Cats are endearing pets and faithful companions. To most of us, cats are cute because of their almond-shaped eyes, the variety of fur colors, their small noses and paws, and the adorable and funny things they do that rarely fail to entertain us.
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Both Norwegian Forest cat and Maine Coon are big cat breeds
The Norwegian Forest cat is generally described as a large breed, similar to the popular Maine Coon. In both of these breeds, the males are found to be significantly larger in size when compared to the females.
They look quite the same, even in size. They also have quite a few more similarities.
Maine coon cat facts
- The Maine coon’s origin is in its name: Maine. It is dubbed as the original American Longhair cat. Said to originate in the forests of Northeastern Maine and New Brunswick, Canada, there are a lot of theories as to how these cats came to live and breed in this area of the country.
- Maine coons are known for being friendly, affectionate, and goofy. They are not only huge in size but also huge in personality. The Maine coon loves to be around its family. There are also times that they even act like a pack animal.
- An adult male cat weighs 5- 8kg, while a female usually weighs about 3-5 kg.
- They are natural predators. In addition, if you deviate from her natural diet, your Maine coon may become a picky eater. There are many situations where your cat will not eat the food you give it. Usually, this is a result of a recent change in the cat’s diet. Coon cats ignore strange new food while waiting for its old food.
- Maine coons have high energy, which explains their fast metabolism. As you may observe, they demand more food compared to other breeds. The best amount of food to give them is 5% of their body weight daily. Having an improper meal schedule may lead to digestive problems.
The way to tell if your Maine Coon is a mix
Norwegian Forest cat facts
- This cat breed originated in Norway. The Norsk Skogkatt (The name of the cat in Norwegian) seems to have come out of the Scandinavian forests many hundreds of years ago. They were then said to be established by all of the large, long-haired cats found in their mythology. After the war, Norway’s cat fanciers began a breeding program.
- The ancestors of the Norwegian Forest cat served as ship’s cats. They were prized for their amazing hunting skills and were used on Norwegian farms until they were discovered in the early twentieth century by cat enthusiasts.
- This natural breed is adapted to a very cold climate. They are characterized by a topcoat of glossy and a wooly undercoat for insulation.
- Adult females of this breed will typically weigh 3.6 to 8 kg, while males tend to weigh 4.5 to 9 kg.
- They are friendly, intelligent, and generally good with people. This breed of cat has a lot of energy. They are muscular and do not really get along well with dogs and high-energy pets. They are very interactive cats who enjoy being part of their family. Like Maine coons, they do really love playing games.
- For a cat that weighs between five and nine pounds, it should be fed an amount of ⅔ of a cup every day. Providing them small proportions of food will make them more likely to eat their food.
How friendly are Norwegian Forest Cats.
Norwegian Forest Cats vs Maine Coon Cats size comparison
| Size Comparison | Norwegian Forest Cat | Maine Coon |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 12.0”-18.0” | 30-46 cm | 19.0”-32.0” | 48-81 cm |
| Height | 9.0”-12.0” | 23-30 cm | 10.0”-16.0″ | 25-40 cm |
| Weight | 13-20 lb | 6-9 kg | 10-25 lb | 5-11 kg |
As you can see, when we look at size between the to cat breeds, in the Norwegian Forest Cat vs Maine Coon comparison the later ends up with the victory. The are not always bigger, but they have the potential to become rather large cats.
Read about: The largest Maine Coon Cat.
Common questions about which is bigger between Maine coons and Norwegian Forest cats
Are Maine coons and Norwegian Forest cats related?
Both Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest cats look very similar, and there are experts who believe that the Maine Coon is a descendant of the Norwegian Forest cats, since they have a lot of similarities. However, these are just myths and theories. Nothing has ever been proven regarding the bloodline of both cats being related to each other.
Do Norwegian Forest cats still live in the wild?
Longhaired cats that shed water with ease are much more adapted in the Arctic. Norwegian Forest cats lived in forests and were only popular among farmers who valued their hunting abilities. Wild cats can be still found in the forests of Norway.
How do I know if my cat is a Norwegian Forest cat?
For you to identify if your cat is a Norwegian Forest cat, you have to check if your cat has a long coat and thick tufts of hair around its neck, face, and thighs. Also, look closely at your cat’s eye. If they are almond-shaped and are colored green, gold, copper, and blue, it could be a Norwegian Forest cat. However, if your cat’s eyes are round, it might be a Maine Coon instead of a Norwegian Forest cat.
Maine coons and Norwegian Forest cat share a lot of similarities not only in size but also in appearance. They even consume the same amount of food. No wonder, people believe that they are related by blood. Then again, those are still just theories to this day. No one but the coons and the Norwegian Forest cats knows for sure.
