Viking cats: Beloved pets and valuable help around the house

In that time, Viking cats were closer to what is today known as "alley cats" – they could be found in urban areas more often than in rural ones. 

Their origin remains clouded in mystery - while some think that the Vikings brought the cats home from their travels to other countries, others believe that visitors who came to trade with the Vikings brought the cats with them.

Viking cats in Norse mythology

Cats also hold a prominent place in Nordic mythology. One of the key goddesses in the Norse pantheon, Freya, drove a chariot pulled by two cats. 

She received these two cats as a gift from Thor, yet another important Nordic god, who gave Freya these cats to drive her to the funeral of Baldur, Freya's lover. 

Being the goddess of beauty, fertility, harmony, and love, and also a powerful sorceress who was able to manage the destiny of others, Freya would often bless those who were kind to her cats, who she considered sacred animals. 

Several folk traditions developed from this strong connection between Freya and her cats.

Early days of Viking cats in Scandinavia

Some historical sources show us that cats were used as assistance on Viking ships – they would be in charge of exterminating rodents. This very useful feature was a reason they were later brought to rural areas as well, where they were of service to the Vikings living there.

In a way, Viking cats served Vikings even after they died, as their fur was either sold to others or used by the Vikings themselves.

Cats do not require a lot of food. They are somewhat independent animals and do not require as much attention and care as dogs, so this was why they accompanied Vikings on their voyages. 

Viking cats made sure that the ship was clear from rodents and that pests were not attacking the food. According to some sources, Leif Erikson, the founder of the Nordic settlement Vinland in America, whose ship had a "little army" of cats, was the one who brought cats to the American territory.

Some theories claim that the Vikings preferred orange cats. Illustration: Pixabay

Viking cats in households at the time

Viking cats were also kept as valuable help around the house as they caught mice and other rodents. Kittens were often given to new brides as a gift, as Vikings believed that having a kitten was one of the essentials for a young bride to start a new household (and probably had something to do with keeping a good connection with Freya and her powers).

As we mentioned before, Freya is often depicted as riding a chariot pulled by two cats. At first, it might be a bit difficult to imagine two average-sized cats pulling a chariot, however, there is an explanation behind the myth. 

Norwegian forest cats

In general, Nordic cats are (and were) larger than the average cat. Skogkatt (in Norwegian meaning "forest cat") is a large cat with strong bones and rich fur. 

These cats had to adapt to the new conditions, as they were probably brought to Scandinavia from the more southern parts of Europe, where the winters weren't so severe. Therefore, forest cats could survive only by evolving to more robust, muscular bodies and growing a thicker coat.

With that in mind, it is easier to understand (and imagine) two of Freya's cats pulling the chariot, as these cats were much bigger and stronger than one would first imagine. 

According to some sources, these two particular cats were so strong and heavy that not even Thor, the god known for his immense strength, could lift them off the ground!

In some of the texts from the 16th century describing cats, it is apparent that the Norwegian forest cat was often mistaken for a lynx. There are some general similarities between these two animals, as they are both big, with long legs and vibrant coats, and the tips of their ears are covered with little extra spikes of hair. The Norwegian forest cats also use the same methods as the lynx when fishing. 

Some theories claim that the Vikings preferred orange cats; however, there is no hard evidence of such a preference. 

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