Siberian vs Norwegian Forest Cat
Siberian or Norwegian Forest Cat? A side-by-side comparison of size, lifespan, temperament, care needs and observed prices, from our Animal Library.
At a glance
| Siberian | Norwegian Forest Cat | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Russia | Norway |
| Size | Medium-large · 8–17 lb | Large · 9–16 lb |
| Lifespan | 11–18 years | 14–16 years |
| Coat | Triple coat, seasonal molt | Long, water-shedding double |
| Temperament | Friendly, playful, steady | Calm, friendly, independent |
| Best fit | Families, multi-pet homes | Families, homes with height |
| Energy | ●●●●● Athletic jumper | ●●●●● Loves to climb |
| Affection | ●●●●● Greets you at the door | ●●●●● Friendly, on its terms |
| Grooming load | ●●●●● Weekly; daily during molt | ●●●●● Weekly; daily in molt |
| Beginner fit | ●●●●● Sturdy and easygoing | ●●●●● Steady and sturdy |
| Observed price | Not enough prices yet | Not enough prices yet |
How they differ
- Energy: the Siberian rates higher than the Norwegian Forest Cat (4 of 5 vs 3).
- Affection: the Siberian rates higher than the Norwegian Forest Cat (4 of 5 vs 3).
- Grooming load: about the same (3 of 5 each).
- Beginner fit: about the same (4 of 5 each).
The Siberian
A powerful, triple-coated forest cat from Russia, built for cold winters and slow to mature. Siberians are affectionate, playful and dog-like, and they are often sold as better for allergies, which needs careful checking.
A Siberian sheds heavily twice a year and takes around five years to fully mature. Claims of low allergen levels vary cat to cat, so no kitten is guaranteed safe for an allergic owner.
The Norwegian Forest Cat
A large, double-coated climber from Scandinavian forests, shaped by hard winters and ship life. It is calm indoors and athletic when it plays, and it needs vertical space and seasonal grooming more than constant attention.
Expect a heavy spring molt and a cat that wants to be up high. The breed carries a rare but fatal inherited storage disease that one DNA test rules out.
Norwegian Forest Cat breed profileNorwegian Forest Cat for sale
Questions
Is a Siberian or a Norwegian Forest Cat better for a beginner?
Neither has the edge: both rate 4 of 5 for beginners in our Animal Library. Siberian: Sturdy and easygoing. Norwegian Forest Cat: Steady and sturdy.
What is the main difference between a Siberian and a Norwegian Forest Cat?
A Siberian sheds heavily twice a year and takes around five years to fully mature. Claims of low allergen levels vary cat to cat, so no kitten is guaranteed safe for an allergic owner. By contrast, expect a heavy spring molt and a cat that wants to be up high. The breed carries a rare but fatal inherited storage disease that one DNA test rules out.