Scottish Fold
With their folded ears and rounded features, the Scottish fold is an instantly recognizable descendant of Scotland’s barn cats. These lop-eared cats are affectionate, friendly, adaptable, and very laid-back. They’ll even get along with dogs. Intelligent and loyal, this CFA-recognized breed makes a great addition to any household.
Breed Profile
Height
8 - 10
Inches
Weight
5 - 11
Pounds
Life Span
11 - 14
Years
Health
health
Polycystic Kidney Disease
What is it?
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is found among many cat breeds, although it isn’t a common disease. It occurs because a genetic mutation causes small cysts to form in the kidneys that slowly grow over time.
The cysts eventually cause organ failure. Although organ failure isn’t preventable and the disease is incurable, it can be put off through various methods. Treatments would assist in slowing organ failure and supporting the operation of the kidneys themselves.
Clinical signs:
Vomiting, excessive thirst, weight loss, and poor health
Treatment:
Medication, fluid treatments, special diets
Other risks:
Polycystic Kidney Disease usually affects the kidneys, but sometimes cysts will appear in the liver as well, which would eventually lead to liver failure.
Eligible vet bill
$5,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Deafness
What is it?
Most white cats have a predisposition to inherited deafness, which can affect any breed. Some Scottish folds also have a genetic trait that causes deafness, even if they aren’t white. It’s possible that your cat’s trouble hearing could be caused by a treatable condition, like polyps or infections.
Surprisingly, this issue in Scottish folds is not related to their folded ears, although infections are easier to miss in a Scottish fold. It’s a separate genetic condition. Hereditary deafness is incurable, and it’s best for deaf cats to remain indoors.
Clinical signs:
Difficulty hearing
Treatment:
Surgery if caused by polyp, medication for infection, none if congenital (genetic)
Other risks:
If you let your deaf cat outside, your cat would be unable to hear any dangers that are approaching, so they are much more easily injured. It is best to keep a deaf cat indoors.
Eligible vet bill
$800
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Affectionate
A Scottish fold loves being around you and will show it with their signature sweet expression. This domestic cat will snuggle with you and play with you, and they’ll want to be the center of your attention most of the time.
Friendly
Many picture cats to be aloof, but Scottish folds are very friendly. Not only do they want to be at the center of your attention, but they can also be welcoming of other pets, as long as they are treated well.
Loyal
A Scottish fold is a cat who is ready to go with you pretty much anywhere, although, as indoor pets, you should keep them inside unless there is an emergency. Their eyes are on you.
Calm
It’s pretty hard to disturb a Scottish fold since they are pretty adaptable cats. They do well around kids that are gentle and kind, or they can live in a home with just one pet parent, or they can live with other pets.
Intelligent
Like most cats, Scottish folds are smart, but, unlike most cats, they are willing to learn. You can teach your Scottish fold to play games like fetch, and they need toys that can challenge them.
Lifetime Care
Coat:
Scottish folds have a short, dense coat, although there are longhaired versions. They don’t shed a lot, but they shed some.
Coat Colors
There are many different colors and patterns, including but not limited to: tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, red, blue, lilac, black, white, cinnamon, and bicolor varieties.
Hypoallergenic
The Scottish fold is not a hypoallergenic cat breed.
Grooming
Longhairs should be brushed twice a week, and shorthaired folds should be brushed once a week. Their ears and teeth need to be cleaned regularly, and their nails should be clipped when needed.
Hypoallergenic:
No
Grooming:
Daily brushing, occasional bath, regular nail trims
Training:
Easy to train.
Scottish Fold: Cat Breed Information Guide
The original Scottish fold was a white barn cat found in Scotland in the early 1960s. A man named William Ross found the cat, Susie, and, after consulting with a geneticist, began breeding her to produce more kittens with folded ears. After she died, William began using Susie’s daughter Snooks to continue the line.
Why do Scottish folds have folded ears?
If you see Scottish fold kittens when they’re first born, you’ll notice their ears look the same as any other cat. This happens because their ears don’t begin to fold until they’re about three weeks old.
The gene that causes the folded ears is dominant, but since the offspring of two Scottish folds with folded ears have severe health issues, a Scottish fold with one dominant gene and one recessive will be bred with a cat with two recessive genes, compared to the folded mutation.
A responsible breeder will typically breed the Scottish fold with cats like the American Shorthair or the British Shorthair. Many think it’s risky to breed a Scottish Straight and a Scottish fold.
Although it seems that the fold gene is dominant, it is possible that Scottish Straights still have the gene, but it doesn’t present or cause issues. However, if this is the case, the offspring of the two Scottish cats might have more severe health problems that are related to the gene.
Scottish fold breeding is highly debated in the cat fancier world since all Scottish folds inherit, to some extent, the same health issue. However, until that debate is settled, there are Scottish folds in need of good homes now.
What are other health risks for Scottish folds?
Other health risks for the Scottish fold may include:
Degenerative joint disease
Cardiomyopathy
Ear infections
Osteochondrodysplasia
At Spot Pet Insurance, we understand that adopting a pet can be pretty overwhelming. There can be a lot of factors to consider, so our hope is to help you learn about the breed. We want to help remove some of the weight of learning to be a new pet parent.
Part of being the best pet parent you can be is knowing about your cat, what they need, and why. Having educational resources to look through can help you determine what’s normal and what isn’t.
Are there different kinds of Scottish fold cats?
The most popular type of this kitty is the shorthaired cat with folded ears. They have round eyes, and people describe them as looking like an owl in cat form. However, there are three other forms of Scottish fold that you can find.
The first is the longhaired Scottish fold. They have the folded ears and rounded body that their shorthaired relatives have, but their fur is much longer, so they look fluffier. People originally called them Highland folds, but after a few years, they were included as Scottish folds in cat competitions.
There are also long and shorthaired versions of the Scottish fold that have normal cat ears, which are also called Scottish Straights. Although they don’t qualify as Scottish folds in cat shows, they are related. They are usually siblings of Scottish folds with short ears.
The gene that causes Scottish folds to have the folded ears is a dominant gene, but if two cats with folded ears are bred together, it can cause severe health issues, so they are usually bred with a straight-eared cat like American or British Shorthairs and Scottish Straights.
As a result, usually, only half of the litter will have the folded ears of a Scottish fold, and the other half will be straight eared. Aside from the difference in ears, the Scottish Straights have all the same physical characteristics as a true Scottish fold.
What is the personality of a Scottish fold like?
Any form of the breed you adopt will still have the same sweet and affectionate personality. They aren’t very vocal cats, but they will express their desire for your attention one way or another.
Scottish fold: An introduction to the breed
Scottish folds are fluffy, round cats, typically with distinctive folded ears. Scottish folds tend to be medium-sized cats.
They have very dense coats, so they need to be brushed often to help them get rid of dead hair. They come in a very wide array of colors and patterns, most of which are accepted in cat shows if you are interested in competing.
They can also have various eye colors, from blue eyes to amber ones. Some Scottish folds can even be odd-eyed, a trait where their eyes are two different colors, usually blue or blue-green and amber.
With their large, roundish eyes and lack of straight ears, many people have compared the Scottish fold to an owl. They have also been compared to pixies and teddy bears, and, like teddy bears, they are fun to cuddle with.
Sources:
Breed Info | Parkwood Animal Hospital
Kidney Disease Polycystic Kidney Disease In Cats | VCA Animal Hospitals
Scottish Fold Cat Breed Information and Pictures - PetGuide | PetGuide
Scottish Fold | The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc
Scottish Fold Cat — Full Profile, History, and Care | thesprucepets.com
Scottish Fold Breed Standard | The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc
What are the health problems with Scottish Fold cats? | RSPCA Knowledgebase