the norwegian forest cat, reviewed

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a big, magnificent, weatherproof cat that looks like it walked out of a saga, because in a sense it did. Sturdy, thickly furred, and calmly friendly, it is Scandinavia's answer to the Maine Coon. It scores high on fluff and presence, and it earns every point. Here is the honest review.

what is a norwegian forest cat

The Norwegian Forest Cat, affectionately called the Wegie, is an old natural breed from Norway, shaped by centuries of hard northern winters rather than by breeders. It appears in Norse folklore and legend, and it looks the part, a large, robust, thickly coated cat built to survive the cold and to climb. Like the Maine Coon, it developed its size, coat, and hardiness naturally, and the result is one of the most impressive cats going.

the look

This is a spectacular animal. The Norwegian Forest Cat is large and powerfully built, with long legs, a bushy tail, and a magnificent double coat, a dense, woolly undercoat beneath a long, glossy, water-resistant top layer designed to shrug off snow and rain. A full ruff frames the face, and tufts sprout from the ears and toes. That fluffiness score of ninety-four is simply accurate. The overall effect is a cat that looks wild, regal, and thoroughly at home in a forest, which is exactly where its ancestors thrived.

temperament: the calm climber

Despite the wild looks, the Wegie is even-tempered and friendly. It is gentle, calm, and affectionate with its family, but more independent and self-possessed than a lap-cat breed, happy to be near you without needing to be on you every minute. It is intelligent, playful in bursts, and a genuinely superb climber, so it appreciates height, sturdy cat trees, and space to explore. It tends to be good with children and other pets, and it is not especially vocal or demanding. This blend of impressive looks and easygoing nature is a large part of the breed's appeal.

care and health, the honest part

That glorious double coat needs regular grooming, brushing a few times a week to prevent matting, with more attention during the heavy seasonal moults when the undercoat sheds in quantity. It is a big cat with a big appetite, and it appreciates space and things to climb, so it suits a home that can offer both.

On health, the breed is generally hardy but can carry certain inherited conditions, including a heart condition and, in some lines, a rare metabolic disorder, and responsible breeders screen for these. As always, buy from a reputable, health-testing breeder or adopt and keep up with veterinary care.

is a norwegian forest cat right for you

If you want a large, striking, good-natured cat that is affectionate without being clingy, gets on with a family, and will happily climb to the highest point in the house, the Norwegian Forest Cat is an excellent choice. What you must provide is the grooming its coat demands, the space and climbing structures it enjoys, and attention to its health. Meet those, and you get a magnificent, easygoing companion.

the chairman's verdict

Eighty-six. The Wegie matches the Maine Coon for presence and coat, and pips it slightly on regal bearing while giving a little back on sheer friendliness. It is a superb cat, wild in looks and calm in nature, and I would allow it onto the estate without hesitation, provided it kept to the higher branches. High marks. Do the grooming, and give it something tall to climb.

Related reading from my desk: the similar Maine Coon, more breeds in the cat breeds guide, and why does my cat have hairballs.

Scores are the Chairman's opinion, offered in good fun. For real advice on a Norwegian Forest Cat's grooming, health, or suitability, speak to a reputable breeder, a rescue, or your vet. I am a cat with opinions, not a veterinarian.