Persian vs Norwegian Forest Cat - Breed Comparison

Cat lovers the world over know the Persian cat very well. It's a beautiful long-haired cat breed with its familiar round face and blunt muzzle.

It is not really known when long-haired cats first appeared, or where the Persian originated but their history stems from Persia or Iran as it is known today, where it seems they were first sighted.

The cats were grey-coated and some were white and soon the cats arrived in Britain. They were introduced to the United States in the 1900s. The cat was developed first by the English, and then also by American breeders after the Second World War and the breeding of these cats has also meant a lot of coat colors.

The beautiful Norwegian Forest cat has a thick fur to survive the snow and icy weather in Norway. It is the official cat of Norway.

It originated in Northern Europe. It is believed that the cat was brought to Norway from Great Britain way back in the time of the Vikings. It is also believed that it reproduced with farm cats and has become the modern-day Norwegian Forest breed.

They were discovered in the early twentieth century by cat enthusiasts and in 1938 an organization was established devoted to this breed.

Also, a club was started for the cat in Oslo so as to preserve the breed. The 2nd World War saw the cat all but disappear but a breeding program was started. It was registered in Europe by the 1970s, and in 1994 by the American Cat Fanciers Association and others.

The Persian cat is a medium- to large-sized cat and is heavily boned. He can weigh between 3 and 6kg.

He has stocky legs, a thick neck, small ears, round head, round eyes, and the face is flat or blunt. The kittens are gorgeous balls of fluff.

The coat of the Persian is thick, long, and silky. People many times think only of a white Persian, when in fact the cat comes in many colors and patterns. Eye color for the cat can be blue, green, brown, copper or even odd-eyed.

Temperament:

The Persian isn’t the most active of cats, so attention will need to be given to exercising the cat so as to manage his weight. This cat will also need to have his nutrition controlled to stay in shape and in good health.

Persians enjoy games with their human family and will need some toys to encourage play and exercise.

He is placid and calm but that doesn’t mean he can’t have bursts of energy. They’re quieter than other cats, are sweet-natured, preferring to live in quieter, less boisterous households.

They aren’t loudly vocal but communicate with their eyes and their soft voices. They won’t get on well with small, noisy children but can be loving pets and companions of older children who allow them their own space.

This domestic cat is a natural breed with a thick coat of long water-resistant fur and a woolly undercoat. The coat can be in many colors and patterns.

This is a big, strong, heavy boned cat with a bushy tail and long legs. It’s larger than your regular cat and can weigh anything between 3 and 9kg. The eyes are almond-shaped and can be any color while the large ears are high set.

Temperament:

In spite of this being a large cat, they are energetic and yet they don’t like being around boisterous, energetic pets. They are friendly, calm, gentle, and intelligent and enjoy being part of a human family.

They tend to be a bit reserved around strangers. It’s not a demanding cat and can entertain himself with his toys.

The amicable personality of the Persian cat makes it easy to have these cats in your home. The long hair becomes a bit of an issue as the cat sheds quite a bit.

They’re sweet, quiet cats and they don’t demand attention from you. They are more than happy just lying quietly in a warm spot. They are calm, loving cats and it's no wonder that they are still such a popular breed of cat.

Remember that your large Norwegian Forest cat likes to scratch so you want to provide him with a scratching post. He is so companionable, you want to reward him by ensuring you make his life as easy as possible.

Known as a gentle giant, the beautiful and undemanding Norwegian Forest cat will appreciate a calm household where he can quietly enjoy the companionship of the humans he loves.

The structure of this cat’s head can mean some health problems. Hereditary Polycystic kidney disease is prevalent with the Persian cat. It is an inherited condition that causes cysts to form in the kidneys. These cysts are actually present from birth, growing larger over time and interfering with kidney function and ending in kidney failure.

Also, with a larger breed cat such as the Persian, hip dysplasia is a problem.

Persians are also susceptible to malocclusion which means ‘incorrect bite’. This particular condition can affect the cat’s ability to grasp and actually hold food. So much so in fact, that now pet food manufacturing companies have even developed specially-shaped kibble to cater particularly for the Persian.

The lifespan of this big, longhaired cat is usually 14 to 16 years, but you need to check out kidney and heart disease with this particular breed as well as patellar luxation.

You don’t want your cat having problems with the knee cap as this takes away from his ability to leap, pounce and crouch. It’s when the patella or kneecap is out of place. There may not necessarily be pain for your pet and in fact, your cat may not show any signs of abnormality till the condition has become quite advanced.

Your cat can actually become lame. You want to avoid this with the Norwegian as it's a particularly good climber.

The Persian cat’s coat is long and silky and because he is a fairly heavy shedder, he will require regular brushing – certainly once or twice a week to get rid of that loose hair. It is important to brush and also cut the hair so as to get rid of the tangled knots that form.

While brushing your Persian, make sure that his eyes and nose are clear. This is important because the flat face creates problems with these cats.

Excellent cat food for your Persian involves reading labels and understanding what brands are best for your beautiful cat. The Persian cat is a carnivore and will require high-quality food rich in protein.

Speak to your vet if you are in any doubt about the best food for your cat’s health and wellbeing. Make sure your pet has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Make sure to keep the litter box clean. Buy a small rake from the pet shop and rake up your cat's feces every single day and dispose of them.

The Norwegian has a long coat so you will need to brush it at least twice a week to keep it nice and shiny and free from tangles.

Trim your Norwegian forest cat’s claws. You will need a special nail clipper, but if you're nervous to cut the nails yourself, your vet or pet groomers can do it for you.

Cats battle quite a bit with periodontal disease and an excellent diet can help to prevent this. Cats hate you sticking a toothbrush into their mouths – they can become terrified - and it would b kinder to simply have your cat’s teeth checked out at the vet when you suspect that something might be wrong. At the same time, you can ask to have the inside of your cat’s ears checked for dirt and infection.

Keep your cat’s litter box spotlessly clean. These cats dislike a dirty litter box intensely. Remove all feces every single day – more often even if possible.

One good way to select the best food for your cat is to read the ingredients. The first two ingredients listed on the package should always be meat. Select a high-quality cat food. Keeping Norwegian Forest cats in good health requires high-quality cat food to meet all of your Norwegian forest cat’s nutritional needs.

You can feed your Norwegian Forest cat two meals per day. Always check with your veterinarian for a recommendation on how much and what to feed your cat.

Provide a constant supply of fresh, clean water for your Norwegian Forest cat.The bowl should be in an easy place for your cat to reach and in the shade.

Provide your Norwegian with a soft bed in a quiet, restful place.