Home / Cat breed size chart / Norwegian Forest Cat
Norwegian Forest Cat size
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a large, slow-maturing breed. Males usually weigh 10–18 lb (4.5–8.2 kg) and females 8–12 lb (3.6–5.4 kg), and they can take up to 5 years to reach full size. Enter your cat's weight to see how it compares.
.jpg){kind=link}
You'll see where your cat sits in the usual Norwegian Forest Cat range.
Breed ranges are a guide, not a target: a healthy body shape matters more than the number on the scale. Last reviewed October 9, 2026.
How big do Norwegian Forest Cats get?
Breed registries and vet sources don't agree exactly, so here is what each one says about adult weight:
| Source | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| CFA | 12–16 lb | 9–12 lb |
| TICA | 12–18 lb | 8–12 lb |
| Purina | 10–16 lb | 8–12 lb |
| VCA | 12–22 lb (all adults) | 12–22 lb (all adults) |
Based on these figures, the size checker uses 10–18 lb (4.5–8.2 kg) for males and 8–12 lb (3.6–5.4 kg) for females. Ranges a source gives for all adults are shown for reference.
When do Norwegian Forest Cats stop growing?
CFA and TICA both say Norwegian Forest Cats can take up to 5 years to reach full growth, and Purina says they don't fully mature until 5 years of age. Norwegian Forest Cats keep filling out after their first birthday, so a 1-year-old can still be well below its adult weight.
There is no published month-by-month growth chart for Norwegian Forest Cat kittens from a breed registry or vet source, so we don't print one. For the first months, compare your kitten with the kitten growth chart, and use the kitten feeding chart to see how much to feed.
Norwegian Forest Cat size facts
- CFA's breed description says males should be large and imposing, while females may be more refined.
Norwegian Forest Cat size compared with other breeds
| Breed | Males | Females | Full size by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah | 11–25 lb | same range | about 3 years |
| Maine Coon | 12–22 lb | 9–15 lb | 3–5 years |
| Ragdoll | 15–20 lb | 10–15 lb | about 4 years |
| Siberian | 12–20 lb | 8–12 lb | 3–5 years |
| Bengal | 9–18 lb | 6–12 lb | about 2 years |
| British Shorthair | 10–18 lb | 8–15 lb | 3–5 years |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | 10–18 lb | 8–12 lb | up to 5 years |
| Siamese | 8–15 lb | 5–12 lb | about 1 year* |
| Persian | 9–14 lb | 7–11 lb | about 1 year* |
| Sphynx | 8–12 lb | 6–10 lb | about 1 year* |
| Average house cat | 8–12 lb | about 1 year | |
Weights are the overall ranges from the breed sources on each page. *No breed-specific age given; most cats reach adult size at about 12 months. The average house cat weighs about 8–12 lb (PetMD).
Questions people ask
How big do Norwegian Forest Cats get?
Males usually weigh 10–18 lb (4.5–8.2 kg) and females 8–12 lb (3.6–5.4 kg), and they can take up to 5 years to reach full size.
How much should a male Norwegian Forest Cat weigh?
Sources give 10–18 lb (4.5–8.2 kg) for adult males. Your cat's body shape matters more than the number: use the cat weight calculator to check its body condition.
How much should a female Norwegian Forest Cat weigh?
Sources give 8–12 lb (3.6–5.4 kg) for adult females. Females are usually smaller than males.
When is a Norwegian Forest Cat full grown?
Norwegian Forest Cats can take up to 5 years to reach full size, according to the breed sources above. Most of the growth happens in the first year.
Is my Norwegian Forest Cat overweight?
Breed ranges are wide, so check body shape instead: you should be able to feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above. The cat weight calculator uses the 9-point body condition score to estimate your cat's ideal weight.
How much should I feed a Norwegian Forest Cat?
Base it on your cat's ideal weight and activity, not the breed. The cat food calculator turns that into calories and cans or cups.
Sources
- CFA: Norwegian Forest Cat
- TICA: Norwegian Forest Cat
- Purina: Norwegian Forest Cat
- VCA: Norwegian Forest Cat
- PetMD: Average weight of cats