The Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest cat is a brilliant Feline species native to Northern Europe. They are well-suited to their environment and thrive in cooler temperatures and have an ancient lineage that can be traced back to the Vikings (and beyond). This strong, sturdy and intelligent breed is similar to the Northern American Maine Coon. They are bigger than the average house cat and are built for endurance in often-harsh climates. The breed is said to trace its roots back to the Vikings around 1000 AD. They also may have ties to Crusaders returning from Jerusalem. As the breed interbred with feral cats, they morphed into the Norwegian Forest cat primarily seen today. It's possible that these remarkable animals served on Viking war ships hunting mice and keeping often deadly diseases away from the crew. They have an amazing hunting ability, and served on farms for hunting rodents as well. The breed suffered near extinction due to the incursions of World War II but has flourished ever since an official breeding program was started in 1938. This cat was only known in Norway until mid-1970 when it gained official recognition. Norwegian Forest cats are now flourishing in Europe and North America, and in a typical year over 400 births to the breed are celebrated.
Physical Characteristics
The Norwegian Forest cat does not contain a lot of the sleek and smaller characteristics that are commonly found in domesticated housecats. They're built a lot sturdier and have incredibly thick, water repellant coats that allow them to survive in incredibly cold climates. They also have characteristically bushy tails. The body is longer than the typical house-cat, and they have markedly long legs as well that contribute to their out-of-the-ordinary climbing ability. They have a remarkably long head/face shape that is often compared to a triangle. The ears have a noted tuft at the tip and are wide at the base. They are fabled to be able to climb cliffs by the strength of their claws alone, and many legends have been built upon this cat's ability to climb impossible seeming surfaces. They are even able to scale rocks that normal cats would not be able to conquer.
Behavior and Temperament
Norwegian Forest cats are incredibly compatible with human companionship. Usually soft-spoken, they may become more vocal when sharing a house with a dog. They are extremely intelligent and love to play and demonstrate their hunting abilities. While these cats are usually found outdoors, they can adapt to a primarily indoor life, given the correct amount of attention, affection and enrichment. Expect to feed a Norwegian Forest cat more than the average breed. Their larger bone structure and musculature requires more nutrition than the average cat, and this need for nourishment can cause an unexpected strain on the owner's finances if it comes as a surprise. This is a breed that is full of notable energy. They also require a lot of attention in order to be considered stable, healthy and happy.
Health Concerns
Norwegian Forest cats have a moderate but average lifespan and typically live to be between 14-16 years when properly cared for. They are notorious for certain genetic dispositions such as kidney and/or heart disease due to certain genetic markers within the breed. Norwegian Forest cats are also genetically predisposed to Glycogen Storage Disease type IV, which can be fatal if not treated properly. This disease can be detected in DNA testing - and a lot of reputable breeders require DNA testing before an animal is free to breed. Due to their large bone structure, they may also be susceptible to hip dysplasia. Reputable breeders will check for these genetic dispositions prior to breeding and will often test the litter for health issues prior to their release for sale or adoption.
The Norwegian Forest cat is a companionable and intelligent breed. By giving them the proper amount of attention and affection these beautiful cats can be guaranteed to enjoy a long and happy life.

Is it safe to use moringa powder in cat food?

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How do i buy things like cat food with cash on ebt card?

Hi, Im getting 100 dollars a month in food stamps and 100 "cash on hand" or whatever thats on the card. I need to buy cat food and pay a bill with the 100 dollars on the card but I dont know how to. When I go to the store do I ask them to ring it up like a regular card? Thanks!

Is it normal for two 6 month old kittens to eat only one can of cat food all day?

I have to 6 month old kittens and apparently one 5.5 oz can of Blue Buffalo Spa Select cat food is enough for them. Is this not enough? How can I get them to eat more? They only eat a little bit of it and then I refrigerate it, they eventually finish the whole can at the end of the day.

What brand of cat food would u recommend and why?

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When can i start to give my kittens cat food?

I have 2 kittens they are 20 days old when can i start to give them kitten cat food?

Can eating cat food harm a dog?

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Can you feed a 2 year old cat senior cat food?

I already have an older cat that is eating the senior cat food, and will be adopting a 2 year old cat soon. Is there a food that is good for both senior and younger indoor cats? Thanks for any advice!

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How do you wean a kitten off of canned cat food?

My kitty is spoiled. I got him when he was 11 weeks old and he refused to eat kitten chow. I had to feed him canned cat food. He is now 6 months old and will only eat the hard kitten chow at night when I lock him in my bedroom for the night. In the morning and in the afternoon he refuses to eat it and will beg and beg for canned food. Any tricks to get him to eat dry food all the time?

What cat food is your favourite for your cats?

My cat has used Purina One (which is a bit expensive for my budget, my store sells them in such small bags.) Salmon flav., but lately she only eats if i combine wet food or small amounts of her favourite tuna/salmon. is it good to switch up brands to see if she will take to them better? what kinds do you use? just dry or just wet or both?

I need advice on keeping puppy out of cat food and vice versa?

I have never raised a puppy with cats before and need some advice. My cats just turned 1 year old and the puppy is about 14 weeks old. I had cats but it was a long time ago. We adopted these cats after our dog ( best friend ) of 10 years passed away. The puppy is eating the cat food and the cats are eating the puppy food HELP! The puppy is a rotty mix.

My puppy likes to eat out of the cat food bowl what effect does eating cat food have on dogs?

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