Domestic Cat or Pedigree Cat?
Long-haired or Short-haired?
If you choose a short-haired cat, you’ll have less grooming to worry about. If you choose a long-haired cat, you must be prepared for regular coat maintenance and ensure the kitten gets used to grooming from an early age. You might get lucky and avoid too much work, but don’t count on it. There’s nothing sadder than a cat covered in mats—whether few or many. It’s painful for the cat and irresponsible of the owner not to remove them right away.
Jesper rarely gets mats and has an easy-to-maintain coat. Kasper, on the other hand, has a demanding coat that requires a lot of care, especially during winter and into the new year, when he sheds his thick undercoat for several months.
Jesper and Kasper are domestic cats, just like all the cats we’ve had before them: Lillepus, Storepus, Røder, Høna, and Pus. They were all domestic cats.
Now, it’s time for a pedigree cat—and not just any breed. Norway has its own native cat breed, and without offending Norwegian Forest Cat owners, it’s not all that different from a domestic cat. Their physical appearance is not exactly the same, but their temperament is pleasant and would fit in well here. Plus, it’s the only cat breed we have—a true national treasure.
Too often, people refer to any long-haired cat as a “skogskatt” (forest cat), but that’s just a domestic cat. The Norwegian Forest Cat is a distinct breed—a Norwegian breed, in fact—and if you buy a real one, it comes with a pedigree. So remember: that little S in “skogskatt” may seem insignificant, but it makes a huge difference!
We’re leaning towards the Norwegian Forest Cat.
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A Little More About Our Choice, Part 2
Over the years, we’ve provided a home for many animals in need—not just cats, but also birds, horses, cattle, and more.
“ I think it's sad that it didn't end up being a domestic cat. ”
When we were choosing a new cat, we knew it would spark reactions—some hoped we would adopt a homeless cat.