Now it could just be us here at IndulgeYourPet, but every time we take a look at a Scottish Fold, for some reason we’re reminded of the movie called Keanu.
You see…
In the movie Keanu, the main character who is a small kitten named Keanu always seems to have a hat on for some reason. Which makes us think of the Scottish Fold because to us, it almost seems like these cats are wearing a ski beanie!
But don’t get us wrong…
Because while the movie Keanu will generally only “appeal” to a certain demographic, the cat breed it reminds us of, won’t. This is because when it comes to the Scottish Fold cat breed, few can argue that these can’t aren’t awesome!
Which is why…
In this article we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to actually own one of these unique little creatures so that if you’re ever given the opportunity to actually own one, you’ll know right away if it’s a good idea or not!
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Scottish Fold Cat Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Scottish
Size: Medium
Weight: 10 to 12 pounds
Eyes: Large round eyes
Shape of Head: Round
Lifespan: Approximately 15 years
Origin of the Scottish Fold cat breed
The origin of the Scottish Fold cat breed can be traced back to a rather modest beginning when a random shepherd by the name of William Ross just happened to stumble across a stray cat by the name of Susi who was living in Scottish barn back in 1961.
Unsurprisingly…
William found Suzie’s unique ears quite interesting which is why he decided to adopt one of Suzie’s kittens which he then named Snooks. From there, Williams natural curiosity and interest in cats took over causing him to begin crossing breeding his find with several British short haired cats which ultimately led to the creation of the breed that we now refer to as the Scottish Fold.
Soon thereafter…
More breeders got involved and it was then decided the gene mutation responsible for the “fold” was a completely dominant gene which means even if only one parent had the gene for the folded ears and the other didn’t all the kittens would still have the folded ear feature.
Then in 1971…
The Scottish fold breed was brought into the United States where they instantly became a hit and were quickly “officially” recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1973.
Scottish Fold physical characteristics
The Scottish Fold cat breed is a medium sized cat breed that just seems to have an overall “rounded” appearance. The have rounded heads, somewhat rounded compact bodies and large round eyes which tends to make them look a little like an owl!
They also have…
Thick dense coats of fur, which can be quite a challenge when long like in the Highland Fold variety of the Scottish Fold. As far a coat “coloring” pretty much any color or pattern is acceptable, you’ll also find cats belonging to this breed that do not actually have folded ears either.
This is because…
It is generally frowned upon to breed two Scottish Fold cats that both have the “folded” trait because this can lead to some increased risks for hereditary conditions which we will discuss later.
Care and maintenance
The Scottish fold cats need their coat brushed weekly to distribute the skin oils and help to rid excess hair that can cause furballs. Tangles can develop in the long-haired breed so be sure to brush a few times a week to avoid the tangles and the need for them to be cut out.
Sometimes these cats…
Can get build up in the corner of their eyes which can be wiped away with a warm cloth or cotton ball. Be sure to use a clean cotton ball each time to avoid spreading any infection that may be lingering around.
Additionally…
The Scottish Fold’s ears need to be check regularly if dirty wipe out the same as you do with the eyes but using a mixture of cider vinegar and water half and half amounts.
Scottish Fold personality and temperament
Scottish Folds have a tendency to show off a bit. You see, they love to pose and they have a habit of posing in the most unusual positions like sitting on the floor like a frog or sitting up high like a meerkat on patrol.
And while…
People tend to think the cat’s ears being folded are less mobile, but this is not correct. The cats use them to interact quite well along with their sweet little voice when they are feeling a little peckish.
They’re also…
Very active and very intelligent. They enjoy playing with toys just like a dog would and they are quite good at working with puzzle toys, they enjoy a challenge.
They thrive on…
Human interaction so being able to sit the cat in your lap, interact with it and be quite affectionate is all a must for these types of breeds. They enjoy the attention they are not fussy how they get it whether it be a rub from the bottom of your shoes while your working on the computer or laying beside you while you are reading a book. If you cannot be home often they are not a wise choice for you, these cats hate being left alone but will be ok if they have another cat with them for company.
This is also why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet will often recommend this breed to families who are looking for an unusual cat to get for their kids, because their natural love for play combined with their desire to interact with people of all ages make them idea for a family with kids of any ages.
Health
The pedigree breed, as well as the mixed breed, can have a few health problems that most likely are genetic. They have a few problems that may arise such as:
- a joint disease that affects the tail, ankle and the knee joints. This can cause poor mobility and constant pain for the cat. If your cat seems to have a stiff tail be sure to check with the vet this is a common sign of degenerative joint disease.
- As well as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy heart disease and it can affect these cats but there is no proof surrounding the cause being related to the genetics.
Which is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet always advise any new pet owner to take a moment and see what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy on their new loved one. This way if they ever do become sick or injured in the future, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of the cost of treatment.
For more information on who we “feel” currently offers some of the “best” pet insurance policies on the market right now, be sure to check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
