Latest news with #NorwegianForest
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The playful, fluffy and chatty Norwegian Forest cat ‘may communicate with you by meowing, chirping, or yowling'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Norwegian Forest cat overview Other names: Wegies and Skogkatt (which translates to forest cat in Norwegian) Life expectancy: 12–16 years Size: 8–20lbs, 12–18 inches long and 10–12 inches tall Coat: cream, white, black, blue or golden, with a solid, bicolor, tortoiseshell or calico pattern Eye colour: green, gold, or copper Temperament: robust, companionable, intelligent, playful and patient Origin/native country: Norway Calm, gentle and overflowing with fur, the beautiful Norwegian Forest Cat is a sight to behold. As its name suggests, this treasure is Norway's national cat and has been since King Olav V declared it as such in 1938. It's also the feline of choice in Iceland, Finland, and Sweden. It's believed that the water-loving Norwegian Forest cat started its life aboard Viking ships, journeying from Great Britain to Norway in 1000 AD. These fabulous fur balls then lived in Norwegian forests for hundreds of years before being domesticated. Today, these clever and intelligent cats still have the hunting and climbing prowess of their feline ancestors. These big balls of fluff are the second largest cat breed after the Maine Coon, with males reaching weights of up to 20lbs. But the interesting list of characteristics about this majestic creature doesn't stop there. If you're wondering whether a Norwegian Forest cat is right for your home, stick right here. If you're looking for a hypoallergenic cat breed, you won't find it in a Norwegian Forest cat. Originating in Norway, where temperatures during winter can drop as low as -40°C, these feline friends have a dense undercoat that helps to keep them warm all year round. 'These cats have a characteristically long and thick, double coat,' notes vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan. 'They shed moderate amounts throughout the year, with their fur and dander containing the Fel d1 protein. This protein is spread from their saliva through their coat as they groom, causing a reaction in people with allergies.' Therefore, if you're looking for cats that don't shed much, consider a non-shedding cat breed, like a Sphynx, Peterbald or Cornish Rex, which might better suit pet owners who are allergic to cats or those who want to avoid finding fur all over their floors. Chatty feline friends make a great choice for those who live alone, or for any household that's looking for a lively fur friend to add to their family. And while Norwegian Forest cats can be vocal, they aren't considered to be amongst the loudest cat breeds. 'They may communicate with you by meowing, chirping, or yowling,' Dr MacMillan says. 'Each cat will be an individual though, some may be louder or quieter than others!' Just one look at this long-haired cat will confirm that this isn't a low-maintenance breed. To help keep mats and tangles at bay, it's worth grooming long-haired cats like a Norwegian Forest cat every day. Therefore, it's a wise idea to not only learn the different types of cat brushes and how to use them, but also invest in one of the best cat brushes to keep their coat looking in pristine condition. Even though healthy adult cats can spend up to 50% of their day grooming themselves, they still benefit from regular brushing to help remove dirt, loose hair and dandruff. Grooming your cat can also help you bond better with your kitty. If you are intending to adopt this breed, you should also note that they shed their thick and full coat every summer. Whether it's playing on one of the best cat trees, scaling furniture (Wegies are incredibly skilled climbers) or heading out for a swim (this is a cat breed that loves water), a Norwegian Forest cat will need around 30 minutes of exercise a day to keep them mentally stimulated and healthy. Wisdom Panel Cat DNA Test | Amazon Not sure exactly what breed your cat is? This kit screens for 70+ breeds, 45 genetic health insights and 25+ physical traits – because knowing every detail about your cat helps you understand how best to care for them. View Deal According to Dr MacMillan, Norwegian Forest cats are susceptible to a few health conditions, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). 'This condition causes the thickening of the heart walls, which affects the heart's ability to pump effectively,' Dr MacMillan says. 'I have seen many cats with HCM succumb to heart failure during my time in practice.' Therefore, screening tests are recommended, so if you are considering welcoming this breed into your family, check if your breeder has done this before purchasing a kitten from them. Norwegian Forest cats also can suffer from an inherited disorder known as glycogen storage disease. 'Affected cats struggle with the way they process glycogen in the body, causing organ dysfunction,' Dr MacMillan says. Another inherited health problem in this breed is hip dysplasia. 'This can affect the way the hip joint develops causing pain and limping, " the Dr explains. "Again, only healthy cats should be mated to reduce the chances of kittens inheriting this disease." It is not possible to avoid the risk of inherited diseases altogether, but Dr MacMillan recommends seeking a reputable breeder who has done all the recommended health screening. 'This will increase the chances of your kitten being healthy. Look after your Norwegian Forest cat by feeding them an appropriate diet, keeping them at a healthy weight and practicing preventative medicine such as vaccinations, anti-parasite treatment, and neutering.' A Norwegian Forest cat is considered pricey as it could set you back up to $2,000, but this is still cheaper than a Maine Coon, which is another large breed of cat and can cost a hefty $3,000 more. Either way, a Wegie is considered to be one of the most expensive cat breeds. Of course, how much you pay for a Norwegian Forest cat will depend on the breeder and area. Generally speaking, average prices sit between $900 to $1,500. Robust, fast and agile the Norwegian Forest cat has many attributes to love. They're also one of the calmest cat breeds, as they are known for having a very friendly, gentle, and relaxed temperament, which makes them great for families. This large fluffy breed is often favored because it has a love for the outdoors – so if you are an active household, you've met your match. Of course, their coat is a thing of beauty. But all that fur will require some upkeep. Therefore, if you have the time (love and care) to give to a Norwegian Forest it will fit right in and make your home their cat kingdom. Norwegian Forest Cats And Kittens | Amazon This owners guide provides essential information on the origin, physical attributes, purchase, temperament, health issues, and socialization of this wonderful Deal Read next: Reasons to love Norwegian Forest cats Edited by Georgia Guerin.
Yahoo
10-01-2025
- Yahoo
Cat Prevents Surveyor From Landing Drone on Job Site and It's Pure Comedy
These days, private consumer drones are all over the news. Suspicious unidentified drones popping up in airfields. Drones making elaborate lighted formations to celebrate the New Year. A drone even recently grounded one of the firefighting planes working on the Los Angeles wildfires. Usage of the machines have soared, as people realize their usefulness in film and photography, especially in areas like real estate and surveying. But although drones sound super high-tech, most are nothing more than tiny machines with a camera attached, hardly more elaborate (or sturdy) than your average radio-controlled toy car. Which means that they might not survive a casual encounter with even a small predator—like a house cat. View the to see embedded media. The drone pilot in this video is a surveyor who uses the machinery to take aerial pictures of the properties and heritage landmarks that he works on. It's a useful technique, and one that makes his job a lot easier. But in this clip, we see a possible pitfall, in the form of a feline who does not like this odd, buzzing machine in his space.'The local neighborhood watch prevented me from landing my drone on this job,' writes the surveyor in the captions. 'I had to make an alternative landing elsewhere…' The cat—a large and fluffy, blue-eyed creature that many are identifying as a Norwegian Forest cat, is seen running toward the drone with such interest that the pilot is obviously afraid any closer may threaten the machine's ability to return to him. 'So thats what's happening with all the drones!' Exclaims one person in the comments section. 'People are trying to land their drones but cats are stopping them.' 'I love the whole 'get off my lawn' energy,' remarks another. And who wouldn't? Drones can be invasive of privacy—though obviously in this case, the surveyor was supposed to be there. Cats, however, may not understand the technical difference. 'Cat army against the drones!' cheers another person in the comments section. Why would a cat go after a drone like this? Cats are small but efficient predators who were domesticated entirely for their ability to hunt. Pest control is the reason that cats have lived alongside humans for thousands of years, and it is still one of their main activities. But where pests are few, outdoor cats will gladly hunt birds, and are responsible for killing millions of native songbirds every year. One must not be surprised to learn they take down the occasional drone as well. In fact, cats are classified as invasive species due to their intense predation on a small area around their home when allowed to roam free. It is thought that their hunting skills are so concentrated because that is how they were used for thousands of years—as pest control around barns and granaries, keeping out mice, rats, and other animals which may prove a problem for agricultural humans. Why range far from home for your hunts when there's a whole silo full of corn bringing the mice to the yard. Cats are extremely territorial creatures, and it's possible this one just saw the drone as yet another bird to take down. And he isn't the only one. 'My cat destroyed the mini-drone I bought for him for Christmas last year,' says one person in the comments. Bottom line: drone pilots, watch out for the kitties. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
