Content
- Scottish Fold: origin
- Scottish Fold: physical characteristics
- Scottish Fold: personality
- Scottish Fold: care
- Scottish Fold: health
- Curiosities
Famous all over the world, the Scottish Fold or Scottish Cat he is known for his adorable floppy ears and tender look. Famous people like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift decided to have this feline in their families. This, without a doubt, is due to the magnificent appearance and personality as it is a calm, sociable and very affectionate animal. At PeritoAnimal you will find more information about this precious and particular breed of cats, so keep reading this sheet, get to know the characteristics of the Scottish Fold and fall in love with it.
Source- Europe
- UK
- thick tail
- small ears
- Strong
- Active
- outgoing
- Affectionate
- Curious
- Short
- Medium
Scottish Fold: origin
The first cat of the Scottish Fold breed was born in 1966 and was called Susie, it was raised by a Scottish farmer who started this breed of cats. A shepherd in the region decided to breed with the English Shorthair Cat in 1961, giving birth to specimens with the same particularity as their mother, with folded ears. The name of this breed of cats is due to "Scottish" for its Scottish nationality and "fold" which in English means folded.
However, not everything was so easy, as Susie's direct descendants had serious problems of attrition and deformities, so the breed was banned and its records removed in 1971. Over time, thanks to interventions and genetics work and breeders have managed to end these health problems and the Scottish Fold breed has been restored and officially recognized by the CFA (Cat Fancy Association) in 1974.
Currently, it is a world-recognized breed but maintains the ban on breeding Scottish Folds due to the health problems that inbreeding could cause to the puppies.
Scottish Fold: physical characteristics
With a compact and robust body, the exotic cats Scottish Fold are muscular and of medium size, they weigh about 2 to 6 kilos. Females usually measure between 15 and 20 centimeters in height and males 20 and 25 centimeters. Life expectancy is around 10 to 15 years.
The head is, without a doubt, one of the most particular characteristics of this cat breed. starting with small ears folded down, feature that sets them apart. The face is broad and rounded, they have large, round eyes, making them look tender and youthful. The cheeks are slightly pronounced and the nose is flat and short.
The Scottish Fold cat's fur is dense and smooth, allowing it to protect from the cold. Traditionally it has short hair, although there are semi-long hair called Highland Fold. All colors and pattern varieties are accepted, except in white cats.
Scottish Fold: personality
the personality of the Scottish Fold is sweet and friendly, living up to her cute appearance. This breed of cats is characterized by being sociable and quiet, ideal for socializing with children and other animals, as it adapts perfectly to them, it is also a very patient and attentive cat.
The Scottish Fold are very fond of the games and affection that the guardians provide, the main problem being loneliness, as they are animals that need a lot of attention to remain healthy and happy. Therefore, it is not a recommended breed for those who spend a lot of time outside the home, as they cannot stand being alone for long periods of time. In case you need to be away, you can see some environmental enrichment tips for cats.
This breed of cat loves to play, however, is quiet by nature and has an attentive and caring personality. They are ideal for accompanying the elderly or people with reduced mobility, providing them with affection and company without requiring much effort to educate them. After all, it's extremely rare for a Scottish Fold to mischief or cause damage at home.
Scottish Fold: care
Generally, Scottish Fold cats don't need much care. Must have the hair brushed between 2 and 3 times a week, since its coat is dense. Brushing your fur with products such as malt will most effectively prevent hairballs from forming in your feline's digestive tract.
THE food is another care that a Scottish Fold tutor should pay attention to as there is a factor to take into account which is the amount of calcium. You need to seek a diet with a low volume of this mineral because in excess it can cause the cartilage of the ears to calcify and lose the characteristic fold of the breed. Anyway, it is ideal to consult a veterinarian so that he can advise you on the subject and indicate the best diet for your pussy.
Another factor that must be taken into account about the folding that they present in the ear is that it can favor the appearance of mites and ear infections such as otitis. To avoid it, it is important to consult a veterinarian and apply the proper products for cleaning the cat's ears, it is recommended to clean at least once a week.
In addition to these specific cares of the Scottish Fold cat, like all other cat breeds, it is recommended to pay attention to the state of the mouth, eyes, nails, coat and general physical condition, as well as to carry out cleaning and maintenance frequently in these areas. If you are aware of all this, follow the vaccination and deworming calendar, you will have a healthy cat with an enviable personality.
Scottish Fold: health
Scottish Fold breed cats are animals that despite not having bad health need to special attention to genetics. You shouldn't be scared by this, as currently the breed doesn't have serious anomalies as before. Still, you should be aware and make frequent visits to the veterinarian to detect problems as soon as possible or even avoid them if possible.
One of the most frequent pathologies in the Scottish Fold breed is otitis, so it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions of a trusted veterinarian to keep the ears healthy and prevent both this and other related diseases. It is highly recommended to monitor the condition of the ears and perform weekly cleanings with the products indicated to keep your feline healthy and free from discomfort, avoiding complications.
Due to the high inbreeding existing in Scottish Fold cats, they can present genetic anomalies such as deformities in the tail and extremities. Furthermore, the particular characteristic of the ears favors the appearance of infections and problems in the auditory system, which can trigger early deafness and problems associated with hearing.
However, if your cat has been bred correctly, that is, crossing a Scottish Fold with a straight-eared breed such as the English Shorthair Cat, it should not have genetic conditions as extreme as reduced tailbone vertebrae or severe arthritis in the extremities. These pathologies are characteristic of crosses with a high inbreeding, that is, when pure Scottish Fold crosses are crossed.
In addition to the precautions already mentioned, you must follow the external and internal vaccination and deworming schedule that keeps your pet free of parasites such as roundworms, fleas and ticks. With older age, it may be necessary to perform procedures such as oral cleaning, which will keep the teeth in good condition, leaving the feline in good oral health.
Curiosities
- The Scottish Fold breed is not recognized by FIFE but by WCD.