Norwegian Forest Cats Vs Maine Coon Cats Vs Siberian Cats – Major Differences
Purebred breeds include Siberian cats, Maine coonhounds, and Norwegian forest cats. Additionally, they are regarded as purebred working breeds. They are domestic cats that have been adopted and publicly known after surviving a number of difficult circumstances.
The two most popular of the three is the Norwegian and Maine coon cats, despite the fact that people frequently compare them to Siberian cats.
We’ll make it obvious here how the three cat breeds differ from one another.
Related: Facts You Should Know About The Maine Coons Cat
Differences between the Norwegian forest cats, the main coon cats and the Siberian cats
The main differences are:
Based on origin
Norwegian Forest cats
They come from the very chilly region of northern Europe. The breed responded to it by developing a top coat of long, glossy hairs that shed water and an undercoat made of wool for insulation.
The progenitors of the breed may have been locally adapted short-haired cats that the Vikings introduced to Norway circa 1000 AD. King Olaf designated this cat breed as the national animal of Norway in the 1970s. They go by the names Skogkatt, Norsk Skaukatt, and Weegie.
Maine Coon Cats
In the United States, Maine is where this breed first appeared. It received its moniker after becoming the official cat of the state after being recognized as the particular breed in the state. Since the species evolved to survive the environment, it is regarded as a natural breed.
One of the first natural breeds in North America is this one. It is also frequently referred to as The Gentle Giants, Snowshoe Cat, American Longhair, and Coon Cat.
Siberian cat
The national cat of Russia is a breed that has its roots in Siberia. The Siberian or the Siberian cat are common names for the species, whose official name is Siberian Forest Cat. Although the earliest mentions of this ancient species come around 1000 AD, their origin predates the invention of written records.
The breed was first documented by Russian cat fanciers in 1980, and The International Cat Association (TICA) formally recognized it in 1992. Other names for it include Hair Siberian Forest Cat and Semi-Longhair Moscow Cat.
Based on Personality
Cats of all three kinds have wonderful personalities. They are social and outgoing, making them suitable for new cat owners.
- You can take the Maine Coon on walks because he is reasonably easy to train, wears a harness and a leash and is highly intelligent. Children, other cats, and dogs get along nicely with him as well.
- Although they resemble Maine Coons, Norwegian forest cats are intelligent, sociable, and playful animals. Although he is not needy, if you leave him alone for a long time he will seek out company. This cat is not extremely noisy and is fairly peaceful.
- Siberians will follow you around like puppy pups and are bright and good problem-solvers.
Norwegian forest cats are active, agile, curious, independent, intelligent, lively, playful, and social, to name a few traits that best describe them. The Maine Coon is kind, independent, and intelligent, while the Siberian is kind, agile, intelligent, loyal, playful, and social.
Based on Head Structure
One of the morphological characteristics that differentiate cat breeds the most is head shape.
Because of its flat forehead and straight-lined nose, the Norwegian cat’s head is formed like a “equilateral triangle.”
The prominent cheekbones frame the wedge-shaped skull of the Maine coon cat. Its nose also has a slight curvature to it.
The wedge-shaped skull of the Siberian cat is similar to that of the Maine coon, although its edges are more rounded. Its nose has a small concave curve, is wide between the eyes, and is narrowest at the tip.
The faces of these huge cats can be used to distinguish them most easily. Though longer and with a more distinct drop from the forehead to the muzzle, the Maine Coons’ profile resembles that of the Siberians more closely. The most noticeable distinction is made by the Norwegian, which has a triangular head and a straight profile that has given it the nickname “Wedgie.”
Based on coat
Despite having extremely hairy coats, all three cat breeds have distinct coat types.
The double coat of the Norwegian has a frontal ruff around the neck and is smooth and water-repellent. Although the coat is short on the shoulders and the chest, it is long on the body.
The short undercoat of the Maine Coon is irregular, shorter in the shoulders but considerably longer on the body. Compared to the other two breeds, the coat tends to be shaggier and has a smaller ruff.
The Siberian has three coats, and in the winter, the ruff is particularly thick, giving it the appearance of a lion. On the body, hair is typically medium to long but is a little bit shorter on the shoulders and chest.
Based on tails
All of them have large, fluffy tails, however, they differ slightly.
The Norwegian has thick, flowing hair that tapers to a tip. From the shoulders to the tail’s base, it is at least as long as the body.
The tail of the Maine Coon is the same length as the body but tapers to a bushy end.
The Siberian’s tail is shorter than the tails of the other two breeds and blunt at the tip, but it more than makes up for this shortcoming by hanging gracefully down both sides.
Based on eyes
With its outer corner slightly slanted toward the lower base of the ear, the Siberian cat’s huge, oval, broad eyes are rather large.
The eyes of the Maine Coon cat are similarly big and broad, albeit slightly obliquely angled.
Large, slightly angled eyes with an almond shape are a feature of the Norwegian Forest Cat.
based on ears
The Siberian ear is medium in length, broad at the base, and has a pointed tip. usually leaning forward and spaced 1 to 1 1/2 ear widths apart.
The Maine Coon has broad, tapering ears with a wide base. They are far apart and elevated.
The medium to the large ear of the Norwegian Forest Cat is somewhat rounded at the tip. They are slanted farther forward and spaced more apart.
Based on body structure
The Siberian has a thick, relatively long, robust body with a rump that is slightly higher than the withers. slightly arched back increasing age, a muscular torso that is convex and a small belly.
The Maine Coon has a huge, long, rectangular, muscular body.
The Norwegian Forest Cat has a high rump and is medium in length.
Siberian cats are frequently mistaken for Norwegian Forest Cats and Maine Coons. However, it can be seen that the Siberian cat has a stockier body than the other two types upon closer observation.
