This distinctive flop-eared breed occurred naturally as a spontaneous mutation in Scottish farm cats. First discovered in a barn, the original Scottish Fold was a white cat named Susie, and today's Scottish Folds are all descendents of this first kitty. The unmistakable ears of a Scottish Fold cat bend forward and down, giving the impression of a wide-eyed owl or teddy bear.

This breed is easygoing and affectionate, perfect for folks who want a loving couch-potato of a companion. The Scottish Fold is very loyal and tends to bond with one person in the household, whom it will follow from room to room like a devoted puppy. The Scottish Fold cat requires plenty of attention and interaction with its chosen humans, so if your schedule keeps you away from home for more than a few hours each day, then your pet would enjoy having a pet of its own – another animal will be fine company for your Fold, and they can entertain each other while you’re away.

Not all Scottish Fold kittens display the folded ear mutation, making this a very rare breed. Demand for the Scottish Fold often outstrips supply, and the wait can be a long one.

History and Origin

Susie, that very first Scottish Fold cat was discovered in 1961 and successfully bred for the fold mutation. Soon after, the Scottish Fold was petitioned for recognition as a distinct breed, but the British Cat Fancy felt that the Scottish Fold would be prone to ear infections and possible deafness, so they campaigned to prevent the Scottish Fold’s acceptance for breed registry in Great Britain. To this day, the Scottish Fold is not accepted for registry in Great Britain or Europe.

A few Scottish Folds arrived in United States in the early 1970’s, and the shorthaired version of the Scottish Fold was accepted for American breed registration in 1973. The longhaired fold was later accepted in 1987.

Grooming requirements

The shorthaired Scottish Fold needs minimal grooming. Its dense coat only requires grooming once or twice a week with a good steel comb to remove dead hair. The longhaired Scottish Fold requires more attention – combing with a good steel comb several times a week will help prevent painful mats and keep the fur looking its best.

The folded ears cause increased wax buildup in some cats, making ear cleaning a necessary part of the grooming routine for both long and shorthaired varieties.

Health Ailments

In general, the Scottish Fold is a hardy cat, thanks to its barnyard pedigree.However, a degenerative joint disease has been discovered to be a common by-product of breeding folded-eared cats to other folded-eared cats. When two folded-eared cats are bred together, the dominant gene that causes the folding combines to produce deformities of the spine, hind legs and tail. Ethical breeders will only breed straight-eared Scottish Fold cats to folded-eared Scottish Fold cats, as these animals seldom if ever develop joint disease.

Affected Scottish Folds will usually show signs of the disease between the ages of 4 to 6 months. This disease, in its worst case will cause the joints of the cat's tail, ankles and knees to fuse and stiffen. Make sure your kitten has been bred responsibly, since selecting a qualified breeder or buying from a reputable pet store can help eliminate these painful health problems. Maintaining your cat’s proper weight and grooming requirements will also help insure its good health, along with regular checkups at the vet.

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