In shortThe Norwegian climbs to observe. Height is his natural post. A Norwegian who stays on the floor, avoids jumps or comes down heavily may be telling you he is stiff: note it without diagnosing.
A cat of the Scandinavian forests with a winter coat, the Norwegian is sturdy, independent and affectionate without being clingy. He climbs like no one else, with powerful claws and head-first descents, and likes to watch the house from above. He is playful until late in life, needs air and space, and copes badly with confinement without height. His dense undercoat sheds massively in spring, which changes his grooming behavior.
A real tree. Tall, solid, near a window. The Norwegian is not a sofa-only cat: he needs a tower.
Seasonal brushing. In spring the undercoat comes out in handfuls. A wide comb, often, without pulling.
Fresh air. A secured balcony, a protected window, a harness walk. He wants to smell the outdoors.
As a kitten he already climbs everywhere and grows until 4 or 5: secure the heights and let him explore. As an adult, watch heart and kidneys, and a glycogen storage disease known in the breed. As a senior, the joints: a Norwegian who abandons his tree is talking about arthritis, very common and under-diagnosed in cats.
No, it is a breed trait, made possible by his claws and musculature. He has it under control. Just make sure the cat tree holds firm.
In a born climber, that is a sign to take seriously: arthritis, joint pain, excess weight. Watch how he gets up and jumps, and show him to the vet.
In spring, no: the undercoat moult is spectacular in the breed. Brush him every day during that period. Out of season, or with bare patches and redness, consult.
Mimo reads behavior. It does not replace a vet.
Ten seconds is enough. On iPhone. Android is in closed testing.