Scottish Fold Cat Guide ...

With a big doe eyes and a mellow laid back nature, it is no surprise that Scottish Folds have risen in popularity over the past few years. Clever and dexterous, when left to their own devices, you will often find a Scottish Fold creating mischief by opening doors and or splashing their paws in their… Read more »

With a big doe eyes and a mellow laid back nature, it is no surprise that Scottish Folds have risen in popularity over the past few years. Clever and dexterous, when left to their own devices, you will often find a Scottish Fold creating mischief by opening doors and or splashing their paws in their water bowl. Lovable and cute, the Scottish Fold with steal your heart as quick as you steal theirs.

Facts

  • Temperament: home loving, quiet and sociable
  • Social/Attention Needs: moderate
  • Average Life Span: 12-15 years
  • Coat length: Short – medium
  • Grooming required: Regular brushing to encourage removal of loose hair

The Look

Scottish Fold cats are famed for their tightly-curled ears. These cats also have rounded cheeks, a short, broad nose and are available in short hair and longhair varieties. Scottish Fold kittens are born with what look like normal ears. The ears soon begin to bend forward, usually two to four weeks after birth. By the time he is three months old, the typical Scottish Fold has a distinctly owlish look, thanks to the unusual carriage of his ears.

 

History

All Scottish Folds today can all trace their heritage back to Susie, a white cat with unusual folded ears who earned her keep as a mouser in a barn in Scotland’s Tayside region. Susie might have lived her life in obscurity had she not been noticed in 1961 by a shepherd named William Ross who had an interest in cats. When Susie had kittens with a local tom, Ross acquired one of them, a female he named Snooks. In the natural way of things, Snooks had kittens, and one, a male was bred to a British Short hair. Thus began the development of what were first known as “lop-eared cats,” later as Scottish Folds, a nod to their country of origin and their defining characteristic.

Health

All have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic. Problems that may affect the Scottish Fold include the following:

  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – a form of heart disease
  • Degenerative joint disease

Fun Fact

Popstar Taylor Swift has two Scottish folds called Meredith and Olivia, named after her favourite Grey’s Anatomy characters!