Not all cats are created equal, even if they look alike. At a glance, most people couldn’t tell a Norwegian Forest Cat (above left) from a Maine Coon (above right), but there are subtle differences. Full grown adults of both breeds are very muscular animals — and heavy to boot. While Norwegian Forest Cats are one of the biggest breeds of cats, the Maine Coon has it beat. Main Coons weigh upwards of 25 pounds, while Norwegian Forest Cats have a top weight of 16 pounds. The main difference between the breeds are facial differences. The Maine Coon has a wider muzzle than a Norwegian Forest Cat. In contrast, the Norwegian Forest Cat has a flattened forehead, straight nose and triangular-shaped skull — looking more like a “regular cat.” Meanwhile, with its high cheekbones and broad snout, the Maine Coon looks rather lion-esque. Other distinctions in the two breeds reside in the fur. Although they’re both long-haired cats that come in lots of different colors, there’s an iconic hairstyle that’s specific to each breed. The Maine Coon has larger, pointed ear tufts and bushier tails, while Norwegian Forest Cats have tails that end in pointed tips and softer ears. As for disposition, Maine Coons are more like dogs, while Norwegian Forest Cats are typical lap cats.
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| Maine Coon |
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| Norwegian Forest |
