The Scottish Fold: The Intelligent and Adaptable Cat Breed

The Scottish Fold is an excellent choice for people looking for a calm feline companion. These friendly kitties welcome affection and love from children and other animals. They are intelligent and curious but have a mellow disposition. Read on to learn all about this distinctive cat breed.

• Adult Height: 8-10 inches
• Adult Length:
• Adult Weight: 6-13 pounds
• Life Expectancy: 13-15 years
• Coat Length: Short
• Coat Texture: dense, plush, and even
• Coat Colors: nearly any coat color or combination, including black, cream, white, silver, red, chocolate, fawn
• Coat Patterns: solid color, bi-color, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico
• Affection Level: high
• Shedding: yes
• Origin: Scotland

Characteristics of the Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold is a small cat with a rounded head and body. The eyes are also large and round, adding to this breed’s sweet, “owl-like” appearance. Their coat is usually short, soft and comes in a wide array of colors and markings.

The Scottish Fold gets its name from its country of origin and from its uniquely folded ears, which is the result of a genetic mutation. Not all Scottish Folds’ ears fold, however. For health purposes, this breed is outcrossed with British or American Folds, resulting in some cats with folded ears and some without. Kittens who are going to have folded ears start developing this trait at about 3 or 4 weeks old, but the Fold is not guaranteed permanent until about 3 months old.

This breed’s ancestors were barnyard cats, and today’s Scottish Fold retains some of their original prey drive, making them an intelligent and curious cat who will thrive on some mental stimulation. However, they are quiet and undemanding. Although they usually choose a favorite human, Scottish Folds get along well with the entire household. They adapt as quickly to a loud, bustling household as they would to a single person’s home.

Caring for the Scottish Fold

In the breed’s early days, the Scottish Fold had several ear-related health issues, including deafness, ear mites, and ear infections. Thankfully, responsible breeders developed a much healthier cat over time. Today’s Scottish Folds are mostly hardy and healthy.

One primary concern for these cats is a painful skeletal abnormality called osteochondrodystrophy. This condition can occur when folded-eared Folds are bred together, which is why straight-eared Folds are crucial to any breeding program. When purchasing a Scottish Fold, it is extremely important to choose a reputable breeder who offers a written health guarantee.

Due to their folded ears, owners should clean ears weekly with a veterinarian-approved ear cleaning solution especially for cats. This breed’s coat is easily groomed by brushing once or twice weekly, and your Scottish Fold should have regular nail trims.

Starting grooming and nail clipping early on in your cat’s life will help them tolerate the process, making it easier for you to keep them healthy. If you have any concerns about your cat, your veterinarian is a great resource.

As the name suggests, the Scottish Fold originated in Scotland. In 1961, a man farmer found a small white cat in a barn. He noticed that her ears were uniquely folded, and these ears piqued the interest of a cat fancier named William Ross.

Ross and his wife adopted one of Susie’s kittens that had inherited her folded ears, and, working with a geneticist, the Rosses developed a new breed: the Scottish Fold. Today, all Scottish Folds can trace their lineage to Susie and her kitten, Snooks.

Fun Facts About the Scottish Fold

• American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift owns two Scottish Fold cats, which she named Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson.
• Scottish Folds can resemble humans in a pose lovingly called “The Buddha Sit,” they tend to sleep sprawled on their backs, and often sit up on their hind legs like prairie dogs!
• Originally, the Scottish Fold had the name “Lop Eared Cat.”
• Even though these cats originated in Scotland, they are not currently recognized as a breed in the country because of health concerns.
• Although straight-eared Scottish Folds are essential to any breeding program, only Scottish Folds with folded ears are allowed in the show ring.
• This breed has three degrees of ear folds: single, double, and triple.
• The adaptable Scottish Fold does well as an indoor or outdoor cat.