Norwegian Forest Cat And Maine Coon: What Are The Differences?
Among the numerous cat breeds that exist today, those that have a large size and long hair are perhaps the breeds that stand out the most. Among these very characteristic types of breeds are the Norwegian forest cat and the Maine Coon.
Their physical appearance is so similar that they look the same. For this reason, in this article we will show you some physical details that can allow us to distinguish them.
The origins of the Norwegian forest cat and the Maine Coon
One of the first differences between the Norwegian forest cat and the Maine Coon (or Maine raccoon) is their origin and history. The Norwegian forest cat, also called Norsk Scogkatt in its country of origin, has a history that dates back to around 4000 years ago and originated in ancient Scandinavia.
It is said that the Vikings used these cats to “control” the rodent populations in their villages. It is very likely that these peoples are responsible for the spread of the Norwegian Forest Cat to the rest of the European continent.
The origin of the Maine Coon is different and more mysterious. Although these cats are known to have lived on American soil for hundreds of years, what is less clear is how they got there. One of the most common hypotheses relates them to the Norwegian forest cat. From here some morphological similarities would be explained.
Another theory, less accepted from a biological point of view, holds that the Maine Coon is the result of matings between cats and raccoons. Whatever the origin, the Maine Coon is considered a domestic cat.
Characteristics of the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Maine Coon
As we mentioned earlier, these two cat breeds have very similar physical characteristics. However, they have differences that allow us to distinguish them without too much difficulty.
One of these is size. The Maine Coon tends to be slightly larger and have a more muscular body. The head also has some differences: the Norsk Scogkatt has a triangular head, while that of the Main Coon is more square and slightly concave.
Another physical characteristic that makes it possible to distinguish the two breeds of cats is the shape of the eyes. Both cats have large eyes, but the Maine Coon’s are slightly oval, while the Norsk Scogkatt’s are wide and almond-shaped.
The coat of both cats is similar. This is because they have had to adapt to cold climates and low temperatures. However, they do have some differences. The Norsk Scogkatt has a semi-long coat with a woolly-looking undercoat that is not present in the Maine Coon.
Are the characters of these two cat breeds similar?
Although the character of cats depends on the breed, it is also true that each animal has its own personality. In general, we can say that Norsk Scogkatt takes longer to reach maturity.
If you want to keep them indoors, it is important to know that the Maine Coon is a more sociable animal than the Norwegian Forest Cat. However, the independent character of the latter does not prevent this animal from enjoying the company of its owners and especially the smallest of the house.
As for physical activity, both breeds are quite active, but the Norwegian Forest Cat prefers the outdoors where it can climb trees and hunt. Obviously, as we have already said, the character and behavior vary from animal to animal. If you are considering adopting one of these cats, keep in mind that they make excellent companions.
