Almost any person will be touched when they see a little fluffy dog with neat straight ears. The true loyalty, calmness and even character of the Scottish Straight cat, whose country of origin is cold Scotland, will make her an irreplaceable companion and a wonderful companion.
Scottish Straights are true Scots, considered a separate breed and somewhat similar to the British, but with a number of distinctive features.
History of the origin of the Scottish Straight cat
The name of the breed immediately indicates the country where the animal comes from - Scotland, but some experts today stubbornly insist that these cats were also found in eastern countries in ancient times.
In any case, one thing is certain - this breed was formed thanks to the drooping ears of Fold cats. At the end of the last century, one unusual, although not a sensation, case occurred in Scotland - a cat of the British breed gave birth to kittens with strangely drooping ears.
It is not surprising that breeders became very interested in these individuals and decided to increase the number of these animals. This is how beautiful folds appeared, which managed to gain millions of admirers and admirers.
At the very beginning, the breed developed quite complexly, and sometimes dramatically. The result of crossing Scottish Folds was offspring with bone abnormalities. This is where Scottish straight-eared cats came to the rescue, which were crossed with fold-eared cats. The kittens turned out strong and strong, and the breeders were satisfied.
Scottish Straights were treated rather coolly, using them solely as a solution to the problem of healthy offspring appearing in Folds. This didn't last long. People became interested in the cute and charming kittens of this breed, and the demand for them increased.
Officially, Scottish Straight cats, that is, Scottish straight-eared cats, were identified as a separate breed quite recently, about ten years ago; before that they were considered simply British. Interestingly, these cats were first named “Scottish straight-eared” in Russia in 2004, and then the worldwide recognition of the breed followed.
Character
Scottish Folds are typical animal companions, unpretentious, strongly attached to their home and owner. From an early age, kittens are very playful and intelligent, so they often take part in exhibitions. As the owners note, their pets love to watch TV.
Scottish fold cat. Scottish fold cat. Scottish fold cat.
These cats do not suffer from hyperactivity, they are friends with the scratching post, they never hang on curtains, do not climb cabinets and do not create problems for their owners with their behavior.
Interesting features of the breed are a quiet, slightly creaky voice and the ability to stand on its hind legs, like meerkats, which delights the creators of the photo of the Scottish fold cat.
A Scottish fold cat stands on its hind legs.
Cool photo of a Scottish fold cat. Young Scottish fold cat. Scottish fold cat.
Carriers of a rare gene anomaly, Scottish Folds, unfortunately, are not immune from specific diseases, including osteochondrodysplasia, which can appear at any age, so the pet’s health must be monitored especially carefully.
Description of the Scottish Straight breed
It must be said that even today Scottish Fold cats are much more popular pets than their straight-eared “brothers,” although caring for the latter is less complicated. In addition, Scottish Straights are very attractive and at the same time refined in appearance.
Recognizable features:
- strong and proportionally built body (female weight - up to four kilograms, male - up to five);
- the body is dense and round, but the animal is not fat;
- the limbs are not too long, the paws are small and neat;
- round head with plump cheeks;
- small straight ears;
- large, widely spaced eyes, the same color as the animal’s fur;
Both types of Scottish cats have either short or medium-length hair. Cats with the second type of coat are called Highland (loose-eared Scottish Highland Fold and Highland Straight).
Color of Scottish Straight cats:
- ginger;
- chocolate;
- black;
- blue;
- purple (most expensive);
- marble;
- white;
- cream;
- tricolor.
Owner reviews
Below are reviews from two cat owner buyers. The first author, Zhanna, purchased a Scottish fold kitten from a nursery, the second author, Nikolai, adopted the kitten through an ad on Avito.
Zhanna, 28 years old: “Having a kitten was my childhood dream. When I was little, my parents had no time for it - Perestroika, unemployment... But now I was finally able to fulfill my dream. My husband and I came across Scottish Folds by accident - we were googling funny breeds and saw them. Oh, these eyes, these ears... We immediately found nurseries of these cats in Moscow, compared prices, came to the nursery... The girl who was offered to us, she was... chocolate! Like a teddy bear! We bought it. Yesterday we were at the exhibition with her...”
Nikolay, 32 years old: “We found a kitten through an advertisement, and for some reason we didn’t wonder why a housewife from Nerekhta had a dozen “purebred” Scottish Folds at home. But okay, the pedigree, to hell with it. Natalya swore that the kittens were healthy, but Ambassador began to get sick soon after moving to us. Let's go to the veterinarian... In short, Natalya sold us a defective cat, and that entire litter was defective. It’s a pity, we paid, of course, less than what we would have had to pay to the breeder, but it’s still a pity. The kitten had to be put to sleep..."
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Buying a kitten is a big responsibility, because we are responsible for those we have tamed. However, buying a Scottish Fold is not only a responsibility, but also a great happiness. A Scottish Fold kitten will become a friend to a child and a companion to an adult, and will be able to console or cheer up at the right time.
This cute creature will certainly bring happiness to every home!
Characteristics of the Scottish Straight cat breed
The Scottish Straight cat is very sedate, calm and always extremely important. Thanks to her ingenuity and intelligence, she is able to know what will be inaccessible to others. An inquisitive mind and a good sense of proportion allow them to calmly accept criticism addressed to them, listen to comments and not be naughty.
The Scottish Straight cat is a good-natured pet with a gentle disposition and the ability to get along with all members of the family. The animal adores its owner and shows him due respect, while also paying attention to other members of the household. If a cat does not see its owner for a long time, it becomes melancholy and sad, but with his arrival it shows all the joy and friendliness.
The Scottish Straight cat is afraid of heights, so it will not hang on wallpaper, curtains or lighting fixtures. She will not scratch the furniture, because she is not at all mischievous.
The only thing that the animal does not like is being forcibly held in arms; it prefers to be next to its owner, purring and waiting for stroking.
Health
The Scots are good here too: this breed does not have any special health problems if properly cared for.
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You should regularly check your cat with a veterinarian - they have a slightly weak genitourinary system - and do not allow him to become overcooled or overheated.
Scottish Straights usually live at least 15 years, or even longer, you just need to take good care of them.
Caring for the Scottish Straight cat breed
Cats are quite easy to care for. It is necessary to comb her fur once a week using a special brush. If this is not done, the pet’s digestive system may be disrupted as a result of intestinal blockage.
Don't forget about claws and ears. The ears should be smeared with cream using cotton swabs to avoid the formation of crusts. The claws are trimmed using special tools.
Periodically, the animal needs to be bathed using cat shampoo or soap.
Breeding
Sexual maturity in straight-eared representatives occurs at 8–10 months, however, the minimum age for the first mating of Scottish Straights is 1 year and 3 months (the optimal period for conception is the second or third heat).
To avoid genetic disorders, mating of a Fold cat is carried out exclusively with a Straight cat, and for a fold-eared male, a straight-eared female is selected!
Pregnancy in Scottish women lasts 60–65 days. During the first three weeks, toxicosis may occur. At the end of this period, the expectant mother's appetite improves and she gains weight.
A pregnant cat becomes less active and shows increased caution. Restless behavior appears shortly before birth.
Usually in one litter of a Scottish female there are 4 cubs, but there are exceptions when a Scottish female gives birth to up to 8 kittens at a time. Multiple births are inherited through the maternal line.
Reviews about the Scottish Straight cat breed
- Alina.
The kitten quickly adapts and easily gets used to new places. Quite tame, he allows himself to be hugged, stroked and kissed, but if he gets wild, it is almost impossible to stop him. Loves to sit in your arms. After castration, his character did not change; he remained eccentric and sometimes harmful. A very inquisitive animal. He eats everything, he got used to the tray very quickly. Here are some photos of my Scottish Straight cat Vasily.
- Katerina.
The cat quickly got used to all the household members, but most of all she became attached to me, she also sleeps with me. In addition, she quickly learned to go to the litter box. She is affectionate and gentle by nature, but sometimes she can be very lazy. Doesn't like strangers in the house. In the photo, my Scottish Straight cat is two years old.
Maintenance and care
Nutrition
The diet of Scottish Fold cats and Scottish Strikes is no different. In both cases, animals, especially if they are domestic and do not leave the apartment, need a balanced diet to maintain weight (obesity for cats is deadly, as it leads to complications on the heart and kidneys).
According to generally accepted veterinary standards, animal feed must contain at least 9 percent fat and 26 percent protein. Since it is often difficult for busy pet owners to provide their pets with a proper diet of home-cooked meals, the pet supply market has a variety of high-quality foods that can meet these requirements.
Here are some examples of high quality foods that are classified as holistic, super class and premium, indicating their exceptional properties:
- Earthborn Holistic, Primitive Feline Natural Cat Food,
- Royal Canin British Shorthair,
- 1st Choice Adult Cat Chicken Formula.
Most luxury pet foods are produced in France or Canada, or their domestic subsidiaries.
Walks
There is an opinion that cats of this breed need walks. However, this is not so: there is no need for this; on the contrary, an animal that is not vaccinated and is not accustomed to street noise can be seriously harmed by such a walk. If the owner wants to walk the pet, it is necessary to do it correctly.
It is necessary to gradually accustom the animal to the harness. You cannot go outside with a cat without a leash: the pet may get scared and run away. According to statistics, a missing pet can be found in less than 40 percent of cases.
Once your animal is accustomed to a harness, you can start going outside. First, go out into the yard holding the animal in your arms. Stand with it for a few minutes, let it get used to natural light and various noises. The next day, increase your walking time. After a week, you can begin to lower the cat to the ground and move not far from the house. Do not walk with your pet where there are a lot of cars and pedestrians.
This is a controversial issue, but what then about physical activity? Physical activity, like nutrition, is the key to a pet’s health.
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Physical activity
The optimal physical activity for a pet is playing with its owner, as well as climbing on special structures, which can be purchased at any pet store.
Education and training
The aspect of raising and training kittens is of little importance for ordinary cat owners, since basic education (accustoming to food from a bowl and to the tray) is carried out by the mother cat. However, if the breeders for some reason neglected the basic upbringing of the kitten, the owners will have to accustom the little animal to the tray on their own.
To accustom a kitten to a scratching post, you need to lubricate its surface with valerian or mint, since animals absolutely love these smells.
Are there any downsides?
Since the Scottish Fold is a breed that was born as a result of a genetic mutation, breeders and owners of these cats often have to deal with the consequences of a biologically determined process.
Possible diseases
Representatives of the breed may have the following diseases:
- osteochondrodysplasia (associated with an abnormality of cartilage, which causes the famous lop ear),
- thickened joints,
- fused vertebrae and other extremely dangerous problems with the spine and the entire musculoskeletal system.
Cost of a kitten. Which nurseries can I buy it from?
The cost of an animal is influenced by its color, pedigree and other nuances, so only the breeder can tell you the exact price.
On average, you can buy a Scottish straight-eared cat for around eight thousand rubles.
Finding a nursery is not difficult, since today the breed is very common both in Russia and in the rest of the CIS countries. Here are some of the best nurseries:
- "Golden Line";
- "Alva Viva"
- "Art House".
How much does it cost and where to buy
The cost depends on what category the Scottish kittens belong to. If you just choose a beautiful pet, the price may be less than 10 thousand rubles.
If a kitten with a rich pedigree meets breed standards and can participate in exhibitions, the price will increase to 50 thousand rubles.
You should only buy from trusted places, preferably from a nursery. Experienced breeders will help you choose the right kitten according to your wishes.
How to distinguish from an ordinary cat
You can easily distinguish a Scotsman from an ordinary cat after he reaches 3-6 months. By this time, all the signs of the breed appear and it is easier to determine whether the cat you are being offered is purebred.
It is better to trust a professional, he will be able to distinguish earlier. The Scottish cat has the main distinctive features: the structure of the body and paws, the shape of the muzzle and the structure of the coat.
Health and feeding of the Scottish Straight cat
Don’t forget to visit a veterinarian, get your cat vaccinated, and buy flea and helminth treatment.
The pet's diet must be special due to the presence of individual characteristics of the genitourinary and digestive systems. It should contain natural products and dry food with a vitamin complex in its composition. Required: porridge, milk, vegetables, cottage cheese.
It is forbidden to consume fatty and salty foods; this can lead to a decrease in the motor activity of the Scottish straight-eared cat and, consequently, to obesity.
Photos of Scottish Straights
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Scottish straight cat photo
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Pros and cons of the breed
The ratio of positive and negative characteristics of the Scottish Straight is as follows:
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Flexible character | Periodic manifestations of obstinacy |
| Loyalty to the owner | Excessive independence |
| Child friendly | Reluctance to be held |
| Get along with other pets | Desire to hunt birds and small rodents |
| Easy to learn | In some cases - reluctance to succumb to training |
| Adaptability | Increased appetite |
| No genetic disorders | Tendency to excess weight and a number of diseases |
This classification is conditional and differentiates the general characteristics of the breed. Animals, like people, can express themselves in different ways, depending on individual heredity and upbringing.
