This breed of cat was discovered in Scotland in 1961 when a Scottish shepherd found a kitten with folded-over ears. The mother cat had regular-shaped ears, but the father was unknown. The shepherd adopted one white kitten from the litter and began to breed her with local farm cats and British Shorthairs to create this lop-eared feline breed. However, in 1977 a British geneticist found that one-third of kittens from folded-eared cats developed a skeletal lesion called osteodystrophy.
This cat loves to be around people. They have a sweet temperament and a soft voice. This cat enjoys sitting up on its hind legs, looking like an otter, or flopping on its back when taking a nap. This cat does not like being left alone and benefits from having another pet or person around them. They adjust to new environments and people relatively easily. They can be playful at times and will enjoy a game of fetch every now and then. They are also welcoming of children and family dogs.
If you have a shorthaired cat, you will only need to groom it once or twice a week with a steel comb. If you have a longhaired cat, you will need to groom it three to four times a week to remove dead hairs and prevent mats from forming.
The typical lifespan of a Scottish Fold is about 15 years. Like many breeds, the Scottish Fold can be predisposed to some health problems. For example, degenerative joint disease can be an issue, especially in the tail which should be handled carefully if stiffness is noticed.
