Recognized for his or her fluffy coats and pleasant disposition, Norwegian Forest Cats are energetic and character. However hidden amongst all that fluff are just a few shocking information about their previous that you must know.
The ten Norwegian Forest Cat Details
1. They Molt within the Summer season
At first look, Norwegian Forest Cats (NFC) look fats. However a wholesome NFC is well-built with loads of fluff. Naturally, they require an everyday grooming routine to maintain their luscious locks silky clean. Through the summer time, a Norwegian Forest Cat’s fur molts the undercoat when additional insulation is pointless. When winter comes, the fluff regrows.
2. They Love Water
Norwegian Forest Cats love the water. It is because they possible needed to fish to outlive within the wild. Their double coats can face up to harsh wind and snow and defend their our bodies from icy chilly water, permitting them to seek out meals year-round.
3. They’re Referred to as the Viking Cat
Who would assume that Vikings can be chargeable for giving us a cuddly creature? It appears unlikely, however it’s very possible.
Vikings and different sailors introduced cats on their ships to maintain mice and rats out of the meals provide (one more reason for this breed’s love of water). They’d then launch the cats into the wild when docked, permitting the cats to breed with the native cats. It’s believed the Vikings have been chargeable for introducing the breed to Norway. Norwegian Forest Cats have earned their title because the Viking Cat because of this.
4. They Play a Half within the Norwegian Fairy Story “Freyja”
Previous paperwork from the sixteenth century describe cats resembling the NFC, together with the outdated Norwegian fairy story “Freyja,” a narrative of a Norse goddess who traveled in a chariot pulled by two cats.
5. They Virtually Went Extinct
The Norwegian Forest Cat nearly went extinct from breeding with different cats, which diluted the gene pool and nearly worn out the breed completely. Nevertheless, Norway stepped in and ultimately saved the breed from turning into a factor of the previous.
6. They’re the Nationwide Cat Breed of Norway
It could appear apparent, however some animal breeds have nationalities of their names even when they’re not from that nation (i.e., the Australian Shepherd). That’s not the case with the Norwegian Forest Cat. In 1938, King Olaf V of Norway declared the NFC the official nationwide cat breed of Norway.
7. They Got here to the US in 1979
Shortly after the breed was saved, Norwegian Forest Cats made their method to America. The primary NFCs entered the nation in 1979.
8. They Achieved Championship Standing in 1984
The Worldwide Cat Affiliation accepted the NFC as championship standing in 1984. Shortly after, the Cat Fanciers Affiliation adopted swimsuit in 1993.
9. They Have Particular Well being Considerations
Norwegian Forest Cats are prone to heart problems, hip dysplasia, and glycogen storage illness Kind IV. Respected breeders assist scale back the variety of instances by way of good breeding practices, however typically these points are current at delivery.
10 .They Have a Particular and Hilarious Nickname
Norwegian Forest Cat followers have a particular nickname for his or her kitties, and it’s arduous to take critically. Usually, you’ll hear an NFC referred to as a “wedgie” for brief. The following time you hear your pal point out their wedgie, test if they’ve cats first!
Conclusion
Norwegian Forest Cats have existed lengthy sufficient to have struggled and conquered. Maybe they discovered properly from the Vikings! Regardless, we’re glad they left the horned helmets prior to now. The fluffy coat is significantly better for snuggles, anyway.
Featured Picture Credit score: Elisa Putti, Shutterstock
