23.08.2022

A Norwegian Forest cat kitten—what to know before you bring them home

You have probably seen a picture of a grown-up Norwegian Forest cat and immediately fell in love with them. Wait until you see them as kittens! The fluffy boisterous furballs will immediately steal your heart.

If you are considering adopting a Norwegian Forest cat kitten, you will be happy to know that these kitties have the winning personality to match their appearance. They are as charming as they are handsome, so it's easy to understand why they are such a popular breed.

Before you bring a tiny Wegie home, learn what they are like as companions and how to care for them to ensure your kitten stays healthy and happy.

Norwegian Forest kitten development

Norwegian Forest cats grow fast but remain kitten-like for a long time.

Source: thabisfotowelt

Wegies grow fast but mature slowly. When you bring a tiny kitten to your home, you should pay close attention to their:

1. Weight
2. Development milestones
3. Skeletal growth
4. Muscle development

Wegie kitten weight

Like their Siberian cousins, Norwegian Forests reach full maturity around the age of five. They are medium to large felines, so their kittens grow incredibly fast. Wegie kittens generally weigh approximately 2–3% of their mother's weight and gain about 10% of their weight daily.

Most Norwegian Forest kittens gain from 500 to 750 grams every month. It is a good reference, but don't overreact if your kitty grows more slowly. You have nothing to worry about as long as you can't feel their bones under the fuzzy fur, their activity levels are normal, and their appetite is healthy.

These kitties are active, enjoy playing, and love to show off their athletic abilities, so they need an appropriate diet to support their energy levels and growth. Because they develop so quickly and burn so much energy, it is crucial to feed them sufficient quantities of top-quality, high-protein food and monitor their weight regularly.

Although Norwegian kittens develop until they are four or five, most of the growth happens before they reach two. Don't try to boost their growth by overfeeding them. It can lead to obesity and severe health issues later in life.

A grown Norwegian male should weigh between 5.5 and 7.2 kg, while females usually weigh from 4 to 5.5 kg.

Development milestones

All kitties develop in the same way. Their vital organs form in utero, but their development continues as they grow.

Refer to the table below to see the significant milestones in your Wegie's growth:

At six months, your Norwegian kitten is at the adolescent stage, their reproductive system is fully developed, and it's the perfect moment to consider desexing.

Skeletal growth

A balanced diet delivering all the necessary micro and macronutrients is vital for your Wegie kitten’s development.

Source: chasingtailsnz

In your Norwegian Forest cat's earliest development stages, providing meals with the right nutrients is critical. For their bones to develop normally and be strong, kittens must get all the essential vitamins and minerals, including:

• Calcium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Fluoride
• Phosphorus
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin A

If you choose high-quality food full of lean meat or fish, you won't have to give them any supplements. Cats get all the micro and macronutrients from meat, so if a product you choose has added supplements, it probably contains an insufficient amount of animal protein. The supplements tend to be artificial and do little for your Norwegian kitten's development.

Providing additional vitamins and minerals can do more harm than good. If you overdo it with the vitamins, you risk hypervitaminosis, which can adversely affect your kitty's health. Too much vitamin A can cause bone malformation. Feed your kitten meat-based food with little or no additional ingredients, and they'll grow into a healthy Wegie.

Norwegian kitten's muscle development

Norwegian kittens are active, strong, and surprisingly athletic, given their robust build. Since they love to jump and climb, they need strong muscles, and a healthy, well-balanced diet will ensure that.

They also need a lot of physical activity to help them build muscle tone and reach their full size. Create a stimulating environment where your Wegie kitten can jump and run around safely, provide plenty of interactive toys, and play with them every day.

Wegie kitten temperament

Norwegian Forest cats remain kitten-like much longer than other breeds because they mature slowly. Besides the playfulness characteristic of all young felines, Wegie kittens are:

1. Sociable
2. Energetic
3. Quiet
4. Intelligent

How friendly are Norwegian Forest kittens?

Wegie kittens are exceptionally friendly. They get along with everyone—other felines, dogs, kids, and strangers (although they can be reserved until they get to know new people better).

These kitties are highly attached to their cat parents and want to be involved in everything their family members do.

How energetic are Wegie kittens?

Did you say playtime?

Source: BeckyTregear

Norwegian Forest kittens are exceptionally active. They have a lot of energy, and while they show affection and like to curl up next to you to rest, they prefer physical activity and playtime.

High energy levels usually imply a propensity to mischief, so raising a Wegie kitten requires a lot of attention and patience.

How much do Norwegian Forest kittens meow?

Wegies kittens, similar to adults, are not too vocal.

When they decide to talk to you, they won't meow loudly but greet you with a soft trill or chirp. If they get annoyed, angry, or scared, these felines will hiss or growl. In these situations, it’s best to leave your kitty alone until they calm down.

How intelligent are Norwegian kittens?

Wegies are among the smartest felines. They are easy to train, which is good news given how active and mischievous they can be.

They may try to attack your hand while playing or chew on stuff around your home, but you can easily teach them not to do it. You can also teach them tricks and play fun games with them, which your furry friend will enjoy immensely. Intelligent kitties need cognitive stimulation, and if they get it, Wegies will grow into fantastic docile companions.

Caring for a Norwegian Forest kitten

Although kittens demand much more care and attention than adult felines, caring for a little Wegie shouldn't be challenging. Establish a routine because kitties learn best when they are young, and what they learn in kittenhood will stay with them forever.

Caring for your little Norwegian entails:

1. Frequent vet visits
2. Essential equipment
3. Regular grooming
4. Playtime
5. A well-balanced diet

Vet visits

Young kittens must visit the vet regularly to get the necessary vaccines and have their development checked. They need shots against:

• FeLV
• Cat flu
• Feline enteritis
• Rabies

Although Norwegian Forest cats are a resilient breed, kittens are fragile, so a vet will monitor their health and development to prevent potential problems.

A healthy Norwegian Forest kitten is energetic and vigorous with bright eyes and fluffy, unmatted fur.

Essential equipment

Before bringing a kitten into your home, you must create a welcoming environment for them.

Designate a place where your Norwegian Forest kitten can sleep, eat, and use the litter box (make sure that the litter tray and food and water bowls are far apart).

Here are some of the essential items you should purchase:

• Cat bed
• Litter box and litter
• Carrier
• Brush and nail clippers
• Scratching post
• Food and water bowls
• Interactive toys and food puzzles
• Treats (for training)

Grooming

Norwegian Forest cats are exceptionally easy to groom.

Source: pklaschka

Grooming a Norwegian Forest cat is surprisingly easy, given that they are a long-haired breed. Their fur doesn't mat, and they don't shed excessively, so you won't have to spend hours tending to their coat. Still, establishing a grooming routine is essential, so your kitty can get used to it.

The sessions should consist of:

1. Brushing—Once a week is enough
2. Teeth cleaning—As often as possible, preferably every day
3. Bathing—When necessary (these felines love water, so it shouldn’t be stressful)
4. Nail clipping—Every two weeks or when your kitten's claws get too sharp

Playtime

Active kittens require at least half an hour of playtime twice a day. They also need loads of interactive toys when you can’t entertain them.

If you neglect them, Norwegian Forest kittens may become depressed and lethargic. Lack of physical activity leads to obesity, which can cause serious health problems, such as:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Joint problems

A well-balanced diet

Norwegian kittens thrive on lean meat and fish with a tiny bit of fat.

Image (c) Untamed

The diet is critical for your Norwegian Forest kitten. Providing them with enough essential nutrients will ensure they grow and develop correctly, as well as prevent many health issues, including:

• Urinary infections and kidney problems—Kittens fed predominantly dry food often suffer from UTIs, bladder stones, and cystitis as well as kidney disease because kibble doesn't provide enough hydration
• Skin and coat problems—With a high-quality diet free from common allergens, you can avoid excessive shedding, frequent hairballs, and skin irritation
• Obesity—Feeding your kitten processed food full of additives, carbohydrates (such as sugar, fruit, and grains), and vegetable protein can cause weight control issues, leading to other health problems, such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism
• Gastrointestinal issues—Felines can't properly metabolise anything other than meat or fish. Not only will your kitten lack the necessary nutrients, but food containing plant-based protein can also cause digestive problems, namely:
• Diarrhoea
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Indigestion
• Flatulence
• Vomiting

For your Norwegian kitten to thrive, their meals must consist of:

1. Loads of animal protein—Meat and fish deliver essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, such as taurine, arginine, and lysine, which felines need for normal growth and development, healthy organ function, stable energy levels, normal digestion, and healthy skin and coat
2. Moderate quantities of animal fat—Healthy fatty acids are critical for cell integrity, skin hydration, nutrient utilisation and transportation, and healing. Kitties also go wild about the taste of animal fat
3. Sufficient moisture—Hydration is crucial for the normal functioning of the entire organism, so wet food is a good choice as it's more hydrating than kibble

Ensuring your Wegie kitten stays healthy with Untamed

I was once a tiny kitten, then they gave me Untamed, and I blossomed!

Image (c) Untamed

If you are looking for high-quality wet food for your growing Wegie, Untamed is a perfect choice.

Our tasty recipes meet all your kitty's dietary needs. Untamed meals are:

• High in protein—We know that the best diet for any feline is the one mimicking their natural eating patterns, so Untamed jellies and gravies are made of human-grade meat and fish. Each meal contains at least 60% of animal protein
• Formulated by vets—With the help of veterinary experts, we created dishes with an ideal protein-to-fat ratio, so they are suitable for kitties at all life stages, including:
• Weaned-off kittens
• Adults
• Seniors
• Pregnant queens
• Neutered males
• Kitties recuperating from an illness
• Felines with gum problems and no teeth
• Free from allergens—Nothing in our products can cause your kitten harm. We steer clear of:
• Meat derivatives
• Artificial taste enhancers, colourants, and preservatives
• Grains (rice, wheat, corn, sweetcorn, soya)
• Vegan protein (peas, carrots, broccoli, beans, green beans)
• Dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheese)
• Eggs
• Sugar

Our delicacies are also irresistibly delicious. Even picky felines who don't usually care for wet food lick their food bowls clean when served Untamed.

Ordering Untamed for your Norwegian Forest kitten

Untamed makes ordering cat food effortless!

You only need to:

1. Tell us a bit about your Wegie
2. Pick the meals
3. Place the order

Your starter pack will arrive in a day, and your little Wegie can begin sampling our delicious food. When they choose their faves, we can start sending you monthly supplies with no shipping fees.

Check out some of the health benefits you can expect once your kitty switches to Untamed: