Have you always wanted a cat? Bringing a new pet into your house to be part of your family is a special moment. If you like cats, you may be looking for an adorable breed that you are going to love having around. A lot of people are fascinated by Scottish Fold Cats and want to learn more about them. So, let’s take a look at Scottish Folds and what you should know before adopting one of them.
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History
The history of the Scottish Fold is an interesting one. Is all started with a white cat called Susie. This furry feline had unique folded ears and this is where the birth of the breed began. She was a mouser cat who lived in the Tayside region of Scotland. She had kittens with a tom cat and a man took one of the kittens and named him Snooks in 1961. This cat later went on to have kittens and this is how the lop-eared cats became a breed. Indeed, later they would be called Scottish Fold Cats.
It is interesting to note that the Scottish Fold was imported to the United States in 1971. They have become recognized by many cat associations. But they are not recognized in Scotland. This was because the country did not want to encourage the breed. They believed that having folded ears could mean endless ear infections and even deafness for the cats.
Personality
There is no doubt that the Scottish Fold will make a fantastic addition to your household. They are known for their fun personality, and they are quiet and affectionate while at home with family members. They are a smart cat that likes to be active during the day. In particular, they love to play and they will enjoy any activities where you can join in and have some fun too.
In particular, the Scottish Fold is famous for being social. While cats can sometimes get a back reputation about being anti-social, the Scottish Fold is the opposite. They will love to spend time with their family. They do not like to be left alone for many hours during the day. This can upset them. It is best to have more than one cat if this is going to be the case.
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Ask a Vet Live NowPhysical characteristics
You may be surprised to know that Scottish Fold kittens are actually born with straight ears like most cats. It takes a couple of weeks for their ears to begin to fold. The way they look when they are folded will differ between different cats. For example, some will have a single tight fold while others can have a double fold. You will find a lot of colors are available for the Scottish Fold Cat. For example, there are tabby and white, as well as other solid colors. In addition, their eye color is going to vary too. They could have blue eyes or each eye could be a different color. This cat does have a plush coat. This means it is soft and fluffy to touch. One thing’s for sure, you always know a furry friend is a Scottish Fold Cat with their ears!
Normally, the Scottish Fold is known as a medium-sized cat. You will find that females weigh around 6 to 9 pounds. The male Scottish Fold will be heavier at around 9 to 13 pounds. Of course, it is possible for your Scottish Fold to be smaller or larger than this, depending on their breeding. It is important to note that just because Scottish Folds have folded ears, this does not affect their hearing. There has often been fear that this could lead to deafness or problems with hearing over time. However, Scottish Fold cats can hear perfectly and they can hear everything like another cat with pointed ears.
Regular Maintenance
There is some maintenance of the coat required for the Scottish Fold. This will include brushing them weekly. This is going to get rid of any dead hair and make sure that it does not become matted. It is also going to help spread the skin oils so that the hair can remain healthy. If you have a long-haired Scottish Fold, they might require more brushing sessions during the week. Nobody wants to have tangles!
In addition, it is recommended that you wipe the corners of their eyes. This should be done regularly with a soft and damp cloth. This is going to get rid of eye discharge, which can stain the coat. Just make sure that you always use a clean cloth to avoid infections. Also, it will be imperative to check the ears every week and clean them if necessary. This is particularly true if they are tightly folded.
Potential Health Problems
Looking after your cat’s health should be a priority. This means investing in quality food so that they can enjoy a long and happy life. Indeed, the Scottish Fold can live for around 15 years when they are healthy. But there are some health problems that you should be aware of so that treatment can be sought when it is necessary. In particular, degenerative joint disease can happen to Scottish Folds. This can happen in the tail, ankle and knee joints. These problems can mean that your furry friend suffers from pain and bad mobility. There may be some medication that can help your cat. It is best to see a veterinarian if you notice that your Scottish Fold is stiff and in some discomfort.
You should also be aware of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a type of heart disease. It has been recognized as a risk to Scottish Folds. Although, it is not clear whether this is a hereditary disease. You may be able to lower the risk of your cat having hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by feeding them a quality cat food and maintaining a healthy diet.
Tolerance of Other Animals
The Scottish Fold Cat is the perfect furry friend for a family home. They are friendly and love to spend time with children and other animals, including dogs. In particular, if children are taught to respect their space and be gentle with them, they will love to spend time on their lap. In addition, they will be happy to cuddle up with a canine that likes to spend time with other animals. If your dog has never been around a cat before, it is recommended that you take their introduction slowly and do not leave them unattended to begin with. When they have developed a trust and bond, they can be left to their own devices with each other.
Finding a Scottish Fold Cat
Would you love to have a Scottish Fold? As you have read, there are many fantastic things about Scottish Folds, which makes them amazing family pets. The next question you may have is where can you find a Scottish Fold Cat? Normally, there are two places you can go when you want a new furry friend. Firstly, your local animal shelter. Indeed, you can rescue a cat that needs a forever home. This can be extremely rewarding and a good way to have an adult cat that may be used to living indoors. However, it is unlikely that you will find a Scottish Fold in a local rescue shelter. While not impossible, they are rare to come across as they are expensive. This means that they will be snapped up very quickly. You can also search online and see if any owners are offering their Scottish Fold. Again, you may be lucky and find your next furry friend.
The second option you have is to choose a breeder that offers Scottish Fold Cats. This way, you can have your cat from when they are a kitten. Indeed, there are going to be some breeders offering this breed. But you should be aware that they can be expensive. You will have to afford this furry friend, as well as their upkeep.
The most important thing if you choose a breeder is to choose somebody that is reputable. The last thing you want is to encourage bad breeding and give your money to those that are only looking to make money. You want a breeder that truly cares and wants to offer you healthy Scottish Fold Cats for your family. The best way to find a reputable breeder is to do your research online. This can take some time and it is important to be patient during your search. Also know that there might not be a litter available for you and you may have to wait. Look for reviews on breeders and ensure that you ask them a lot of questions about their business. It is a good idea to visit them before choosing a kitten. This way, you can see what the premises are like. Ideally, they will be clean and organized with good vibes. You should also ask to see the parents of the kittens, as well as the litter. This is a great way to see that they are in a loving home and well taken care of.
Should the Scottish Fold be an Indoor or Outdoor Cat?
You may want your cat to explore being outside and discover the world. But it is actually recommended to keep the Scottish Fold as an indoor cat. This is due to how rare and expensive they can be. It is common for somebody to try to steal your cat if they discover it around town. This is the last thing anybody wants. In addition, there is always the risk of catching a disease from another cat, as well as being attacked by coyotes or other dogs in the neighborhood.
Therefore, it is best to keep your furry friend indoors. You can still make sure that there is fun for them, spending time giving them attention and playing with their toys. If you have an enclosed yard that does not allow animals or intruders, you can always let them explore outside. Just make sure that they are always being supervised to make sure that nothing goes wrong.
Tips for Bringing a Scottish Fold Cat Home
If you have never had a cat before, you may not be sure what to expect when you bring your furry friend home. It can be a scary and exciting experience at the same time. We have prepared a few simple tips that you should remember when you bring home your adorable Scottish Fold kitten. First of all, start by creating a cat safe room. This should be a comfortable and relaxing place that your cat can have and be safe in. It should be quiet and be free from anything that could become dangerous for a curious kitten. In particular, your Scottish Fold is going to want to have a place to hide. This could be something as simple as a cardboard box or sheet. They love hiding and having a safe spot to go if things get too much. Remember that it will take them time to get used to their new environment.
Hopefully, you will already have some quality cat food ready for your new furry friend coming home. They are going to need this and fresh water in their safe space. In addition, introduce a litter box from the beginning. Since they might be stressed during the first 48 hours, diarrhea can be expected.
Do not forget to give your Scottish Fold some fun toys to play with. This is going to keep them entertained and happy while they settle into their new home. Spend time with them and play so that you can develop a bond. Just make sure that you take things slow. If their ears are pulled back or their tail is twitching, give them some space. Things may be going too quick for them and they are uncomfortable. Speak in a soft and positive voice to your cat so that they can get used to you and the new environment.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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