Norwegian Forest

Generally healthy, check the GCCF website for further details. 

Highly suited to spending time outdoors, the Norwegian Forest cat loves climbing, and isn’t shy of coming head first down tree trunks and fencing. A secure cat-proof fence should be used around any outdoor space your Norwegian Forest cat has access to, or consider an enclosed run. Very suited to farm life, a Norwegian Forest cat would be more than happy to patrol haybarns and feed rooms during the day, and curl up on the sofa at night. 
 

This is an athletic and outgoing cat who will enjoy climbing and will need cat trees and furniture that allows an outlet for this behaviour. Although easy going and not particularly demanding, the Norwegian Forest cat does enjoy a good game, and it should be easy to devise ways to play, and have your cat work for their food via food dispensing toys that replicate parts of the hunting sequence. This also helps with their tendency for weight gain. 

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes. 

The adult cat will require a general groom once a week, however kittens and elderly cats may require daily grooming to ensure the coat is clean and tangle free. This breed will shed heavily in spring when shedding out their longer winter coat – brushing well at this time can help speed up the process. A weekly groom gives you the opportunity to check the coat for parasites and any minor injuries. 

For the quiet and patient family the Norwegian Forest cat can make an excellent companion. They are slow to mature and can be shy and reserved so may not suit a very boisterous family or on with a constant stream of guests, but are otherwise a good match for most homes.