Imagine Batman vs Superman feline version – that’s what Norwegian Forest Cat vs Maine Coon Cat will look like. We understand your ask here as both these cats look similar and equally attractive to own. It’s like in the grand world of feline royalty, these two majestic titans reign supreme. For once, let’s imagine what a showdown of these two breeds would look like –
In the left corner, we have a feline that looks like it just strolled out of a Viking saga. With a thick coat and powerful build, it represents Nordic resilience. It’s like the feline version of Thor with a nonchalant swagger. It is none other than the Norwegian Forest Cat.
And in the right corner, we have the feline American Hero! With a luxurious tail and a beautiful mane, it can make a lion feel jealous. An embodiment of rugged charm and a feline version of a lumberjack that comes with a knack for fetching toys - welcome the Maine Coon.
Now it’s a different thing that cats would rather nap than go head-to-head in a showdown. So, let’s settle this debate with a friendly comparison.
Which is Better as a Pet a Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest Cat?
The pointers that we will consider for comparison will be physical appearance, personality, health and care requirements. (1) For simplicity purposes, when we say 'A’ vs ‘B’, think of it as ‘A’ belonging to Maine Coons and ‘B’ belonging to Norwegian Forest Cat.
Appearance – This is the one thing that these cats may not have a lot of differences with. Both have long fur and look robust. There are some subtle differences though –
Silky supper coat with a fine undercoat vs woolly undercoat with a water-resistant upper coat.
Square head shape vs triangular head shape
Available colors are cream, black, blue and white vs black, blue, white, red, cream and amber
Weight ranges between 5-11 kgs vs 4-9 kgs.
Personality – Here’s where you find more prominent differences. Remember what we said about a vs b?
Very affectionate and expressive about it vs affectionate but not very vocal about it.
Playful and active throughout their life vs playful and active but lazier as they grow up.
Highly intelligent and hence trainable vs highly intelligent and trainable.
Vocal about almost everything using different sounds vs soft and gentle voice but loud purrs at times.
Territorial vs territorial but both can be socialized at a young age.
Health – Overall, both of these are healthy breeds. However, they are prone to certain medical conditions during their lifetime. These include –
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) – It is the most common heart disease in felines. It is caused by the thickening of the heart muscle which leads to blood clot formation, fluid accumulation in the lungs, and heart failure.
Join problems – Large felines like the Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats often tend to suffer from hip dysplasia. Some cases may even require surgery.
Polycystic kidney disease – This condition damages a cat’s kidneys eventually leading to renal failure.
Apart from these, there are some breed-specific conditions as well for these cats.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy vs Glycogen storage disease IV and Retinal Dysplasia.
Caring needs – We will look at both grooming and diet requirements for these breeds to see if one needs more maintenance than the other.
Brushing twice or thrice a week vs once a week.
Bathing once a month or more if they get dirty vs once every six to eight weeks but probably at a groomer as it can be challenging.
Both the breeds would need a good quality, vet-recommended high protein diet consisting of lean meat and fish. A Maine Coon might need more because of the larger size though.
After looking at all the points, in summary, we can say that if you want a typical lap cat, a Maine Coon is a better choice. They will keep interacting with you and almost be like a dog in the family. A Norwegian Forest Cat may be more independent and hence less vocal about things in general.
Having said that, the personality of a cat does not totally depend on the breed but other factors like lifestyle, genetics, upbringing, etc.
Are Norwegian Forest Cats Rare?
Norwegian Forest Cats are a pure breed. This means they were developed without any intentional breeding. However, during World War II, they almost went extinct due to crossbreeding. Efforts have been made since then to protect the breed.
Today, you may find them rare in the US, but they are quite popular in Scandinavian countries, France and even China. (2)
Are Norwegian Forest Cats Snuggly?
Wegies, as they are popularly known, are an affectionate breed and love the company of their human families. However, they are not much of an extrovert. They would not mind sitting close to you most of the time but with long cuddles, you may be taking it too far for them. They may need their space once they’ve had enough socialization. (3)
Are Norwegian Forest Cats high maintenance?
We gave you an entire picture of what it looks like to maintain a Norwegian Forest Cat. From their grooming to diet requirements, we’ve captured all. Apart from that, they are a moderately active breed. They may not need a lot of physical stimulation. They may have short bursts of energy but then after that, they will lie down peacefully in a corner without needing much attention.
So, overall, we do not think they are a high-maintenance breed.
Are Maine Coons Descended from Norwegian Forest Cats?
There are many theories and myths surrounding the origin of Maine Coon cats. Genetic testing does suggest that the Maine Coon is a descendant of both the Norwegian Forest cat and a mysterious extinct domestic breed.
So, it’s possible that Vikings carried Norwegian Forest Cats along for the ride. And once they landed in the New World, these cats might have mixed with local short-haired cats, resulting in the Maine Coon we know and love today. (4)
More About Spot Pet Insurance
We now leave the decision of choosing the right one to you. But whatever you decide, here’s something important that you should know -
Apart from the medical conditions mentioned above that both these breeds are prone to, they can also suffer from some lifestyle diseases in their lifetime. These include – (1)
Diabetes
Urinary tract diseases (bladder stones, cystitis)
Liver issues
Kidney disease
Hyperthyroidism
Treatment for these can cause a big dent in your savings at times. With pet health insurance, you can save up to 90% of them. With Spot Pet, you can save many more costs.
Cat Insurance helps to provide pet parents with additional financial support and peace of mind when it comes to the health and wellness of their pets. With a Spot plan, pet parents can receive up to 90% cash back on eligible vet bills. This way pet parents can focus on caring for and supporting their pets. Spot's also offers preventive care add-ons, which can help cover the eligible costs of spaying and neutering, dental cleaning, vaccinations, and other routine care services.
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With 10 years of experience as a pet parent, I aim to empower pet owners with insights into pet insurance and maintaining their pet's well-being. I aspire to be a trusted source, combining knowledge with a commitment to the welfare of our beloved pets.
Findlay, S. (2022, July 25). What to know about a Norwegian forest cat. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/what-to-know-about-norwegian-forest-cats
