What you need to know before getting a Scottish Fold cat

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* Here is a photo of a typical representative of the Scottish Fold cat breed . You can send us photos of your animals by email, and we will post them on the website. Don't forget to send your pet's name.

Other breed names:

Scottish fold

Video

* We invite you to watch a video about the Scottish Fold cat . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given cat breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what a Scottish Fold cat looks like.

Possible colors

Scottish folds inherited from the British a great variety of colors and patterns. You can often see cats that are monochromatic (solid). They are black, ash-brown, blue (cold gray), peach, snow-white, mustard, and lilac. There are multi-colored Scots, with patterns and all kinds of points.

See also what a blue Scottish Fold cat looks like - 40 photos.

Non-solid Scottish Folds can be of the following colors: smoky, tabby, chinchilla (see photo of a chinchilla cat), two-color, color point and tortoiseshell.

History of the origin of Scottish Fold cats

The Scottish Fold breed appeared relatively recently, about 50 years ago. The ancestors and main relatives of Scottish Fold cats are British Shorthair cats. Despite the fact that the ancestors of animals of this breed were short-haired, the first kittens of this breed had mostly long hair. The first kitten known to the world was bought by Valery Ross in 1961 on a farm in the Scottish city of Tayside.

The kitten was unique in its own way; it had unusual ears that hung forward. The kitten's mother, the cat Susie, was the very first representative of this breed and gave such beautiful offspring. In 1973, kittens of this breed went to the famous cat breeder Sally Wolfe Peters, and this breed attracted public attention.

In 1978, cats of the Scottish breed participated in cat shows and received the status of the Cat Fanciers' Association. More and more people wanted to get such cute pets, however, for a long time they did not dare to breed cats of this breed in nurseries, and even a ban was introduced on the breeding of cats of this breed. This prohibition is due to the fact that if you cross a cat and a cat of the fold breed, offspring will be born with disorders in the musculoskeletal system.

Such animals cannot live a full life. The breed can only exist by crossing lop-eared individuals with individuals with straight ears. When these recommendations are followed, healthy fold-eared offspring are born. In 1993, the CFA adopted a standard corresponding to this breed.

Problems with recognizing straights

If everything is clear with folds since 1976 (the breed is recognized and legal), then they did not want to recognize short-haired straight-eared Scottish cats for a long time. Since British cats were used in the selection, the Scots turned out to be very similar to them. Folds had a difference in the shape of their ears, but straights did not have such a difference. Therefore, until 2004, Scottish Straights were always recorded as British.

However, in 2004, felinologists reconsidered their view. The fact is that the Scots, including the Scottish Straights, have a different character from the British, have a less heavy skeleton and have a number of differences in the structure of the skull. Having accepted these arguments, Scottish Straights were recognized as full-fledged Scots, although so far not all felinological organizations have done this.

Scottish Fold cat - description of the breed

Scottish cats come in several types:

• Scottish Straight (short-haired fold);
• Helend-fold (long-haired fold);
• Hayland Straight (long-haired straight).

Fold cats have a powerful body with developed and strong muscles. The animal's height is 24-25 cm and its weight is about 4.5 kg. The head is round, large round eyes are set wide apart. The iris of the eyes is most often amber-yellow, but can also match the color of the cat. The animal's face has particularly pronounced chubby cheeks and a well-developed chin. The whisker pads are round. The neck is powerful. The cat's paws are short but powerful. The chest is large and voluminous. Shoulders and hips are the same size and shape.

A special feature of cats of this breed are neat small triangular ears curved forward. Due to the unusual crease of the cartilage, the ears are pressed tightly to the head, and the tips of the ears are directed forward and downward. By the way, small kittens of this breed are born with straight ears, but by the end of the first month of life, the kittens’ ears begin to “sag,” and over time they bend, almost completely pressing against the skull.

The Scots have a long tail, slightly tapered at the end. Animals with a movable tail are especially valued due to the fact that this breed often has mutations that lead to diseases of the musculoskeletal system; when purchasing, they always look at the mobility of the tail. The fluffiness of the tail also affects it; previously, a fluffy and beautiful tail was considered a cat’s real asset, until it turned out that such a fluffy tail interferes with the animal’s movement.

Now the fluffy tail of a fold-eared cat is a reason for disqualification from a cat show. The animal's fur is soft, plush with a rather thick undercoat. The color of the animal may vary. The average lifespan of Scottish Fold cats is 10-15 years, however, there are individuals that live up to 20 years.

Appearance

Due to the youth of the breed, which is no more than 60 years old, the history of its exhibitions is still short. Breeders have so far only come up with a general standard that all Scottish Fold cats must meet.

When assessing breed data, judges at exhibitions use three systems of standards:

• WCF;
• CFA;
• TICA.

Only those that meet these parameters of the general breed standard, which are presented below, can be considered Scottish Folds.

Head

The animal's head should have a round shape with a pronounced massive chin, rounded cheeks and a high forehead. An adult cat may have sagging cheeks. For the nose of the Scottish fold, a wide short shape is recognized.

Ears

The ears may be small or medium in size with unpronounced tips. Their placement on the head should be wide. They should only fold forward and down.

An important feature of the breed is the correct shape of folded and flattened ears. The ears should not protrude above the outline of the animal's head.

Breeders distinguish three forms of floppy ears in Scottish Folds:

• single, when only the tip of the ear is bent;
• double, in which the entire shell is bent, leaving a small gap between the head and the hanging ear, which is clearly visible;
• triple, which is characterized by a completely repressed auricle. In this case, it seems that the cat has no ears at all.

Eyes

The eyes have a round characteristic shape, reminiscent of an “owl’s gaze.” It is very important that the eye color matches the coat color of the Scottish Fold.

Neck

The neck should be short and muscular.

Torso and limbs

The body of a Scottish Fold cat should be of medium size with well-developed muscles. It should have developed and well-defined shoulders and a broad chest.

Limbs with developed muscles of medium length and with small rounded paws.

Tail

The tail should have a wide base and be medium to long in size. The wide base should gradually taper towards the end of the tail and have a distinct curve at the tip. The tail should be flexible and mobile.

Wool

The cat's fur should be thick, tightly lying and elastic. The high density of the fur does not allow it to adhere tightly to the skin, so the cat appears fluffy even with short hair. There is also a standard half-length coat, which has the same characteristics.

Color

The coat of the Scottish Fold can be of different colors. There are standards for the combination of hair color, eye color, nose color and paw pads. White folds require the nose and paw pads to be pink and the eye color to be blue or gold.

Black Scottish Folds should have golden eyes, a black nose and black paw pads.

Individuals with a smoky black color should have only golden eyes, and black nose and paw pads.

Different coat colors are a characteristic feature of this young cat breed. For each type of coloring there is its own standard of pigmentation requirements for the coat, nose, eyes and skin on the paws.

Scottish Folds are a medium-sized cat breed. The female grows to 3.5-4.5 kg. The weight of males can reach 6-7 kg.

Popular colors of Scottish Fold cats

The color of Scottish cats can vary.

The most common types of colors are:

• Solid solid colors;
• Bicolors;
• Tortoiseshell colors;
• Tabby color;
• Calico color;
• Chinchilla color;
• Harlequin color;
• Color van;
• Shaded color;
• Tacked color.

Solid color means the absence of any inclusions of another color. If there are hairs of a different color, this is either a color defect or a color of a different type. Solid colors are: blue, ebony, chocolate, fawn, lilac, cream, red.

Bicolor is a color that contains white in addition to the main color. In this case, the upper half of the animal is often painted in one color, and the abdomen, lower part of the muzzle and the tips of the paws are white. Ideally, the designs should be symmetrical.

Point. A color in which there is a basic light tone throughout the body, and a darker coat color on the face, paws and tail. Point-colored cats have a gene that causes the fur to darken in those parts of the body where the body temperature is lower due to poor blood circulation.

The tortoiseshell color is distinguished by the presence of dark spots and spots of red color. It should be noted that tortoiseshell colors are found only in cats; if such a color is seen in a cat, this indicates a genetic mutation in which the animal cannot bear offspring.

Tabby color. Cats with brindle, spotted or marbled color.

Shaded color - colors in which the main part of the hair is white, and only the upper part of the hairs is colored a different color.

Wang. Van cats are white, but the tail and face are a different color.

Harlequin. The Harlequin color is characterized by the fact that against a general white background there are spots of other colors.

Breeders value Scottish fold cats of tortoiseshell color, since such a cat is a carrier of the genes of the black and red series. Although all the colors of the Scots are especially beautiful.

Diseases of the breed

The life expectancy of Scottish Fold cats is from 10 to 15 years. In order for your animal to live a long and healthy life, it is necessary to visit a veterinarian promptly, receive appropriate vaccinations, have joints checked, and follow the veterinarian's advice. The breed has some underlying health problems.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a hereditary heart disease. Symptoms:

• tachycardia;
• dyspnea;
• heavy breathing with wheezing;
• pulmonary edema;
• fainting;
• failure of the pelvic limb; in rare cases, both limbs may fail;
• high blood pressure.

The disease is diagnosed by measuring blood pressure at a veterinarian, undergoing echocardiography (data on the functionality of the heart is revealed), visual assessment, x-ray diagnostics, and electrocardiography. Animals in serious condition should be treated only in a hospital hospital, where there are all conditions for such cats. A veterinarian examines the animal’s condition and prescribes treatment, light physical activity and a special diet. If the animal feels better, it can be treated at home, unquestioningly following all the instructions of the treating veterinarian. The problem can be cured, but such cats will always have to be checked by veterinary cardiologists.

Degenerative joint disease

This disease is characterized by the fact that pain is present in the tail (most often) and the mobility of the limbs is reduced. Symptoms:

• obvious lameness;
• the cat’s reluctance to jump on chairs or sofas;
• it is difficult for a cat to get up from the floor after resting;
• frequent and prolonged licking of joints when washing;
• the cat becomes irritable and may hiss, scratch or bite.

The disease is treated with anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs; if the disease is advanced, antibiotics are prescribed. Additionally, a diet may be prescribed.

Osteochondrodysplasia

It is expressed in deformation of the paws, skeleton, and immobility of the tail. Symptoms:

• lameness (may pass and reappear, and an animal with illness will not be able to jump on high ground);
• squat appearance;
• stiff gait;
• acute reaction to touching the tail;
• severe deformation of the hind limbs;
• unsteady gait.

Treatment is aimed at eliminating symptoms with medication. In the absence of polycystic kidney disease, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug can be prescribed; it will relieve the cat of pain and reduce inflammation. Additionally, vitamin complexes and special supplements are prescribed. In the UK, such sick cats undergo irradiation of their extremities; for a long time the cat can calmly walk, run and jump. In Russia there are no such technologies, so such operations are not carried out.

The disease often occurs when two fold-eared cats are crossed. From such parents there will be sick offspring with problems with the musculoskeletal system and skeletal structure.

Character and habits of Scottish Fold cats

Scottish Folds are simply created for life in a large family. They are very sociable and playful. They love to involve all family members in their games. Scottish cats are very sociable and get along well with children and the elderly. They allow children to cuddle themselves and play with them with pleasure. As for the character of each individual, like people, it is individual; some associate the color of an animal with certain character traits.

For example, it is believed that blue Scots, due to their British genes, have a more quarrelsome character, and on the contrary, bicolors are considered cats with a soft and good-natured character. However, each animal is individual in one way or another. Some Scots do not leave the hands of the owner and strive to be close to the owner, while others, on the contrary, do not let anyone near them.

Interesting fact: Handsome adult lop-eared cats can easily tolerate loneliness and can sleep all day or occupy themselves on their own. However, if the animal wants attention or gets hungry, it will definitely let you know about it with its loud “meow”.

The Scots also have such character traits as stubbornness and willfulness. Often expressed in whims and a desire to be the center of attention. Although these cats can be trained well. At the genetic level, cats of this breed have certain beautiful manners. The Scots are well accustomed to the litter box, they recognize the scratching post and do not damage the furniture; they behave quite decently and decently.

Even if the cat is offended by something, he will not take revenge. The Scots never steal food, they can eat from the table or from the pots, but they never hide, but eat calmly and openly, with the dignity of kings.

Character of Scottish folds

While most cat breeds get used to their place of permanent residence, Scottish Folds, like dogs, also become attached to their owner.

This is explained by the fact that the breed was originally bred as a domestic dog. Fold cats have never lived in a semi-wild state, so attachment to humans is inherent in them at the genetic level.

The Scottish Fold can be kept perfectly in a city apartment. She is not drawn to walks in the fresh air, although they will not bother her. If the owners periodically take the Folds out to the dacha, they will not cause them any disturbance: the cat will stay close to the owner all the time, not trying to run away.

When buying a kitten of this breed, you should immediately understand that Scottish Folds are very attached to their owner and are very impressionable. Various unexpected changes may come as a shock to them:

• rearrangement of furniture in the apartment, which representatives of all cat breeds do not like;
• long absence of the owner;
• owner's inattention.

They experience loneliness very much, as well as physical pain. Because of this, they may become depressed. Small kittens and teenage cats are especially sensitive to human attention. They need daily positive communication with their owner, otherwise the animal may get sick.

Representatives of this breed have a calm and balanced character. Folds are distinguished by their patience and affectionate attitude towards people. Sometimes you can notice a certain phlegmatic nature in their character.

Aggressive behavior is not considered a breed trait. Scottish folds never clash, which is why some people consider them cowardly. In fact, this is a breed character trait.

Representatives of this breed are true gentlemen. They prefer not to notice the one who initiates the conflict. If a difficult situation arises, the Scottish Fold cat can always fight back the offender.

This breed is suitable for families with small children. Fold will never scratch a child if the baby pesters him and squeezes him in his hands. A cat of this breed will delicately try to move away from the child instead of fighting back.

Scottish Folds get along well with dogs and even rodents, although they will still have hunting instincts. At the most unexpected moment, this animal, which at times seems passive and slow, likes to stretch its legs. To do this, he needs to build a special “sports corner” where the Scottish Fold can stretch his muscles.

A feature of this breed is practicality, which is rarely seen in representatives of other cat breeds. Fold-eared individuals can distinguish information that comes to them from the outside world and use it to their advantage. This feature of mentality and character makes Scottish Folds highly trainable.

A characteristic feature of the breed, for which it is called voiceless, is the peculiar sound that the Scottish Fold makes. Their voice sounds more like a squeak than a traditional meow.

A Scottish Fold cat will decorate any home. She is distinguished by her beauty and grace. At a young age, all individuals are playful. Adult cats are sedate and calm, with a sense of real aristocracy.

Cats of this breed love to stand in a column position on their hind legs and sleep on their backs, which generates a lot of affection from all people. A muzzle with an owl's gaze leaves no one indifferent and gives a lot of positive emotions.

Cats of this breed fit perfectly into large families and become faithful companions to lonely people. Representatives of this breed especially appreciate the attention and care of a person, paying him in return with affection and love.

Interesting facts about Scottish Fold cats

The first fold-eared cats appeared completely by accident due to a genetic mutation; later people fixed this gene artificially. Fold-eared cats cannot have healthy offspring within their breed; when crossing a fold-eared cat with a fold-eared cat, kittens with diseases of the musculoskeletal system are born, therefore, to obtain healthy offspring, fold-eared cats are crossed with straight-eared cats.

Scottish cats can come in a variety of colors. For a long time, there was a ban on breeding cats of this breed all over the world, but after breeders learned how to correctly cross fold-eared cats with straight-eared cats, it became allowed to breed cats of these breeds in nurseries. One litter usually produces 4 kittens.

It has been noticed that Scottish cats love to stand on their hind legs and stand in the gopher pose for a long time. Scottish Fold cats do not like heights, so with a cat of this breed you don’t have to worry about chandeliers and high shelves. The cat definitely won't go there.

Scottish cats are very smiling - this facial expression is obtained due to the rounded convex cheeks and the round shape of the head. The Scottish Fold cat has an unusual, peculiar, hoarse voice. Small fold-eared kittens are born with straight ears, and only by the time the kittens are a month old do the ears begin to sag a little.

By the age of four months, kittens have a dense undercoat, their ears become tightly pressed to their heads, that is, the kittens become similar to their parents. Remember the Soviet cartoon “Kid and Carlson”? The famous and lazy cat Matilda is the first representative of the Scottish Fold breed to appear on Russian screens.

Mating requirements

In order to have full-fledged cubs from a Scottish Fold, you need to mate her only with a straight-eared Scot!

Compliance with this rule allows you to almost certainly avoid the occurrence of bone and joint abnormalities in future descendants of fold-eared beauties from Scotland.

Cubs born as a result of the mating of two Scottish Folds often have congenital skeletal pathologies, and when they grow up, they acquire all sorts of ailments of the musculoskeletal system.

Pros and cons of Scottish Fold cats

The main advantages of these cute cats include the following qualities:

• Kindness. It’s difficult to piss off a Scot, but it’s still possible;
• Good attitude towards children;
• Sociability and cheerful disposition;
• Dignified, almost aristocratic behavior;
• Lack of touchiness. Even if you offend the cat, he will not do anything dirty in revenge;
• Mind. Scottish Fold cats are quite smart cats, they quickly get used to the tray and scratching post, and respond well to the calm words of the owner. If a Scottish Fold cat does not obey its owner, it means that the cat most likely does not like the way he is being treated;
• They get along calmly with other pets and do not share territory even when they are close to cats. He can even be friends with a dog if he treats the cat well;
• Despite their good disposition, Scottish cats are still predators, and they are excellent at catching mice and sometimes birds.

There are disadvantages to cats of this breed and they cannot be ignored:

• Cats of this breed must be brushed at least a couple of times a week in order to remove dead hair and massage the animal’s skin;
• Scottish Fold cats are simply extremely inquisitive. They love to watch what the owner is doing and climb into all secluded places;
• Sometimes there is excessive affection, but it all depends on the individual characteristics of the animal. Plus, Scottish Folds don’t particularly like guests and treat new people in the house with caution, although they behave quite decently;
• Scottish cats often love to lick themselves, and during licking, hair gets into the animal's body, so cats of this breed must be fed with special food to remove hair from the stomach.

Content Features

Typically, breeders give kittens to new owners at the age of 12–16 weeks. By 4 months, the animals have already received all the basic vaccinations, they are physically and emotionally stable, ready to live without their mother and adapt to new owners. But still, fluffies need your care, and they need to be taught important procedures from childhood.

Care

Cats do a great job with their hygiene on their own, but they still need help with some things. Scots need to be combed once a week, long-haired folds - every other day. Use a furminator and accustom the kitten to the procedure from childhood so that he gets used to brushing. For more frequent combing, a comb is suitable.

Long-haired Scottish Folds require regular brushing.

They don't shed too much, so there won't be any problems with hair throughout the house. However, in the fall, when the air becomes drier, and traditionally in the spring, cats shed more.

There is no point in cutting your cat's hair. Despite the fluffy coat, the animal does not experience problems with overheating. On the contrary, wool serves as a temperature regulator for her at any time of the year.

You need to trim your claws as needed; there are special nail clippers for this. Be sure to buy a scratching post and teach your kitten to use it. A good scratching post is not just a place where your cat gets her nails done. Here she also warms up, stretches and realizes her hunting instincts by extending and thrusting her claws. If the scratching post cannot cope with reducing the length of the claws, they can be cut once every three weeks.

Scotch cats need to be bathed in the same way as ordinary cats - when they get dirty, and this happens very rarely. The pet does not need to be washed more than two or three times a year. At the same time, you can wash the cat “in parts” if there are difficulties with the litter box. This is especially true for fluffy cats.

Examine your eyes daily, remove accumulated secretions in the corners using special wet wipes. The ears also need to be cleaned - once every 2-3 weeks, using a product and a cotton swab. Cotton swabs are too rough and can damage delicate skin.

Animal behaviorists recommend providing your pet with a large litter box and litter in which to dig. Silica gel or wood gel works well. It is not recommended to accustom a cat to the toilet - the load on the paws and constant stress are not worth saving space and money on litter.

Recently, veterinary dentists have recommended brushing cats' teeth at home at least once a week. This can be done using a bandage, a special brush and paste, which is sold in a pet store. Hygiene products for humans are not suitable for predators. Dry food doesn't clean teeth - it's a marketing ploy. But natural food does the job well - the cat gnaws chicken necks and pieces of meat. Her teeth are cleaned mechanically and strengthened from the inside thanks to a balanced composition. Plaque and bad breath disappear.

Feeding

To prevent joint dysplasia, it is important to feed your cat properly, choose a source of complete protein and not overdo it with carbohydrates. Scottish Folds are also predators, so the best solution for them would be a natural, species-specific diet. Biologically appropriate food SUPERPET contains everything necessary for the healthy growth and development of a kitten; it can be given to kittens from 1.5–2 months.

The SUPERPET species-typical diet includes high-quality meat, meat and bone components with a balanced ratio of calcium and phosphorus, taurine, vitamins, Omega-3, offal and some vegetables. Nutrition replicates the prey of a predator in the wild, improves health and prevents disease.

Veterinary examinations and procedures

You need to visit a veterinarian once a year if your cat does not have chronic diseases. Prevention against parasites should be carried out once a quarter. Even if the cat lives in an apartment and does not go outside, you can bring invisible worm larvae and fleas on shoes and clothes. The same applies to vaccinations - vaccination should be annual.

It is especially important to regularly visit a veterinarian for pets who are predisposed to brachycephalic syndrome. The doctor will help determine the need for surgery and will pay attention if something has changed in the animal’s behavior.

How are British cats different from Scottish cats?

These breeds are often confused. Some even believe that there is a breed of British Fold cat. Indeed, until 2006 it was possible to crossbreed British and Scottish cats, but now this is prohibited.

In the 90s, when the fashionable breed first came to Russia, unscrupulous breeders began crossing Scottish Folds with British ones. This is how the myth about British Fold cats appeared, although such a breed does not exist, and only a few individuals survived as a result of crossing. The dangerous gene for lop ears, when mixed with the large, heavy bones of the British, causes severe pathology.

Scottish and British are two different breeds. The Scots appeared as a result of a mutation of the British cat, so they are similar in appearance. Moreover, the smoky color of Scottish cats, characteristic of the British, can be misleading.

This is a Scottish Fold cat with a lilac color, which is often found among the British.

You can tell a kitten apart by its ears. Scottish cats come in straight ears (Scottish Straight) and fold ears (Scottish Fold). Individuals with folded ears are always Scots. The British are always straight-eared.

The shape of the ears will help to distinguish Scottish Straights from British ones: Scots have longer and sharper ears, and sometimes stand right above the eyes, making the face cute. British cats have wider ears. There is also a difference in the structure of the neck: in this breed it is denser and wider. And the British cats themselves are more plump and larger than the Scottish cats, which look more graceful. The head is smaller relative to the body.

The fur of British cats is denser, always short, and plush. Scottish dogs are softer and fluffier, and among them there are long-haired individuals - they even participate in exhibitions in a separate category.

And there are differences in character. The British are more phlegmatic and calm. Many of them are unfriendly. Scottish cats have fewer behavioral problems - they are softer both in coat and in character. And the British never sit in the meerkat pose.

Breeding Scottish Fold cats

Breeding Scottish cats is a very complex process since these cats have problematic genes, the manifestation of the negative consequences of these genes can only be avoided by selecting a pair. By the way, it’s exactly the same story with Munchkin cats. Fold-eared cats are never bred with a fold-eared partner, since in this case offspring are born with serious genetic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Cats of the Scottish Fold and Highland Fold breeds are crossed exclusively with the straight-eared Scottish Straight and Highland Straight, only with such mating the offspring are born healthy.

Cats are ready for mating at the age of one and a half years. You cannot breed cats during their first heat; you must wait until the second, or better yet, the third. It is also worth remembering that a cat can become pregnant on the second or third day of estrus. The first mating process is quite complicated, and nature does not always tell cats what to do. If the cat has not interacted with her own kind before, the process of the first mating can be very complicated. In this case, cats begin to show aggression towards their partner, hissing and growling menacingly.

Even if the cat behaves calmly, she can simply lie on her side and not let the cat near her. Mating of Scottish cats should always take place in the male's territory. In this case, the male feels completely safe and can spend all his energy courting the cat. The cat's owners are only required to correctly calculate the day when to produce it, and provide the cat with its usual food and litter tray for the mating period.

Mating usually takes 2-3 days. On the first day, the animals get to know each other, adapt and form sympathy. Mating occurs on 2-3 days. During the mating period, cat owners must allocate a separate room for the cats, where no one will disturb them, and the area must be closed so that the guest cannot escape. Cat mating games go something like this: the male settles down at a short distance from the cat and does not show any attention, sometimes he comes closer to the female, but she scares him off with a menacing hiss.

Later, the cat pretends to be asleep and doesn’t care about the female at all. Discouraged by the lack of attention, the cat begins to roll on the floor and meow, calling for a male. When the cat begins to show interest, the cat becomes aggressive again. This is repeated over and over again until the cat gets bored and stops resisting. Sexual intercourse in cats lasts about 5-10 seconds. About 10-16 matings occur within a few days.

The main signs of pregnancy in a cat:

• Morning sickness;
• The cat's nipples become swollen;
• The cat's appetite increases greatly;
• Character changes;
• The animal becomes more nervous;
• The cat may be aggressive;
• At the end of the second week of pregnancy, the fetuses can be felt by palpation;
• A cat's pregnant belly appears towards the end of the 6th week of pregnancy.

Pregnancy in Scottish cats lasts approximately 9 weeks. One litter usually produces 4 kittens.

Varieties of Scots

Scottish cats with drooping ears, Scottish Fold, are one of the categories of cats with short hair and folded ears. Scottish Straight, Scottish Straight, is a breed subspecies, individuals of which have fairly short fur and protruding ears.

Long-haired (Highland) Fold Scots have luxurious fur and flat ears. Long-haired straight-eared cats have long fur and erect ears.

Caring for Scottish Fold cats

Folds are quite unpretentious by nature. But do not forget that they are very inquisitive, they love to climb into various secluded places, play with wires and cables that they can chew. They might get stuck somewhere or fall out of a window. Therefore, before bringing a kitten into the house, it is better to prepare a little.

Hide all wires and chargers, put valuables away. The animal should prepare a sleeping place, a place for food with several bowls and a tray with filler. Little kittens are very playful, so to prevent the kitten from getting bored, it is better to purchase special toys. Pay special attention to caring for your pet's coat.

Interesting fact: The Scotsman needs to be brushed once a week with a special soft comb. At the same time, you should not use a slicker because it can damage the delicate undercoat. If the cat does not go outside but lives in an apartment, bathing it once every six months is enough.

After bathing, the kitten should be wrapped in a soft towel, and then the fur should be dried thoroughly so that the kitten does not catch a cold. Once a month, trim the tips of the animal’s claws with special scissors; this must be done carefully so as not to cause pain to the cat. You should also clean your pet’s ears every few weeks. This is done with a cotton swab.

Scottish cats have an excellent appetite and are prone to obesity, so try to choose a balanced diet without overfeeding the animal. Kittens should be trained from the first days the animal appears in the house. The kitten must immediately be accustomed to the tray, scratching post, and sleeping place.

It is necessary to immediately stop negative actions, otherwise it will be almost impossible to wean the kitten later. Folds have an extraordinary mind and good manners from birth, so raising these cats is quite easy for the owners of these pets.

Education and physical activity

To prevent obesity and keep fit, the Scottish Fold is equipped with a sports complex with tunnels and stairs. And to realize his hunting instincts, the Scotsman is bought several interactive toys.

Scottish Folds are smart, but very headstrong cats. Therefore, from an early age they are taught the rules of behavior in the house. With some patience, a Scotsman can be taught basic commands. True, the Scottish fold will only be performed if it is considered appropriate.

Diet of Scottish Fold cats

A cat's diet should be varied and include all the necessary vitamins and microelements that the animal needs. For Scots, premium food is usually used, alternating dry food with canned food. Since hair constantly gets into the animal’s body when licking, it is better to give preference to foods that cleanse the cat’s stomach of hair.

In addition, it is good to feed the animal with natural products such as:

• Boiled lean meat (veal, beef, chicken, pork);
• By-products (liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys);
• Boiled fish of low-fat varieties;
• Quail eggs or chicken egg yolks;
• Cheese, fermented milk products (kefir, sour cream, yogurt, etc.);
• Boiled vegetables.

Under no circumstances should cats be given smoked meats and salted fish; cats’ livers cannot cope with such heavy food. Since pets of this breed are prone to obesity, it is better not to overfeed them. In addition to food, you should ensure that the animal always has clean water in its bowl. The remains of uneaten food should be removed and the bowls should be washed well so that the cat does not get poisoned by spoiled food.

For pregnant cats, portions should be increased; it is advisable to add special vitamin complexes and calcium to the food, which can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy. Neutered Scots are more prone to obesity than cats of other breeds, so it is better to feed them with special light, balanced food for neutered cats.

Feeding the cat

To keep the Scottish Fold healthy and active longer, it is provided with a balanced diet.

In detail - “About feeding Scottish kittens.”

Complete diet

When feeding dry Scottish Folds, select high-quality premium or super-premium products, which are enriched with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. It is advisable that it does not contain soy, corn, dyes and other dubious additives.

Scottish Folds eat the following types of food best:

• Royal Canin;
• Monge;
• Pronature;
• Hills;
• Grandorf.

With a natural type of nutrition, the Scottish Fold's diet should contain about 70-80% meat. Also included in the Scottish Fold cat's menu is the following:

• boiled vegetables;
• porridge with water;
• boiled eggs;
• offal;
• sea ​​or ocean fish;
• sour milk.

Sausages, sweets, bones, beans, smoked meats and any fatty foods are strictly contraindicated for Scots. Also excluded from the Scottish Fold menu are baked goods, river fish, starchy vegetables, fresh milk and leftovers from the host’s table.

Feeding frequency

A small Scottish Fold eats less, but more often than an adult Scottish Fold. Therefore, the feeding schedule is made taking into account the age of the cat:

• 3-6 months – 4-5 times a day;
• 6-12 months – 3 times a day.

From the age of one year, the purebred Scottish Fold is transferred to two meals a day.

On a note. The Scots cat is a real glutton. The lop-eared pet needs to be limited in food, otherwise it may develop obesity.

Vitamins and minerals

If a Scotsman eats dry food, he does not need any additional supplements. If a Scottish Fold eats natural foods, he is given vitamin and mineral complexes in courses twice a year. The drugs are selected together with a veterinarian who knows the characteristics of a particular cat.

Diseases and health problems

Due to the fact that this breed was created by nature due to a genetic mutation, Scottish Folds may suffer from genetic diseases such as osteochondropathy. This is a hereditary congenital disease that can be fatal to the animal.

These cats may also suffer from other congenital diseases such as arthritis, chondrodystrophy, arthrosis. These diseases are most often the cause of incorrect crossing of lop-eared and straight-eared pets. Therefore, when buying a kitten, you need to pay special attention to the kitten’s movements, gait, and tail movement.

Due to the unusual shape of the eyes, Scots often suffer from entropion, and the animal requires surgical intervention. Older cats may develop cataracts or glaucoma.

Important fact: Some cats may be allergic to certain types of food, so if you notice that your cat is itching and acting strange, it is best to take the animal to the vet.

Older cats may suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system, stomach and liver problems may occur, so once a year the animal must be shown to a veterinarian. Through contact with other animals, a cat can also become infected with various parasitic diseases. Therefore, it is always necessary to take preventive measures and avoid contact with carriers of parasites.

Vaccinations and antiparasitic treatment

To prevent infectious and viral diseases, the Scottish Fold is routinely vaccinated with a complex drug that activates the production of immunity to rhinotracheitis, calcivirosis and panleukopenia. The kitten is first vaccinated at the age of 7-8 weeks.

After 28 days, the Scottish Fold is vaccinated against the same diseases and against rabies. In the future, the Scot is vaccinated annually.

To protect your cat from diseases transmitted by exo- and endoparasites, it is regularly treated for fleas and helminths. Antihelminthic medications for Scottish Fold are given once every six months with mandatory repetition after 10-14 days. The dose of the medicine is selected according to the cat’s weight.

The Scotsman is treated against fleas using special drops or shampoos. And if the Scottish Fold has access to the street, the cat is additionally protected with an anti-parasitic collar.

Chinchilla

The Scottish chinchilla borrowed the extravagant colors of its coat from the British, and they, in turn, from Persian cats. A chinchilla kitten is born only from parents with an unusual color. Each hair is colored in two colors.

Most of it is light in color and 1/8 of it (the top) is dark in color. This phenomenon is called tipping.

Tipped chinchilla colors can be of 3 types:

1. Golden. The cat has a white undercoat. But on top there is a reddish coating over almost the entire surface of the body (on the sides, back and tail of the animal). Only the beard, the tips of the ears and the belly are white. Yellow-gold eyes, pink pads and a brick-colored nose.
2. Silver. White wool coated with silver gives an interesting gray effect. The color of the tail has a hint of stripes, the nose is beige, and the eyes are green. Snow-white tips of the pet's ears, chin and belly.
3. Blue golden. The rarest and therefore valuable color of Scottish chinchillas. The undercoat is a delicate caramel color, and the tips of the hair are a radiant blue hue. The eyes are natural emeralds of a rich green tone.

Advice for those who have not yet decided

If you are still wondering whether to get a kitten and which breed is suitable, then the advice is this: you need a little Scotsman!

If you have a child, then a red fold-eared kitten will be suitable, as it will be especially friendly and attached to children and other animals. It is best for the cat to be raised with children, then their bond will be stronger, and the child will gain the necessary experience of caring for a living creature. Remember that a ginger cat brings good luck.

However, before getting a pet, think about whether you have the strength and time to take care of it, since any animal requires a lot of dedication.