This breed of cat was first discovered in 1961 by William Ross in Scotland. Ross found a kitten with folded ears and named her Susie. Susie’s mother had normal-shaped ears, but the father was unknown. A few years later, in 1977, British geneticist Oliphant Jackson reported that one-third of kittens from folded-eared cats developed a skeletal lesion called osteodystrophy.
This cat loves to be on people’s laps and next to their favorite people. It has a sweet temperament and a quiet, soft voice. This cat enjoys sitting up on its hind legs in a look that resembles an otter or flopping on its back when napping. This cat does not enjoy being home alone and benefits by being paired with another cat or other pet. This cat adjusts to new surroundings like hotel rooms and new people relatively easily. This cat is somewhat playful and will enjoy an occasional game of fetch. This cat welcomes the company of children and family dogs.
The shorthaired variety doesn’t need a lot of grooming – just once or twice a week, you can run a steel comb through its coat. The longhaired variety needs more grooming – 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. Scottish Folds can have some health problems. One problem is degenerative joint disease, which can be an issue in the tail. If stiffness is noticed, the tail should be handled carefully.
