Norwegian Forest Cat vs. Maine Coon: What are Their Similarities and Differences?

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Updated on: 05/17/2022

Like their canine counterparts, there are many cat breeds – purebred and mixed. Two of those breeds include the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Maine Coon. These two breeds are vastly different, though they do still share some similarities.

If you are looking to expand your family by adding a feline friend, it is important to do all of your research beforehand. Some people have a particular breed in mind, while others may want to compare two or more. Luckily, this article will provide all of the information you will need to understand if either a Norwegian Forest Cat or a Maine Coon could be the right fit for you. Read on to learn more.

Main Characteristics

Here is a chart that displays some basic characteristics of these two breeds. In general, both Norwegian Forest Cats and Maine Coons come in a variety of coat colors and patterns, and some colors are more common than others. They also fall within the same lifespan range, though Norwegian Forest Cats may live a little longer. Norwegian Forests are approximately half the length of a Maine Coon, yet they can be of similar weights.

	Norwegian Forest Cat	Maine Coon
Weight	12 to 16 pounds (some might even larger)	11 to 20 pounds (some might be even larger)
Length	12 to 18 inches	30 to 40 inches
Colors and Patterns	Black, white, orange, blue, gray, lavender, beige, tan, silver cream, tabby, calico, bi-color, tri-color	Black, brown, cream, red, white, blue, golden, silver, tabby, bi-color, tri-color
Lifespan	12 to 16 years	9 to 15 years

Key Similarities Between Norwegian Forest Cats and Maine Coons

Norwegian Forests and Maine Coons share similar personality traits and grooming requirements. The chart below shows a ranking on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest in a given category.

	Norwegian Forest Cat	Maine Coon
Potential for Playfulness	3 out 5	4 out 5
Activity Level	3 out 5	4 out 5
Friendly with Other Pets	4 out 5	5 out 5
Friendly with Children	4 out 5	5 out 5
Grooming Requirements	4 out 5	4 out 5
Need for Attention	2 out 5	3 out 5
Affection toward Owners	2 out 5	3 out 5
Intelligence	3 out 5	4 out 5
Independence	2 out 5	3 out 5

Personality and Activity Levels

Both the Norwegian Forest Cat and Maine Coon have friendly yet independent personalities. They enjoy being around their families but do not need to be attached at the hip. They don’t mind being left at home for longer periods as long as they have an activity to entertain themselves, such as climbing, scratching, or playing with toys.

Speaking of activities, these cats are athletic breeds and like to keep busy. They will likely want to play and wrestle with another dog or cat sibling who lives in the house. They may also enjoy a puzzle game to exercise their intelligent minds.

Both of these breeds are friendly towards children and other pets but can be cautious of strangers. If you bring one into your life as a kitten, socialize them with people outside your household. Each of these breeds is intelligent as well and can be taught new tricks. Maine Coons tend to be slightly more playful, social, and goofy than Norwegian Forest Cats, but their personalities are generally similar.

Photo by Kanashi on Unsplash

READ MORE: All About Maine Coons

Size

Norwegian Forests and Maine Coons are considered large domestic cat breeds. One unique feature of these cats is that they typically do not reach their fully grown size until they are up to five years old. Most Maine Coons are fully matured at three to five years old, but Norwegian Forests may take five years.

It can sometimes be difficult to determine how large these cats will grow due to their slow maturation process. In general, Maine Coons are longer and leaner while Norwegian Forest Cats have more of a stocky build. Although they have different builds, sometimes these cats will weigh about the same because their weight is distributed differently.

Coat Colors and Grooming Requirements

Each breed has beautiful coats that come in practically any color or pattern. It is estimated that Norwegian Forest Cats come in roughly 60 colors and patterns with black, cream, brown, and tabby patterns being the most common. All-white Norwegian Forests are quite rare.^[1] For Maine Coons, the most common solid coat colors are black, blue, cream, and white. The most popular colors are brown tabby and tiger-striped.^[2]

Both the Norwegian Forest Cat and Maine Coon breeds are long-haired and have silky coat. That means that their owners will need to groom them very regularly. They will need to be brushed once or twice per week with a soft bristle brush and a stainless steel comb to remove any tangles. It is good to begin grooming them while they are very young.

READ MORE: Fluffiest Cat Breeds

Health Concerns

Unfortunately, each of these cat breeds shares some similar potential health problems. Both Norwegian Forests and Maine Coons are susceptible to heart problems, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease. Hip dysplasia, spinal muscular atrophy, and glycogen storage disease IV might also become problematic. Often, these conditions are hereditary. It is important to research reputable breeders of these cats and keep up with regular vet visits.

Periodontal disease is common amongst cat breeds as well, so keep up with regular dental care. It would not be a bad idea to consider purchasing a pet insurance plan for your Norwegian Forest or Maine Coon also, and this will give you peace of mind in unexpected vet visits.

Cost

Another similarity between these two breeds is how much they cost. The range is fairly large, and there are many factors to consider, such as age, pedigree, and location, to name a few. Norwegian Forest Cats typically cost between $800 and $1,500,^[3] while Maine Coons may cost anywhere from $400 to $1,500.^[4] Sometimes the cost might be even higher. You should be skeptical of anybody trying to sell kittens of these breeds for a suspiciously low price.

Indoor-Only Cats

It is highly recommended that both the Norwegian Forest Cat and Maine Coon breeds are kept as indoor-only cats. While their long and luscious coats will keep them warm, they could contract diseases from other outdoor cats or be attacked by a larger animal. Both of these breeds are stunningly beautiful, so their unique looks might make them more prone to being stolen.

Key Differences Between Norwegian Forest Cats and Maine Coons

Of course, there are also some differences between these two breeds. Though they share many similarities, no two variations of any animal are 100 percent alike. Here are some key differences between Norwegian Forest Cats and Maine Coons.

Photo by Valeria Boltneva from Pexels

READ MORE: Maine Coon Tabby Mix

Breed History

As their name suggests, the Norwegian Forest hails from Norway. Nobody knows where they came from, but they are frequently mentioned in Norse mythology. It is believed that they may be related to a breed of long-haired Turkish cats or cats from Siberia. Norwegian Forests are often called “Wegies” for short, and they assisted farmers and families with keeping mice at bay.

Wegies were exhibited at a show in Oslo, Norway’s capital city, in 1938 so they could be developed as a breed. Unfortunately, World War II interrupted these plans. Wegies were not registered as a breed until 1977 and made their way to the United States two years later.^[5] They are quite popular pets in North America and Europe.

The Maine Coon breed comes from the U.S. state of Maine and is the official cat of that state. However, their exact origin remains a mystery since they are a natural breed. One legend says that the Vikings brought them to North America, and another says they are descendants of cats that belonged to Marie Antoinette, but nobody knows for a fact. What is known is that the Maine Coon is not related to raccoons. Many believe that the “Coon” part of their name comes from some Maine Coons having raccoon-like patterns on their fur. Maine Coons exercised their prey drive as farm cats in the 1800s.

The earliest published reference of a Maine Coon was in 1861 and his name was Captain Jenks. These cats began gaining popularity during the second half of the 19^th century. A female Maine Coon was even named “Best Cat” at a show in 1895 in New York City. At the turn of the century, the Persian and Siamese breeds exploded in popularity and pushed Maine Coons to the side for about five decades. They started to regain popularity in the 1960s. In 1968, the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association was formed.^[6]

Appearance

Although Wegies and Maine Coons may share similar coat textures and colors, there are some aspects of their physical appearance that set them apart from one another. Norwegian Forests tend to have almond-shaped eyes while a Maine Coon’s eyes are usually rounder. A defining physical trait of a Maine Coon is having distinctive ear tufts on the very top of the tips of their ears. Wegies do not have these.

Photo by @artplus from Freepik

Conclusion

Cats are loving and entertaining pets who will keep you on your toes. There are many breeds to research and consider before bringing one into your life. Each one is unique in its own way and they have specific needs. However, finding the right match can bring about endless years of love and laughs. Is either a Norwegian Forest Cat or a Maine Coon the right fit for you and your family? We hope we have provided some insight to help you make that decision.

FAQs

Which cat is larger, a Norwegian Forest Cat or a Maine Coon?

The size of a cat depends on its genetics, and it may be challenging to determine just how large each of them will be due to their slow growth rate. Maine Coons tend to be slightly larger than Norwegian Forest Cats. They are typically longer, but they might weigh the same as a shorter Norwegian Forest Cat since they are built differently.

Should I get a Maine Coon or a Norwegian Forest Cat?

To answer this question, you need to consider many lifestyle factors. Ask yourself who else lives in your house (including other animals), how much you are home during the day, your financial situation, etc. Bringing a new pet into your life takes some careful planning and it should not be an impulsive decision.

What is the difference between a Maine Coon and a Norwegian Forest Cat?

These two cats are entirely different breeds. It is unknown where each of them is from exactly, but the Norwegian Forest Cat first appeared in Norway and the Maine Coon did in the state of Maine. Though some of these cats may weigh about the same, the way their bodies are built looks different. Norwegian Forest Cats usually have a more muscular build while Maine Coons are longer and leaner. Their breed history and appearance are the main differences between them.

Is there a bigger cat breed than a Maine Coon?

Maine Coons are the largest domestic cat breeds. They can grow up to 40 inches in length from nose to tail and may weigh up to 25 pounds. Maine Coons are known for their stunning features and happy-go-lucky personalities.