Norwegian Forest Cat: Content

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49

What are the features of keeping a Norwegian Forest Cat?

When purchasing a Norwegian forest cat, you should understand that at this moment a person not only receives a beautiful and affectionate animal, but also voluntarily agrees to endure some inconveniences associated with keeping the cat, perform additional duties, and also take full responsibility for his four-legged pet.

When all possibilities are weighed, including time and financial, you need to pay attention to the fact that adult Norwegian forest cats can be impressive in size. All Norwegians need a large living area where they can move freely day and night, play, and contact other cats. They also need fresh air. Lack of walking and 24/7 confined space can be stressful for these cats. Letting cats out for free range is always a danger that something could happen to them, so a spacious enclosed enclosure is an excellent option. From the above, it follows that housing is not the best option for Norwegian forest cats. However, it is possible if the owners allow the pet to visit the street (you can walk the pet on a harness, for example, like a dog). It is also necessary to understand the importance of timely vaccination, and especially for animals visiting the street.

An apartment or house must be equipped in such a way as to create a comfortable and maximally safe environment, but comfortable not only for the cat, but also for the owner himself. Cats of this breed are very large, and jumping on shelves and cabinets, they can easily turn valuable and fragile objects or, for example, pots with indoor plants, into a heap of rubbish, simply by accidentally hitting and dropping them on the floor. Therefore, such things should be arranged so that the Norwegians cannot get to them, and it is recommended to plant indoor plants in a room inaccessible to cats, since there is no height in the house (apartment) for Norwegian forest cats that they cannot take. You should also read about the features of the plants and find out if there are any poisonous ones among them.

Do not leave unattended small, stabbing and sharp objects, thin ropes, threads, tinsel and other objects that the pet may mistake for a toy, but which may be dangerous for him (cut himself, swallow and suffocate or injure internal organs, etc.) Further). Opened containers with household chemicals should not be accessible to animals. Deep containers of water, as well as a toilet, should be kept closed during the first year of a Norwegian's life. Such strict precautions will fade over the years as the pet matures and understands what's what.

Some items must be purchased to keep a Norwegian Forest Cat. Most of these can be found at pet supply stores.

The first step is to purchase a toilet (tray). A tray of any configuration or a litter box of another variation (for example, a dry closet) will do, but you should pay attention to its size, the height of the sides (if it is a tray), and take into account the configuration and type of cat litter that the breeder had and that the Norwegian is already accustomed to. It is advisable that the toilet is the same or similar to that used by the breeder. When purchasing a toilet for a cat, you need to focus on the size of an adult animal at once, so a Norwegian forest cat requires a large tray (at least 30x50) with a side height of 7 cm. If there is a need for it, then in addition to the filler, you need to purchase a small scoop.

It must be remembered that this breed is quite picky about the cleanliness of the litter box. If your pet refuses to go to a dirty litter box, then you can buy a few more, especially when you are away from home for a long time. Instead of a litter box, you can buy an automatic toilet, which cleans up after the cat itself after each visit. True, the price of such a "miracle" of technology ranges from 10,000 to 35,000 rubles. If there is no desire to fiddle with the tray and litter, then you can use special systems to try to teach the cat to walk on a human toilet. But this is only suitable for adult cats.

Bowlsmust also fit the size of the Norwegian Forest cat, so small bowls can be used for kittens and teens and larger bowls for adult cats. Porcelain and ceramic bowls are highly recommended as they are environmentally friendly. Metal bowls work as well, but they can build up static electricity, which may not be very pleasant for long-haired Norwegian Forest cats. Bowls can be made of plastic, but in this case they should be replaced with new dishes at least two to three times a year. Bowls with an anti-slip base or sippy bowls are good choices. A deeper container should be purchased for water than for food. You can purchase a special fountain for cats,in this case, you do not have to change the water too often (special water filters are built in such fountains).

The tray (toilet) and bowls must be kept clean. The bowls are washed under hot soapy water after each meal. The tray is washed with a light disinfectant without a strong odor with a complete replacement of the filler (1-2 times a week, depending on the type of filler). No matter how thoroughly you wash the tray, the plastic from which it is made will sooner or later absorb the smells. Therefore, over time, you will have to change the tray, especially if it is of a closed type. In such trays, the smell is more concentrated, and some cats refuse to walk in them.

Even if the Norwegian Forest Cat goes out, there should still be a scratching post in the house. For this breed, flat, but long scratching posts or scratching posts in the form of pillars are suitable. The post scratching post should be very stable and strong. If a scratching post falls on a cat while sharpening its claws, it can scare it greatly, which will negatively affect its use. Also, due to the large weight of "Norwegians", most of the scratching posts sold in pet stores are not suitable for them. You will either have to order or change it every year or two for a new one.

If the cat has a personal sleeping place (lounger, house), which is not an obligatory item, then the scratching post is recommended to be placed near it. As a rule, thoroughbred Norwegians are taught to use a scratching post already in the nursery, so the new owner will only need to hint to the pet what this item is for.

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At first, a carrier will be needed. It is indispensable when visiting a veterinarian, as well as on trips of different duration. Most often adult Norwegian forest cat carriers are small, so when buying, you should look at carriers for small dogs.

In addition to a spacious open-air cage on the street, a solid “cat tree” must be installed in the apartment. The higher and more difficult it is, the better. You will most likely have to make it to order, since the usual “trees” sold in pet stores quickly fall apart. A great addition will be a special cat complex, which is placed on the walls and under the ceiling. It will also have to be ordered individually.

Do not forget about the veterinary first aid kit, products and items for the comprehensive care of the Norwegian Forest cat, as well as toys. Choose strong toys, preferably from natural materials, without small parts that the cat can gnaw and swallow. For such active cats, rustling, squeaking, bright, blinking and moving toys are ideal for the Norwegian Forestry to hunt. And puzzle toys (especially with food) will keep your pet busy for a long time.

Authors: wolchonokW7, Gurieva S.