Norwegian Forest Cat Facts: 12 Things You Probably Didn’t Know

The Norwegian Forest Cat — known in Norway as the Skogkatt — is one of the oldest natural cat breeds in existence. Despite growing popularity across North America, Europe and beyond, most of what people think they know about this breed turns out to be incomplete, exaggerated or simply wrong.

What “Skogkatt” Really Means

Skogkatt is a compound Norwegian word: skog (forest) + katt (cat). The full registered name, norsk skogkatt, translates to “Norwegian forest cat” — exactly what international registries adopted in English. This is a cat shaped entirely by its environment: centuries in the cold, wet, mountainous Norwegian forest produced every characteristic the breed has.

Fact #1: They Nearly Went Extinct During World War II

The Norwegian Forest Cat was close to disappearing entirely during the Second World War. Cross-breeding with domestic shorthaired cats — which increased significantly during the hardships of wartime — diluted the breed’s characteristics to the point where the “pure” Skogkatt was becoming rare. The breed’s survival is credited to the Norwegian Forest Cat Club and a deliberate post-war breeding program. The NFC wasn’t officially recognised by FIFe until 1977.

Fact #2: Their Coat Is Genuinely Waterproof

The NFC has a two-layer coat system: a dense woolly undercoat for insulation and a topcoat of long guard hairs coated with natural oils that cause water to bead and run off. This is an evolutionary adaptation from centuries of Scandinavian forest life.

Fact #3: They Don’t Reach Full Size Until Age 5

Norwegian Forest Cats are one of the slowest-maturing breeds. While most domestic cats reach adult size by 12–18 months, the Skogkatt continues developing until around 4–5 years of age. Males continue to develop muscle mass and bone density well into their third year.

Fact #4: They Are the Cats of Norse Mythology

Norse legends describe the skogkatt as a magical creature capable of climbing sheer rock faces. The most significant connection is to Freya, the goddess of love and fertility, who according to the Prose Edda travelled in a chariot drawn by two large cats — widely believed to have been Norwegian Forest Cats. Thor’s encounter with a disguised Midgard Serpent in cat form also references the Skogkatt’s hidden strength.

Fact #5: They Can Climb Down Trees Head-First

Norwegian Forest Cats can descend trees head-first, like a squirrel — one of the very few domestic cats capable of this. The mechanism is their rotating hind ankles combined with strong curved claws and powerful hindquarters.

Fact #6: They Are NOT Hypoallergenic

No cat is truly hypoallergenic. The primary allergen is Fel d 1 — a protein in saliva, skin glands and urine, not fur. Norwegian Forest Cats produce Fel d 1 at levels similar to most other breeds. Some allergy sufferers report milder reactions due to coat structure, but this is inconsistent. Spend extended time with the specific cat before adopting.

Fact #7: They Have Two Completely Different Coats Per Year

NFCs undergo a dramatic seasonal moult each spring — their full winter coat sheds heavily over 4–6 weeks, revealing a noticeably shorter summer coat. This “great moult” surprises many first-time owners. Daily brushing during this period is essential to prevent matting.

Fact #8: Males and Females Differ More Than Most Breeds

Males: 5.5–9 kg, broader chest and skull, more prominent ruff. Females: 3.5–5.5 kg, more refined features, generally more independent. Males tend to be more affectionate; females more self-sufficient and selective.

Fact #9: Their Eyes Can Be Any Colour

Unlike breeds with strict eye colour standards, NFCs are accepted in all eye colours by FIFe, TICA and the CFA. White NFCs can carry the gene for heterochromia — two different coloured eyes — which is considered a show quality trait.

Fact #10: They Behave More Like Dogs Than Most People Expect

NFCs greet owners at the door, follow them from room to room, many learn to fetch, they vocalise in response to conversation, and they can be leash trained more readily than almost any other domestic cat breed. This traces to centuries of integration into Scandinavian farmstead life.

Fact #11: They Have One Specific Genetic Health Risk

Norwegian Forest Cats have a genetic predisposition to Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV (GSD IV). Kittens born with two copies of the recessive gene rarely survive beyond a few months. DNA testing is straightforward and every responsible breeder should test both parents. Annual cardiac screening for HCM is recommended from age 2.

Fact #12: Norway’s Official Cat

In 1979, King Olav V of Norway officially designated the Norwegian Forest Cat as Norway’s national cat. The breed remains most popular in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and France, but its North American popularity has grown dramatically since the 1980s.

Frequently Asked Questions