The Norwegian Forest Cat is a gentle giant. They are big in size and highly active, so you may find them sitting on the highest point in your house, with no hesitation to jump down. Norwegian Forest Cats are fond of their family but reserved with visitors.
As a laid-back and independent breed, they don't require constant attention. Norwegian Forest Cats are content to sit in the same room as their humans and enjoy their own entertainment. These feline creatures are moderately active, energetic, and then take long naps, and enjoy playing in water. They get along with other dogs and cats, as well as well-behaved children.
The Norwegian Forest Cat originates from Norway and can be traced back hundreds (if not thousands) of years. Some speculate about its ancestors. They may have descended from long-haired cats from Turkey, brought to Norway by Scandinavian warriors serving in the Byzantine Empire. Alternatively, they may be related to the Siberian cats from Russia.
This large-sized feline was first showcased at a cat exhibition in Oslo in 1938, but further development of the breed was interrupted by World War II. The Norwegian Forest Cat was officially recognized as a breed by the Federation Internationale Feline in 1977. They were exported to the United States in 1979 and quickly gained popularity. In 1987, the breed was presented to the Cat Fanciers' Association and achieved full championship status in 1993.
A family with children and other household pets
1, Cat ringworm
Cat ringworm is a common skin disease in cats, which is simply fungal infection.
Cause: Kittens with poor constitution are more likely to get ringworm. Another type is fungal infection caused by warm and humid living environment.
Symptoms: The most common locations are ears and chin, with small patches of ringworm, hair loss, dry scales, and severe skin erosion and large areas of baldness.
Solution: Isolate first - shave the hair (shave the hair near the ringworm, one is convenient to apply medicine, and the other is to prevent the fungus from spreading.) - oral medication (commonly used are Itraconazole / Fluconazole / Griseofulvin) - apply ointment (Ketoconazole Cream / Miconazole Cream / Tocopherol Cream / Pity Spray, be sure to follow the doctor's advice before use) - medication bath (Ketoconazole Lotion / Miconazole Lotion, keep for 1-2 weeks until recovery) - increase nutrition (cats infected with ringworm, mostly have some problems with resistance, need to increase nutrition, boil a little chicken breast meat + carrots) - sunbathe (sunbathe to keep ventilation, which can help kill bacteria)
2, Cat flu
Cat flu is also one of the common diseases, and kittens with weak constitution are more susceptible to this disease.
Cause: A bacterium called strain of herpesvirus invades the cat's respiratory tract. This virus will attach to the cat's trachea and begin to damage their respiratory system.
Symptoms: Fever, mucus around the nose, frequent sneezing, abundant secretion around the eyes, and severe conjunctivitis.
Solution: When the condition is not too serious in the early stage, you can take lysine and use antiviral eye drops. It is recommended to vaccinate kittens, which reduces the chance of getting cat flu. The virus of cat flu has strong viability, so the whole house should be disinfected and cleaned. Formaldehyde and phenol can be used for disinfection.
3, Vomiting
Vomiting is also a common issue for cats. Sometimes cats will vomit their own vomit as a self-protection mechanism, generally it will be better after vomiting.
Cause: Inhaling too much hair, indigestion, eating foreign objects, changing food too quickly, catching a cold, and gastroenteritis can all cause vomiting.
Symptoms: There is hair and mucus in the vomit; or vomiting food, vomiting yellow water and white foam, and so on.
Solution: If the cat vomits hair, it is recommended to buy some hair gel or cat grass for the cat to eat.
When the cat vomits, it is recommended to let the cat fast for a day, give it some warm water to drink, and then feed it some pet probiotics to regulate the flora. If the cat's vomiting symptoms stop, you can feed a small amount of soft cat food or canned food with more soup and easily digestible food. If the vomiting condition does not improve, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
Hygiene: Due to their abundant fur, cats are prone to carrying various bacteria and parasites. For the sake of the cat's and the owner's health, regular bathing and grooming should be provided.
Diet: Different cats have different food preferences. Owners should not choose cat food randomly for the sake of convenience. Cat food should be carefully selected based on the cat's breed, growth, and physical condition. Additionally, dedicated cat utensils should be prepared.
Health: Like humans, cats can also get sick. When a cat is sick, it should be taken to a specialized animal hospital for treatment. Regular physical examinations and vaccinations are also necessary. Only when the cat is healthy will it have the energy to play with its owner.
Safety: There is a saying, "Curiosity killed the cat." Cats are curious creatures who are always interested in various things. Their nature also leads them to enjoy entering enclosed spaces. Therefore, owners must keep doors and windows closed to prevent cats from getting into potential danger.
Living environment: Cats love to take naps. As an owner, it is important to provide them with a comfortable sleeping mat. However, these mats can accumulate a lot of bacteria over time, so regular cleaning and disinfection are necessary.
Litter box: The problem of pets relieving themselves anywhere can be a hassle for many pet owners. However, cats are actually very clean animals. As long as owners provide them with a litter box, cats will use it for their needs.
Cats are sensitive creatures. They become irritated when forced to do something. Therefore, owners should trim their cat's nails regularly to prevent scratches and infections when playing with them.
Grooming Time: Recommended once every three days
1. Relax the cat: Before grooming, you can give the cat a massage first. After the kitten purrs, proceed with the following steps;
2. Comb along the hair: from the back → waist → buttocks → tail; wet the cat's fur with a small amount of water to reduce static electricity, comb along the direction of hair growth, and comb downward;
3. Comb from the chest to the abdomen: lift the cat, sit on your lap in a human posture, and comb from top to bottom. The cat's belly is more sensitive, so the owner must be quick and accurate when grooming.
4. Comb the cat's head and around the face: you can comb from the cat's head or face towards the neck, be careful with the cat's eyes during grooming.
5. Hair under the armpits and belly: at this time, the cat can lie on its side, lift the cat's front legs, and comb the side from the armpits to the belly.
6. Finally, use a comb again to remove excess hair, straighten the cat's fur, and finish the entire process.
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