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Exotic Shorthair vs Norwegian Forest Cat
A medium, calm, flat-faced lap cat against a large, self-possessed, water-resistant longhair that needs height to climb and sheds heavily in spring.
Verdict
These two differ on size, affection and home. The Exotic Shorthair is a medium, plush, quiet lap cat that rates top marks for small homes, and its flat face brings breathing and eye problems. The Norwegian Forest Cat is Large, a sturdy climber, friendly but more independent, and it rates poorly for small flats. It needs a thick coat combed through the spring moult. Choose the Exotic for a lap cat in a smaller, cool home, and the Norwegian Forest Cat for a self-reliant cat with space and height.
Choose the Exotic Shorthair if
- You want a quiet, affectionate lap cat.
- You live in a small home.
- You are ready for face cleaning and regular vet checks.
- You will plan for airway, kidney and eye conditions.
Choose the Norwegian Forest Cat if
- You want a large, easygoing cat that does not cling.
- You have space and tall climbing.
- You will comb a thick coat through the spring moult.
- You will ask the breeder about glycogen storage disease type IV, heart disease and hip dysplasia.
Where they are alike
Both rate well with children and other pets and are CFA championship breeds. Both are quiet cats that score low for voice, and neither is demanding about play.
Side by side
| Exotic Shorthair | Norwegian Forest Cat | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | United States | Norway |
| Size | Medium | Large |
| Typical weight | 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males are larger | 9-16 lb (4-7.3 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | Commonly reported as 15 years or more |
| Coat length | Short | Long |
| Coat | Dense, plush, soft coat that stands out from the body | Long, glossy, water-repellent topcoat over a dense woolly undercoat, with a full ruff and bushy tail |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1967 | Championship breed since 1993 |
| How common | Common | Uncommon |
| Affection | 4 | 3 |
| Energy | 2 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 1 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 3 | 3 |
| Shedding | 3 | 4 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 4 |
| Trainability | 3 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 2 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The dense coat sheds steadily and people who react to cats are likely to react to this one. | 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 calm indoor home that wants a quiet, affectionate lap cat and is ready to pay for regular vet checks. | 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 | A hot or humid home, a household with no time for face cleaning, or anyone worried about flat-faced cat welfare. | 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