My Views on keeping and Breeding the Norwegian Forest Cat

My cats are more than pets; much-loved and treasured, they have become a big part of my life. The well-being of my cats, therefore, always comes first.

All of my cats get to mingle together and have full run of the house; so if they need their own space, they can have it. They also have access to an outside enclosure which is accessible to them whenever they wish.

The twenty-square-foot enclosure, with built-in cathouse, is full of plants, places to hide and lots of things to climb; so helping the cats, along with plenty of play from me, to get the exercise and stimulation they need to live long and happy lives. Play and interaction, along with stimulation, are very important for all cats, but especially for Norwegian Forest Cats, since they have a very inquisitive nature and are very intelligent. As a result, a stimulating environment is not only desirable, but essential.

As well as the enclosure, I have also managed to ‘cat-proof’ my garden, which I designed and landscaped with my cats in mind. In and amongst the plants, it’s a little piece of cat paradise.

Unfortunately, Norwegian Forest Cats are great escape artists, so they are only able to have access to the garden when I’m at home. As for the pond, Kitty is the only one who has mastered the art of fishing so far, the others not having quite twigged on yet. I’ll only allow my girls to breed once a year, since I don’t want them to become a production line for cats. For me, it is not about the money; it is about the preservation and well-being of this magnificent breed.

It is my aim and intention to keep the breed as natural as possible. I don’t breed in order to get a certain type of cat. I do, however, uphold certain breeding standards, as set out by FIFE. The Norwegian Forest Cat is promoted as a natural breed, so we should all do our utmost to try to keep it that way.

From conception to the point when the kittens go to their new homes, it can be between five to six months. It takes a lot out of the girls, and it can take months for them to recover. Also, it takes a lot of hard work, effort and time to raise well-balanced and well-adjusted kittens. If you have too many cats and kittens, you do not have the time to give everyone of them the love and attention that each deserves.

It is so important that the kittens have been well socialised with humans and other cats, and that they are used to everyday goings-on in the house, such as hovering, washing machines and hairdryers. Without this exposure to the wider world, the kittens will become scaredy-cats in adult life, and not the inquisitive, well-adjusted, playful kittens that I know and love.

An important part of breeding is taking breeding cats to shows. This is something that I found a bit hard at first, since I disagree with human beauty pageants and what they stand for. Later, I realised their importance for the health, welfare and the future of the Norwegian Forest Cat, especially if we are to preserve this majestic, naturally occurring cat and keep it the way nature intended.

Kittening Policy

I’m a firm believer that kittens should be brought up in the home environment, and that they should stay with their mother until they are at least thirteen weeks old. Research has shown that kittens are still learning important behaviour patterns from their mother at this age.

In the later stage of pregnancy, the expectant mother spends most of her time in a room separate from the other cats; this is a safe and secure environment, somewhere she can relax and take it easy until it’s time to give birth. Here is where the expectant mother will give birth, where the kittens will stay until they are weaned.

From birth, handling the kitten is of utmost importance; it is at this time that I go through the routine of checking ears, mouths and bottoms, so that when it is time to go to the vets, and on their new homes, the kittens will find the experience less unsettling.

Once the kittens are weaned, they are introduced to the rest of the house and the rest of the feline family. This interaction and socialisation is a crucial stage for the young kittens, representing an important step towards becoming independent, well-adjusted adults.

It is also at this time that the kittens are introduced to everyday noises and goings-on in the house, such as the use of household equipment. Hair dryers, tumble dryers, washing machines and TVs may cause some less gregarious kittens particular distress. The earlier on in their lives that these become familiar sights and sounds, the less likely they are to bother the kittens in adult life.

Dotted around the house numerous cat boxes can be found; this gets the kittens used to them, and becomes a safe place for them to sleep and hide.

I believe that by doing this preparation I’m giving my kittens the best start in life. By the time they are handed over to their new owners, they are sure to be well-balanced, playful, loving kittens — in short, the perfect pet!

All of my kittens come fully vaccinated and have a full heath check from my vet before they are allowed to go to their new home. Any white cat sold is checked for deafness, and provided that they are not, a certificate of hearing will be supplied. As a matter of course, all of my kittens are treated against worms and fleas.