Norwegian Forest Cats

Norwegian Forest Cats have evolved in the cool and wet climate of Norway. Their origins are still a mystery but they are believed to be descendants of the shorthaired cats brought in from the Great Britain by the Vikings around 1000 AD, and longhaired cats brought by Crusaders around the 14th century. This breed was nearly extinct during the World War II, but the Norwegian Forest Cat Club put in place an official breeding program to increase the population and preserve the breed. In the 1950s, King Olav V declared them the national cat breed of Norway.

 

ZionForest Always Chasing Rainbows before we picked her up

What is it Like to live with them

Wegies are gentle “giants”, they are generally moderately active, playful, agile, loving, intelligent, hardy and quite “dog like”. They are interactive and friendly with people and other pets thanks to their outgoing and curious nature. NFCs don’t mind spending the entire day lying in bed cuddling with you, but they also like going on adventures on a harness and get a chance to show off their hunting instincts. Of course, if their mental or physical needs are not met, they will look for something to keep them busy which can result in mischief. They are fairly low-maintenance, brushing once a week to avoid tangles and knots will do.

Health

Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD IV): This is a form of metabolic disorder, which affects the way the body uses and stores glycogen. Due to the lack of the branching enzyme, his disease causes a buildup of glycogen in the body and impairs the function of tissues and organs, specifically the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and muscles. Fortunately, health testing is available and my cattery is free from this disease.

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK Def): Pyruvate kinase is an important enzyme needed by the red blood cells. Cats lacking this enzyme develop anemia, fatigue, weight loss, and jaundice. This illness can potentially lead to death. Fortunately, health testing is available and my cattery is free from this disease.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): It’s the most common inherited cause of kidney failure in all cats. Cysts start to grow and progressively enlarge the kidney, reducing the organ’s ability to function properly. Fortunately, health testing is available and my cattery is free from this disease.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): This is a condition in which heart muscle tissues thicken without an obvious cause, most often inherited from the parents. Fortunately, scans are available and my cattery is regularly screened for it.