Norwegian Forest Cat grooming Berlin: belly, spring, matting

You should comb a Norwegian Forest Cat regularly, and much more often in spring when they lose their heavy winter coat. The British animal charity PDSA notes that this long-haired breed needs less daily grooming than some other long-haired cats. However, knots still form, especially on the belly, under the armpits, on the legs and on the tail. At GroomRoom in Berlin-Charlottenburg, we groom cats Tuesday to Saturday in a dedicated time slot without dogs, starting from 99 € including nail clipping.

What kind of coat does a Norwegian Forest Cat have?

The Norwegian Forest Cat has a long coat; the PDSA lists them in the semi-longhair breed group. Over the course of the year, their coat changes from a heavy winter coat to a lighter summer coat, according to the PDSA. This exact change determines when you should plan more time with a comb and brush at home.

The PDSA describes the breed as playful and quite independent. According to the PDSA, a Forest Cat isn't a typical lap cat and prefers sitting at a high vantage point in the room. Combing sessions therefore often work better if you go to them at the scratching post or windowsill. With an average weight of 5.5 kilograms, they are a strong cat that you shouldn't hold down for long, according to the PDSA.

How often should you brush a Norwegian Forest Cat?

The PDSA doesn't give a strict schedule in days for the Norwegian Forest Cat. They just note that the breed doesn't need the daily grooming some other long-haired breeds require. For Birmans, Persians, and Ragdolls, however, the same care guide recommends daily brushing. Cornell University generally advises getting cats used to daily brushing and combing.

For your daily routine, this means short, regular sessions make more sense than one long session once knots have already formed. Check the problem areas during each session and increase the frequency in spring and autumn. To see what grooming a related breed with even more combing work looks like, check out the article Maine Coon grooming in Berlin.

Why does the coat need more grooming in spring?

In spring, the Forest Cat's coat changes from a heavy winter coat to a summer coat, which is why the PDSA advises a bit more grooming then. According to the PDSA's general care guide, pets lose more hair in spring and autumn. Their coat is adjusting to the new season.

Loose hair that you don't comb out ends up in your cat's stomach when they groom themselves. Cornell University notes that long-haired breeds have a significantly higher risk of hairballs than short-haired breeds. According to Cornell, hairballs also occur more frequently during the seasons when cats shed their coats. So, every extra combing session in spring removes hair from the cycle before your cat swallows it.

Where do Forest Cats get mats?

In long-haired cats, mats mainly form on the belly, under the armpits, on the legs and on the tail. The PDSA specifically names these areas as danger zones for matting in their grooming guide. They warn against only focusing on the easily reachable parts on the back and chest.

The belly of a Forest Cat is easily neglected because they often don't like being touched there. Here's how to structure a short session at home:

1. Start on the back, which the PDSA considers an easy area.
2. Work your way over the flanks to the armpits.
3. Then comb the legs and tail in small sections.
4. Tackle the belly last and only briefly when your cat is lying relaxed.
5. Stop as soon as they look anxious or stressed.
6. Reward them during and after with treats and praise.

According to the PDSA, you should choose brushes and combs to suit the coat type. A cat learns grooming most easily when they are still young. Older cats can also get used to it, according to the PDSA, as long as grooming remains positive.

What do we do in the salon for a matted belly coat?

In the salon, we don't pull on mats; we work carefully step by step. Light tangles are included in the price, for heavily matted coats we charge from 15 € per started 15 minutes. For heavily matted coats, we will discuss the best solution with you beforehand. Dematting is one of the specialities of Nata, our Master Groomer.

If your Forest Cat doesn't allow combing at home at all, Cornell University suggests an alternative. They recommend a haircut at the vet or a reputable groomer once or twice a year, especially for long-haired breeds. We can clarify whether a clip is right for your cat during a consultation. The first steps for dealing with knots are explained in the article Matted cat, what to do.

How much does grooming a Norwegian Forest Cat cost in Berlin?

Cat grooming with us starts at 99 €, and nail clipping is included in every package. We'll give you a firm final price after assessing your cat in person before the appointment.

The Brush Only and Dry Clip packages don't include a bath, only the Full Groom package does. You'll find all our services on the Cat Grooming at GroomRoom page, and the rest of the starting prices on our prices page. You can pay on collection in cash, by debit card, credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

When should your Forest Cat see a vet?

Discuss any changes to the skin or coat with your vet practice, as the PDSA notes these can point to a problem. The same goes for pain, bleeding, broken skin, noticeable hair loss and severe itching. If their ears smell, itch or build up wax, the PDSA recommends calling the practice before you clean them.

According to Cornell University, a hairball every one to two weeks is nothing to worry about. If your cat seems lethargic and hasn't eaten for more than a day, you should call the practice immediately. The same applies if they keep retching without bringing anything up.

The PDSA lists polycystic kidney disease, where cysts grow in the kidneys, as a breed-specific risk for Norwegian Forest Cats. According to the PDSA, there is a genetic test for this condition. Grooming is no substitute for a vet check, we look after the coat and claws and don't treat illnesses.

How your appointment in Charlottenburg works

Your Forest Cat gets their own quiet time slot with us, with no dogs in the salon. First, they get to settle in, then we get to know them and take breaks while we work. The six steps of an appointment are listed on the How an appointment works page.

The salon is located at Giesebrechtstraße 2, 10629 Berlin, and we're open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 to 18. By train, you can reach us via U7 Adenauerplatz (5-minute walk), U1 and U9 Kurfürstendamm (10 minutes), and you can park on Giesebrechtstraße and Brandenburgische Straße. A drop-in consultation at the salon is free. Once you've chosen your package, you can book your appointment online.