I had one of these babies until one month ago I had to put him to sleep he had kitty cancer he was 18 years old had a wonderful life but he was the absolute BEST cat I have EVER HAD!! The only thing about the breed that is tough is they have a VERY THICK under fur that mats terribly my baby loved being brushed but in the sumner I gave him a Lyon cut so it would be cooler for him and help with fleas!! My baby was 24# he was a very big boy had massive paws and bone structure!! I miss him terribly!!!
Awww, I know how hard that is. My heartfelt sympathies.
I lost my first three Norwegian Forest cats within 10 months of each other. Two I lost 2 weeks apart while I was in still in Nebraska, then my first Norwegian, Gabby, who was 16, and came here to Georgia with me three years ago died three months after I arrived. I was devastated, he died in my arms, poor sweet boy. I found out he had cancer but never showed signs and acted fine. Two weeks after diagnosis he was gone. I will never get over losing those precious souls.
But now I have these two and they’re both young, Gabby 4 in June, and Invidia just turned 2. They both love to be combed. You can’t use a brush on these cats. However I found a wonderful mobile groomer who comes to my home and she combs them completely every six weeks to keep them perfect. Otherwise yes they mat and you really have to keep up with it.
They are worth the extra grooming though. I’ve never seen any other cats with personalities like this breed.
After I lost Gabby I was catless for the first time in 16 years. A dear friend, one of my other NFO’s former breeder, gently told me she hoped I could let another cat in as soon as the time was right and she couldn’t bear to imagine my without a cat. So that kind of gave me permission plus I was just moved here and away from all my friends and family. She found my wonderful Zander Grey, who was already 13 months old and his sale had fallen through. I am grateful every day I was able to get him. He lived in Pennsylvania so I had to fly there to get him.
Then I welcomed little Invidia who was born in Italy. She is a very special little girl of exceptional breeding which makes her so friendly and happy.
If you can, I hope you will find a way to have another beautiful cat in your life. We never forget our beloved ones over the rainbow bridge but we have so much lover to give them. It matters.
I used to get my Maine Coon a lion cut in the summer too. He was same color hair as lions, so he really looked like one.