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American Shorthair vs Norwegian Forest Cat
Two steady, independent cats with the same affection score; the Norwegian Forest Cat is a large longhair that needs combing and room.
Verdict
These two are close in temperament. Both are steady, self-possessed cats with moderate energy, quiet voices and the same moderate affection, and both cope with a workday alone. Size, coat and space decide it. The Norwegian Forest Cat is large, with a thick water-repellent coat that sheds heavily each spring, and it wants tall climbing space. The American Shorthair is medium, with a short hard coat, and it suits an apartment. Choose the American Shorthair for a tidy, low-maintenance cat and the Norwegian Forest Cat for a larger home.
Choose the American Shorthair if
- You live in an apartment or a smaller home.
- You want a short coat with little grooming.
- You have young children, as it scores top marks with them.
- You want a breed that is common and easy to find.
Choose the Norwegian Forest Cat if
- You have tall climbing space and a larger home.
- You will comb the coat through the spring moult.
- You like a full ruff, bushy tail and a big, sturdy cat.
- You will accept a less common breed.
Where they are alike
Both are intelligent, even-tempered cats that get on well with other pets. Each has a heart condition on its health watch-list, so ask your vet and your breeder about screening.
Side by side
| American Shorthair | Norwegian Forest Cat | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | North America, from European cats brought by settlers | Norway |
| Size | Medium | Large |
| Typical weight | 6-15 lb (2.7-6.8 kg); males are larger | 9-16 lb (4-7.3 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | — | Commonly reported as 15 years or more |
| Coat length | Short | Long |
| Coat | Short, dense, hard-textured coat that protects against cold and scratches | Long, glossy, water-repellent topcoat over a dense woolly undercoat, with a full ruff and bushy tail |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 1993 |
| How common | Common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 3 | 3 |
| Energy | 3 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 3 |
| Shedding | 3 | 4 |
| Good with children | 5 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 4 | 4 |
| Trainability | 3 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 2 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The dense coat sheds steadily, and people who react to cats are likely to react to this breed. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The Norwegian Forest Cat sheds heavily each spring, and people who react to cats usually react to it too. |
| Suits | A family or first-time owner that wants a calm, durable, low-maintenance cat that copes with busy homes. | A home with space and tall climbing that wants a friendly, steady, self-possessed cat and will comb it through the spring moult. |
| Less suited to | Anyone looking for a very talkative, clingy or highly acrobatic cat. | A small flat with little height to climb, or anyone who wants a clinging lap cat. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026