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Scottish fold cats have skyrocketed in popularity since their recognition as a breed, and with the release of the film 'Argylle', featuring a Scottish Fold cat, there is concern among many animal charities that their popularity could be amplified.
I have made this post to spread awareness of this breed's problems, and hopefully encourage others to avoid purchasing a cat of this breed and join the fight against such breeding.
So, what is a Scottish Fold?
Scottish Folds are adorable felines characterised by their rounded head and eyes, and most notably, their folded ears, giving them a puppy-like appearance.
These cats may be born with long fur, in which case they may be labelled as a 'Highland Fold'. This page applies to both Scottish Folds and Highland Folds as their only difference is fur length. They still suffer the same problems.
The majority of intentionally bred Scottish fold cats we see today are derived from white barn cat named Susie, found in Scotland in 1961. Susie was bred, producing a single reproducing, floppy-eared kitten, a female named Snooks (who was also white). Snooks contributed greatly to the growth and recognition of the breed, with her mother Susie passing away as a result of being run over by a car just months after Snooksâ birth. The breed was later recognised by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1985 after extensive breeding in England as well as Scotland.
This breedâs flopped ears are the result of the fold gene, an incomplete dominant gene that causes Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia (SFOCD). The gene results in the cartilage of the ears folding and degenerating as the cat develops, forcing the ears to fold over the head.
A cat of this breed born without the gene is known as a âScottish Straightâ, and retains the typical pricked ears of a regular cat.
A cat with one copy of the gene is heterozygous. A heterozygous individual will exhibit flopped ears, however the time it takes for cartilage to degenerate is increased, meaning these cats may have ears that are less flopped/folded.
A cat with two copies of the gene is homozygous. A homozygous individual will exhibit ears folded flat against the head.
You can see the different between a Scottish Straight, heterozygous fold and homozygous fold in the images above.
Problems associated with Scottish Folds
The fold gene results in abnormal cartilage development in the ears. Unfortunately, these changes do not only affect the cartilage in the ears, but the cartilage across the body, as well as the skeleton/bone.
100% of cats with the fold gene have Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia (SFOCD), though symptoms may be expressed to different degrees of severity. SFOCD causes the following changes in the body:
- Osteoarthritis (OA), caused by the degeneration of cartilage.
- Bony growths
In an attempt to produce healthy Scottish Folds, breeders often pair a heterozygous Scottish fold to a Scottish Straight or British shorthair to produce a litter of half straight-eared kittens and half heterozygous folds. Unfortunately, all cats with the folded (Fd) gene has problems. Heterozygous folds are only slower to deteriorate.
As a result of abnormal development - âcurlingâ of, and failure to mature of - the cartilage across the Scottish folds' body, the joints degenerate, resulting in the rubbing of bone, and Osteoarthritis (OA).
Osteoarthritis is a painful condition that results in the inflammation and stiffness of the joints and chronic pain.
SFOCD also causes the development of bony growths, especially around the tarsal, metatarsal, and phalangeal bones of the paws, and the bones making up the tail.
These growths cause chronic pain, and as the catâs condition progresses, limping and loss of movement (stiffness) in the tail and limbs.
In severe cases, more common in homozygous individuals, these abnormalities cause external (visible) deformities such as a shortened tail and shortened, malformed legs. Such problems may make it very difficult, even impossible for a cat to walk, run, jump and play as a typical cat would.
Age of Development
All purebred cats are susceptible to their own medical problems, a fact commonly brought up in support of Scottish Fold breeding. The difference is, as well as the severity of the problems and the fact that the problems are a direct result of the characterising feature of the breed, is the age of development. SFOCD generally develops early. Fold-eared cats must live with the negative effects of Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia for most of their life.
The folding of a Scottish Fold kittenâs ears begins at approximately three weeks of age whether a fold is heterozygous or homozygous.
Homozygous individuals, on average, have visible bone and joint deformities from about 7 weeks of age, and develop osteoarthritis at an average of 2 months of age.
Heterozygous individuals may develop visible joint deformities from 2 months to 5 years of age.
Cats are stoic, often hiding signs of pain until their condition progresses to the point at which they can no longer tolerate it. This means signs of pain generally develop later than the age at which joint deformities may be detected. Signs of pain may begin to be exhibited anywhere from 2 months to 10 years of age.
You can see an example of an affected 4 month old kitten here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPOmNN5sfqw
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no cure for, or effective way of reversing or delaying this condition. However, medication may be prescribed to manage chronic pain.
Many have found success in managing their cat's pain through the use of CBD oil.
If you have a Scottish/Highland Fold and are concerned about your cat potentially experiencing chronic pain, please reach out to your veterinarian. Only a vet can give professional advice and safely prescribe medications.
Scottish Fold Life Expectancy
Unfortunately, as a result of these bone and cartilage abnormalities, chronic pain and mobility issues, the Scottish Fold cat's average life expectancy is shorter than that of a typical cat. Many must be euthanised once their condition degenerates to a certain point.
While the average life expectancy of an indoor Domestic Shorthair/Longhair (cat of no breed) is 15-20 years, the average life expectancy of an indoor Scottish Fold is 11-15 years, approximately 5-9 years shorter than that of a typical cat.
Legal Restrictions Regarding Scottish Fold Breeding
The Scottish Fold's bone and cartilage abnormalities, chronic pain and high incidence of physical deformity and immobility have led to legal restrictions being put in place in a growing number of countries and cities to prevent the further suffering of these cats.
The Netherlands was the first to ban the breeding of these cats in 2014, followed by Austria in 2020, Flanders (Belgium) in 2021, and Victoria (Australia) and Norway in 2023. Now, even Scotland, the country of origin of these cats, has banned the breeding of these cats.
Furthermore, many major cat registries do not recognise this breed, nor allow the registry of these cats, due to health and welfare concerns.
What Should You Do If You Want A Scottish Fold?
First off, be aware of their struggles. Be aware they generally suffer chronic pain, may experience mobility problems, and have a shorter average life expectancy than a typical cat. Consider whether or not you could handle a cat with such potential problems.
As well as ensuring you are capable of caring for such a cat, ensure you have money saved up for the medical bills the cat may bring. For such a breed, pet insurance is recommended.
Most importantly, DO NOT purchase a cat of this breed from a breeder.
Breeders follow supply and demand. If thereâs a demand for their cats, they will continue producing them for sale. (supply). By purchasing a fold from a breeder, the breeder will be encouraged to continue breeding them, sentencing more cats to a life of struggle.
If you are determined to get a Scottish fold, and can handle the potential medical costs and extra care requirements, look to your local animal shelter. While purebreds are rare, they can be found at shelters on occasional. Breeds with medical problems, such as the Scottish Fold, are most common as many people adopt them without realising their issues and surrender them to shelters once they become too much to handle (especially following the release of media that increase the popularity of unethical breeds).
How Can You Help?
Educate. If you know of someone who is considering purchasing one of these cats, please politely inform them of their medical problems or direct them to reliable sources where they can learn more.
Share posts online.
Sign a petition to end this cat's intentional breeding.
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