This breed started in 1961 when a Scottish shepherd found a folded-eared kitten on his neighbor’s farm. The mother had normal-shaped ears, but the father was unknown. The shepherd adopted a white kitten from the litter and began to breed her with local farm cats and British Shorthairs. In 1977, a British geneticist found that one-third of kittens from folded-eared cats developed osteodystrophy, which is a skeletal lesion.
This cat likes to sit on people’s laps or next to them. They have a sweet temperament and a quiet voice. This cat also enjoys sitting up on its hind legs, in a way that looks like an otter, or flopping on its back when napping. This cat does not enjoy being home alone and benefits from being paired with another cat or pet. This cat adjusts to new surroundings relatively easily and is somewhat playful, enjoying an occasional game of fetch. Lastly, this cat welcomes the company of children and family dogs.
The shorthaired variety needs little grooming. You only need to run a steel comb through its coat once or twice a week. The longhaired variety needs more grooming, about three to four times per week. This is to remove dead hairs and prevent mats from forming.
The typical lifespan of a Scottish Fold is about 15 years. They may have some health problems that you should be aware of. One is degenerative joint disease, which can occur in the tail. If you notice stiffness, be careful with the cat.
