About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 30-46 cm

Height range  : 23-30cm

Weight range : 5.9-9.1kg

Coat : Long to semi-long double coat|dense undercoat|long glossy water-resistant guard hairs|frontal ruff|bushy tail

Life expectancy years : 8-16

Colors: White|Black|Blue|Red|Cream|Silver|Golden|Amber|Brown|Cameo|Tortoiseshell|Bluecream|tabby|bi-color|calico.

Activitity Level : Moderate

Origin: Norway

Similar Breeds : Maine Coon

 

History

The breed is associated with Norway and Scandinavian forests and appears in Norse legend as the Skogkatt. Sources say Vikings may have used these cats for rodent control and that the breed was preserved through 20th century breeding programs after nearing extinction. It became the official cat of Norway in the 1970s , the first U.S. breeding pair arrived in 1979 , and CFA championship status came in 1993.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

Playful

Personality

friendly|affectionate|sweet|intelligent|independent|adaptable|playful|gentle|loving

Needs

Needs climbing space , scratching posts , cat trees , interactive play , room to run and regular coat care. They also benefit from companionship and should not be left alone for long stretches.

Social Needs

Prefers to be part of family life , forms strong attachments while remaining independent , usually does well with children , cats , dogs and family interaction.

Grooming 

Regular combing is usually enough for many cats but more frequent brushing is needed during shedding and some sources recommend at least twice weekly or even daily in heavy moulting periods. Teeth should be brushed as often as possible , nails clipped as needed , and eyes wiped if necessary.

Nutrition

A complete balanced diet with fresh water is recommended. Sources note that calorie balance matters for this large breed , adult diets should support coat , joints , oral health and hairball management , and low excess feeding helps avoid obesity.

 

Breed Standard

Breed standard emphasizes a sturdy , large , substantially boned cat with an equilateral triangular head , straight profile , large almond-shaped eyes , medium to large furnished ears , medium-long rectangular body , hind legs higher than forelegs , large tufted paws , long bushy tail and a dense double water-resistant coat. The breed matures slowly and can take about five years to reach full growth.

Did you know?

The breed is known as the Skogkatt in Norway and is tied to Norse folklore. It was designated the official cat of Norway in the 1970s and is famous for climbing ability , cold-weather coat and a long maturation period.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Glycogen storage disease IV , Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy , Hip dysplasia , Severe matting and hairballs , Dental disease

 

Symptoms

1. Stillbirth or fading kitten signs may occur
2. Surviving kittens may show progressive muscle weakness , tremors , ataxia , lethargy , inability to stand and muscle wasting

1. Early stages may show no signs
2. Murmur or gallop rhythm may be first clues
3. Lethargy , reduced appetite , rapid or open-mouthed breathing , fainting , blood clots , hind-limb paralysis or lameness may occur

1. Bunny hopping , limping , stiffness , reluctance to jump , pain when hips are handled , hind-leg muscle loss may occur

1. Dense mats under legs , belly or hindquarters , red irritated skin , vomiting or retching up hair , lethargy , loss of appetite may occur with blockage

1. Halitosis , excessive salivation , blood in saliva , pain on chewing , difficulty eating , loose teeth , weight loss and poor grooming may occur

Onset of symptoms

 

Glycogen storage disease IV

1. It can be present at birth with stillbirth or fading kittens
2. In surviving kittens clinical signs often appear at 5-7 months and the disease is usually fatal before 15 months

Probability Of Onset:

1. Extremely low in lines from responsible breeders with DNA testing
2. The supplied text indicates a 25% risk if two carrier cats are bred

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

1. Disease may begin earlier but signs often appear in middle age or later around 4-8+ years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate because the breed is described as having hereditary risk and HCM affects up to 15% of all cats overall

Hip dysplasia

1. It may be visible on x-ray in young cats around 1-2 years and clinical pain signs may become apparent at 3-7 years or later

Probability Of Onset:

 

1. Moderate because large , heavy build may increase risk though severity varies

Severe matting and hairballs

1. It can happen at any age and may worsen during seasonal sheds or when grooming ability declines with age , arthritis or obesity

Probability Of Onset:

1. Very high because the dense coat makes some degree of matting or hairball trouble likely without consistent grooming

Dental disease

1. Mild gingivitis may begin by 1-2 years and the majority of cats over 2-3 years may have disease needing intervention

Probability Of Onset:

1. Very high because the text indicates the majority of cats over 2-3 years have some disease warranting intervention

Reasons

Glycogen storage disease IV       

1. This is a genetic enzyme deficiency and is not related to nutritional lack

 

Hip dysplasia:

1. This is a conformational issue and not a deficiency though joint tissues rely on glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate

 

Glycogen storage disease IV       

1. This is a genetic enzyme deficiency and is not related to nutritional lack

Hip dysplasia:

1. This is a conformational issue and not a deficiency though joint tissues rely on glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate

 

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

 1. Cause is mainly genetic but the supplied text notes taurine , L-Carnitine , Coenzyme Q10 and omega-3 fatty acids are nutrients relevant to heart support

Severe matting and hairballs

1. This is a physical grooming issue and the lacking elements may be brushing , fiber and hydration

Dental disease

  1. 1. This is not a chemical deficiency and plaque accumulation from insufficient oral hygiene is the main issue

Normally Treament Methods

Glycogen storage disease IV:

  1. 1. The text indicates there is no cure
    2. Genetic testing of breeding cats may reduce risk and supportive care may be used until humane euthanasia becomes necessary in severe cases

 

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:

  1. 1. Early stages may not require treatment for years
    2. Echocardiographic screening and regular monitoring may help
    3. Clopidogrel , furosemide , ACE-inhibitors , pimobendan , hospitalization and drainage of pleural effusion may be used in some cases

 

Hip dysplasia

  1. 1. Weight management and controlled low-impact exercise may help
    2. Pain relief and physical therapy may be used
    3. Surgery such as femoral head ostectomy might be considered in severe cases

 

Severe matting and hairballs:

  1. 1. Regular frequent brushing is recommended
    2. Large tight mats may need shaving by a groomer or veterinarian
    3. High-fiber diets and increased water intake may help hairball passage

 

Dental disease:

  1. 1. Periodontal therapy under general anaesthesia , scale and polish , root surface debridement , possible extraction and home oral care may be used. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Glycogen storage disease IV :

  • 1. No supplement was identified as helpful in the text
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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids can, might be helpful for heart support
    2. Coenzyme Q10 can, might be helpful for heart muscle energy support
    3. Taurine can, might be helpful for feline heart health support
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Hip dysplasia

  • 1. Glucosamine can, might be helpful for cartilage support
    2. Chondroitin Sulfate can, might be helpful for joint support
    3. Omega-3 fatty acids can, might be helpful for inflammation support
    4. Green-Lipped Mussel can, might be helpful for joint comfort
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Severe matting and hairballs

  • 1. Fiber supplements such as Psyllium Husk can, might be helpful for passage of ingested hair
    2. Hairball gel can, might be helpful for lubrication of hair passage
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Dental disease

  • 1. No specific supplement was identified in the supplied periodontal disease text
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