About Gudrun's Norwegian Forest Cats

Gudrun's is a small, home-based Norwegian Forest Cat cattery on Vancouver Island, where our cats are part of everyday life.

We are taking an extended breeding break, with no new litters planned before 2028. During this time, we remain in touch with the families who share their lives with a Gudrun's cat.

Our breeding decisions are informed by health screening and detailed records of our cats’ health, kitten development, treatments, and outcomes. We are sharing these records with a research team to help identify patterns, improve our breeding practices, and contribute to knowledge that can inform feline care more widely.

Keep checking in with us here and in our Facebook group, Gudrun’s Norwegian Forest Cats, for updates on our current cats. Any further developments and future kitten plans will be announced here or on Facebook.

Health testing is an essential part of our breeding program.

Our breeding cats are:

• DNA tested for GSD IV and PK-Def
• Screened for FeLV and FIV
• Given HCM echocardiograms after 12 months of age and every two years thereafter

Clear screening results are the starting point. We also follow the health and development of our kittens over time, and value the observations their families share with us.

When a health concern arises, we pause and reassess. Decisions about future pairings or retirement are guided by the health of each cat and their kittens, alongside the evidence gathered through our records and research collaboration.

The Norwegian Forest Cat has a distinctive, open expression, framed by a triangular head, straight profile, strong chin, and large ears.

We value long, balanced bodies with good bone, natural strength, and weather-resistant coats. These are cats built to be sturdy and capable.

Our breeding cats reflect these qualities. We choose each pairing carefully, with health and steady temperament at the heart of our decisions, alongside the character and physical qualities that make the Norwegian Forest Cat so distinctive.