They are beautiful and there is no doubt they make wonderful pets, but how much does a Norwegian Forest cat cost? You may be surprised by the price of Norwegian Forest cats!
Norwegian Forest Cat Price – Everything you need to know about buying a purebred
The first thing to know is that buying a Norwegian Forest Cat is costly – especially if you are buying a kitten. A kitten from a reputable breed is likely to set you back around £900 – £1200 ($1100 -$1500).
The color of the kitten or cat is likely to affect the price as well, with Ginger colorings and white colorings being on the more expensive end of the scale – the reason for this is they are rarer.
The price of a Norweigan Forest kitten is slightly more expensive than the cost of a Maine Coon cat – a very similar-looking breed. Therefore you may also want to research Maine Coon kittens for sale as well.
Another alternative breed would be a Ragdoll, you will find the price of a Ragdoll kitten to be comparative to that of a Norweigan Forest.
When purchasing from a respected breeder, you may find some of your initial Veterinary fees are included in this – for example, the kitten may come with their primary vaccinations and even a microchip. It is a good idea to discuss this when trying to find a breeder and deciding who to purchase your kitten from.
Do not be tempted to go for the cheapest breeder
When buying a Norweigan Forest cat (or any pet!) it is not always a good idea to go for the cheapest price. While you do not want to get ripped off, you also do not want to buy from a backstreet breeder.
Do your research and buy from a respected breeder. By doing this you will ensure you are purchasing a healthy kitten who comes from a long line of well-bred Norwegian Forests, it can also be a good idea to ask to see evidence of the kitten’s family line (this will also help to ensure you are actually buying a Norwegian Forest and not a domestic long-hair or Maine Coon!).
While the cheapest option does not always mean bad, it is best to be suspicious and query how they are able to sell the kittens for a low price – especially if they are trying to rehome them quickly.
A reputable breeder will always want to ensure their kittens are going to good, safe homes.
Why are Norwegian Forest Cats so expensive?
Again, this all goes back to the reputation and standards of the breeder. If you are looking for a pure, well-bred Norwegian Forest kitten, it is going to cost you. A good, respected breeder will not be looking to make a quick buck, they will be breeding the kittens because they have a love for the breed.
A respected breeder will most likely only breed from the same Queen once a year and when finding a stud (male) will have to ensure there is no cross in the lineage (to prevent any inbreeding). Many respected breeders also ensure they follow all of the guidelines set out by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.
Other associated costs a Norwegian Forest Breeder may incur include:
- Stud fees (if they do not own the Stud)
- Genetic testing -to ensure healthy lineage
- Annual vaccinations and preventive treatment for the Queen
- High-quality food for the Queen and her kittens
- Primary vaccination costs for the kittens
- Veterinary health checks for the kittens
- Breed registration fee
- Microchips for the kittens
- +/- Neutering fees – some breeders may insist on proof of neutering to ensure you do not use the kitten for breeding.
- Time – While breeding cats may not be as time-consuming as breeding dogs, it still takes up a lot of time when done correctly and this will be factored into the price of a Norwegian Forest Cat.
As mentioned previously, when done properly and respectfully breeding Norwegian Forest Kittens is not actually as lucrative as some people may think. It can often be more about continuing a good lineage of the breed.
How to find a good Norwegian Forest Cat breeder
If you are willing to pay for the cost of a Norwegian cat, you want to make sure your money is going to the right place.
Ways to spot a good breeder:
- Asked your Veterinary surgery for recommendations
- Ask friends who may have a Forest cat
- Do not be afraid to ask the breeder questions! Questions may include: How long have you been breeding Norwegian Forests? Do the Queen and Stud have regular Vet checks? How many litters does the Queen have a year?
- Ask to see the kittens with the Queen – Do not purchase any kitten where you cannot see the mum with them (unless from a rescue)
- With purebred cats, ask to see proof of their lineage – a good breeder will have access to this.
- Ensure the kitten looks healthy. The cat’s eyes should be bright and free of discharge, ears should be clean and coat well kept. Have a hold of the kitten, it should be comfortable being held and not feel skinny or have a potbelly.
Before buying, ensure that you are satisfied with the health and conditions in which the cats and kittens are being kept.
Can you get Norwegian Forest cats from a rescue?
While it is a rarity, especially for a kitten, it is sometimes possible to rescue a Forest cat from a shelter home. All types and breeds can sadly end up in rescue homes, so it can always be a good idea to talk to rescue homes as well.
At Ginger Cat House we always support ‘Adopt Don’t Shop’ and believe you can find your perfect cat in a rescue – whatever breed they may be.
However, if you have your heart set on a particular cat, say a Grey Kitten, you are unlikely to find one in rescue, and in this case, you may opt to buy from a breeder.
What other costs should you factor into the Norwegian Forest cat price?
So we have established the average price of a Norwegian Forest kitten is £900-£1200 but the costs do not stop there.
A cat is a long-term commitment (around 15 years for a pedigree) and with that comes costs. Other fees you will incur include:
| Vaccinations and yearly boosters | £40-£50 per year |
| Neutering | Male: £40-£60 Female: £60-£100 |
| Food | £20-£30 per month |
| Preventative flea and worming | £20 per month |
| Pet Insurance | £15 per month Depending on age and policy |
| Toys and a scratching post designed for a big cat | Ongoing costs |
| Brushes – Find the best brushes for long-haired cats | £10 |
When buying a cat, the price obviously does not stop after the initial purchase price. Therefore you need to take this into consideration when deciding to buy a cat. In the above table, you can see a rough breakdown of additional costs you may encounter but let’s look into that a bit further.
Veterinary fees are inevitable at some stage throughout your cat’s life. This will come in the form of preventative health issues such as neutering, vaccinations, and parasite control but sadly, also through natural aging and if they become unwell (Would you be able to afford the unexpected cost of a cat x-ray?). Therefore, we always recommend pet insurance, the price for this can vary, but on average it will be around £15 per month for a good comprehensive cover.
Obviously, your cat is going to need to eat, so food will be a consistent cost. Diet will change at different points throughout your cat’s life, from kitten to senior. The most important thing is to ensure you purchase a complete diet, not complementary.
Food costs will vary and often it may be beneficial to buy cat food in bulk from places like Amazon.
Depending on your home situation, you may also want to purchase an automatic cat feeder. We use this double feeder – it works great for what we need and includes cooling packs to ensure food stays fresh.
Other essentials to consider when weighing up the price of a cat are toys and brushes. All cats, especially kittens need toys. Toys are obviously for enjoyment but they also stop behavioral boredness which may result in problems or stress for your cat. Try to purchase a combination of toys that they play with you and toys that they can play with on their own – such as interactive toys.
A good cat tower scratching post will also be essential to prevent behavioral issues as well as allow your cat to display natural behaviors. The size you need will depend on the breed, for example, for a Norwegian Forest, you will want to buy a cat tree for large cats.
Other costs you may incur include a safe cat carrier (we love cat backpacks for ease), cattery fees if you go on holiday, microchipping (£25 roughly), cat flaps, etc.
How big do Norwegian Forest cats grow?
Typically, a fully grown Norwegian Forest cat will be between 7 and 10kg, with males being bigger than females – making them one of the largest cat breeds!
Are Norwegian cats predisposed to any diseases?
Norwegian Forest Cats are prone to a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure. Whilst this condition is not curable, it can be treated with lifelong medication.
Norwegian Forest Cats may experience problems with the light-sensitive part of their eye known as the retina. This can result from inflammation or detachment, due to trauma or high blood pressure.
This does not mean the cat will 100% get this disease within their lifetime, it is just something to be aware of. Almost all pedigree breeds are predisposed to certain diseases.
In Conclusion, the price of a Norweigan Forest cat is not cheap. After the initial outlay of £900-£1200 for your kitten, you will have ongoing expenses throughout their lives. However, they do make wonderful loyal pets and have far fewer potential health problems than other breeds such as Persians.