Scottish Fold: Everything you need to know about the short-eared cat

What does the Scottish Fold look like? What is this cat’s personality? What is the best way to care for this cat breed? Let’s find out everything there is to know about the Scottish Fold, the folded-eared cat that is native to Scotland

the Scottish Fold It is a brachycephalic cat with a docile temperament and a rather peculiar appearance with a rounded body and folded ears, a trait due to a mutation.

This cat is very popular among families who love the breed due to its kind and gentle nature, but its advantages certainly do not end there. Its large eyes instill calm and serenity, and its plump muzzle conveys tenderness.

Maybe that’s why celebrities breed like cats so much. Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and many other figures from the world of music and entertainment own one or more, which contributes to making the Scottish Fold a popular cat.

But what is the nature of the Scottish Fold? What does this cat’s appearance hide? What do you need to know about this breed to take better care of it? We know the Scottish Fold intimately, and they are gentle and gentle cats, but with more than problematic selection, reigniting the controversy over brachycephalic cats.

How to recognize the Scottish Fold?

The Scottish Fold is a medium-sized cat, with strong muscles and a round body. According to him standard Of the breed, this cat’s head is round and broad, with a short, flat nose and very small ears.

The ears are folded forward and appear to be attached to the head to the point where they appear nonexistent in some Scottish Folds. This trait distinguishes Scottish Folds from straight-breed Scottish Fold cats whose ears are straight.

The Scottish Fold’s eyes are round, large and very expressive, the legs are long and well-proportioned, and the tail is relatively flexible and should measure less than two-thirds of the body’s length.

The Scottish Fold’s coat is thick and soft with short, soft fur. However, there are also specimens of long-haired Scottish Folds. All colors are allowed except Siamese, chocolate and lilac shades.

How much should a Scottish Fold weigh?

The Scottish Fold generally weighs between 3 and 6 kg. Male specimens weigh between 4 and 6 kg, while females are lighter. Their weight ranges between 3 and 5 kg. These cats have a stocky body and average bone structure, which affects their overall weight.

What is the character of the Scottish cat?

The Scottish cat has a very friendly and affectionate personality. He is gentle, playful, curious and greatly appreciates company, making him a great pet suitable for families of all sizes and ages.

This cat also has a very calm nature. Although he is energetic in games, he loves to relax and receive pets. He is calm, thoughtful, and among the most intelligent cat breeds. He is not inclined to hide in the presence of strangers, he is always “underfoot” precisely because he is interested in everything that happens around him.

The Scottish Fold has energy, and let’s make no mistake, he prefers to use it when that’s actually the case. Being a really outgoing and sociable cat, he tends to suffer a lot from loneliness. If you have a Scottish Fold, it could be really helpful to find a life partner for him.

What does the Scottish Fold mean?

The name Scottish Fold literally means “Scottish Fold” and refers to the land in which this breed was born and the subsequent selection of cats. The Scottish Fold is actually a cat that originates from Scotland, specifically from the Tayside area.

All Scottish Folds are descended from a white cat named Susie, who, unlike her peers, had more than one unique trait. It is not difficult to imagine Susie’s ears, and they were in fact folded.

This characteristic greatly pleased the Scots, especially the shepherd William Ross, who made the selection by crossing Susie’s cubs with British Shorthaired specimens. Since then, to perfect the breed, crossbreeding with Persians, American Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthairs, and even Burmese has been followed.

This is how the history of the Scottish Fold began in the United Kingdom at the turn of the twentieth century. Around the 1970s the breed also arrived in the United States.

What is the difference between the Scottish Fold and the British Shorthair?

The Scottish Fold and British Shorthair are two very similar breeds and both originated in the United Kingdom. The element that allows us to immediately distinguish between the two cats is their ears, which are flat in the Scottish Fold and high and pointed in the British Shorthair.

Instead, looking at the body, the two cats are medium sized with the British one being slightly heavier. Male British Shorthairs weigh around 7kg compared to 6kg for Scottish Folds.

The Scottish Fold’s muzzle shows slight differences. This is rounder and fatter in the Scottish Fold and more defined in the British Shorthair. The coat can also help you understand which cat you are dealing with.

As the name of the breed already says, the British Shorthair has a short coat. The Scottish Fold, as we have seen, can also have long hair. In general, however, it must be said that to untrained eyes and ears, it is difficult to tell whether this is a Scottish Fold or a British Shorthair.

What can a Scottish Fold eat?

Your Scottish Fold can eat canned foods, kibble, or go on a home diet after your veterinarian’s suggestion regarding the amounts or foods they prefer. Lovers of this category They recommend Wet foods rich in animal proteins and fats and low in carbohydrates for a balanced and complete diet.

The type of diet should be adapted to the age of your Scottish Fold and vary over time. To avoid weight problems, it is recommended to follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian.

How long does the Scottish Fold live?

The average lifespan of a Scottish Fold is between 10 and 15 years. There are many factors that can affect a cat’s lifespan. These include the animal’s general health, the environment it lives in, and its diet or lifestyle.

To ensure that your cat is always healthy and lives a healthy life, regular visits to the veterinarian are essential. Checkups are very important to prevent the emergence of diseases.

Breed diseases

The Scottish Fold is a breed that can be defined as “artificial”, which over time has undergone various changes, causing the animal Serious health problems.

Among the diseases in which Scottish folds are affected, first of all should be mentioned osteochondrodysplasia, a hereditary disease associated with weak cartilage, but also with skeletal deformities. There’s a reason the Scottish Fold’s ears are bent. This is the result of a dominant gene that makes the ears too weak to stand tall.

Skeletal deformities are instead responsible for walking difficulties, lameness, and injuries. It is immediately clear how much suffering these cats are going through. Precisely for this reason, veterinarians do not recommend this breed and demand that its breeding be banned because it is unethical.

Many studies have shown that this sad condition is inevitably associated with the breed with folded ears. A healthy cat without osteochondrodysplasia will not have folded ears and therefore will not be a Scottish Fold, but rather a Scottish Straight.

Furthermore, being a brachycephalic cat, the Scottish Fold is prone to respiratory problems. Other diseases that the breed suffers from are:

• Cardiomyopathy
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

How to care for the Scottish Fold?

To best care for your Scottish Fold, just follow a few instructions. The Scottish Fold is actually not a fussy cat. Since the breed is not hypoallergenic and sheds naturally, the Scottish Fold requires regular brushing.

His coat should be brushed at least once a week to remove dirt as well as strands of dead hair. A brushed coat is not only shinier and more beautiful, but also healthier. Also pay attention to your ears, but we’ll talk about this in the next paragraph.

Scratching posts and mats allow your cat to file her nails on her own. If this is not enough or the Scottish Fold shows little interest in this activity, the nails can be shortened using animal nail clippers.

It is a good idea, at least the first few times, to ask your vet to clip her nails to prevent your cat from becoming frightened. If the cat does not resist and allows this to happen, you can also proceed at home with a firm and decisive cut.

Proper nutrition, treats, enriching toys and entertainment will keep your Scottish Terrier busy and help him maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.

How to clean Scottish Fold ears?

Scottish Fold ears should be cleaned using a cotton pad or cloth dampened with a specific cleaner recommended by your vet.

Since this cat’s ears are so distinctive, it goes without saying that the cat is unable to groom this part of the body independently. For this reason, it is a task that falls on the shoulders of its owners.

To clean a Scottish Fold ear, simply run a damp cloth or cloth gently inside the ear and remove any traces of dirt.

Ear cleaning should be done whenever necessary. Instead, the ears should be checked at least once a week to ensure that there is no need for intervention.

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