quickly adapt to rough needs and run fast. Still, the Norwegian forest cat personality under domestication generally tends to be lazy if not stimulated.

How much does a Norwegian Forest cat weigh?

While adult Norwegian forest cat males weigh about 10-20 lb (4.5-9 kg), female adult Norwegian forest cats weigh between eight to 18 lb (3.6-8.1 kg). The male cats typically weigh more than their female counterparts and are tall, heavy-boned, and have thick coats. These cats require much more food than other domesticated cat breeds.

What are the male and female names of the species?

This cat is generally nicknamed a Weegie, but there is no specific name for this breed's male and female cats.

What would you call a baby Norwegian Forest cat?

As with any other cat breed, the babies of Norwegian forest cats are also commonly called kittens.

What do they eat?

In the wild, cats generally hunt small birds, animals, and plants as they are omnivores, but when they are pets, they usually eat meat and pet food best for their all-around growth.

Are they dangerous?

These cats are not dangerous. Their appearance is much like a mountain cat, but they are highly domesticated, so they are pretty friendly in personality and are safe around children. If taken proper care of, they make excellent lovable pets.

Would they make a good pet?

They make a perfect pet and are friendly if proper grooming is done and with proper care; they are among the most popular pets in Norway, Sweden, parts of America, and France. The cost of Norwegian Forest cats ranges between $750 to $1450.

Did you know...

The male Norwegian Forest cats are known as Weegie as per famous legends and myths in Norway. Interestingly, personality-wise, even an average kitten of this breed is quite talkative, sometimes more talkative than adults.

They have a soft voice and love to play around the house. They make a chirping-like sound when excited, and it's an instinct that they got from their ancestors. They are also known as mysterious and warrior cats in Norway.

Which is bigger, Maine Coon or the Norwegian Forest cat?

If there is a competition between the Norwegian forest cat vs. Maine Coon, you can say that the Maine Coon can reach up to 20 lbs (9 kg), whereas a Norwegian forest cat will weigh around 18 lb (8.1 kg).

So in Norwegian forest cat size comparison to a Maine Coon, a Maine Coon is bigger and heavier than the former.

Are Norwegian Forest cats cuddly?

Yes, Norwegian forest cats are warm and cuddly. With proper grooming, they are one of the best pets. Even the little kittens from the breed are cuddly and warm because of their thick coat of fur and bushy tail.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our Caracal Facts and oncilla facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Norwegian cat coloring pages.