Scottish fold cat: rules of keeping, care and feeding at home

Scottish Fold cats are a breed that is distinguished by the special structure of its ear. Their ears are curled down and forward, which is caused by a gene mutation. The second name of these beautiful animals is Scottish Fold. The closest relatives of fold cats are British Shorthairs. The Scottish Fold is a relatively young breed, which is listed in official organizations for no more than 50 years.

History of the origin of the breed

The ancestors and close relatives of the representatives of the Scottish Fold breed are English shorthair cats.

In 1961, an Englishman named Ross bought a kitten with unusual droopy ears from a certain farmer. The kitten’s mother, a white fold-eared cat named Susie, can be considered the first representative of the elite breed.

In 1965, the Scottish Fold breed was registered with the Cat Breed Management Council. And 5 years later, the Scottish Fold became an officially recognized breed. However, for a long time, no cattery was willing to breed Scottish Fold cats. Breeders were afraid of the spread of mutations in pets.

In 1973, Scottish kittens ended up in the hands of nursery owner Sally Wolfe Peters. The woman began breeding Scottish cats, and soon her pets gained popularity all over the world and began to receive high awards at international exhibitions.

INTERESTING! The Soviet cartoon “Baby and Carlson” featured a fat and lazy cat, Matilda, who belonged to Miss Bok. The cartoonist depicted a Scottish pet.

Appearance

It is worth noting that a Scottish fold cat can weigh 2.5-10 kg, and its height can reach 30 cm. They are represented by a wide palette of colors. They have a pretty appearance, which has made them popular all over the world. The main features of the body structure are:

• Stocky and strong build;
• Short body;
• Smooth rounded curves of the paws and body;
• The tail is quite wide at the very base, but tapers closer to the tip;
• The length of the tail does not exceed 2/3 of the body.

The coat of Scottish Fold cats is straight and very thick. It has a glossy shine. The coat is either short or medium. The color in the standards is varied, with the exception of chocolate, lilac and the Siamese type. But the most outstanding feature of the breed is its head and expressive muzzle:

• Convex forehead and rounded head;
• Rounded cheeks (and in an adult male they may appear a little saggy);
• The chin is strong;
• The eyes are quite large and round;
• The color of the iris usually corresponds to the color;
• The ears are small, curved forward and downward.

Such features make the pet’s face expressive and memorable. It is thanks to the special structure of its parts that the animal easily conveys its emotions at the level of facial expressions.

External features

Today there is a single breed standard that all purebred representatives of the Scottish Fold meet.

Scottish fold cat - detailed description of appearance:

1. The head is round in shape. The chin is quite massive. The cheeks are thick, and in some individuals they sag in adulthood. The forehead is high. The nose is short.
2. The ears are medium in size, widely spaced. Directed forward, bent. Slightly smoothed tips point down. The main requirement according to the standard is that the ears must lie close to the head and not extend beyond its contour. Representatives of the Scottish Fold have three degrees of lop ears: single - only the tips are bent, double - the ears are completely bent, but not tightly pressed, triple - the ears are pressed so tightly that it seems as if they are not there.
3. The eyes are large and round. The distance between them is wider than that of a normal cat. The neck is short and thick. Muscles are developed on the shoulders and shoulder blades.
4. The body is of medium size, strong. The muscle mass is well developed. The chest is voluminous and developed.
5. The limbs are strong and of medium length. The paws are round and neat.
6. The tail is medium or long. Its diameter is wider at the base. The tail joints are flexible.
7. The coat is soft and dense. The fur is thin and elastic.
8. The color of the Scottish Fold cat can vary. There are no strict breed requirements in this regard. But judges at shows always look at whether the color matches the color of the irises, nose and paw pads. So, with a white color, tea or blue eyes, pink pads and lobes are desirable. With black – tea-colored eyes, dark pads and nose. With a smoky coat color, the pads should be strictly black.
9. Average weight. An adult Scots weighs 3.5–4.5 kg. The Scotsman is larger - about 6 kg.

Diet features

There are no specific requirements for the diet of the Scottish Fold due to the characteristics of the breed . Just like other cats, Scottish cats need a complete, well-balanced nutrition system that takes into account the age needs and physiological status of the animal. Therefore, the owner must take a responsible approach to choosing the type of feeding, determining whether the pet will eat natural products or industrial feed.

In the first case, the basis of the Scotsman’s menu should be:

• meat, except fatty pork;
• offal, excluding raw spleen;
• northern sea fish fillet;
• dairy products;
• boiled eggs, chicken or quail;
• cereals.

As a source of ballast substances and vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting (which is important for Scottish cats), some vegetables are useful - beets, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots. Mineral and vitamin supplements are also necessary; low-fat cheese can be given as a treat or reward.

Important! Fold-eared cats of silver and blue colors should not be given seaweed and seafood (shellfish, shrimp), beef, liver, and legumes. The high content of copper and iron in these products causes the coat to change color to rusty and brown.

Scottish dogs are unpretentious in their taste preferences, but they love to eat. Therefore, the owner of a fold-eared cat must control not only the quality of food, but also the number of portions, preventing overeating.

With the formula of industrial feeds, everything is much simpler: the manufacturer has already made sure that the animal receives the necessary nutrients and vitamins along with the food. When choosing ready-made food, preference should be given to food of the premium, super-premium, and holistic classes. A combined diet that combines industrial feed and natural products is unacceptable.

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Care

Scottish cats are easy to care for. However, before buying a fold-eared kitten, you should hide wires, cords, and technical devices in the house that the pet can ruin.

You also need to purchase a cat litter box and teach your pet to relieve itself in it. For a Scottish kitten, you need to prepare a comfortable sleeping place, a play area and a scratching post.

Wool

The dense coat requires regular grooming. Brush your cat 2-3 times a week. And in spring and autumn, when seasonal molting begins, the procedure is carried out daily.

The cat does not need frequent bathing. It is enough to bathe your Scottish Fold once every 5-6 months if kept exclusively at home. And if the animal goes for a walk in the yard, then bathing is arranged every 2 months.

Also, we must not forget about trimming the nails. The procedure is carried out once every 2–3 weeks.

Ears and eyes

Since Scottish Fold cats have curved ears, a large amount of wax accumulates inside. Remove it carefully with cotton swabs soaked in ear lotion. The lotion is sold in pet stores. Ear cleaning should be done at least once every 2 weeks.

When a Scottish kitten's eyes begin to water, they are treated with 3% Syntomycin ointment.

Nutrition

Store-bought dry and wet food of good quality are optimal for Scottish breed cats. You should buy products from well-known, reputable brands.

A fold-eared cat should receive a balanced diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. You should also regularly buy hard treats for your cat to help clean their teeth.

If you don’t want your fold-eared cat to eat store-bought food, then you should offer her meat, offal, and cereals.

IMPORTANT! Giving human food to animals is prohibited. It does not contain the optimal set of nutrients for the cat’s body and can cause poisoning or digestive problems.

When buying a pet, you should ask the breeder what his lop-eared kittens eat. An animal may react painfully to a sudden change in diet. Therefore, first you should feed the kitten with its usual food, and gradually transfer it to a new diet.

The Scottish breed is prone to obesity. Therefore, the cat’s diet should be moderate; overfeeding is unacceptable.

Walk

Scottish Fold cats can be kept both in a city apartment and in a private house. The owner decides for himself whether to let the animal into the yard or not.

If a fold-eared cat does not walk outside the house, then the room where it is kept must be regularly ventilated. If the cat goes outside the yard, then it is advisable to purchase a collar with an address capsule for him. Or you can microchip your pet to prevent it from getting lost.

Bathing a fold cat

Like any other cats, Scottish Folds do not like water. But if you teach a kitten to bathe from childhood, in the future he will not resist the procedure much.

In order to minimize stress when a cat comes into contact with water, you need to adhere to the following rules:

1. Trimming the nails will protect the owner's skin if the Scotsie begins to resist bathing. In some cases, thick wristbands are additionally put on the hands, which protect the wrists from deep scratches.
2. A degreasing composition is applied to dry wool. These could be dry shampoos, gels or other similar hygiene products for cats.
3. Leave the composition on the surface of the cat's coat according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and then wash it off with plenty of running water.
4. Then apply the main shampoo to the wet coat and rub it all over the body until a thick foam forms. The operation, depending on the degree of contamination, can be repeated several times.
5. Rinse off the shampoo and apply conditioner. It covers the hair follicles, improves the hair structure and gives it a silky texture.

After bathing, the cat should be wrapped in a towel and the fur should be dried thoroughly. At this time, the pet should be in a warm room without drafts.

Personality of the Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold cat has a calm, meek, and good-natured character. Representatives of the breed are inactive, phlegmatic, preferring rest or activities that do not require a lot of energy.

Scottish cats are not inclined to play around, run around the house, damage furniture, or tear curtains. These cats are even compared to teddy bears.

However, despite their passivity and phlegmatism, Scottish Fold pets are inquisitive and love to watch interesting things. Their naive expression causes affection, and their thick cheeks give the impression that the animal is smiling.

INTERESTING! Representatives of the Scottish breed have one unique behavioral feature: they can sit on their butts, folding their front paws on their chest, as meerkats do.

The Scottish Fold pet becomes strongly attached to the people with whom it lives in the same house. Moreover, the cat does not choose one owner, but is equally friendly with all family members.

She expresses her love for people very emotionally: she follows the household, rubs against their legs, purrs, meows, tries to climb into her arms, sit on her knees.

Scottish Folds, being the real cat elite, do not tolerate being cuddled. But they love to be petted. The presence of children is tolerated, but active games are not played with them. They can show aggression and show their claws if the child’s behavior is cruel and bullying.

The Scottish Fold gets along with other pets without problems, and usually acts aloof and indifferent. However, it is better not to introduce a cat to small pets (parrots, fish, hamsters), otherwise the hunting instinct may take over.

Scottish fold character

By its nature, the Scottish Fold cat is more of a calm aristocrat. She inherited this trait from her British ancestors. She is distinguished by special dignity and tries to behave like a king. You usually don’t expect trouble, hooliganism, unworthy behavior or obsessive meowing from such a pet. They remain calm in almost any situation.

Scottish Fold cats do not particularly like to go for walks, as they do not have the required level of energy. But even in them, when necessary, the instinct of a hunter sometimes awakens with the appropriate degree of dexterity, and therefore they cannot be called lazy either. In this case, living conditions play a big role. If a cat receives everything it needs from its owner, then it will not work too hard and get a mouse for dinner on its own. The exception is when she is bored. In such a situation, a bird or a hamster may well fall victim to her games.

The Scottish Fold cat also does not suffer from loneliness, and therefore, in the absence of its owners, it will not damage property. It’s in her nature to take a nap in the silence and safety of her soft lounger while no one is around.

Expert opinion

Danilova Maria Alekseevna

Therapist, dentist, ophthalmologist, surgeon, express tests, ratologist, groomer.

This breed is highly trainable, possessing not only a special body structure, but also a fair amount of intelligence. They learn the “gopher pose” especially quickly, standing for a long time on their hind legs.

Scots are one of the most reserved, but at the same time loyal cats. In fact, they are monogamous and cannot survive the change of owner calmly, displaying all the negative character traits. Out of the whole family, they become attached to only one person, and therefore can tolerate his leaving for work every day, but they absolutely cannot stand long separations. The rest of the family members become part of the general everyday life and you should not expect any further social relations in relation to them from the cat.

Their ability to get along with other animals varies. They may well tolerate other cats and dogs in the neighborhood, but the presence of shared or easily accessible bowls, sleeping places and other locations for a competitor’s rest and entertainment can provoke conflicts. Therefore, the unworthy and arrogant behavior of their opponent often infuriates them. If we highlight the character traits typical of the Scottish Fold cat, then these are:

• Stiffness;
• Pedantry;
• Calm disposition;
• Patience;
• High intelligence;
• High level of attachment to the owner;
• Some degree of laziness;
• Innate kindness and loyalty to the owner;
• Innate aristocracy.

Cats get along well with children largely due to their patience and endurance. They do not like noise or active games, but even in the presence of an irritating factor, they would rather flee than attack a person.

Pros and cons of the breed

The Scottish Fold, a Scottish fold cat, has many advantages:

• good-natured, intelligent character;
• desire for human contact;
• flexible, non-offensive, unvindictive nature;
• high intelligence, understanding, quick memorization of host commands;
• obedience when treated well by the owner;
• get along with other pets, lack of tendency to share territory;
• good hunting skills, the ability to catch mice and even unwary birds.

Disadvantages of the breed:

• the need for regular combing of wool to prevent the formation of tangles;
• obsessive following of a beloved owner;
• curiosity, desire to crawl into secluded corners;
• indifferent and even distrustful attitude towards guests;
• the desire to frequently lick oneself, which is why hairballs form in the digestive tract, causing vomiting (to prevent this problem, the pet is given special food that promotes the release of hair from the stomach).

Character and behavior

Most often, most representatives of the breed are good-natured cats. But there are always exceptions to the rules - some fold-eared cats may have a wayward character, be unsociable, may not pay attention to the owner’s calls and may not even come up to be petted.

But in most cases, Scots love attention and affection, get along well in the family, get along with children and other animals, especially if they grew up together.

If you brought a new pet into your home, introduce them to the cat in doses so that the animals get used to each other and do not make each other want to fight.

Fold cats can treat strangers with caution and great caution, but once they realize that they are not in danger, they will easily make contact.

A fold-eared cat senses who its owner is, and it will not leave him even one step, in some cases it can even protect him from any danger. The breed is very active, loves to play with various teasing toys or simply chase a small ball or toy mouse. They can play on their own, but prefer human attention and participation in joint games. They also like to spend their rest next to a person, curling up in a ball and sometimes looking at what the person is doing.

Fold cats love to play, especially if the owner takes part in their games.

Education and training

Scots are smart and understanding cats. Training and raising them is a pleasure. The animal remembers commands in a short time.

Therefore, the Scottish Fold breed can often be seen at competitions and exhibitions. The pet carefully goes into the litter box and willingly bathes if it is accustomed to water from an early age. Some owners even managed to teach the cat to walk on its hind legs.

ATTENTION! Representatives of the breed have a weak vestibular system, so they are afraid of heights and cannot orient themselves at a great distance from the earth's surface.

Grooming items and toys for Scottish Fold cats

It is recommended to purchase all accessories for keeping, feeding and caring for a Scottish Fold kitten at home in advance in order to create the most comfortable conditions for the baby’s adaptation to a new place.

Carrying – this accessory will be needed to deliver a fold-eared cat from the breeder to the apartment, and in the future all trips to the veterinarian or trips out of town will not be complete without it.

Plastic designs are very convenient and durable, but they take up a lot of space and only work well for long trips.

For city walks with a cat or trips into nature, a fabric carrier is sufficient - it is compact, easy to fold, but sometimes requires washing.

A bed and (or) a house, which can be made of different materials:

• wooden is the most durable option, but you will have to allocate a permanent place for it;
• wicker - an intermediate option, which is most often presented in the form of a couch and involves the use of an additional mattress;
• fabric with a soft filler (foam rubber or synthetic padding) - it is convenient to move around the apartment, but such a product must be periodically washed and disinfected.

A scratching post is a very useful tool for cat paws. With it, the need for the procedure of shortening the claws is reduced significantly. It is recommended to purchase a scratching post with a comfortable top shelf. Then the pet gets the opportunity to climb up the counter and watch from above everything that happens in the house - cats love this very much.

A set of combs and brushes is also needed from the first week of a kitten’s life. Fold cats are taught to maintain coat hygiene from an early age. Then the adult pet does not perceive this procedure as a punishment and will not be afraid of it.

Important! Toys cannot be called a mandatory item, but it is also unfair to ignore them. Balls, feathers, fishing rods and bows and soft mice are an integral part of the gaming equipment that is necessary for the full development of the pet. The more a fold cat moves, the better its bone structure is formed, the muscles are stronger and the ligaments are more elastic.

Health and illness

The Scottish Fold lives 12–15 years.

The Scottish Fold has a strong immune system and rarely gets sick with typical cat pathologies.

But the Scottish Fold is characterized by certain genetically determined diseases:

1. Osteochondrodysplasia is an abnormal development of bone and cartilage tissue, leading to inhibition of skeletal growth. The pathology is incurable. Only supportive therapeutic measures are carried out.
2. Renal polycystic disease is a pathology in which numerous cysts with fluid inside form in the kidney tissue. The animal has kidney failure.
3. Cardiomyopathy is a dysfunction of the heart muscle.

Diseases of the breed

The life expectancy of Scottish Fold cats is from 10 to 15 years. In order for your animal to live a long and healthy life, it is necessary to visit a veterinarian promptly, receive appropriate vaccinations, have joints checked, and follow the veterinarian's advice. The breed has some underlying health problems.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a hereditary heart disease. Symptoms:

• tachycardia;
• dyspnea;
• heavy breathing with wheezing;
• pulmonary edema;
• fainting;
• failure of the pelvic limb; in rare cases, both limbs may fail;
• high blood pressure.

The disease is diagnosed by measuring blood pressure at a veterinarian, undergoing echocardiography (data on the functionality of the heart is revealed), visual assessment, x-ray diagnostics, and electrocardiography. Animals in serious condition should be treated only in a hospital hospital, where there are all conditions for such cats. A veterinarian examines the animal’s condition and prescribes treatment, light physical activity and a special diet. If the animal feels better, it can be treated at home, unquestioningly following all the instructions of the treating veterinarian. The problem can be cured, but such cats will always have to be checked by veterinary cardiologists.

Degenerative joint disease

This disease is characterized by the fact that pain is present in the tail (most often) and the mobility of the limbs is reduced. Symptoms:

• obvious lameness;
• the cat’s reluctance to jump on chairs or sofas;
• it is difficult for a cat to get up from the floor after resting;
• frequent and prolonged licking of joints when washing;
• the cat becomes irritable and may hiss, scratch or bite.

The disease is treated with anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs; if the disease is advanced, antibiotics are prescribed. Additionally, a diet may be prescribed.

Osteochondrodysplasia

It is expressed in deformation of the paws, skeleton, and immobility of the tail. Symptoms:

• lameness (may pass and reappear, and an animal with illness will not be able to jump on high ground);
• squat appearance;
• stiff gait;
• acute reaction to touching the tail;
• severe deformation of the hind limbs;
• unsteady gait.

Treatment is aimed at eliminating symptoms with medication. In the absence of polycystic kidney disease, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug can be prescribed; it will relieve the cat of pain and reduce inflammation. Additionally, vitamin complexes and special supplements are prescribed. In the UK, such sick cats undergo irradiation of their extremities; for a long time the cat can calmly walk, run and jump. In Russia there are no such technologies, so such operations are not carried out.

The disease often occurs when two fold-eared cats are crossed. From such parents there will be sick offspring with problems with the musculoskeletal system and skeletal structure.

Price

The price for Scottish Fold kittens is determined by the pedigree and the region where the nursery is located. Also, when setting the price, breeders take into account the exhibition category of the animal:

• a kitten of the pet category is a purebred pet, which due to minor defects is not allowed to participate in exhibitions and for breeding;
• a representative of the breeding category is a potential breeding sire who can produce good offspring;
• Fold kitten of the show category is the most expensive Scottish Fold, capable of taking prizes at exhibitions and competitions.

The category of the pet must be indicated in the exhibition certificate.

The cost of a fold-eared kitten varies widely - from 20 to 60 thousand rubles.

Toilet and tray training

Kittens themselves often understand what the tray is for and quickly begin to use it for its intended purpose. If this does not happen, and your pet begins to do “its business” in the wrong place, you should not scold or hit the kitten. He needs to be seated in the tray before he wants to go to the toilet, and it’s easy to guess this moment: any cat starts digging a “hole”.

Since cats navigate by smell, you don’t need to wash the litter box for the first day; this will help your pet get used to the toilet faster. You can use wood shavings or sand as a filler, but this is troublesome, since such products create a lot of dirt; it is better to use modern ones from a pet store. Many owners successfully use the tray even without filler, which is much more practical and budget-friendly.

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How to choose a kitten

You can buy a Scottish pet from a private breeder, at an exhibition or in a nursery.

When purchasing, it is important to evaluate how healthy the kitten is. If the animal is severely emaciated, hair is coming out, there are spots on the skin, fleas are noticeable, and the belly is unnaturally swollen, then the purchase should be abandoned.

You also need to pay attention to the mobility of the joints of the tail and limbs. A healthy Scottish kitten has flexible joints and moves well.

If the animal moves with difficulty, its tail is stiff and inactive, then one can suspect the presence of a genetic pathology characteristic of the breed that affects bones and cartilage. It's not worth buying such a kitten.

You also need to look at the ears of both Scottish parents. One parent's ears should be droopy, while the other's should be straight. If both mom and dad have bent ears, then the cubs probably have genetic abnormalities.

Intellectual abilities

A cat is by no means a stupid animal, and a fold-eared cat is also distinguished by well-developed intuition and increased intelligence. He is easy to train, gets used to new surroundings, and learns quickly. It won’t be difficult for a cat to figure out the purpose of a scratching post or tray. Sometimes cats even watch TV: whether they understand what’s happening on the screen is unclear, I would even say it’s doubtful, but the very fact that animals notice moving non-dimensional figures is already fascinating!

In my opinion, their increased activity deserves a full paragraph, especially at a young age. Kittens are playful and playful, so don't be surprised if your kitten scratches your wallpaper or tears your tulle.

A useful ability inherent in the brain of Scottish Folds is their ability to adapt to new conditions. So, when moving, they easily navigate the layout of their new home and even find their next favorite place.

Have you noticed that cats have their own favorite places of deployment?

Nature has also endowed these amazing animals with the ability to predict the mood and emotions of their owners and adapt to them. For example, if you are sad, a cat may cuddle up to you or avoid you if you are angry.

This is a very kind breed, whose representatives have almost no tendency towards aggression or vindictiveness.

What not to feed representatives of the breed

Cats are not people, and you should never offer them human food. Despite all their intelligence, the upbringing allows the Scots to steal food from the table. Therefore, you need to make sure that the cat cannot steal anything unnecessary.

What not to feed Scottish Fold kittens and adult cats:

• sweet, salty and spicy foods will cause serious digestive disorders;
• chocolate – contains theobromine, which is deadly to animals and has no antidote;
• coffee – also contains theobromine;
• milk - can cause indigestion, since with age the cat loses enzymes that are involved in the digestion of milk proteins;
• fatty and fried – a large amount of fat can damage an animal’s liver once and for all;
• mushrooms are too heavy food for a cat’s body;
• flour - has no nutritional value for cats, but very quickly causes obesity.

Products dangerous for cats

Important! Feeding food “from the table” can end badly for the animal. The lack of amino acids and vitamins that are not found in human food always has a serious impact on health.

How to raise a newborn kitten

The Scots are good parents. Attentive, caring and patient. How long do pregnant Scottish cats walk? Pregnancy lasts 60-65 days, like all representatives of domestic cats.

But it happens that a mother cat refuses her kittens. Raising a newborn kitten without a cat is not an easy task. It is quite difficult to organize proper care for a Scottish kitten, because the baby requires a lot of time, effort and money.

Newborn Scottish kittens

Nutrition

Until 1.5 months, all kittens eat mother's milk. The best replacement would be special milk powder from Royal Canin and Beafar. From 1.5 months of age, you can slowly switch kittens to soft pates from Royal Canin.

Defecation and urination

The mother helps newborn kittens go to the toilet by licking the underbelly. In conditions without a cat, the mother's tongue can be replaced with a soft, wet cloth. In order for the baby to go to the toilet, you need to gently rub his genitals and anus until discharge appears. If this is not done, the kitten may die.

If an accident befell the mother of the kittens or the babies were found on the street, it is better to place them with another cat that has recently lambed. As a rule, cats calmly raise and educate other people's babies. In this regard, the Scots are excellent parents to both their own and adopted children.

The life expectancy of Scottish cats at home is 15-20 years. Spayed and neutered animals live longer and happier lives. What kind of life a cat has to live depends only on its owners. Surrounded by care and attention, she will give her people many pleasant years.