What Are the Differences Between Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats? Maine Coon cats and Norwegian Forest cats look very similar, and some experts believe that the Maine Coon is a descendant of the Norwegian Forest cats since they share so many similar traits. They are both large breeds of cats. They both have long silky coats. They are both well known for being outgoing and friendly but there are some differences in both appearance and personality. Maine Coons are well-known for their intelligence and their ability to quickly learn new things.
Personality
Maine Coons also really enjoy the company of people and are very loyal. Norwegian Forest Cats are also very intelligent and easy to train, but they are not that interested in the loyalty part if you are not willing to interact with them.
Training and Playing
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Maine Coons are notorious for their kitten-like playfulness while the Norwegian Forest cat is sort of on the lazy side. They prefer to play a little than lounge about, while the Coon will keep on playing as long as you are willing to play.
Coons can easily be trained to walk on a leash with a harness which has earned them the name of the “dog of the cat world”. Norwegian Forest Cats are not that interested in being someone's “dog”.
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Looks
Their appearance is very similar but the head shape is different and the coat is also a bit different. Both are very fluffy, but the Norwegian Forest cat has all-around even length long hair. The tails are also a bit different. The hair on the Norwegian Forest Cat is long and sweeping while the Coon's tail is more of a big fluff without any real direction.
The shape of the head is the most telling sign. The Norwegian Forest Cat has a triangular-shaped head with a straight nose and a flat forehead. The Maine Coon has a wedge-shaped head with high cheekbones. The Coon also usually has a happy-looking face.
Final Thoughts
These are both very well-loved breeds because they are beautiful and have great personalities. They are great additions to any home. They are both good with children, although the Maine Coon does get a few extra points in this arena for their calm cool ways with children. They are far more alike than they are different.
FAQs
If you are wondering, chances are you have a mixed breed cat. Keep in mind that most "Maine Coons" do not have genetic ties to the real Maine Coon.To tell if a cat might be a mixture of breeds, look at the width and length of the head, the chin structure, and the ears. These can tell you what breed or breed your cat might be.
Norwegian Forest Cats (or Norsk Skogkatt in Norwegian) are rare and highly sought after. There are no official records of the price, but it is estimated to be around $800-$1200.
Maine Coons are large, semi-longhaired cats with tufted ears and tails. They have a sturdy bone structure, sweet expressions, and are friendly or aloof toward strangers. They come in all colours and patterns except chocolate and lavender. They are powerful and agile and can take a long time to mature.
A Norwegian forest cat can live their entire life indoors. It is not recommended. However, if the cat must be an indoor-only pet, it will need daily outdoor time or access to a large enclosure that allows for hunting and exploring opportunities. The important thing is they must get their daily exercise.
Norwegian Forest Cats (NFC) come in many colors and patterns. They require regular grooming and bathing, and because their hair is so thick, we recommend brushing daily.
Norwegian Forest Cats are not known to be noisy. They don't meow (unless they're learning from other cats), and they don't bark as dogs do.
No. They are not rare at all. A unique genetic mutation of an ancestor of the Norwegian Forest Cat over 1000 years ago resulted in a distinctive physical type that is now being actively promoted as a pure breed cat under the name Norwegian Forest Cat.
I don't think it matters how skittish or bold your cat is; the essential thing is socialization. Norwegian Forest Cats are very loyal to their people and can be "one-person" cats like most cats are, but most cats won't run away if they feel threatened UNLESS they have never been around other people or have not had a chance to socialize.
Yes. They can purr.
It isn't easy to determine how long Maine Coon Cats will live. Genetics, exercise, diet and care are all involved in determining the lifespan of this breed. The average life expectancy of a well cared for indoor cat that has been spayed or neutered is around 12-15 years, but indoor cats have been known to live up to twenty years.
Large, strong cats are often much more efficient predators. This is true of lions and large wildcats living in Japan or the Scottish Highlands. Therefore, the predatory instinct persists even if these cats no longer hunt for food. This is probably also true for Maine Coons, because they are related to the Norwegian Elkhound used to hunt moose. Unfortunately, the Norwegian Elkhound is also quite big for a domestic dog.
Yes. Maine Coon cats do shed a lot. This fact is that they have a double coat, which means that their topcoat and undercoat consist of guard hair and woolly hair, respectively. In addition, their skin constantly grows, so they need to lose the old inches by shedding them regularly. But, of course, the amount of shedding depends on many factors, for instance, their age, health condition, nutrition, hormone levels, etc.
The Maine Coon is a long-haired breed of cat with an appearance and temperament distinct from other species. The Maine Coon has been claimed to be hypoallergenic, but there is no scientific evidence.
Maine Coon cats are genetically not black; they can be, however, black and white (with or without the red/ginger coat color), blue (with or without the cream/red/ginger coat color), shell (white with colored patches) - including lynx point, tabby point...
On occasion, a white kitten is born in a litter of otherwise colored Maine Coon cats. This is due to a gene mutation referred to as the "white fur allele". Some breeders will produce this color as it is generally considered the most valued color in show cats with blue eyes. However, those that do may face some difficulties.
Norwegian Forest Cats are playful cats. They love to play with people toys... but sometimes they might get carried away, and you can hardly control them!
The answer is no, Maine Coons do not have an extra toe.
A cat's number of toes depends on its genetics and breeding rather than its breed. For example, Turkish Van cats are typically polydactyl (have more than five toes), whereas other species do not usually exhibit this trait.
A: Yes. Many stories of these cats saving their owners' lives by warning them about bears, storms, etc. They are great family pets because they are brilliant.
This is a tough one to answer, simply because both the Norwegian Forest Cat and Maine Coon are large breeds. If you have either of these breeds at home, it may be hard to tell them apart when they are fully grown. They can reach 10 pounds each in weight, making them among the most significant domestic cat breeds. They have bushy tails, which makes them look alike from the back. In addition to being big cats, they also share some health concerns.
