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You might not think that you know what a Scottish Fold cat is, but if you saw one, you’d know in an instant. Scottish Folds are distinct in one common way; their folded ears.
In The Sixties, Susie Started It All In Scotland
The Scottish Fold was not specifically bred to have folded ears, it just happened that way. In 1961 Scotland, a local farmer, William Ross, noticed the folded ears on a local barn cat. The barn cat’s name was Susie and when she had kittens, Ross acquired one. He named his new female kitty Snooks and when Snooks had kittens, one of her males was bred to a British Shorthair; thus the breed was begun.
The folded ear is a dominant gene, meaning that strait ear genes mixed with folded ear genes will always produce folded ears. Kittens are born with ears that look just like any other kitten, but as they grow, the ears will begin to fold forward, usually between ages 2 – 4 weeks. Susie was a long-haired cat and that is the other gene that she passed down to her folded descendants. Long haired Folds are called Highland Folds.
Playful and Adventurous
Scottish Folds are a rather playful cat, often trying to see what they can get involved in next, from the open cupboard door to the food on your plate. This breed loves to be challenged with toys, games, and even puzzles. Scottish Folds are medium-sized, usually topping out at around 13 pounds. They loves to play fetch and they are rather dexterous, which can be seen in the ways in which they lie around the house, often in odd positions that most other cats would not consider.
Loyal and Committed
Scottish Folds love attention and companionship, so if you live alone and are not at home a lot, this is not the best breed for you. If you are looking for a cat who will follow you around the house, this is one to consider. They like to be paws-on with whatever you are doing. They are so adorable and cute, with their long hair (in the Highland breed) and folded ears that many people say they look like a toy teddy bear or owl. Though they are devoted to their owners, they are not especially clingy. They like to be near you, not exactly on you.
Grooming and Care
Though many people believe that the folded ears can make this breed prone to mites and other ear damage, this is not the case. Ears will not need to be cleaned unless they look dirty, so check them once a week. Grooming, however, is another matter. Shorthair Scottish Folds need to be brushed and combed once a week to keep their fur shiny and healthy. Long-haired Highland Folds need twice-weekly grooming.
Health Concerns
When it comes to the health of the Scottish Fold, one needs to keep in mind that all cats have the potential to acquire illnesses. This breed has the potential to inherit a skeletal abnormality that causes stiffness and inflexibility. For this reason, keeping your Scottish Fold from becoming overweight is essential to keeping him healthy.
The Best Cat Food For The Scottish Fold
The best cat food for the Scottish Fold is one that includes plenty of real meat to satisfy his basic needs. Beef, chicken, turkey, or fish are excellent protein choices that can serve your Fold well, but there are always protein sources such as venison, rabbit, duck, and lamb. Some of the better brands that are full or real meat include:
- By Nature 95% Beef and Liver
- Wysong Au Jus Rabbit
- Orijen Six Fish
- Addiction Viva La Venison
- Blue Wilderness Chicken and Duck
In thinking about the weight of your Scottish Fold, you’ll find that they are an easy breed to exercise with. Indulge them in a game of fetch or just simply play with toys and run them out. If you are an active person, your Fold will walk around the house with you and that burns the calories. Don’t feed your cat anything with highly processed ingredients or those that are full of corn or wheat fillers. These are carbs that can be difficult to digest and process. Stay as lean as possible by purchasing foods with good carbs and high fiber. Some of the best cat food on the market contains fiber-rich ingredients like:
- Sweet Potatoes – also a great source of potassium, vitamin B, fiber, and beta-carotene
- Blueberries – includes plenty of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants to fight cancer, heart disease, and asthma
- Apples – an excellent source of pectin which is a water-soluble fiber
- Barley – a common ingredient in weight control pet foods due to its slow digestibility, starch, and soluble fibers
- Flaxseed – a rich source of micronutrients, dietary fiber, manganese, vitamin B1, and Omega 3
- Pumpkin Seeds – include vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc and copper. They also contain essential fatty acids, antioxidants and fiber
Though there are plenty of weight management cat food brands out there, be sure to stick with the ones that are meaty and full of fiber to keep your Scottish Fold in shape, such as:
- Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight
- Natural Balance Trout Salmon Meal and Whitefish
- Artemis Fresh Mix Weight Management
- Innova Weight Management Dry
- Merrick Purrfect Bistro Health Adult Chicken
- Avoderm Indoor Weight Control
A good companion who will be there when you need her, the Scottish Fold is a breed like no other. Take good care of your unique and pretty kitty and she’ll take good care of you.
