Anyone owned or are familiar with Norwegian Forest Cats?

[NNN0LHI]

I have read about them online and they seem to be everything I am looking for. But no one ever mentions any drawbacks to owning one. I know they are very big and are very loud and deep purrers which I like.

Any drawbacks to them?

Thanks if anyone is familiar with them and can supply me any info.

Don

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I've never had one myself, though if I did

I'd name him Lars or Ole. But I have heard they are good jumpers and like to be in high places. Since they are quite large, a NFC could be a bit of a bull in a china shop if you have a lot of curios (or expensive antiques) on shelves. And they are very furry, which means they probably shed a lot. Otherwise, I've never heard anything bad about them.

[MinneapolisMatt]

2. You made me Google them!

How pretty they are. I can see why you would want one!

[NNN0LHI]

12. I thimk the onen ai had to euthijnize rewcenly had part Maine Coon or Norwegiam forest cat in him

Losing him nearly killed me.

Tht was confirmed to m yesterday when my wife began asking me who she needed to call to claim my life insurance through my emmployer if somthing bad hsppened.

Then my daaughter called m wanting my log-in information here at DU so sh was able to mak a notificatio here if I died.

THat is when I relized wowwod badly losing my cat really was on me.




Don

[NoodleyAppendage]

3. Drawback

They tend to have hairball problems given the length and texture of their fur and tendency to groom obsessively. Otherwise, they are a great breed! Very loyal and friendly breed. We had a female for ~18 years. Great cat.

J

[Marrah_G]

4. I have one but he is a rescue

And a great big beautiful fraidy cat...They are supposed to be self confident and tough. He is very skittish to the point of absurdity

I can't think of any downsides, but mine might not be a good example of one.

He is all black with his underside turning a dark rust color as he ages.

OH WAIT......shedding. They do shed alot. Unless you get one that enjoys being brushed alot, I suggest buying a Dyson vaccuum.

[kestrel91316]

5. I think they are the breed with a genetic predisposition to

hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

For the record, I always recommend getting mutt cats and not purebreds. They just tend to be healthier, both physically and psychologically.

You can find a big longhaired tabby/white random parentage kitty and call it a NorFor and nobody but you will know the difference.

[StarryNite]

6. Hurray for Mutts!

So glad you are recommending them... I really wish more people would opt to adopt when it comes to cats and dogs. Mutts rock!

[SidDithers]

7. Why do you think mutts would be healthier? Deeper gene pool?...

I always enjoy your posts about animals and your practice.

My happy, healthy brother / sister pair of mutts:


Sid

[kestrel91316]

11. Hybrid vigor. Purebreds are terribly inbred.

[Aerows]

8. From what I understand

their main drawback is that they are very "mouthy" cats in that they meow a lot. Like - annoying level meowing and complaining. Maine Coons don't do that, they are just overly friendly and have to be in your business (I had one for 17 wonderful years - he was a gentle giant - HUGE).

[Freddie]

9. Very similar to Maine Coons

Except even bigger. Probably genetically related.
I had 2 MCs (brother & sister) and they were very loving and smart. But as others mentioned, these breeds get hair balls (yuck!) and with some their fur will get mats no matter what you do. Had to have Lucy shaved once. She was not happy.
After the MCs passed away last year (a few months apart at age 15) I adopted a long-haired kitten through a rescue. He could pass for a MC except he's too small.

[Care Acutely]

10. I hope you will consider a rescue cat.

So many lovable animals in need of good homes, death hanging over them for the "crime" of not being loved by someone.

Be that someone that loves one.

[riderinthestorm]

13. We had one dumped (wandered in?) to the farm. Gorgeous cat. Very loud.

In fact, we named him "Chat" as a play on the french word for cat, and the fact that he was so "chatty". He was absolutely a joy to be with - friendly, loud, personality + but he was extremely dominant. I have a number of barn cats with 3 of those cats splitting their time between the house and the barn. One of them requires 2x daily thyroid meds so I've taken to feeding him some canned food to ensure he comes around on time to be medicated.

Well this big galoot was having none of that! Made sure nobody was going to get in the house but him. Patrolled the perimeter, getting into fights with anyone who dared tried to trespass into the family domain. Pretty hilarious but obviously not workable. One of my boarders took him home and he's living la vida loca with her and her 2 dogs. She says he's just as domineering and pushy with her two shepherds as he was here.

After talking to my vet, she said that they are a supremely confident cat. Designed to be very territorial. If I didn't have an entire herd of cats of my own, I'd consider getting a Norwegian Forest cat just for the entertainment value.

Good luck!