Maine Coon vs Norwegian Forest Cat
They are both big, fluffy, tufted-eared cats built for cold weather, so people often mix them up. The differences are in the face, the body and the personality. Here is how the Maine Coon and the Norwegian Forest Cat compare.
Side by side
| Maine Coon | Norwegian Forest Cat | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Maine, USA | Norway |
| Size | Large | Large |
| Weight | Females 4 to 6 kg, males 6 to 9 kg or more | Usually 3.5 to 7 kg |
| Lifespan | Usually 12 to 15 years | Usually 12 to 16 years |
| Coat | Long, shaggy and silky, with a ruff, tufted ears and a very bushy tail | Long, thick double coat with a woolly undercoat and long, water-shedding guard hairs |
| Energy | 3 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Affection | 4 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Chattiness | 3 out of 5 | 2 out of 5 |
| Grooming needed | 4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Good with children | 5 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Good with other pets | 4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
Scores are our own rough guide. Every cat is different.
The main differences
- Face: the Maine Coon has a squarer muzzle and a more rectangular head, and the Norwegian Forest Cat has a triangular head with a straight profile and no dip between the forehead and nose.
- Body: the Maine Coon is longer and more rectangular, and the Norwegian Forest Cat is sturdy and powerful, with back legs that are a little longer than the front.
- Coat: the Maine Coon’s coat is shaggy and silky, shorter on the shoulders, while the Norwegian’s is a woolly double coat with long, water-shedding guard hairs.
- Home: the Maine Coon comes from Maine in the USA, and the Norwegian Forest Cat comes from Norway.
Choose a Maine Coon if
- You want a very sociable, chatty “gentle giant” who follows you round
- You like a cat that chirps and trills
- You are happy to brush a long coat a few times a week
Choose a Norwegian Forest Cat if
- You want a slightly more independent, adventurous cat
- You have space for tall cat trees, because Norwegians are brilliant climbers
- You can cope with a heavy seasonal moult
Our verdict
Both are healthy-looking, friendly, family cats, and either will want tall places to climb and regular brushing. If you want the larger, more talkative companion, look at the Maine Coon. If you prefer a slightly more independent, outdoorsy character with a thick weatherproof coat, the Norwegian Forest Cat may suit you better. Whichever you choose, ask breeders about heart screening and, for Norwegians, glycogen storage disease type IV (GSD IV) testing.
Read the full guides: Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest Cat. Or see more cat breeds. This is a friendly overview, not veterinary advice.
Questions people ask
Is a Norwegian Forest Cat bigger than a Maine Coon?
Usually not. Maine Coons are generally the larger breed, with males commonly 6 to 9 kg, while Norwegian Forest Cats are usually 3.5 to 7 kg.
How can I tell a Maine Coon from a Norwegian Forest Cat?
Look at the face. The Norwegian has a triangular head and a straight nose profile, while the Maine Coon has a squarer muzzle and more prominent cheekbones.
