This breed of cat was first discovered in 1961 by Scottish shepherd William Ross. He found a kitten with folded-ears and named her Susie. Susie’s mother had normal ears, but the father was unknown. Ross then adopted a white kitten from Susie’s litter and began to breed her with local farm cats and British Shorthairs in order to create this lop-eared feline breed. However, in 1977, British geneticist Oliphant Jackson reported that one-third of kittens from the breeding of folded-eared cats developed osteodystrophy, a skeletal lesion.
This cat enjoys sitting on laps or next to their favorite people. They have a sweet temperament and a soft voice. This cat also enjoys flopping on its back when napping. It does not enjoy being home alone and benefits by being paired with another cat or other 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 of this breed of cat doesn’t require much grooming. Just run a steel comb through its coat once or twice a week. The longhaired variety, on the other hand, requires grooming three to four times a week in order to remove dead hair and prevent mats from forming.
The typical lifespan of a Scottish Fold is around 15 years. Scottish Folds can have some health problems, including degenerative joint disease. If you notice your cat has stiffness in its tail, be careful not to hurt it.