What is a Scottish Fold? A Scottish Fold cat is a breed of domesticated cat with a natural dominant-gene mutation that causes their ears to fold forward and down, giving them an owl-like appearance. They are sometimes called “lop-eared cats” or “owl cats.” Scottish Folds are widely known for being docile, sweet-natured, and affectionate animals that make great pets. Let’s take a closer look at this unique breed.
The Scottish Fold is a unique and adorable looking cat thanks to its unique trait of possessing folded over ears. This breed makes a playful and active companion who loves lots of attention from their humans. In return, they’ll be a lovable ball of energy who’ll jump up onto your lap for plenty of affectionate cuddles.
Continue reading to discover the characteristics and personality of this popular cat. In addition, this article will teach you effective care practices for your pet, along with the most suitable environment for their forever home.
What Are The Characteristics Of A Scottish Fold Cat?
Famed for their folded ears, the Scottish Fold Cat possesses several traits that make them the perfect family pet. An overview of the Scottish Fold cat characteristics is listed in the table below.
Height Range | 8-10 inches |
Weight Range | Female: 6-9lbs Males: 9-13lbs |
Life Expectancy | 11-14 years |
Temperament | Affectionate Calm Playful Good lap cat |
Intelligence | High and easy to train |
Good With | Families Children Seniors Other pets Friendly towards other pets, humans and strangers. |
Coat Length | Short Long |
Shedding Amount | Moderate and easy to groom. |
Coat Colors | Beige Black Blue Tan Silver Orange Cream Fawn Ebony Lavender Gray |
Coat Patterns | Solid Tabby Tri-color Bi-color |
Where Did The Scottish Fold Originate?
The Scottish Fold is a relatively modern breed originating from a white cat called Susie who lived on a farm in Scotland in the 1960s.
Due to a defective gene, Susie developed ears that flopped over, which piqued the interest of a nearby farmer, William Ross. When Susie birthed a litter, Ross acquired one of the female offspring whom he named Snooks.
When Snooks gave birth to a litter, breeders chose one of her male offspring to combine with a British Shorthair. Through these initial breeding stages, the “lop-eared cat” came into existence (which later became a registered breed under the name “Scottish Fold.”)
What Are The Physical Characteristics Of A Scottish Fold?
The Scottish Fold is a medium-sized feline with a compact build. The Scottish Fold resembles an owl with rounded heads and folded ears. Originally the ears of a Scottish Fold had one single Fold, meaning that their ears were bent around the halfway mark.
Nowadays, breeders create these felines with double or even triple folded ears. A double folded ear is noticeably tighter than the single Fold, while a triple fold lies flat to the head. This latter quality is particularly sought after in competition cats.
The Shorthaired Scottish Fold has a dense coat that is soft to the touch, while the Longhaired variety has medium to long fur with longer fur around the thighs, toes, and ears. Longhairs may also possess a “ruff” of fur around the neck.
The Scottish Fold is available in several coat colors: beige, black, blue, cream, ebony, fawn, gray, lavender, orange, silver, and tan.
What Does A Scottish Fold Kitten Look Like?
Scottish Fold kittens are born with adorable, wide-open eyes that gaze out at the world. But their ears are always straight. No kittens are born with folded ears; this is a process that happens when they are around three to four weeks old.
What Are The Personality Traits Of A Scottish Fold?
Many quirky traits belong to the Scottish Fold, not only its unique ears. One of these traits is that Scottish Folds like to pose in odd positions; sometimes, they’ll stand on their back legs like a meerkat, and other times they’ll sprawl out on the floor like a frog.
The Scottish Fold is an active and intelligent cat who loves toys that test their agility and intelligence; they particularly enjoy games involving human interaction.
This breed does not enjoy being left alone for long periods, so it is best if you can house one in a home where family members are often present, and your furry friend doesn’t have to sit alone all day waiting for you to return from work.
How Do I Look After A Scottish Fold?
Like any pet, you’ll need to engage in a regular care routine to balance your cat’s physical health and wellbeing.
You should brush the hair of your Scottish Fold once a week to distribute their skin oils and get rid of dead hair. If you possess a longhaired Fold, you may need to brush it twice weekly. Also, aim to clean your cat’s teeth every couple of days to maintain good oral hygiene and clip their nails once a fortnight.
Remove any discharge from your cat’s eyes with a soft, damp cloth. Use different areas of the material for each eye to avoid spreading any infection.
Check the ears every week. This is an essential aspect of Scottish Fold hygiene as the folded nature of their ears can lend itself as a home to the gathering of dirt and dust. If there’s any sign of grime in your cat’s ears, give them a clean.
For the best results, mix cider vinegar with warm water in equal measures and apply to a cotton ball or damp cloth to rub over your cat’s ear. Do not use cotton buds as these can damage the inside of the cat’s ear.
Maintain a clean litterbox for your feline as cats are very particular about where they toilet and like to keep their environment nice and clean. In addition, a clean litterbox helps your cat to maintain a clean coat.
Scottish Folds are the ideal indoor-only cat and can thrive in a house environment. If you decide to let them outside unsupervised, there are many dangers they could face, such as diseases from other cats, attacks by dogs or other larger animals, and someone stealing them.
Are There Any Special Requirements For A Scottish Fold?
Due to the gene defect, Scottish Folds are at risk of osteochondrodysplasia (SFOCD), a disorder characterized by skeletal deformities, including a short inflexible tail. For this reason, you need to handle the tail of your Scottish Fold exceptionally carefully.
If your Scottish Fold has a stiffness of the tail, rough handling can cause pain for them.
This breed is round by nature, so you must carefully follow a nutritional plan to prevent your feline from becoming overweight. All cats are carnivores and must obtain 41 different nutrients from their food.
The proportion of nutrients depends on age, breed, lifestyle, and overall health, and it’s essential to consider these factors when planning your pet’s diet. Your vet is the best person to consult for your cat’s individual needs if you need advice.
Does The Scottish Fold Make A Good Pet?
Scottish Folds make an excellent pet thanks to their friendly and easy-going disposition. They love having lots of attention and will get along with children and other pets.
To maintain the optimum wellbeing of your cat, it will require interactive play with its humans each day, along with grooming requirements such as daily brushing sessions.
Final Thoughts
The Scottish Fold is a unique and beautiful cat that makes an excellent pet for many households. However, ensuring that you can provide the optimum quality of life for your feline friend is essential; the best advice is to read all you can about this breed before purchasing.
Once you learn how to handle and feed them correctly, plus maintain an optimum environment for their wellbeing, this cuddly cat will display an abundance of affection and loyalty to you and your family.
Related Articles
- Are Persian Cats Good Family Pets?
- Why Are Scottish Fold Ears Folded?
- Why Do Scottish Fold Cats Sit Funny?
Resources