Your guide to finding and caring for a Norwegian Forest Cat in Santa Ana
Norwegian Forest Cats were built for Scandinavian winters, but they adapt well to apartment life in Santa Ana. Inland Santa Ana sees about 30 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and that thick double coat feels every one of them. The payoff is a big, easygoing climber who's happy in a South Coast Metro high-rise or a Wilshire Square bungalow, as long as there's a tall cat tree by a window. Expect a cat that sits beside you more than on you.
Bring home a Norwegian Forest Cat
While we don't have enough cats near Santa Ana, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 57 miles
Norwegian Forest Cat, Maine Coon
M, 3 y., 227 miles
Norwegian Forest Cat, Domestic Long Hair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 326 miles
Domestic Long Hair, Norwegian Forest Cat
M, 0-6 mo., 331 miles
Domestic Medium Hair, Norwegian Forest Cat
M, 0-6 mo., 370 miles
Norwegian Forest Cat
M, 3-7 y., 825 miles
Norwegian Forest Cat
F, 8 y. +, 1216 miles
Norwegian Forest Cat
F, 6 y., 1642 miles
Norwegian Forest Cat, Persian
F, 13 y., 1642 miles
Norwegian Forest Cat, Bombay
M, 7 mo., 1642 miles
Norwegian Forest Cat, Maine Coon
Norwegian Forest Cats are a natural breed from Scandinavia, shaped by long winters into big, strong climbers. Known at home as skogkatt, the breed nearly disappeared in the mid-twentieth century before Norwegian enthusiasts revived it, and it reached North America in the late 1970s. A woolly undercoat, glossy water-resistant guard hairs, a full neck ruff and a bushy tail give it a rugged look, and adults typically weigh 9 to 18 pounds.
Many Norwegians are sweet, sociable and easygoing while still choosing their own moments for lap time. They love heights and often chirp more than they meow. The breed matures slowly, sometimes taking up to five years to fill out, and sheds heavily each spring. In Santa Ana's dry, mild climate the coat mostly asks for regular brushing and a cool place to rest on warm afternoons.
Having a Norwegian Forest Cat in Santa Ana
Norwegian Forest Cats pair a sturdy outdoor heritage with a relaxed indoor life. Size, a love of climbing and a heavy seasonal coat shape how they fit a Santa Ana home, so plan for vertical space, grooming time and a cool resting spot.
Norwegians are usually calm, friendly and self-assured, enjoying company without demanding constant attention. Many follow people from room to room but prefer sitting beside you to being held. That easy company works well in a smaller Santa Ana apartment. Some are reserved with strangers, and each cat's history affects how quickly it settles.
Moderately active, Norwegians love to climb, so a tall, sturdy cat tree by a window is worth the floor space. Wand toys and puzzle feeders use their hunting instincts indoors. Young cats play hard, while adults often settle into short bursts and a favorite high perch. On hot days, keep play to cooler mornings and evenings.
Norwegian Forest Cats are generally robust, but hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and glycogen storage disease type IV, a rare inherited disorder in kittens, are documented in the breed. Large cats can also gain weight easily and develop joint problems. Regular veterinary exams, weight control and dental care help, and a veterinarian can screen for common problems.
Santa Ana's mix of apartments, bungalows and high-rises works if the cat has vertical space and room for a large tree. Sturdy furniture and wide perches suit its size. Keep the cat indoors or in a secure catio, since the City reports coyote sightings and attacks on pets. Expect shed fur, especially in spring.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $200, one time | $200 in year one |
| Food | $30 to $60 per month | $360 to $720 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $55 per month | $300 to $660 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $500 to $1,250 per year | $500 to $1,250 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,310 to $2,980 | |
| First-year total (with adoption fee) | $1,510 to $3,180 | |
Adoption fee is the fee on Norwegian Forest Cat listings in Santa Ana on GetBuddy today. Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea and parasite prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, cat trees and supplies, and grooming for the heavy double coat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Norwegian Forest Cats available.
Santa Ana's shelter animals go through OC Animal Care in Tustin, and rescues across the area list cats too. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Santa Ana area where you can find Norwegian Forest Cats and other cats available for adoption.
Yes, Norwegian Forest Cats can live in Santa Ana as indoor cats with a cool room to retreat to. The city is warm and dry, with about 30 days a year at 90°F or hotter, mostly from August to October. Close the blinds on hot afternoons, offer fresh water in several spots, and brush out loose undercoat regularly.
Not on OC Bus, which doesn't allow pets, even in carriers; only service animals may ride. Metrolink allows pets in a small carrier under the seat or on your lap, but many adult Norwegians are large, so a carrier that qualifies may be a tight fit. Plan on a car for vet trips.
Yes. Santa Ana has no known cat license, cat limit or breed restriction on cats; its license, leash and three-dog limit apply to dogs. Renters should read the lease, since a landlord's pet policy, deposit and any pet rent still apply. California generally caps security deposits, pet deposits included, at one month's rent.
Yes, a Norwegian Forest Cat can be happy in a Santa Ana apartment if there's room for a tall, sturdy cat tree and a window perch. In a Downtown Santa Ana loft or any high-rise, keep windows and balcony doors screened, since these cats love heights. Expect shed fur, especially in spring.
Often, yes, for adopters who want a relaxed, sociable cat and will keep up with brushing. Santa Ana's mild winters suit the coat, while the warm late summer and fall call for a cool room. Norwegians are happy mostly indoors, so they fit best where there's space to climb and daily play.
Plan on brushing about twice a week, and more often in spring when the woolly undercoat sheds. Santa Ana's warm late summer makes removing loose fur worthwhile for the cat's comfort. Use a comb on the ruff, britches and belly, where mats form. Grooming supplies and occasional professional help fit within the $500 to $1,250 yearly Other costs.
At one year old, many Norwegian Forest Cats look nearly adult in height but are still noticeably leaner than they will become. Weights vary widely, often somewhere around 7 to 12 pounds, with males typically heavier. The breed can keep adding muscle, bone and coat until about five years old, so a yearling is still growing into its frame.
No, Norwegian Forest Cats are not hypoallergenic. They produce the Fel d 1 allergen like other cats, and their thick double coat sheds heavily, especially in spring, spreading allergen-coated hair around the home. People with allergies may struggle with this breed. Spending extended time with the specific cat before adopting is the best way to judge your own reaction.
We have 1 rescue with Norwegian Forest Cats available: The Kitty Connect. You can see every rescue with Norwegian Forest Cats available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Norwegian Forest Cats near Santa Ana.
Plan on roughly $30 to $60 a month for food and $25 to $55 a month for pet insurance. Routine vet care runs about $150 to $350 a year, and other costs such as litter, parasite prevention, dental care, supplies and grooming add $500 to $1,250 a year. A sturdy cat tree is a one-time purchase.
Expand your search to find Norwegian Forest Cats available for adoption near Santa Ana.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Santa Ana.
