Scottish Fold Cat Breeds Profile Information And Traits

Overview

Personality: Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Playful, Adaptable, Quite, Loyal
Weight: Up to 12 pounds
Length: 15 inches
Coat Length: Short hair and Long Hair
Coat colors: black, blue, white, cream etc
Coat patterns: Bi-color or Tri-color
Eye colors: Gold, copper, blue, green, hazel
Lifespan: Up to 15 years
Hypoallergenic: No

These cute cats have either a bi-color coat which is often white or have tri-color which is mostly found in females. These cats have pointed coloring patterns with darker ears, faces, paws, and tails, which is similar to Siamese coloring.

They are known for their balanced temperament which is a combination of being playful along with being gentle and loving nature. They are often loyal and attached to a single member of a family and are wonderful companions.

History And Origin

The Scottish Fold was first discovered in 1961 on a farm near Coupar Angus by a local shepherd in Scotland named William Ross and his wife Mary. This breed originated from a cat named Susie which had uniquely folded ears.

Curious by the unique ears, the couple started breeding the cat with one of their kittens named Snooks from where this breed of cat was further expanded. The breed gained popularity in the 1970s. They were exported to the United States and other countries which gained them further recognition.

These unique cats are recognized by several Cat Fancier Organizations like The International Cat Association (TICA), and Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). However, some organizations don't recognize them because of their health issues.

Characteristics And Traits

These small cats are full of curves as they have a round head with large round eyes and curled ears that are neatly folded. They are not only sweet by their appearance, but also by their nature. 

Affectionate

They are well known for their affectionate and loving nature towards their companions. These cats are very friendly and close with people, pets, and children. They enjoy having company and seeking attention and petting from their human companions.

These cats are fond of their owners and love when they give them time.

Calm and Gentle

These cats have mild temperaments and are often calm and gentle. They are also quiet and not very vocal. They have very small and soft voices. Despite this, they are very social and friendly.

Because of their calm and gentle nature, they don't love fighting and making loud noises. These cats are perfect to stay around with children, old people, and other pets.

Intelligent and Curious

Despite being a calm and quiet breed of cats, these breeds are intelligent and curious. They love interactive toys and puzzles that challenge their minds. Being a curious breed, they like to explore their surroundings.

These cats are very curious about new things and love to explore and try something new.

Playful and Adaptable

These are a playful breed of cats that love games and physical activities that allow them to interact with their owners. They are also very adaptable to the new environment and surroundings. They can get along with new pets or humans easily. 

They play with toys, puzzles, and their human companions. They can also change themselves according to their surroundings.

Appearance And Personality

Folded Ears

The most distinctive characteristic of this breed is their unique ears, which are folded forward and downward. This unique character is basically because of their natural genetic mutation. The folds of the ears also vary according to their type. Some are slightly bent, some are closer to the head whereas some ears are flat against the head.

The ears of these cats are small to medium-sized which are rounded at the tips and fold forward towards its head.

Coat

They have a variety of coat types depending on their length, texture, and color. They have either short or long coats and a wide variety of patterns like striped, spotted, pointed at the ends, and many more. They can also be found in different varieties of colors and are often bi-color or tri-color.

The coat colors of these cats are white, grey, black, blue, cream, and a combination of these colors.

Eyes

Like the cat, its eyes are also large and round, complementing its overall look. Their eyes are wide and prominent, set well apart which gives them a more engaging expression, and enhances their round facial appearance.

Their eyes' color can be blue, green, copper, gold, etc which gives them an open expression.

Body Type

These breeds have distinctive body types which are medium-sized. Usually, males weigh between 9-13 pounds whereas females are 6-9 pounds. These cats have round heads, short necks, medium to short legs, and round firm paws.

They are compact and solid with an average height of 20-25.

Tail

The tail of this cat is medium in length according to its body. The tails are abnormally thick, inflexible, and taper to a rounded tip. These tails may be sensitive so should be handled gently.

Because of genetic mutations, these cats can develop arthritis in their tails at a very young age.

Personality

These cats are gentle, calm, fairly active, and love cuddling. They are easygoing and are mostly attached to a single member of a family. They are affectionate and make strong bonds with their family members.

They are quite smart and curious outgoing breeds that love social environments. They can easily adjust to new environments and handle changes better than some other cat breeds. These cats have sweet facial expressions which make them more adorable.

Grooming And Care Of Scottish Fold Cat

Proper grooming and care are necessary for every cat to live a healthy and happy life. These breeds of cats also need proper grooming and care depending on various factors like their coats, type, etc. 

Brushing

Brushing them depends on their coat length. Short-haired ones need once a week brushing their coat whereas long-haired ones need to be brushed several times a week to prevent tangling. 

The brushing is done to remove unwanted hair from the cat's body.

Bathing

Cats are clean in themselves and they know how to keep themselves clean. We don't need to bathe a cat unless they are too dirty. Yet, if you are planning to bathe your cat, use a gentle cat shampoo.

Once you are done, rinse them thoroughly to avoid skin irritation due to the soap.

Nail Trimming

Trim the nails of the Scottish Folds every two to four weeks to prevent overgrowth and splitting. While trimming their nails, you need to use cat-specific nail clippers and also be cautious not to cut the pink part of their nails.

You should not trim the nails of your cats till the end as it can make them uncomfortable.

Ear Care

Due to their sensitive ears being caused due to genetic mutations, their ears are very sensitive. Proper care is very important as they are more likely to get an ear infection and wax buildup. You must check your cat's ears at least once a week for redness, discharge, or order.

You can use an ear-cleaning solution recommended by your veterinarian to wipe away debris gently. 

Play Time and Enrichment

Being a playful cat, it is very important to give these cats plenty of playtime and enrichment. You can engage them with laser pointers, puzzle toys, balls, mice, scratching pads, and many more. You can also play chase and fetch, hide and seek with them along with training them. 

For enrichment, you can put your cats in the window view side, introduce them to cat-safe plants, and can provide them with safe outdoor time.

Eye Care

Eye care is very important to maintain the overall health of your cat. Check your cat's eyes every once a week to see if there is any problem. You can use an eye cleaner recommended by your vet to gently wipe away any discharge found.

If you feel like they have any problem in their eyes, quickly take them to the hospital.

Health And Lifespan

Normally, these breeds have a lifespan of around 12 to 15 years depending on various factors like genetics, diet, overall care, etc. Being a genetically mutated breed, there are some common health issues in these breeds like; abnormal bone growth and joint problems, heart disease, etc. 

It is very important to have your cats visit the vet annually or biannually. They must also be provided with high-quality cat food and a balanced diet. Regular play and exercise are very important to keep them physically fit and mentally stimulated.

Providing proper health care and nutrition along with physical activities can help your cat live a long and healthy life.

Common Helath Problems

Normally, Scottish Folds are a healthy breed but they have certain common health issues, basically because of their genetic mutation. Some of the common health issues faced by these breeds are:

Arthritis

This is a result of Ossteochondrodysplasia which results in painful and inflamed joints. These cats are reluctant to move due to the pain and feel uncomfortable when touched or handled.

Once suffering from arthritis, they must consume pain relief medications, joint supplements, etc

Ear Infections

Along with the uniquely folded ears, these cats also bring ear infections easily. The ears can trap moisture and debris which can cause ear infections. We must be concerned if they are scratching their ears, shaking their heads, and if ears are discharging orders.

Regular cleaning and monitoring are very important for these cats.

Cardiomyopathy

This is a disease related to the heart muscle where the walls of the heart chamber are thickened which can make them difficult to breathe and cough. Because of this problem, the cats also become lazy. 

A regular veterinary check-up and medication are important.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

This is a genetic condition because of which there is a development of cysts in their kidneys which causes kidney dysfunction. These cats are thirsty and urinate more often than normal cats.

Owners have to monitor kidney function regularly along with their diets.

Dental Issues

These cats are more likely to have dental problems, that includes periodontal disease. We can say they have these problems when they have bad breath, difficulty in eating, inflamed gums, and are often drooling.

We must look for their dental care and do regular check-ups along with professional cleaning, and brushing daily.

Fatcs About Scottish Fold Cat

Scottish Folds are cute cats based on their appearance and behavior. Besides the informative things mentioned above, let's talk about some of the fun facts about Scottish Folds. They are:

• They don't have folded ears when they are born. The ears begin to fold after three to four weeks of birth. Some of them don't even develop folded ears afterwards which are known as Scottish Straights.
• With the increase in social media, several Scottish Folds have gained fame there. Marv, a Scottish Fold from Japan is one of the most renowned cat celebrities on the internet.
• A famous pop singer, Taylor Swift has two cats of this breed named Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey.
• These cats are also known for their unusual and adorable sitting position. They are famous for their "Buddha Sit" where they sit upright and stretch their legs in front of them.