Scottish Fold

Is a Scottish Fold right for you?

The Scottish Fold is known for its folded ears and has become very popular in recent years thanks to social media. This section has to open with a warning unlike other breeds: the gene that folds the ears also causes cartilage and joint disease throughout the body. This information must sit at the centre of your adoption decision.

Ethical note: many national veterinary associations and some cat federations oppose breeding this cat, because the gene causing the ear fold inevitably carries joint disease. If you are considering adoption, stay well away from kittens produced by mating two fold-eared individuals; that pairing produces severe skeletal deformity.

Before you adopt

A healthy alternative: the straight-eared individuals from the same litter (known as Scottish Straights). Same temperament, same appearance, without the cartilage gene. For those who love this breed but do not want the health risk, this is the right choice.

If you do adopt a fold-eared cat, ask about PKD genetic testing and cardiac screening, and confirm that only one parent was fold-eared.

Temperament

The Scottish Fold is calm, gentle, and devoted to people. Its voice is soft and it speaks little. It follows its owner from room to room and does not like being left alone.

It is more willing to be held than the British Shorthair. It is tolerant of children and other animals and avoids conflict.

The breed's famous "Buddha sit", with the hind legs stretched forward and the back upright, is considered endearing; however, this posture can sometimes be a sign of joint discomfort, so consult a vet if it is repeated constantly.

Not all individuals are born with folded ears. Kittens are born with straight ears; if the fold is present it appears at three to four weeks. The fold may be single, double, or triple.

Health issues and lifespan

Average lifespan is 11 to 14 years.

• Osteochondrodysplasia: The defining health problem of this breed. The gene that folds the ear affects cartilage development throughout the body. Stiffness at the base of the tail, avoiding jumping, a stilted gait, short thick legs, and lameness are the signs. It is progressive and there is no cure; quality of life is maintained through pain management, weight control, and joint support. All fold-eared individuals are affected to some degree.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): The most common heart disease in cats; it occurs in this breed too. Periodic echocardiography is recommended.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): A genetic test exists.
• Ear problems: Folded ears reduce ventilation, increasing the risk of wax build-up and infection. Regular checks are needed.
• Obesity: The risk of weight gain is high because of the calm temperament and restricted movement. Excess weight directly stresses joints that are already diseased.

Lifelong pain monitoring should be part of standard care in this breed. Cats hide pain; ceasing to jump, withdrawing from play, and changes in litter habits can all be signs of pain.

Feeding

An adult Scottish Fold (3-6 kg) needs the energy equivalent of 45-70 g of dry food per day. Weight control in this breed is a medical requirement.

• Kitten (2-12 months): Kitten food, three to four measured meals a day.
• Adult: High protein, low carbohydrate. Foods with joint support (glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3) or vet-approved supplements can be started early in this breed.
• Senior (8+ years): Monitoring of kidney values, calorie reduction.

Do not free-feed. Split the food in two and give measured portions.

Grooming and coat

• Brush two to three times a week; daily in the long-haired variant (the Highland Fold).
• Ears must be checked weekly and cleaned if needed on veterinary advice. Because of the folded structure this cannot be neglected in this breed.
• Nails every two to three weeks; individuals with joint pain cannot wear their claws down enough.
• Teeth several times a week.
• Bathing is generally unnecessary.

Living space and enrichment

Joint health determines the household layout for this breed:

1. Low-level access. Use stepped and ramped solutions rather than a tall cat tree. Shorten the jumping distance.
2. Litter tray choice. A wide tray with a low entry. High-sided trays are an obstacle for a cat in pain and are a frequent cause of toileting outside the box.
3. A soft bed. Beds that support the joints and keep the cat warm.
4. Measured play. Ten minutes twice a day without jumping; toys dragged along the floor are suitable.
5. Weight monitoring. Weigh monthly. In this breed a difference of 300 g matters.

History

The entire breed traces back to a single cat. In 1961, on a farm near Coupar Angus in the Tayside region of Scotland, a white cat was born with ears folded forward; her name was Susie. The shepherd William Ross took an interest in her and started the breed by breeding from her offspring. All Scottish Folds today descend from Susie.

The breed was registered in England in 1966, but in the 1970s the British cat federation (GCCF) stopped registration on the grounds of hereditary joint disease and ear infection; the breed is still not recognised in England today. In America, by contrast, it was accepted and spread.

Today the breed's future is one of the most visible ethical debates between veterinary medicine and breeding. Knowing that debate before acquiring a fold-eared cat is part of responsible adoption.