If you are considering an affectionate, caring and beautiful breed of cat to add to your family, look no further than the Scottish Fold. With a prestigious heritage and an eternity of pleasure for the family, this breed is really a perfect addition to a cat-loving household and it easily provides a duration of enjoyment, fulfillment and affection.

Breed History
The Scottish Fold, named because of its peculiar yet adorable folded ears, was initially noticed in 1961 by way of a Scottish Shepherd. He took notice of a cat on a neighboring farm due to the “folded” ears – a birth trait that is made possible by way of a dominant gene within the cartilage of the ears – creating a folded, shortened appearance. Because the shepherd continued to investigate, he realized that the breed was not formerly known. When he adopted a “folded” cat from his neighbor’s litter and later produced two “folded” kittens himself, he attempted to gain recognition for the breed but encountered resistance. The breed was officially acknowledged by the CFA in 1973, later receiving the coveted champion status in 1978.

Characteristics
The ears of a Scottish Fold cat fold down and forwards however the ears remain fully functional. They’re able to tilt and swivel in an average feline fashion – and will even be laid flat against the head when expressing anger. The gene that triggers this unique fold is a dominant trait. So that you can produce Scottish Fold offspring, at least one parent must have the initial folded ear. Scottish Fold interbreeding results in an increased chance of skeletal deformities. Like all other breeds of cat, continually inbreeding produces an increased chance of genetic issues that can lead to more serious medical conditions throughout the life of the cat.

Potential Breed Problems
When Scottish Folds are interbred, they will have a high likelihood of skeletal problems in addition to an increased risk for congenital osteodystrophy which enlarges and distorts the underlying bone structure. If your cat exhibits difficulty in moving or unusual density of the bones, you will have to have your cat checked by way of a certified veterinarian. This often presents itself being an unusual thickness in the tail or the legs.

While all Fold cats eventually acquire the trait-specific folded ear, they are not born this way. scottish fold kittens for sale are originally born with straight ears. The fold appears about 3-4 weeks after birth. The unusual and characteristic fold may also lead to almost-inevitable ear problems such as for example increased wax buildup or dirt. The cats are also just as likely to end up having ear mites as other cat breeds, and owners should watch carefully for signs of an ear infection because of improper or irregular cleaning. While early cat bred studies led researchers to trust that Fold cats were susceptible to deafness, this is no more thought to be true.

Personality
Scottish Folds are often adaptable to new or changing environments. They are typically very sweet, affectionate and loving. They are not very vocal, and tend to be extremely quiet and observant animals. While they will demonstrate affection towards multiple people, they do tend to single out one family member and bond using them exclusively on a deeper level. They love attention, but don’t wish to be forced into it. They want to choose when to get attention, and they will often head to their “chosen” human to get it – becoming almost just like a shadow to the one person that they uniquely bond with. Scottish Folds are highly intelligent and curious animals that like to explore in a protected climate where they feel loved and protected.

While they appreciate a close relationship with their family among others, they aren’t incredibly keen on being held and they certainly can’t be classified as “clingy” or “whiny”. They’d much prefer to sit next to you while you go about your day to day activities rather than being held on a lap or in your arms. Also, they are incredibly playful and can easily learn to play fetch or play with other cat toys. Their playful and inquisitive nature will continue throughout their lifetimes, and it’s not likely to dissipate once they reach adulthood.

Looking after the Scottish Fold
Folds, especially long-haired breeds must be regularly maintained in order to achieve maximum health. They have to be regularly brushed – at least one time a week. Their ears also need to be regularly cleaned and examined for wax build-up or ear mites. Scottish Fold cats must be washed occasionally with an excellent, high-quality cat shampoo. Their diet needs to be saturated in nutrients like vitamins and protein. The most crucial aspect of caring for a Scottish Fold is usually to be sure to shower them with a whole load of love, exercise and playful affection.