Scottish Fold cats have large eyes, and rounded ears that tip forwards towards their faces.
They are intelligent, affectionate, and playful cats. This loving personality and cute appearance has contributed to their recent popularity.
But those unusual ears come at a high price. And it’s not just a financial one, but a health one too.
For such a well known breed, they’ve not been around for very long at all either.
In fact, Scottish Fold cats can all be traced back to one single cat, born around sixty years ago.
Scottish Fold History
As you’d expect from the name, the Scottish Fold cat breed was first produced in Dundee, Scotland.
A shepherd noticed this cat was born with a mutation that affected the cartilage in her ears, and asked the owner if he could have one of her kittens.
From this kitten, Susie, a white barn cat, the Scottish Fold breed was born.
The shepherd consulted a geneticist, who helped him to breed dozens of kittens from Susie in a very short period of time.
Development of the Breed
Just a few years later there were over thirty folded kittens born, and as many unfolded too.
The Scottish Fold cat was granted championship status by the Cat Fanciers’ Association after relatively few years, in the late 1970’s.
Outcrossing is allowed in this breed to the American Shorthairs and British Shorthairs.
The Scottish Fold however has maintained a unique look, with a short dense coat, round pads and a short nose.
Scottish Fold Personality
This is a cat packed with charm.
These lovely cats actively seek out and clearly enjoy human company.
They all display some fun expressive behaviors.
Frequently found standing up on their back legs, or laying flat on their backs on the floor.
These intelligent and interactive cats love to play too, often enjoying cat puzzles and even games of fetch.
Limited Movement
However, Scottish Folds can also suffer from a limited range of movement.
This is due to the genetic mutation that causes their ears to fold.
It doesn’t just impact their ears. It affects other parts of their body as well.
These are sweet, kind cats that thrive on companionship.
The only downside of this is that they are therefore not an ideal choice if you work full time or spend much time away from the house.
Scottish Fold Characteristics
Scottish Folds are often compared in appearance to little owls, with their fluffy coats and tilted ears.
At birth these ears will stand up as cat ears normally do.
But from three weeks to three months of age the mutated cartilage will stop holding them in place.
Giving them the characteristic folded appearance.
The tips of their ears are more rounded than most other cat breeds.
The Scottish Folds ears can range in position from a single fold, to a double or triple fold. This denotes the extent of the fold, where the single is a tilt halfway up, a double is a fold at this height and a triple lays close to the cats head.
Not All Have Folded Ears
However, not all the kittens in a litter of Scottish Folds will necessarily have the mutation that causes their ears to tip at all. And in fact these cats are vital to the breeding programme, as we will see in the health section below.
They are not particularly vocal cats, but their voices when heard are slightly tinny, with a chirpy, soft range.
Scottish Folds come in long and short haired varieties, with the long haired sometimes being referred to as Highland Fold cats.
They have long tails, that can sometimes have a rounded tip.
Scottish Fold Size
Scottish Fold cats will weigh anywhere from 8 to 13lbs when they are fully grown, making them a medium sized cat breed.
You will need to restrict your Scottish Fold’s diet appropriately to prevent unhealthy weight gain.
Scottish Fold Colors
Scottish Fold colors are numerous, including:
- Bicolor
- Particolor
- Solid
- Tabby
- Tabby and white
They can have blue eyes or eyes of differing colors.
Scottish Fold Care
Ear cleaning is essential for Scottish Fold cats, due to their tipped over ears.
Check their ears daily for signs of dirt, discolouration or anything that could be causing discomfort.
You might also like to wipe their eyes once a day with a damp piece of cotton wool, to reduce discolouration of the fur under the eyes.
Scottish Fold Grooming
Grooming for Scottish Folds depends on their coat length.
Those Scottish Fold cats with shorthair need a weekly comb, but long haired Highland Folds should be brushed at least two or three times a week to prevent matting.
Scottish Fold Health
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the big issue when it comes to Scottish Folds is related to their distinctive ears.
Although Scottish Fold ears might look cute to lots of people, they come at a price to the cat.
Tipped ears are not just hard for the cat to keep clean, they provide a more attractive environment to bacteria.
It is essential to check a Scottish Fold’s ears and clean them daily to reduce the chances of discomfort or infection.
But it’s the hidden problem related to their ears that can cause Scottish Folds the real problems.
Osteochondrodysplasia
It’s quite a mouthful, but Osteochondrodysplasia (OCD) is something you need to know about if you are thinking of buying a Scottish Fold kitten.
The genetic mutation that causes their ears to bend in this characteristic way, does not only affect their ears.
Some people believe that every Scottish Fold has OCD to some extent.
Degenerative joint disease
OCD affects the cartilage throughout their bodies. Most commonly the tail, ankles and knees.
Scottish Folds can therefore suffer from painful, crippling degenerative joint disease.
This causes the bones to fuse, preventing them from having normal range of movement.
You can somewhat reduce the impact of joint problems by keeping your cat at a healthy weight.
Obesity can make health problems more severe.
But there is no getting away from this being a nasty condition, that you won’t know how badly your kitten will be affected by as she grows.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Your cat has two kidneys, which act as important filtration units, cleaning waste products from your cat’s bloodstream.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a condition where normal kidney tissue is replaced by cysts, impairing kidney function and ultimately ending in kidney failure and the death of the cat.
PKD is inherited – passed down from mother and father cats to their kittens, and there is a genetic test available.
Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Scottish Fold cats are also susceptible to familial hypertrophic cardiomyopaty (HCM).
A heart condition which results in a thickening of the walls of the chambers of the heart, and reduces heart function.
HCM causes poor health as the heart struggles to provide the cat’s body with oxygen.
It can sometimes result in heart failure.
This means that it is important that you see test certificates for this condition too, before purchasing a kitten
Scottish Fold Genetics
There are three genetic types for Scottish Folds relating to their cartilage and folded ears.
No Mutated Genes
They have no fold to their ears and are least likely to have cartilage problems.
They are like a Scottish Fold in appearance and personality in every other way.
One Gene Copy
These kittens have only one copy of the mutated gene.
They are thought to have noticeable joint problems later in life, but to be less affected earlier on. They may have folded ears.
Two Gene Copies
Breeders are warned to avoid breeding two folded Scottish Folds.
Those kittens with two mutated gene copies are likely to have joint problems throughout their lives.
They will all have folded ears.
How Long Do Scottish Fold Cats Live?
It is claimed that Scottish Fold cats live on average anywhere between 11 to 15 years, depending upon where you look.
Debatably this breed has a long lifespan for an unhealthy cat type, because the health problems affecting these cats are not life limiting.
This does not take away from the fact however that these problems can be very limiting in terms of quality of life.
Scottish Fold Kittens
Scottish Fold kittens are incredibly cute, but also quite hard to come by.
You also need to be aware of what you are taking on when you buy one.
Make an informed decision about whether you are happy to commit to a cat with a high possibility of joint problems and ongoing discomfort.
Scottish Fold Breeders
Scottish Fold breeders should only ever breed from one parent with folded ears and one without, to help reduce the chances of degenerative joint disease.
Many breeders will be producing kittens with a view to showing them.
This means that they will want to select the most likely show candidates from the litter.
For this reason you will often find that Scottish Fold kittens are not available until they are 12 – 16 weeks of age.
This is because the breeder won’t know the extent of their ear folds until that time.
At the point you collect your kitten the breeder should have already had them microchipped and given their first vaccinations.
Scottish Fold Price
Scottish Folds are rare, especially those with tipped over ears. They therefore demand a very high price.
Remember when you buy your cat however that the cost is not just the purchase price, but the ongoing cost of paying for insurance, health care,
In the USA Scottish Folds cost $1,000 to $2,000.
You will pay a lot less for a straight eared Scottish Fold kitten, and they are more likely to be healthy too.
They will still have the same overall appearance (minus the tipped ears) and wonderful personality.
Is A Scottish Fold Cat Right For You?
These cats get on very well with other animals, children and adapt comfortably to most living situations.
They do however have a high need for attention and interaction, so are only suited to homes where somewhere is in for most of the day.
Scottish Folds have special requirements in terms of ear care.
And those with entirely tipped ears are quite hard to come by as the mutation is fairly rare.
The most important factor you will need to consider however is the possibility of degenerative joint disease.
Cute Ears vs Bad Health?
Serious joint problems arise as a direct result of the mutation that causes ears to tip.
Take the time to consider whether you are comfortable playing a role in a breeding programme that cultivates a gene purely on the basis of it’s cute ear tip.
One that may well cause these cats an uncomfortable and painful life as a result.
If you love their general appearance and temperament, then a straight eared Scottish Fold will have the best chance of a happy, healthy life.
Scottish Fold adoption is a great way to get this cat without contributing to the problem.
Some vets in the UK think breeding Scottish Folds should be banned because of the health issues:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4350598/Vets-say-breeding-Scottish-fold-cats-BANNED.html
I recently got a blue bi colour tabby Scottish fold and when u taken him to the vet he wasn’t too happy I brought one but he said the kitten appears to be very healthy with flexible limbs. My cat plays like a dog, full of energy so I hope later on he will be fine as well
Enjoy your cat Yanke, hope he continues to thrive
Hello I’m interested Scottish fold kitchen , please can you tell me where can I buy from ? Many thanks
I am looking to purchase for a scottish kilt kitten
I just got a Scottish fold too
You didn’t mention pkd or hcm in your story. Pkd is something every breeder should test for same a hcm. No test no buy! Please inform people about these as well.
That information has now been included – thank you for your feedback 🙂
Hi,
is there any wrong in breeding straight ear scottish fold with folded ear scottish fold?
No, this is the preferred way.
Thanks for this wonderful article.. I live in Dubai and a few days ago I found a grey SF with fully folded ears outside my home, I think his owner abandoned him. I don’t have any pets, but I felt sorry for this little guy who was imported from Ukraine, as the microchip indicated. Since he had ear, eye and chest infection, I took him to the vet 4 times and now he’s much healthier than he used to be.. extremely calm and quiet. I wonder if somebody is reading this comment and is willing to provide a cool shelter for him…
You are a good person! Keep him! I don’t regret my cat. He is so sweet.
I hope you’ve kept the poor little kitty. I myself have a Scottish fold brought from Ukraine – he is the best partner for many many years!
Hi, do you have a pair for your scottish fold?
You have a nice heart may God be happy with you. Respect to people that take care of rescue animals ???
Hi, I recently got a munchkin kitten whose father is a Scottish Fold. My kitty does not have folded ears, and her mother is a munchkin cat. Will my kitty have joint problems? Is it less likely because it has unfolded, straight ears?
Thanks for the info.
I adopted a straight ear scottish fold cat. He’s is now 1 year and 8months old. He is very energetic, and playfull. I love him to bits.
What’s the probability of him getting PKD and HCM, as well as joint diseases later in life?
How old is he. I have a SF kitten who is 5 months old. I live in Dubai too.
I recently got a straight Scottish fold female. If I breed her with another straight Scottish will she produce any folded kittens?
No they will only produce straight ear kittens
No, you will only produce straight ear kittens.
We took in a rescue SF. He’s pure white and had a troubled history having been abandoned twice.He is adorable, so calm, so polite even. We also live in Dubai, it seems there are blackmarket breeders based here as more are appearing. So so sad, but they command very high prices and some unscrupulous folk just look for profit. Our SF is such a treasure we recommend them completely, but look out for a rescue cat, they deserve a good home….
As a proud Scottish Fold owner I must list another downcome when it comes to having one of these with you.
You will become so attached to him, and he will become so attached to you, that you will think there cannot be a sweeter cat on earth (and it’s probably true), and that you were somehow magically chosen to be given the opportunity to share a part of your life with him.. and it will be so devastating when the time of death inevitably comes that you will never be able to own another cat, because you know there will never be another one like him.
Sweet! Love your comment!
I was preparing to buy a SF from Russia. Now I need to think again because I will be so heart broken when he gets sick and die.
Because it’s a mutation can you breed a Lambkin to a fold, or is that again two mutations, better yet three that come together
I own a SF and he is the sweetest cat ever. I live in Dubai too. I am so attached to him that I can’t wait to go home from work just to play with him. He loves attention so much and I love him to pieces. I’ve never been a pet person until we start to adopt a cat
Hello there can anyone help me please where to get SF from I would like to buy one kittens ! Many thanks
I adopted a Long Hair Scottish Fold, early this year, from a Humane Society, they had no idea what she was. Even the vet’s assistant had never seen a live one, and kept insisting she was not, although Aine, fits all the criteria. I found the photo of one for sale that was almost identical to her. She is unique and quite beautiful, because her face is divided equally down the middle, with different colorations in both sides. She is quite large, longer than what the expert say. She is also very agile and can jump higher and run faster than any cat I have ever had and is very active. She is NOT a mellow sweet heart. Very good mouser (to my dismay). She likes spending time outside (very tall fence). She was spayed before I took her home because I was afraid someone would steal her. Got her for free because I am a senior citizen (not the best for such an active cat) and she was estimated to be around 3 years. My son-in-law is the only one she will allow to trim her claws, she is also very strong and very intelligent. She mostly chirps but can imitate some sounds. such as now and out. (She says them A LOT and will keep on until I obey, lol.) If I drop dead my daughter and son in law will take her in. Not planning on it happening for quite a while.
I ‘dealt’ with the FD gene, despite i didn’t own any purebreed cat.
In 2001 I got my first cat. She was a black kitten who i named Goku (Japanese for Sky and the name of the protagonist of a famous anime), that was borm from my aunt’s fearl cat.
This cat showed firs an unusual round head for a kitten. By the age of about three weeks, her ears started to appear slightly smaller, compared to those of regular cats. The following weeks she grew regularly, but her ears were the size of those of a newborn kitten, thick and hard, and with round tips. It looked like she had a single fold, the ears didn’t loop forward. I didn’t know what a fold was and that the FD gene existed, so I excepted to see her ears becoming tall, triangular and softer. Alongside with her ears she also had a round head, a cobby bodytype and double coat.
She didn’t suffer from OCD, she got regular age related arthritis when she was 11.
Instead her ears stayed small, thick and narrow her whole life. She lived a little more than 19 years. When she died it was a shock, she was with me for long time. I still miss her.
Our 4 month old “little dude” kitten is inquisitive, playful, sassy, intelligent and cute! He has an appetite to learn, and I throw a collar with a bell on it, and he fetches it and then brings it back on command, and we have a video of it, he does this daily to have fun and please. Our son posted the video on Instagram, and many chuckled to say its a “doggie” as the kitten fetches it and drops it off at my feet several times a day, lol. He’s part “retriever” dog. They have soft fur, and often teary eyes which is, I am told by a vet, this is indicative of flat faced cats. Often he will sleep by my head and loudly purrs to keep me awake.
I found a Scottish Fold kitten for a ME-USA in-laws in Detroit area, and soon they contacted the breeder and snatched one for their own to bring love and joy to a family, like ours did for us. All pets are special to all owners, and they need to have their claws trimmed regularly. I cannot do this with our cat while he’s awake but when he’s in “cloud 9” or zonked out (zzz’s) he is pliable and easy to cut them. I wasn’t attracted to this breed at first, but when we saw Juno he melted my heart like a hot knife through butter and since that time, despite being a costly cat, and supplies, shots its a welcomed new addition. In the morning he’ll bump noses with me to wake me up, and if I pretend to ignore him I’ll get a playful but gentle nip to remind me its breakfast time. Next comes the rubbing of his body on my leg and weaves between me as I place the food down for a “chow down”. Go check out this breed, and feed them fish the odd time to strengthen bones….
Thank for this article. All the descriptions of this cat by you guys are true in my SF as well. She is just over 1 year now and what a sweetheart. I imagined most cats to be the “leave me alone” type but she loves company, especially with my mom. I am sad about the complications they develop but the tip about maintaining a healthy weight is something I will try to implement.