All cats, regardless of their breed or cross, have something special. In the case of the Scottish Fold, his drooping ears and sweet gaze make more than one and more than two want to share his life with him.
This is one of the most popular breeds, and its temperament is undeniably charming. It gets along well with children and loves being the center of attention, something that will surely appeal to those who enjoy spending time with their furry friend. Learn all about the Scottish Fold.
Origin of the Scottish Fold
The origins of this beautiful cat can be traced back to Scotland, although it is believed to have some Chinese heritage. In 1961, a Scottish couple decided to breed their cat Suzie, who had folded ears, with a British Shorthair . Five years later, they registered these fluffy felines as the Scottish Fold. From then on, the breed's popularity only grew. However, in 1974, British authorities had to ban the breed because these animals suffered from arthritis in their limbs caused by the dominant Fold gene.
Fortunately, a few years later, a solution arrived thanks to American breeders and geneticists. It turned out that the problem stemmed from mating with Scottish Folds; when other breeds, such as the Scottish Straight or the British Shorthair, were used, the cats did not exhibit joint problems. Thus, in 1974, it was officially recognized by the Cat Fancy Association (CFA).
Physical characteristics
The Scottish Fold is a medium-sized cat, weighing 4 to 6 kg for males and 3 to 5 kg for females . It is characterized by its muscular and compact body, rounded head, floppy ears, and short but broad nose.
The tail is of medium length and ends in a point. The hair is semi-long or short, and they can be of any color or pattern.
What is the life expectancy of a Scottish Fold?
If it receives proper care every day of its life, it will normally live 15 years . But we must emphasize that certain requirements must be met, which we will discuss below.
Behavior of the breed
He's a cat that's as beautiful as he is sociable. He's also very affectionate, calm, and dependent —well, as dependent as a cat can be 😉. He doesn't like being alone, so if you're going to be away for several hours regularly, it's best to bring him a companion to play with, or at least leave him things to do, like play with an interactive cat toy or search for hidden treats. Otherwise, he adapts perfectly to any space, whether it's an apartment, a flat, or a house.
Interestingly, her voice is very sweet , and she might even love one family member more than the rest. But of course, everyone will be treated with the same respect .
Care
For your furry to stay healthy for as long as possible, you need to give it a series of care, which are:
- Food: it must be of high quality, free of cereals and by-products.
- Hygiene: the eyes and ears must be cleaned two or three times a week with a clean gauze and specific eye drops.
- Health: Although it is in good health, long-haired specimens can have hairballs which are eliminated with malt for cats.
How much does a Scottish Fold cost?
If you're buying from a professional breeder, they'll usually ask for between 700 and 1000 euros . At a pet shop, it might cost about half that. But regardless of where you buy it, you need to make sure the animal is healthy, energetic, and shows no signs of illness.
Furthermore, it's very important that the kitten wasn't separated from its mother before two months of age , since at that age it still needs to learn things that only its mother can teach it, such as how a cat should behave. And if you've waited until it's three months old, even better, because that way you can be sure it won't have any insecurity issues in the future.
Can you get Scottish fold cats for free?
If you'd like your family to have a cat of this breed and would like to find a free kitten, you should know that you're unlikely to have any luck . Because it's a purebred, breeders do everything they can to protect the breed, and that involves expenses.
But you could find an adult specimen for adoption, or a mixed cat.
Photos
The Scottish Fold is a furry friend with a look and personality that makes many people fall in love with them. Therefore, we'll end this article by including some more pictures for you to enjoy :
