Maine Coon vs Norwegian Forest Cat: Comparing These Giant Cat Breeds

Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats are both large, long-haired species house cat. It’s easy to confuse these similar cats.

Neither are fully grown to about five years old due to their gigantic size, although Maine Coons can reach their full size as soon as they are three years old. Both cats have distinctive tufts of fur on their ears and between the toes on their feet.

These long-haired cats have similar grooming requirements; namely a daily brushing to avoid painful mats in their fur. Maine Coons, however, need more activity.

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The easiest way to tell these cats apart is to look at their faces. While Maine Coons look a little boxy, Norwegian Forest Cats have a slimmer, more angular face shape.

In this article, we’ll discuss all the differences between Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats so you can learn to tell them apart!

Compare Maine Coon to Norwegian Forest Cat

Each of these cats is known for their intelligence, relaxed disposition and long coats. Someone with no knowledge of the breeds can easily confuse them, but they are quite easy to tell apart once you know what you are looking for.

Here are some of the most distinctive differences:

The 6 Main Differences Between Norwegian Forest Cats and Maine Coons

1. Maine Coons are energetic cats

Maine Coons are known for their high energy levels and intense loyalty to their humans. Maine Coon owners say they could play all day!

Some even call them “dog-like,” a term I’d discourage as it shows a lack of understanding of cats, which is that every breed of cat needs exercise, training and attention!

Although cats communicate differently than dogs, they are still incredibly social animals that have evolved to depend on humans for survival.

Either way, Maine Coons are a great breed for those who would like a cat with more energy, or even someone who likes to go for walks!

Keep in mind that harness training takes time, and some cats just don’t get used to it. While we can make some generalizations based on breed, they don’t always apply because each cat has its own unique personality.

Norwegian Forest Cats tend to be on the other end of the energy spectrum. They can be thought of as couch potatoes, preferring a good nap to an intense play session.

However, all cats need play and it is especially important to entice your Norwegian to get up, exercise and keep fit!

Cats of any breed should have a minimum of 30-45 minutes of playtime daily, split into 10-15 minute sessions throughout the day.

They may not be racing around all the time but instead focus on the toys for a long time – this is completely normal because that’s how hunting cats in the wild. Stimulating their minds in this way is just as important as exercise.

The difference between these breeds is that a Norwegian Forest Cat will be more ready after 10 minutes of play, or spend more time passively “stalking” the toy, while a Maine Coon will play more intensely and may even want to keep going past the 15 minutes!

2. Norwegian Forest Cats have flat muzzles and triangular heads

Physical characteristics are the most reliable way to tell these cats apart. A simple one is their face and head shape.

Norwegian Forest Cats have snouts that come down from their heads in a singular line, while the Maine Coon’s snout curves out at their eyes.

Maine Coons have boxy features while Norwegian Forest Cats have a more triangular face shape.

Both have large ears, often with tufts of fur, but the Maine Coons sit higher on their heads. This gives the ears a more erect appearance, while the Norwegian Forest Cat’s lower-set ears make them appear to be angled out of the face.

3. Maine Coons have different coat lengths

Maine Coons have long coats that get longer around the mane, belly and buttocks. Norwegian Forest Cats have coats of equal length all over their bodies.

Both cats should be combed daily to keep them free of mats. Once the fur begins to tangle and tangle, it will pull painfully against their skin, especially around the armpits and hips as the cat moves.

If your cat does get matted, it’s best to contact a professional groomer (not someone who only works with dogs!). Mats often develop very close to your cat’s skin, which will extend away from their body as you pull the mat forward, making it incredibly easy to cut into the skin without wanting to.

4. Norwegian Forest Cats Have Rounder Eyes

Norwegian Forest Cats have round eyes while Maine Coons have oval eyes. When a Maine Coon widens their eyes they may appear rounder, but this is not typical of their shape when they are resting.

5. They come from different parts of the world

The Norwegian Forest Cat is an older breed, originating from Scandinavia. Their thick, double coat helped them through the harsh winters.

Maine Coons originated in Maine, and may be a descendant of the Norwegian Forest Cat!

6. Norwegian Forest Cats Have Longer Hind Legs

Finally, Maine Coons have legs of equal length, like most domestic cats. Norwegian Forest Cats have slightly longer hind legs than front legs.