Norwegian Forest Care

Norwegian forests are large cats with strong muscular bodies, similar to Maine coon cats. These cats are truly gentle giants who attract everyone they meet. These cats are calm and affectionate in their personalities. Moreover, Norwegian forest care will be rewarding but time-consuming.

They are wonderful family pets that adapt to different living conditions easily. It is a low-maintenance cat breed that requires little grooming. However,  you need to stay conscious of their healthcare, as they are prone to several common health issues.

These cats are highly social and independent, preferring to hang out with their owners. Norwegian Forest Care is essential and cat parents should make a proper schedule to give these felines a better care routine. The article below covers the Norwegian forest care routine including dietary care, health care, grooming, and social attention.

Norwegian Forest care for diet is important to keep them lean and disease-free. A Norwegian Forest kitten’s nutrition requirements will differ from those of adults. Be sure to create your Norwegian forest diet plan appropriate for their life stages. Also, ask your veterinarian what is the right time for a Norwegian Forest cat to switch from kitten to adult food.

Food Requirements for Norwegian Forest Breed 

As we know Norwegian forest cats are carnivores so they eat only a meat-based diet,. Vegetarian diets will not provide the nutrition a Wegie cat requires, so meat is the only way to go. These felines require a high-protein diet to stay active and healthy. High protein sources such as beef, tuna, salmon, raw chicken, and turkey can be added to your cat’s diet.

While feeding Norwegian cats, use only high-quality cat food formulated according to the cat’s age and size. Along with that, a mix of high-quality wet and dry food is recommended for your Norwegian Forest cat. Additionally, these felines need vitamins E, D, A, and B complex in their regular diet.

How much food do Norwegian Forest Cats need per day?

Norwegian forest is a large cat breed that needs more food to consume than smaller cats. You should feed your Norwegian forest kitten three to four times daily to support better growth. However, adult Norwegian forests require two meals per day. Also, these cats tend to snack more than needed so avoid leaving food in their bowl all day. Eating more snacks than required may lead to excessive weight gain.

Fresh Water 

Like other felines, Norwegian forest cats need water to stay hydrated and healthy. Clean and fresh water should be available in their water bowls every time. It’s important to change the Wegie cat’s water bowl regularly because water in a bowl quickly becomes stale and can be harmful to your pet’s health. Additionally, these felines love to drink running water from the fountain.

The daily water requirements for Norwegian forest cats depend on their activity levels, weight, and diet. These felines should drink 25 to 30 ml per pound of body weight every day. For example, a ten-pound cat must drink approximately 225 to 230 ml of water. However, Wegie cats require less water when they are on a wet food diet, and they will drink more water if they perform exercise regularly.

If you want Norwegian Forest cats to live healthy and longer, stay aware of their health care. Like other cats, Norwegian forest cats are prone to certain health problems, which can be life-threatening if not treated on time. Avoid these health conditions in your Wegie kitten through regular vet checkups and vaccinations.

Regular Vet Checkups

Take Norwegian cats to the vet regularly to keep them healthy in both outdoor and indoor environments. Regular veterinary visits are important to monitor the kitten’s health over time. Some diseases can’t be identified with the naked eye, so veterinary checkups can help detect any health issues wegie cat may face. 

Norwegian Forests Vaccination 

It’s essential to stay up to date with vaccinations, even if your cat is an indoor pet. Vaccinations strengthen a cat’s immune system and help to fight against viruses that cause infectious diseases. If your cat is vaccinated, it is less likely to transmit diseases to other pets. Moreover, some diseases like rabies can be passed from cats to humans, if a cat is not vaccinated.

Vaccination Schedule

During the first few months, these kittens get their vaccines in three vet visits. At 6-8 weeks, they should receive their first vaccination. Then, repeat their vaccination every 3 to 4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age. After that, these kittens will need a booster shot at the age of one. Moreover, adult cats require a booster shot annually or every three years (depending on the vaccine) to maintain their immunity levels.

Social attention is important for all pets, as well as the Norwegian forest breed. Early socialization will help your Norwegian forest cat to become confident and comfortable. Here are some ideas for a Norwegian Forest Care taking in socialization to make them a well-socialized pet.

• Introduce to Other Pets: Introduce your Norwegian Forest cat to different pets of your friends and relatives. Interaction with other cats and dogs will give your pet confidence. Also, reward your cat when she interacts positively with other pets.
• Training Classes: Providing training classes for your pet might be a little costly, but it will be beneficial for their socialization. These cats will learn many things in an environment different from their home. They can also interact with people and pets in the training classes.
• Take your Cat to New Places: Even though cats prefer staying in a familiar environment, you still have to take your cat to a new environment for better socialization. You can take your Norwegian cat to a new town or city through the drive. You can even take your pet to your relative’s or friend’s home.
• Get them familiar with New Sounds: To overcome the fear of noises, get your cat used to different sounds such as alarming. Move your cat closer to the sound source or gradually increase the volume. If you find your cat becoming anxious with the sound, remove her farther away.

Grooming is the basic need for Norwegian Forest caretaking. It consists of many steps which are as follows:

Norwegian Forest Care for Coat

The thick, dense coats of Norwegian forest cats require brushing once or twice a week. Regular brushing helps to prevent mats and tangles, especially during shedding season. In the spring, these cats shed more heavily so you will need to brush their coat more frequently. 

Regular coat brushing is also important to keep their coat healthy and prevent skin issues. Use only a good-quality brush or a metal comb to brush your cat’s coat. Start their coat brushing early so your kitten gets used to it.

Bathing 

Norwegian forest cats don’t need frequent baths because of their water-resistant coat. You should bathe them when they are extremely dirty. To bathe a Norwegian cat, hire a professional groomer who can handle its water-resistant coat properly. 

Moreover, you can also bathe your cat at home if you have done so before. Be sure to use warm water, and let your cat get comfortable in the tub. Also, apply only cat-specific shampoo and massage it into the body, except the face. 

Teeth Brushing

Regular teeth brushing will keep the Norwegian Forest cat’s teeth clean and help avoid bad breath. Give Wegie cat daily teeth brushing with a cat-specific toothpaste and toothbrush. It will be good if you start kitten’s teeth cleaning as early as possible so she gets used to the sensation of having her teeth brushed. Cleaning a Wegie cat’s teeth is also important to prevent gum inflammation, which is often caused by plaque buildup on their teeth. Gum inflammation is painful and wegie cats may also stop eating dry food.

Nail Trimming

You should trim your Norwegian Forest cat nails twice a month or when they get too big and sharp. Too long nails in cats often cause injury which can be quite painful. Use a cat-specific nail clipper to trim the white tip of the cat claw and avoid cutting the pink part of the nail. If a cat’s claws are dark, you may accidentally cut the pink part of the nail, so it’s better to take her to a professional groomer to avoid hurting her.

Ear Cleaning

It’s essential to clean Norwegian Forest cat ears every 2 to 3 weeks or when you see a moderate amount of debris in their ears. Before starting ear cleaning, sit in a comfortable position and take the cat into your lap. It’s convenient to use a cat-specific ear-cleaning solution for cleaning the cat’s ears. Also, don’t use a wet cloth because water can leak into the ear and will result in an ear infection.

Norwegian forest is a low-maintenance cat breed and can be easily groomed at home. Their diet should be balanced and nutritious for optimal growth. Even though These cats are known for being sociable, it is still important to be mindful of their social activities. Moreover, vaccination and vet checkups are needed to give Norwegian Forest cats a healthy and disease-free life.