Norwegian Forest cats are the way to go, but what’s the tea with gray Wegies? Whether you’re looking high and low for a silvery feline friend with a favorable purrsonality or a Pebbles with a tendency to nap on your lap for hours and hours, you can’t go wrong with a gray Norwegian Forest cat.
What do we know about these mysterious moggies? Norwegian Forest cats are surrounded by mystery considering the fact we’re not entirely sure when or where these curious creatures came from. We know they’re a huge part of Norwegian history, but we don’t know who brought them to Norway.
Whether they were related to black-and-white, short-haired cats from Great Britain that were found on Viking ships or long-haired cats brought to Scandinavia by the Crusaders, Norwegian Forest cats became one of the most popular, prominent breeds out there. European or not, you’re going to adore them!
Wegies come in almost all conceivable colors and patterns, but gray Norwegian Forest cats are a sight for sore eyes. With a strong, sturdy construction, a big head with a gray main of fur, and the fluffiest tail you’ve ever seen, there’s no denying that gray Wegies were born to attract attention and turn heads.
Nowadays, millions and millions of humans are struggling to choose between white, black, gray, blue, red, cream, silver, golden, solid, shaded, tortoiseshell, calico, and tabby Wegies. What makes gray Norwegian Forest cats stand out, anyway? We’re bringing you all that and more down below.
What is a gray Norwegian Forest cat?
Norwegian Forest cats are perfect for pet parents who want to experiment with different color combinations and patterns. Wegies can assume almost every color of the rainbow, from white, black, gray, blue, red, cream, silver, and golden to solid, shaded, tortoiseshell, calico, and tabby.
When you Google search “gray Norwegian Forest cats,” chances are you’re going to be presented with a myriad of photos depicting a strong, muscular moggy with plenty of tabby-patterned fluff and a white fluffy mane around the neck. But gray Wegies are much more than meets the eye.
When we’re talking about gray Norwegian Forests, we need to mention that there are a few types of gray coats, not only one. Starting with solid gray Norwegian Forests, solid-colored cats are typically entirely solid which means there are no other tones, markings, or patches of color on their bodies.
Moving on to tabby Norwegian Forests, we’d argue that they’re the most common type you’re going to come by when searching for a gray Wegie. Tabby Wegies are typically equipped with dense, defined markings on the body and an “M” shape on the forehead. They’re defined by different shades of gray, too.
We can’t forget about smoke, shaded, and chinchilla Wegies, either. Whichever of the three types you come by, you’re going to notice that they’re defined by a specific gray hue that makes them appear gray even though they’re black, blue, or a combination of a white undercoat and dark tipping.
Why you need to get your hands on a gray Norwegian Forest cat ASAP
Physical traits
Now that we know that gray Norwegian Forest cats are the best thing that’s ever happened to the world, you might want to get them to know a little better. Whether you’re planning on getting a gray Norwegian Forest cat or you’re already chasing one around your apartment, here’s what you need to know.
Wegies, gray or otherwise, are big, bold cats. They’re compared to Maine Coons because they’re super similar, whether we’re referring to their appearance or their personality. They weigh between 12 and 16 pounds and come with a long, bushy tail and a cute coat of fur that makes them appear even larger.
We do need to mention that they can weigh up to 18 or even 20 pounds in some cases, too. They’re adapted to cold Norwegian winters and that’s why they’re equipped with a waterproof coat. They’re known to go through the shedding phase more often than the average cat, but that’s expected with such a long coat.
Cute and cuddly, gray Norwegian Forest cats are perfect for pet parents who want a big, beautiful cat that adores hanging out with humans at all times.
Personality traits
We’re not kidding – Norwegian Forest cats are obsessed with humans. Friendly and fun-loving, Wegies are more than happy to follow you around the apartment, to wait for you to come home from work to provide them with plenty of attention and affection, and to snuggle next to you (not on top of you!).
Norwegian Forest cats are adaptable to different families and lifestyles. Whether you want to explore the great outdoors with a four-legged friend on your shoulder or prefer to spend your weekends glued to the TV, watching your favorite Netflix shows, and munching on delicious snacks, Wegies are the way to go.
We’re pretty sure that the color of the cat’s coat doesn’t affect the way the cat acts, but that’s up to you to decide. Whatever the case might be, gray Norwegian Forest cats are the opposite of high-maintenance (minus the grooming) and you’re guaranteed to appreciate all their quirks and characteristics.
Care
While we’re on the topic of maintenance, we might as well address the elephant in the room. What makes Norwegian Forest cats different from the average cat about shedding? All cats shed. All cats require regular grooming, nail care, and pampering. All cats are a little high-maintenance. Right?
Norwegian Forest cats are blessed with layers and layers of fur that keep them warm and protect them during the winter. Wegies can take care of themselves, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t help them prevent matting by brushing them at least two times a week and bathing them when necessary.
We suggest taking them to the groomer now and then to ensure you’re doing everything you can to keep them happy and healthy. With that out of the way, you can focus on feeding them healthy foods, encouraging them to exercise, and spending time with them outside.
5 fun facts about Norwegian Forest cats
1. Norwegian Forest cats are the national cats of Norway
Nobody’s surprised to uncover that these boisterous beasts are the national cats of Norway. Norwegian Forest cats, regardless of the color, are believed to have roamed the forests of Norway for thousands and thousands of years before we took the bait and took them in.
They are known as Wegies because that’s the nickname that represents the fact that they’re Norwegian. Wegies were close to becoming extinct at one point, but Norwegian people saw their potential and Norway’s King Olav V decreed the Norwegian Forest cat the national cat breed of Norway.
We could go on and on about the myths surrounding Norwegian Forest cats – and we will. Where do we even start? Norwegian Forest cats were beloved by Freya, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility and Freya was devoted to protecting them and taking care of them.
Wegies were even believed to have been the horsepower pulling on Freya’s chariots when she was hanging out with humans. Humans noticed Freya’s love of Norwegian Forest cats and decided to get on her good side by paying closer attention to Wegies.
Couples wanting to marry sought approval from Freya and her cats. Farmers fed milk to Freya’s cats hoping to be blessed with a bountiful harvest when she passed through their fields.
3. Norwegian Forests are waterproof
We’re not kidding when saying this! We’ve mentioned beforehand that Norwegian Forest cats roamed the forests of Norway for thousands and thousands of years (hence the name!). That’s also why they needed to adapt to cold Norwegian winters. With layers and layers of warm fur, Wegies were able to survive and thrive.
A Norwegian Forest cat’s coat consists of a longer, coarse, and water-resistant outer coat that embellishes the cat and a short, dense undercoat that provides warmth and protection from Norwegian winters. At the end of the day, Wegies are considered waterproof because they’re able to stay dry for longer.
4. Norwegian Forest cats are prone to health problems
We don’t mean to change your plans of getting a gray Norwegian Forest cat, but we do need to underline that these beautiful beasts are prone to certain health problems. Although they’re connected to Vikings, they’re not as strong as them. They’re often plagued with diseases and conditions that make them suffer.
Now, Wegies are known to lead a happy and healthy life that lasts anywhere between fourteen and sixteen years.
With that in mind, though, Wegies are known to suffer from hereditary heart problems, hip dysplasia, patella luxation, cardiomyopathy, eosinophilic granuloma complex, glycogen storage disease type IV, and a bunch of other conditions we can’t even pronounce.
5. Wegies are BIG
We’ve already talked your ears off with how big and beautiful these bad boys are, but pet parents are still often surprised by the sheer volume of fur and fluff that appears out of the blue when Wegies reach a certain age.
When you take a closer peep at a Norwegian Forest cat’s appearance, you might be taken aback by the fact that they’re typically 9 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 16 pounds heavy. Needless to say, there are a lot of Wegies that grow even bigger depending on what you’re feeding them. Wegies are big and that’s OK!
