Scottish Fold
Scottish Fold Cat Breed Profile
| Weight | 5.7-13 lbs (2.6-6 kg) |
| Origin | Scotland |
| Color | Blue, red, silver, white; multi-colored |
| Fur | Short to medium length |
| Lifespan | 11-14 years |
| Personality | Likes posing, intelligent, affectionate, doesn’t like to be alone |
| Energy |  |
| Playful |  |
| Independent |  |
| Meowing | |
| Shedding | |
Breed Characteristics
The first thing you notice about these cats is their ears. They hang forwards as if they’ve been folded like a sheet of paper. Its cute face is often compared with that of an owl or a teddy bear. How come they have folded ears? Often, special characteristics such as fur length, color and pattern, eye color or body size are especially bred. But not in this case. Their folded ears are down to an accidental change in genetic information.
Personality and Temperament
But its special ear shape isn’t the only thing that makes the Scottish Fold so special. You can see them on their hind legs like a meerkat one second then on their backs with all four paws in the air the next. They’re just little clowns that will always give you something to laugh about.
At the same time, the Scottish Fold cat has a very gentle and friendly character. As they’re also very open and sociable, they get on well with other cats as well as dogs. Their activity level is “medium”, so they’re not lazy but also don’t constantly run around the house.
Keeping Them Happy
They’re loving but not clingy or demanding like the Bengal, Siamese or Balinese (and they’re not as vocal).
The Scottish Fold is very intelligent and can therefore quickly adapt to new situations. They love toys that challenge their intelligence and puzzles that let them use their paws to skillfully fish out food. They also love playing fetch.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unique appearance (ears)
- Happy, entertaining
- Friendly
- Docile
- Curious, alert
- Gets along well with other cats and dogs
Cons
- ?
Appearance
The Scottish Fold is a medium-sized cat with a dense, soft, plush coat. It can be long or short and comes in various colors and patterns.
History
The Scottish Fold cat dates back to a normal white cat named Susie found on a farm in Scotland in 1961. She was the first to have folded ears.
Cruel Breeding
The fold-eared cat is considered as animal cruelty. The bent ears are the result of a natural change in the genetic make-up. However, not all change is always good. As a result, the cats can't move their ears well. They have hearing problems and can't orient themselves well in the dark. This is also the reason why they have a hard time communicating with other cats.
The genetic defect that causes the ears to fold even has a greater impact: the bones and cartilage are deformed in many cats. They suffer from pain throughout their life – with every movement. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease. Often, first signs already show up in puppyhood.
We completely understand everyone who has a hopeless crush on the Scottish Fold. However, before you buy, you should ask yourself what is more important: having a cute cat or a happy cat that isn't in pain? There are so many other cat breeds that are just as cute - but healthy.
Fun Facts
The kittens have normal ears to begin with. They only fold over after a few weeks.
Comparable Breeds
Cats: Pros and Cons
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