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Showing posts from September, 2020

Huge Norwegian Forest Cat the size of a large Maine Coon

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On average, the Norwegian Forest Cat (NFC) is smaller than the Maine Coon but there are exceptions and this is one of them. Not all MCs are larger than NFCs. This TikTok video illustrates the point. This NFC is very classic in terms of 'type' meaning desired appearance as per the breed standard. Super appearance. Huge Norwegian Forest Cat the size of a large Maine Coon. Image: MikeB from screenshots. Here is the video. For me it is a bit irritating because of the soundtrack. Horrible for me. But the point is made about size. This is a great NFC. A classic in terms of coat: a grey tabby-and-white. It is his size which is untypical for this breed although they are one of the largest domestic cat breeds challenging the supremacy of the Maine Coon sometimes .

Aslan - Norwegian Forest cat enjoying the outdoors

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  You can read about Aslan and see more pictures on his Instagram page . Aslan. a male Norwegian Forest cat lives in Sweden and is 2-years-of-age approximately, I believe. Aslan developed FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) rapidly. His urethra was completely blocked. His vet gave him medication to expand the urethra and he peed out kidney stones. It was a serious situation. Feline lower urinary tract disease produces symptoms of prolonged squatting and straining, entering and leaving the litter box often, sometimes without voiding, frequent urination, passing bloody urine, urinating in unusual locations, licking the penis or vulva excessively and crying out during the act of avoiding. It is the most common disorder affecting the lower urinary tract in cats. And lower urinary tract problems are by far the major health concern of cat guardians. There is a 50 to 70% rate of recurrence. It is most commonly seen in older cats i.e. more than one year of age. It occurs in both

Norwegian Forest cat breeder's insurance claim refused

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This is an example of what is reported The Times today on the subject of insurance companies not paying out compensation to businesses who have lost income due to the coronavirus pandemic. Insurance companies argue that should not be expected to pay compensation when the UK government has paid out grants and loans under government schemes. Norwegian Forest cat kittens. Photo: Helmi Flick. However, the government has ordered insurers to end what they describe as a "shameful" practice in using the government's emergency support both in loans and grants (depending upon the size and nature of the business) to offset insurance payouts to businesses. Insurance companies have been very reluctant to pay out compensation under policies for the simple reason, as I understand it, that if they paid all the claims it would jeopardise the existence of those businesses such is the severity of the situation facing small businesses in the UK during lockdown. They are therefore protecti

When do Norwegian Forest Cats shed?

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Norwegian Forest Cats shed fur at the same time as any other domestic cat. Some people believe that changes in seasonal temperatures dictate when a cat sheds fur but actually the shedding is influenced by changes in ambient light. A domestic cat sheds more when there is more natural light. It doesn't matter whether the cat is spayed, neutered or fully intact. Comparing NFC, Siberian and Maine Coon. Therefore, if a Norwegian Forest Cat is allowed outside, which might be unusual because they are such beautiful cats, the longer days of sunlight in late spring activates the shedding process. It can last for about six weeks. If a cat is allowed outside part of the day then the shedding process might begin at the beginning of summer. In the autumn, as the days grow shorter and there is less ambient light, the coat thickens for the coming winter. There is little or no shedding. For indoor cats exposed to both artificial and natural light at a fairly constant level continuously shedding ma

Norwegian Forest Cat Dressed for Norwegian Weather

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This must be a photograph of a Norwegian Forest cat in Norway - in Norwegian weather wearing a thick and shaggy coat which is so perfect to keep her warm.  Norwegian Forest cat. Presumed in Norway under falling snow. Glorious. Photo believed to be in the public domain. The pictures of Norwegian Forest cats that we see on the Internet and which have been bred perhaps in America are quite refined looking. Their coats are well prepared and groomed by their owners. The ruff under their chin is often coiffed beautifully in preparation for cat shows but here we have a shaggy original under the falling snow looking as content as she could be.  The coat is amazing in its shagginess and density. There is no way that this cat is going to be cold even if it is Norway where temperatures reach -30°C or whatever else they are. I'm not too familiar with the temperatures in Norway but they will be bloody cold except for the Norwegian Forest cat such as the one illustrating this page. You can re

Notable differences between the Norwegian Forest cat and the Maine Coon

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In 1991, the Norwegian Forest cat was not accepted for championship competition by every association in the United States. I'm surprised to hear that. One reason for this anomaly was the breed's resemblance to the Maine Coon. And there is a similarity - there is no doubt about it - but there are differences and the Norwegian Forest cat breeders stressed this. Richard H Gebhart, a former president of the Cat Fanciers' Association Inc. tells us that some of the differences between these two well-known and popular breeds are as follows: The Maine Coon had a slight curve in its nose. The Norwegian, especially the male, has a straight nose. The Maine Coon has a prominent, squared off muzzle. The Norwegian's muzzle fits neatly into its triangular face. Comment: this is quite a marked difference and if in doubt I would refer to this difference to distinguish a Maine Coon from a Norwegian Forest. In fact, the European and Russian breeders have exaggerated this squared-off muzzl

6 theories of how the Norwegian Forest Cat came about

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The Norwegian Forest Cat (NFC) is a very popular purebred cat. It is a large 'Viking cat". It is long-haired and in its homeland it has been known as the Skaukatt or Skogkatt. The cat's nickname is "Wegie" or "Wegi". And they are sometimes referred to as "Skogs" or "Norgies". These are terms of endearment as I see it. This is a well loved cat. Picture in the public domain I believe. The hair is long and shaggy, it looks functional and they have a full ruff, tufted ears and a bushy tail. The front legs are shorter than the hind legs and its size is similar to that of the famous Maine Coon which is the largest pure domestic cat other than the F1 wildcat hybrids.  The factual history of how the Forest Cat came to be in the Norwegian countryside is unclear but these are six theories as provided by Dr Desmond Morris in his book Cat World.  The first theory says that Viking ships brought Scottish wild cats to Norway where