Norwegian Forest Cat care: from grooming to bathing


Care of the Norwegian Forest Cat, all the beauty tips for the coat of this elegant and powerful cat breed with Scandinavian origins.

In this article, we will talk about the care of the Norwegian Forest Cat, a cat of Scandinavian origin.

Equipped with a muscular build but also snappy and charming, covered with a semi-long coat that cannot be overlooked.

Let’s see what the advice of the experts to take care of this elegant feline breed, not only of its coat but also of its hygiene.

So if you have decided to adopt a Norwegian Forest Cat, you can’t miss the opportunity to read some tips for grooming your purebred kitten.


Coat care of the Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a semi-long haired cat that needs to be looked after carefully and consistently if its coat is to shine.

The coat of the Norwegian Forest Cat consists of a smoothwater-repellent primary coat, dries in less than fifteen minutes, and a thick, insulating undercoat from both extreme cold and heat.

The fur of this cat appears shiny and the colors can be red, brown, silver and black. It can be found in three different types of tabby: blotched tabby, mackerel tabby, blotched tabby.

The length and fullness can vary depending on the season and maturity of the cat. In the warmer months the hair is almost completely lost and then thickens with the arrival of autumn, so much so that it reaches the maximum length of over ten centimeters.

In the change of seasons and moulting, the coat of the Norwegian requires to be brushed consistently even 2 times a day.

At other times of the year it can be combed even just once a week, becoming immediately bright and soft. It also hardly tends to knot.

To be able to brush it, it is important to use brushes suitable for the type of cat’s hair, or accessories such as:

  • a wide-toothed comb: plastic handle and chromed metal teeth, very delicate on the cat’s skin, thanks to the rounded teeth;
  • a slanatore: It will allow to achieve the best results, no more annoying tangled furs, 5 minutes are enough to remove large quantities of residual hair;
  • metal comb : equipped with round teeth so as not to scratch the skin of the animal, it helps to remove tangles of cat hair and dirt, in addition it also stimulates the skin and improves blood circulation;
  • double bristle brush : easily removes dead hair from the coat and keeps it clean. Equipped with an additional soft bristle side that stimulates blood flow and makes the coat shiny;
  • gloves: gloves go deep into the undercoat and remove dead hair easily without hurting the skin or damaging the coat. They are equipped with 2 sides, with which it is possible not only to eliminate dead hair, but also to eliminate it from your furniture and sofas.

Taking care of the Norwegian Forest Cat does not only mean brushing it but also paying attention to its nutrition, trying to avoid giving it too much.

Overeating with food could harm him by making him gain excess weight.

It is also advisable to remember that it is necessary and to avoid giving it, as it is a food that the cat does not tolerate and poorly digest.


Hygiene and cleanliness of the Norwegian Forest Cat

Cat hygiene goes hand in hand with grooming. Therefore taking care of the Norwegian Forest Cat is essential for health and not just for the aesthetic aspect.

The Norwegian Forest Cat is not a demanding cat nor is it frail, it has only a few hereditary diseases that can be diagnosed in advance (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Pk-Def, GSD4), however it is a very healthy cat.

In fact, this breed requires little but good care, relating to grooming and hygiene. We have just seen the grooming, for hygiene it is important to know that this cat has a water-repellent coat, it dries in less than 15 minutes.

Organizing the cat’s day, with a routine related to its hygiene, is useful for its health as well as making the master’s work less tiring.

The cat by creating a habit from a puppy, will learn not to rebel and to be elusive. The hygiene of the Norwegian Forest Cat is about cleaning their teeth, eyes, ears and trimming their nails.

To do all this, the cat needs the help of his human friend, despite having a tongue that is particularly accustomed to body hygiene. Unfortunately in some parts it fails to arrive.

In particular, the owner will have to clean:

  • teeth: every two or three weeks, with a special brush available in specialized pet stores
  • eyes: the eyes should be cleaned with a damp cloth or wipe, to avoid infections such as conjunctivitis in cats 
  • ears: the ears must be cleaned in a delicate way to remove the ear wax that accumulates due to the shape of the ears. Cleaning can be done with cotton swabs, gauze or a simple napkin, being careful not to damage them
  • nails: the Norwegian loves getting his nails done, this exercise keeps him in shape because it exercises the muscles of the limbs and the spine, keeps the nails sharp by eliminating the old layers and allowing the renewal of the nail itself, moreover, by scratching, the cat marks the territory. In any case, the nails must be cut, in order to avoid hurting himself and others.

As for the bath, at the Norwegian Forest Cat it is occasionally possible to bathe him using a special shampoo for washing cats, diluted with water and passed all over the body. Human shampoos should not be used.

To dry it, a towel dabbed on the fur will suffice, but be careful because it will easily try to escape, unlike the bath, as it is a breed that loves water.


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