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What Is the Size of a Norwegian Forest Cat?

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Norwegian Forest Cat

It goes without saying that the Norwegian Forest cat has an impressive size. It is even one of the most imposing cat breeds.

Did you ever wondered what the size of a Norwegian Forest cat actually was?

An adult male can reach 16 inches and weigh between 10 and 20 lbs. A female weighs between 8 and 18 lbs.

Origins of the Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian, also called Norwegian Forest Cat or Norsk skogkatt, is a breed of semi-long-haired cat native to Norway.

This large cat is characterized by his very thick semi-long-haired coat and his wild look.

Powerful in appearance, his head is characterized by his straight profile and strong chin.

The Norwegian forest cat has arrived from Southern Europe and was selected naturally by the harsh climatic conditions of Norway: only those with the best adaptability by developing the thickest fur survived.

The Norwegian is different from other breeds by the fact that it is not the product of a thorough selection but because it is the result of a natural evolution that breeders are content to regulate, hence a certain harmony in its type.

How Big Is an Adult Norwegian Cat?

His imposing stature reaches its full development around 4 years old.

  • Male size (at the withers): between 14 and 16 in. / 17 to 20 lbs.
  • Female size (at the withers): between 12 and 14 in. / 9 to 11 lbs.
Size of a Norwegian Forest Cat

Size of a Norwegian Forest Cat – Source: dimensions.com

What Is the Maximum Size of a Norwegian Cat?

Adult males can weigh up to 22 lbs.

Why Are Norwegian Forest Cats So Big?

The first thing to emphasize is that the Norwegian cat is not the result of genetic manipulation like many other breeds. It has not been selected to have this robust and powerful appearance.

On the other hand, we can notice that it is often the cat breeds from the Nordic countries that tend to be bigger and have a thicker coat. Perhaps it is to better resist to the harsh winters that prevail in these countries? Indeed, having an imposing mass makes it easier to keep the body warm.

The Norwegian has a strong bone structure and a thick coat with medium-long hair. His body is long and muscular. He is a robust and powerful cat. His strong musculature reminds us of his origins as a skillful hunter.

The legs are high with strong bones and muscles. The hind paws (back) are higher than the front paws (front).

The tail of the Norwegian cat is as long as his body. It can touch his neck.

The Size of a Norwegian Cat Compared to That of a Standard Cat

To have an idea of the big size of the Norwegian cat, we can say that a normal adult cat weighs between 8 and 10 lbs, which is barely the minimum size of the female Norwegian cat.

The adult Norwegian cat weighs twice as much as the standard cat!

The body of a traditional cat measures between 9 and 10 in., which still does not represent the size of a Norwegian female (between 12 and 14 in.).

A Norwegian male measures between 14 and 16 in. He is therefore 1.5 X bigger than a normal cat.

The Size of a Norwegian Cat Compared to Other Large Cat Breeds

Norwegian Cat Vs. Savannah Cat

  • Male size:
    • Norwegian cat: between 14 and 16 in. / 17 to 20 lbs.
    • Savannah Cat: between 20 and 22 in. / 12 to 25 lbs.
  • Female size:
    • Norwegian cat: between 12 and 14 in. / 9 to 11 lbs.
    • Savannah cat: between 20 and 22 in. / 9 to 16 lbs.

Norwegian Cat Vs. Maine Coon

  • Male size:
    • Norwegian cat: between 14 and 16 in. / 17 to 20 lbs.
    • Maine Coon: between 10 and 16 in. / 13 to 18 lbs.
  • Female size:
    • Norwegian cat: between 12 and 14 in. / 9 to 11 lbs.
    • Maine Coon: between 8 and 14 in. / 8 to 12 lbs.

Norwegian Cat Vs. Siberian Cat

  • Male size:
    • Norwegian cat: between 14 and 16 in. / 17 to 20 lbs.
    • Siberian cat: between 15 and 18 in. / 17 to 26 lbs.
  • Female size:
    • Norwegian cat: between 12 and 14 in. / 9 to 11 lbs.
    • Siberian Cat: between 12 and 16 in. / 6 to 13 lbs.

Norwegian Cat Vs. Ragdoll

  • Male size:
    • Norwegian cat: between 14 and 16 in. / 17 to 20 lbs.
    • Ragdoll: between 17 and 21 in. / 15 to 20 lbs.
  • Female size:
    • Norwegian cat: between 12 and 14 in. / 9 to 11 lbs.
    • Ragdoll: between 13 and 18 in. / 12 to 18 lbs.

Norwegian Cat Vs. Ragamuffin

  • Male size:
    • Norwegian cat: between 14 and 16 in. / 17 to 20 lbs.
    • Ragamuffin: between 9 and 12 in. / 13 to 20 lbs.
  • Female size:
    • Norwegian cat: between 12 and 14 in. / 9 to 11 lbs.
    • Ragamuffin: between 9 and 12 in. / 10 to 15 lbs.
Norwegian Siberian Maine Coon Comparison

Norwegian Siberian Maine Coon Comparison – Source: thisbugslife.com

What to Feed a Norwegian Forest Cat?

Feeding a Norwegian Kitten

In full growth, the Norwegian kitten needs a complete and balanced diet.

Pet stores offer kibble, specially designed for kittens. These products contain essential nutrients for their development.

Their food must be very energetic and of good quality because they must be well digestible, with a good supply of taurine and arginine, which are essential constituents for the cat’s life.

Fat intake is also important but carbohydrates are not recommended because too much starch causes digestive problems.

The kitten eats its ration in 10 to 16 small meals.

Feeding a Norwegian Adult Cat

The Norwegian cat is a big cat with a robust morphology and a high weight. The large weight of the Norwegian cat often causes pressure on bones and joints. An adapted diet will help prevent these problems.

Amateur of physical activity and outdoor games, he ranks among the most active cats. This implies high protein requirements, especially since, due to his large size, his intakes must already be higher than those of his fellow cats.

As a true carnivore, the Norwegian cat must be fed a diet consisting mainly of meat, which is highly appreciated.

However, in order to provide him with enough vitamins and other essential nutritional elements, the addition of vegetables and starchy foods in small quantities remains important. Cooked carrots and zucchini can therefore be added to his daily ration, taking care to gradually get him used to them.

How Much Space Should I Allocate to my Norwegian Cat?

The Norwegian Forest cat, in spite of its large size, adapts as well to life in an apartment as in a house.

In the case of a Norwegian cat in an apartment, it is advisable to have a minimum amount of space (more than 300 ft²), to find a life companion if possible and to equip the apartment with feline equipment such as a cat tree for example. Indeed, the Norwegian is a very playful cat.

Sociable but autonomous, these cats appreciate moments alone and it is possible to leave your Norwegian cat alone for a day without any particular problem.

This feline also appreciates cuddles and its kindness makes it the ideal pet cat if there are children in the household.

What’s the Size of YOUR Norwegian Forest Cat?

I hope that this article on the size of a Norwegian Forest cat has helped you to see more clearly and has provided you with interesting information on this particular breed of cat.

And now, it’s your turn to speak!

Do you own a Norwegian cat? Did you choose it because of its size? What do you think is the advantage of having a large cat?

Norwegian Forest Cat Photo by Steven Iodice from Pixabay

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