Norwegian Forest Growth Chart
Norwegian forest is a larger cat breed, known for their double-layered coat which helps them to stay in cold weather. It’s important to learn about the Norwegian Forest growth stages if you are a first-time owner. Their charming appearance and personalities are enough to win everyone’s hearts. They are almost similar in size and weight to the Maine coon breed. Norwegian forest growth period is longer, so owners must stay consistent in their care routine until they grow fully.
In terms of size, the male Norwegian forest cats are a little bit larger than female cats. Moreover, tracking the growth of Norwegian forest cats is essential to ensure they grow normally. In the following, we explained all about the Norwegian forest cat’s sizes, growth stages, and factors that could affect their growth rate.
Norwegian Forest Growth Vs Normal Kitten Growth:
The kittens of the Norwegian forest breed are usually larger than Devon Rex Kittens or other normal kittens. However, their size mostly depends on genetics and whether they are mixed breed or purebred. Even though Norwegian forest kittens grow fast but mature slowly.
Most normal kittens stop growing at the age of 1 year, whereas Norwegian forest kittens reach their full size around 5 years of age. However, most of the growth in Norwegian forest cats happens before age two. The normal kitten gains around 300 to 400 grams weight every month while the Norwegian forest gains approximately 500 to 750 grams every month.
Norwegian Forest Growth Chart:
The body weight plays an important part in the health of Norwegian forest cats. Sometimes Norwegian forest cats become overweight or underweight when not getting a proper diet routine. You must know about their body weight according to age.
The following chart mentions the estimated body weight of male and female Norwegian forest cats. However, these are not exact figures and are based on the average growth rate that most Wegie cats have. Some cats may weigh differently at different stages.
| Age | Male Norwegian Forest Growth | Female Norwegian Forest Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Week | 80–150 grams (2.8-5.2 Oz) | 70-140 grams (2.4-4.9 Oz) |
| 3 Week | 200-400 grams (7-14.1 Oz) | 200-350 grams (7-12.3 Oz) |
| 1 Month | 300-500 grams (10.5-17.6 Oz) | 250-450 grams (7-15.8 Oz) |
| 3 Months | 1.5-2.1 kg (3.3-4.6 lbs) | 1.3-2 kg (2.9-4.4 lbs) |
| 5 Months | 3.2-4.9 kg (7-10.8 lbs) | 2.5-4.4 kg (5.5-9.7) |
| 7 Months | 3.7-5.9 kg (8.2-13 lbs) | 2.9-5.4 kg (6.4-11.9 lbs |
| 9 Months | 4.1-6.9 kg (9-15.2 lbs) | 3.1-6.4 kg (6.8-14.1 lbs) |
| 1 Year | 4.4-8.4 kg (9.7-18.5) | 3.4-7.6 kg (7.5-16.8 lbs) |
| 3 Years | 4.5-9 kg (10-19.8 lbs) | 3.6-8 kg (7.9-17.6 lbs) |
Norwegian Forest Growth Stages:
Norwegian forest cats take five years to become completely mature and reach their maximum size. During this time, they go through different life stages from growing kittens to adults to mature cats. It’s important to treat them according to their life stages and create better care plans from time to time.
Norwegian Forest growth between Newly Born and 2 weeks
The newly born wedgie cats weigh around 70 to 150 grams. The Norwegian forest growth is fast during the initial stages and they gain weight rapidly. During this stage, they can’t hear or see anything but can smell and feel things around them. These kittens can’t eat solid food, they just drink their mother’s milk to get the required nutrients.
Norwegian Forest Growth between 3 Weeks and 1 Month
Between 3 weeks and 1 month, Norwegian forest cats take their first steps and start socializing with littermates. They also gain around 200 to 300 grams of weight which gets them to half a kg. During this period, their sense of smell fully develops and their hearing power also improves.
Norwegian Forest Growth between 1 and 4 Months
Now, these kittens have strong muscles along with fully developed sight. Between 1 and 4 months, they weigh around 1 to 3.5 kg. They have a more efficient immune response and their digestive system also starts to develop during this stage. They become more socialized and their activity levels increase. Also, they should be fed three meals a day to fulfill their nutrient needs.
Norwegian Forest Growth between 5 and 6 Months
During this time, the digestive system of the Norwegian forest cat fully developed. Between 5 and 6 months, the body weight of wedgie cats will be around 3 to 5 kg. They also need to eat a large amount of food that is high in calories. By 6 months, the Norwegian forest kitten’s reproductive system is fully developed, placing them in the adolescent stage.
Factors that affect a Norwegian Forest Growth:
Genetics
Genetics plays an important role in the overall size and development of Norwegian forests just like other large cat breeds. The size of Norwegian forest kittens often depends on their parent’s size. If the parents of the Norwegian forest are large, the kitty will also grow bigger. Apart from that, these kittens also get different genetic health problems from their parents which may affect their growth.
Diet
A well-balanced diet is everything in the size development and weight management of Norwegian forest kittens. A nutritious diet will help wedgie cats to develop properly, boost their longevity, and maintain their health. A healthy diet is also important to avoid unnecessary weight that can lead to obesity and other health issues in your kittens.
Spay and Neuter
Spaying or neutering a wedgie cat can also have an impact on its size. Spayed and neutered Norwegian forest cats grow larger than intact wedgie cats. There are also some health and behavioral benefits when these cats are spayed or neutered. If your female wedgie cat is spayed or neutered, she has a lower risk of breast cancer and hormone-related issues.
What is the healthy weight for the Norwegian Forest?
The healthy weight for Norwegian forest cats is when their body weight is appropriate for their age. The average weight for a seven-month-old wedgie cat is between three and six kg, so if your cat is below or over this weight, they will be considered unhealthy. A well-balanced nutritious diet is important for your wedgie cat to gain normal weight.
When does the Norwegian Forest become an adult cat?
While normal cats reach adulthood at eighteen months, Norwegian forest cats take four to five years to become adult cats. These cats also mature slowly and take up to five years to get completely mature. Norwegian forests are known for keeping their kitten behavior even when they grow up. A fully grown male Norwegian forest weighs between 4 and 9 kg and is 9-12 inches tall. Meanwhile, female cats weigh around 3.5 to 8 kg and stand 8-10 inches tall when fully grown.
FAQs:
How to tell if Norwegian forest cats are overweight?
If Norwegian forest cats have no obvious waist, their bellies are rounded, or you are unable to feel their ribs, they may be overweight. Maintaining a healthy weight is important for Norwegian forest cats to avoid several health problems.
What is the lifespan of a Norwegian forest cat?
The life expectancy of Norwegian forest cats is around twelve to fifteen years, depending on their care routine and health. If owners give them the best care routine, they can live for twenty years.
Which cat is a bigger Norwegian forest or a Maine coon cat?
Maine coon cats are a bit larger than Norwegian forest cats. The male cats of the Maine coon breed weigh around seven to twelve kg while male Norwegian forests weigh between four and nine kg.
Are Norwegian cats high maintenance?
Norwegian forest is a high-maintenance cat breed that needs regular grooming. Additionally, the thick and fluffy coats of the Norwegian forest cats are more high-maintenance than other cats.
Do Norwegian forest cats meow a lot?
Norwegian forests are not highly vocal cats, they are generally quiet. These cats only meow when they want something.
Conclusion:
The Norwegian forest is a large cat breed that grows up to five years. When it comes to the size and weight of Norwegian forest cats, we never know exactly how big these cats will grow. Due to a lot of size variation in wedgie cats, some get bigger or smaller than we might expect. The important thing we can do is to keep an eye on these cats’ weight and health. Also, ask for guidance from your vet in the different growth stages of your Norwegian forest cat.
