Folding instead of floppy ears: While most cat species have more or less large, erect ears, those of the Scottish Fold are oddly shaped. The velvet paw, also known as the Scottish Fold, has overhanging ear tips, which makes its face appear round. The folded ears are hereditary since the formation of cartilage in the body is disturbed. Unfortunately, the same gene can also lead to painful joint deformities that limit their movements.
Scottish Fold: character
The Scottish Fold is one of the quieter representatives of the pedigree cats. She rarely “entertains” her human by meowing and is not an active cat who wants to romp all day long. However, this is due to the genetic defect mentioned above, which can lead to painful arthrosis and therefore restricts the cat’s mobility. Scottish Folds are also characterized by empathy. They register the mood of their people exactly and react with cuddling or playful actions depending on the situation.
Keeping and care of the Scottish Fold
The gene ultimately responsible for flap ears also influences other cartilage and bone structures. There is therefore an increased susceptibility to osteochondrodysplasia (OCD) in the Scottish Fold. Possible signs of this disease include tenderness to the touch, osteoarthritis, lameness, and thickened joints. These symptoms often require lifelong treatment with painkillers. Nevertheless, she appreciates company in the form of a conspecific. A quieter living environment meets her needs, because she doesn’t like noise and hectic.
Cats generally value cleanliness. The Scottish Fold adds one more thing: The animals insist on strict hygiene, especially in the litter box, which should be cleaned at least daily.
While grooming cats is easy—an occasional brushing with a fur mitt or a soft brush is all it takes—you should check your Scottish Fold’s ears every day and clean the pinnae with a cotton ball and warm water.
Colors of the Scottish Fold
The color range in which the Scottish Fold is recognized according to breed standards is extensive: all colors are allowed except lilac, chocolate brown, and the typical “Siampoint” coloring. Permissible coat markings are a tabby or mackerel (“mackerel”) pattern as well as tortoiseshell and piebald.
Important note on the breeding form
In cats, it occasionally happens that due to a genetic defect, specimens appear with flapped ears. The anomaly causes a disturbance in the growth of cartilage in the ears. Due to a lack of stability, they buckle. Unfortunately, the same gene can also lead to painful joint deformities and arthrosis. In the case of the Scottish Fold, fold-eared animals were specifically bred from the 1960s. The genetic basis is also the reason why the Scottish Fold is not recognized as a breed by all cat breeding associations worldwide – not even by the international association Fédération Internationale Féline (FiFe). Breeding is strictly prohibited in some German federal states. Crossbreeds such as those with British Shorthair cats are also affected. Before you buy a Scottish Fold from a reputable breeder, find out in detail about its origin – has become popular as a “fashion cat”, kittens from dubious reproduction are unfortunately often offered.
The “tormented breeding report” prepared in 1999 on behalf of the federal government and with the participation of the German Animal Welfare Association recommends a breeding ban for cats with Fd gene-related “tipped ears”.