Norwegian Forest

The Norwegian forest is a large, muscular cat breed known for its thick, dense coat, which helps it survive Norway’s cold weather. They are also called Wegie or Skogkatt. In the United States, they are known as Wegie and Skogkatt in Norway. 

These cats used to live in Norway’s forest but now they are often seen as house cats. Norwegian Forest Cats are popular pets in China and France, however, they are rare in the United States. Due to their gentle and affectionate nature, they will be great pets for your family. These cats are also good with kids and other pets.

Their majestic appearance makes them one of the most attractive cat breeds. Moreover, the grooming requirements of Wegie cats are high but if you stay regular in your cat grooming, it would be easy to maintain them. To learn more about these muscular cats, check out the following details.

Name:

Norwegian Forest

Other Names:

Wegie Cats, Nordic Cats, Norsk Skogkatt, Skogkatt

Origin:

Popularity:

Included in Top 20 Cat Breeds

Size:

Large

Lifespan:

14-16 Years

The Norwegian cat breed’s origin is Norway. In Norway, they are referred to as “Skogkatt,” which means forest cat. Before, these muscular cats were just forest cats but in modern times, people are making them their first family pets.

Even though Wegie cats are popular and exist in large numbers, there is still no exact figure about their population. The estimated population of this muscular cat breed is between 80000 and 100000 worldwide. Apart from Norway, these cats can be found in different parts of the world including Denmark, France, Sweden, and Iceland.

The prices of Wegie cats are high due to their rarity. If you purchase a Wegie cat from a reputable breeder in the United States, it will cost you around $900 to $1500 on average.  However, a kitten of this breed from a high-titled breeding line might cost you between $1500 and $4000. Moreover, the price of a cat can be influenced by several factors including location, cat color, pedigree, breeder reputation, cat genetics, etc. Their prices might be high but you will have the option to go for adoption instead of purchasing from breeders.

The Norwegian forest is a natural cat breed. They were established without any intentional breeding. Many cat fanciers believed that the Wegie cat started its journey to Great Britain and traveled with Vikings and Crusaders to Norway in 1000 AD.

Apart from Norway, Wegie cats were introduced to some other countries including England and Sweden by 1970. Later, In 1979, the first Wegie cat appeared in the United States. After that, this cat breed was recognized by the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1994. Moreover, The International Cat Association also accepted this breed in 1983.

In the early 20th century, these cats were at risk of dying out due to crossbreeding with other types of cats. However, breeders put a lot of effort into saving these cats. In 1970, breeders managed to save the breed through careful breeding programs. This cat breed is also named the national cat breed of Norway from King Olaf.

Size and Weight 

Wegies are big cats that typically weigh 10-19 pounds. Male cats of this breed are slightly heavier and taller than female cats. Norwegian Forest cats reach their full body size when they reach five years of age. In the following table, we have mentioned their overall body size.

To keep your cat healthy and active, must keep an eye on your Norwegian Forest growth regularly.

Appearance 

Norwegian Forest cats are larger compared to normal domestic felines. They come with a thick double coat that helps them to live comfortably in cold places. These cats have large muscular bodies with long bushy tails. 

The Wegie cat has a big triangle-shaped head and long tufted ears. Moreover, they have large, almond-shaped eyes. Their eye color can be gold, copper, gold-green, blue, or shades of green. The paws of Wegie’s cat are large and well-rounded, making her a good mouse catcher.

Colors & Patterns 

There is a wide range of Wegie cat colors and patterns. They are available in more than 60 different colors. Apart from the pointed pattern, these cats exist in almost every coat pattern including solid, smoke-shaded, bi-color, tabby pattern, etc. This cat breed is a good choice for those who are picky about their pet colors. Here are some colors available in each pattern.

Solid

• Solid black 
• Solid white
• Solid red
• Solid blue
• Solid cream
• Solid silver
• Solid brown

Bi-Colors

• Black and white
• Blue and white
• Red and white
• Brown and white

Tabby Colors

• Cream tabby
• Blue tabby
• Black tabby
• Red tabby
• Silver tabby
• Brown tabby

Smoke Shaded

• Blue smoke
• Cream smoke
• Brown smoke
• Red smoke 
• Black smoke

Lifespan 

If you want your pet to be around as long as possible then Wegie cats can be a great option. The average life expectancy of these muscular cats is between 14 and 16 years. Norwegian Forest is a healthy cat breed that suffers from a few genetic problems. However, some factors may affect the longevity of Wegie cats including genetics, environment, grooming, and diet. With love and proper care, they can even live for 20 years.

Temperament 

Wegies are human-friendly and affectionate cats who love to stay around their owners. Even though they are not typically lap cats, sometimes they choose to sit on our laps when they are in a mood. Cats of this breed are also intelligent and can live independently. However, they often seek companionship if left alone for too long.

These cats are also active and enjoy being part of their owner’s daily activities. Most of the time Wegie cats don’t need anyone, they entertain themselves with toys and other fun activities. Moreover, you will find calmness and low vocal tendency in these muscular cats.

Friendly  

Norwegian Forest cats are friendly enough to make you feel fascinated. They love to make friends with everyone they meet. Even though Wegie cats are gentle and friendly, they don’t always demand attention. Their friendly nature makes them suitable pets for families with children and pets.

Adaptable 

The most amazing quality of Wegie cats is their adaptable nature. They can easily adjust to any environment in a short time. You will find it easy to make a good bond with them. However, it might be difficult for these cats to adjust to hot weather due to their thick coat.

Playful 

Norwegian Forest cats enjoy playing a lot of games with their owners. They also love to play with toys like fetch. You may need to give them proper play sessions daily. However, these cats can also entertain themselves when they are alone at home. 

Independent 

These cats love to be around people and get complete care from their owner, however, they don’t mind living independently. Norwegian Forest cats can manage a bit of alone time without any difficulty. Even though they can live independently it would not be ideal to leave them alone for too long.

Grooming 

The Wegie cat grooming involves coat brushing to keep their coat mat and tangle-free. Their dense coat requires weekly brushing with a good-quality brush. Also, they shed more during the seasonal transition, so make sure to brush more often and keep the vacuum handy.

Bathe your cat every month to maintain their looks. Along with that, keep their nails trimmed, and don’t forget to clean their ears when needed. Moreover, Norwegian Forest Kittens need regular grooming while adult cat grooming should be done weekly.

Diet 

The Wagies are muscular cats and to maintain their lean body, a nutritious diet is required. Foods containing protein, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals must be part of their balanced diet. Make sure to feed your cat twice a day. These cats might overeat, so don’t leave food on their table all day. Moreover, the nutritious requirements of a growing kitten will be different from fully grown cat.

Fresh Water 

Fresh and clean water should be provided to Wegie cats. Make sure to place water bowls in an easily accessible place, so they can drink comfortably. Don’t forget to refill the water bowl two times a day. They may drink more water if they are living in a warm place.  

Exercise 

Exercise will help Wegie cat to stay healthy and avoid overweighting. Make sure to engage them in different kinds of physical activities that they enjoy too. These cats are active enough to perform any type of activity. You can play games with your cats, take them for a walk, and let them climb trees.

Norwegian Forest cats are highly vocal but their vocal sound is not disturbing. They may be seen chirping all around the home. You will surely love hearing their chirping sound all day. These cats often produce a “meow” sound in sweet voices that fascinate you. Sometimes these cats express their mood through a chorus of sounds, from soft purrs to excited chirps.

• Thick double-layered coat: These stunning cats come with thick double-layered coats. It helps them to survive in cold weather. Also, their coats are so thick that they repel water, making these cats waterproof. 
• Mythical creatures: Wegie cats are legendary creatures, not just ordinary cats. They are known to be mythical creatures in many folk tales. Norwegian mythology describes the skogkatt as a big, long-haired “fairy cat that lives in the mountains,” capable of scaling sheer rock slopes that ordinary cats could not.

This cat breed is famous for its thick, dense coat and large muscular body. Apart from the Norwegian, these cats are known as “Wedgie” or “Skogkatt”. The temperament of these cats makes them best for families. Additionally, they can easily live in cold areas due to their double, thick coat. You can get these unique cats from breeders or local cat shelters and adoption centers.