Scottish Fold Cat Breed - History, Temperament, & Facts

Scottish Fold Cat History

The Scottish Fold cat can trace its origins back to a cat named Susie. The white female farm cat was found on the McRae farm near Coupar Angus in 1961 in Scotland. It had unique, folded-down ears.

The British shorthair breeders named William and Mary Rose recognized this cat as a new breed. William asked the McRaes to buy the cat but was promised a kitten from the first litter.

Susie’s mother was a straight eared white barn cat, but her father was unknown. Thus, it was unclear whether Susie was one of the first kind or whether the folded ears were never noticed before.

In 1963, Susie produced two folded ear kittens, and William Ross was given one as promised. This kitten was a white beauty exactly like her mother, and they named it Snooks.

After being advised by Peter Dyte, a British geneticist, the couple started a breeding program. Here, they outcrossed the British Shorthairs and bred domestic cats. They realized that the folded ears genes were dominant, and it needs one parent only to pass this unique trait.

It was contended that any cat with this folded ear gene produced about 50 percent of the fold kittens. Previously, this breed was named Lops because of the lop-ear type of rabbit. Later in 1966, the name was changed to Scottish Fold to honor the country where the cat was found.

The same year the Rosses registered their cats with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). The couple then started the struggle to get their folded cats accepted worldwide.

At first, the breeders were enthusiastic about this cat, but soon GCCF became concerned about the health conditions. Some of the potential conditions were ear infections, deafness, ear mite infections. Later these concerns were proven invalid.

Moving further, GCCF got worried about the genetic problems that were considered real difficulties. Consequently, in 1971, GCCF closed and banned the registration of the Scottish Folds. For this, this breed had to move to North America.

It was later accepted for CFA registration in 1973, and in 1977, these cats were given CFA provincial status. The breed also became a CFA champion breed in 1978.

In a very short period, the Fold got accepted as the most popular breed in all the North American cat associations in the United States. Nevertheless, until the mid-1980s, the longhaired version of this cat was not officially recognized.

It is widely believed that Suzie may carry this recessive, dominant gene for long hair. Also, the Persian cats used in early outcrosses may help to establish the long hair gene.

Currently, Scottish Fold Longhair has been accepted for the championship by many associations. But they do have a separate standard for this breed and call it Longhair Fold or Highland Fold.

Here the AACE, ACFA, and UFO call this breed the Highland Fold, and the CFF refers to the breed as Longhair Fold. The long haired Scottish Fold is considered a division of the Scottish Fold breed in the CFA and TICA. In contrast, the breed is called Scottish in CCA.

The CCA further accepts the Scottish Straight Longhair and the Scottish Straight Shorthair under the name Scottish. They do not have folded ears.

The Scottish Shorthair is also known as pert-ear and has the same body type and personality traits as the Fold. Although they do not have folded ears and for this reason, they are relatively inexpensive. Lastly, the Scottish Shorthair is also accepted as a separate breed in the Australian Cat Federation (ACF).

Scottish Fold Cat Physical Attributes

Here are some distinctive physical attributes of the Scottish Fold.

• Body

  The cat has a medium-sized and rounded body from shoulder to pelvic girdle. Moreover, it stands firm with a well-padded body. The general appearance of a Scottish Fold is well-rounded with medium boning.

• Head

  The head and muzzle are well-rounded with a firm chin, whisker pads, and jaw. The head extends into a short neck.

  The cheeks and jolly appearance is the main characteristic of a male Scottish Fold. However, the nose is short with a gentle curve. Overall they have a moderate appearance.

• Ears

  The ears of the breed are small, with rounded tips. They fold forward and downward.

• Eyes

  The eyes are well-rounded, large, and wide open with a sweet expression. They are separated by a broad nose. Furthermore, the eye color corresponds with the color of the coat.

  The blue-eyed and odd-eyed may appear in white and bicolor patterns. Also, they appear in one gold and one blue eye of equal depth.

• Legs & Paws

  They have short and hairy legs. The toes are well-rounded and neat, with five in front and four behind.

• Tail

  The tail should be medium to long and flexible with a rounded tip.

• Color

  The color and patterns show signs of hybridization, resulting in lavender and chocolate color combined with white. The color of the eye matches with the dominant coat color.

• Coat

  There are two types of coat: long hair and short hair.

  1. The long hair coat is of medium to long hair length.
  2. The short hair is soft, dense, and short to medium-short in length. It does not lie close to the skin due to density and not being flat. However, the texture of the coat may vary because of the regional or seasonal changes.

Scottish Fold Cat Personality and Temperament

Scottish Fold cat breed is usually intelligent, soft-spoken, and adaptable to new situations and people. It is very loyal and forms a strong bond with one person in the house, and allows others to cuddle or pet them.

Similarly, this breed requires attention but on its terms. Though they are not demanding and clingy like other cats as they prefer to be near you rather than sit on your lap. They enjoy catching mice and keep their playful side into adulthood.

The folded ears of the cat are very expressive to what they listen to. They lay back in anger and prick up when a food can is opened. On the other hand, the fold in the ears becomes less pronounced when ill or upset.

These cats also have a habit of posing in odd positions. Moreover, they are smart and moderately active cats. They enjoy being left alone for hours.

Thus, it may not be the best choice for those who are home throughout the day or if you want to give them the company of another pet. But they do expect the owners to play with them after coming back home.

Scottish Fold Cat Care and Grooming

This cat breed requires proper care and grooming sessions. Below we have mentioned the ways for you to learn how to take care of your fold.

• Brushing

  Brush and comb the cat’s coat weekly to remove dead hair. This session also helps to distribute the skin oil. However, a long haired Scottish cold needs to be groomed twice or thrice a week to ensure that tangles do not develop.

  Take special care of the tail while brushing because it often develops stiffness. It may cause pain if mishandled.

• Dental Hygiene

  Brush the teeth daily to prevent periodontal disease, but you can also do it weekly.

• Cleaning Eyes

  Clean the corners of the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. It is better to use a separate cloth area for each eye to not get any infection.

• Cleaning Ears

  If the ears are tightly folded, make sure to check them weekly. Wipe them out with a soft, damp cloth moistened with a mixture of warm water and apple cider vinegar. However, avoid using cotton swabs as they can damage ears.

• Trim Nails

  Trim the nails of your cat weekly to prevent them from painfully breaking with a carpet or furniture. Get them used to it by having the nails clipped when they are a kitten.

  Besides the above grooming tips, keep the litter box clean. It is because Scottish Folds are particular about bathroom hygiene, and a clean box will also keep their coat clean.

Ideal Environment

It is better to keep the Scottish Folds as an indoor cat only. It will prevent them from getting any diseases from other cats or being attacked by other dogs.

These friendly cats are an ideal choice for families with cat-friendly dogs and children. They love the respect and attention they get from children.

Diet and Nutrition

The Scottish Fold is a unique breed, but because of being domestic, its nutritional demands do not differ from other cats. They are a little less active as compared to others and are more prone to obesity.

An indoor cat diet or calorie-reduced recipes are perfect for this breed. Furthermore, the kittens should be fed a kitten diet until they are fully grown. You can also increase the water intake of your Scottish fold by feeding them wet food meals and dry kibble.

Exercise Needs

Scottish Folds are capable of learning tricks and like to play. The owners should provide them with mental stimuli to keep their minds sharp and occupied.

Similarly, you can engage them with friendly teaser toys such as interactive lasers, electronic motion toys, and catnip-filled mice to keep them entertained. Such toys challenge their intelligence.

Apart from this, positive reinforcement training sessions are also helpful to teach them to fetch. They basically enjoy anything that involves human interaction.

Scottish Fold Cat Health Problems

Scottish Folds have health problems that are genetic in nature. The following are the conditions that may affect this cat breed.

• Degenerative Joint Disease

  Most Scottish Folds are prone to degenerative joint disease in the ankle, tail, and knee joints. It causes extreme joint pain and poor mobility. The owners should handle the tail gently and check for signs of any pain from time to time.

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

  It is a kind of heart muscle disease that most Scottish folds suffer from. But it is not proven to be a hereditary disorder.

• Ear Infections

  This cat may also suffer from different ear infections if they are not regularly cleaned. Thus, a weekly cleaning session is recommended.

Scottish Fold Cat Price

The price of buying a Scottish Fold ranges between $1,000-$2,000. However, if you plan to adopt one from the breeders offering Scottish Fold kittens for sale, it will cost you around $250-$500.

This breed has a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Thus, the price will depend on what kind of kitten you choose. There are many Scottish Fold rescues and shelter groups for you to adopt a healthy cat.

Extra Costs

Here are some extra costs that come with buying a Scottish Fold cat.

• Supplies

  You will need food, bowls, toys, a litter box, and crates for your cat. For this, you need to pay an extra amount.

• Shipping Fees

  If you are buying a kitten from a breeder out of state, you will have to pay the cost of having the cat shipped to you. Most breeders use Delta and American airlines to ship their cats. An average shipping cost can range somewhere between $175-$350.

• Vet Costs

  The owners need to pay for the cat’s first vet test as soon as they come home. Ensure that your kitten has a clean medical record. Else, you will have to pay a lot on the regular check-ups. Always buy from a reputable breeder that includes pet insurance along with the Scottish Fold cat for sale.

Scottish Fold Interesting Facts

Below-given are some interesting facts about the Scottish Fold cat breed.

Scottish Fold Cat as an Emotional Support Animal

Scottish Fold cats are a lovely breed that shows affection to your friends and family. However, they are more expensive than other breeds, but their beauty and rarity make them a worthwhile investment. With research and patience, you would find a perfect kitten for your lifestyle and budget.

Not all cat breeds make good emotional support animals. If your mental health specialist has prescribed you an ESA, make sure to get a friendly cat.

Scottish Folds can make the best emotional support cat if you are suffering from any mental health conditions. It may include depression, anxiety, and stress. Thus, to get a Scottish fold munchkin cat as a support animal, the first thing you need to do is to get an ESA letter.

It is a prescription that allows you to live or travel with your Scottish Fold without paying any charges or even in a no-pet policy area. Therefore, without wasting any further time, get a professionally written letter within just 24 hours by contacting us at RealESALetter.com.