Scottish Fold, which first appeared in Scotland, is a cat breed with a genetic mutation of the cat's ear. Therefore, it was named after its place of discovery and physical characteristics.
This cat has a fold in the cartilage, causing the ears to bend forward and point towards the front of the head. It is precisely because of this that this cat suffers from congenital orthopedic diseases and often uses a sitting posture to alleviate pain.
The Scottish Fold has a particularly calm and gentle temperament, rich emotions, and is loving and playful. It values family life very much and is willing to accompany humans. It expresses itself in a unique and calm way and is also friendly to other cats and dogs.
The origin of the Scottish Fold can be traced back to 1961, half a century ago. The first folded ear white cat was discovered on a farm in Scotland. Its name was Susie. Shepherd William liked this cat very much, so after Susie gave birth to two kittens the following year, he asked the farm owner for one of the folded ear female kittens, named Snooks. Then William started breeding this cat breed. William mated Snooks with a British Shorthair cat, producing a white male cat. This new breed was named the Scottish Fold based on its genetic characteristic of folded ears. Unfortunately, limb, tail, and joint deformities accompanied the dominant folded ear gene, leading to GCCF's termination of recognition of this breed. William later gave some Scottish Folds to a geneticist named NEILTODD in the United States. This geneticist resumed breeding this breed. Through hybrid breeding with British Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthairs, and American Shorthairs, the severe joint deformities were controlled. Finally, in 1973, CFA and TICA recognized this breed, which was highly successful in the United States.
However, it wasn't until 1984 that the Scottish Fold was recognized by the British Cat Association, a full 11 years later than in the United States. Because before this, the breed had not yet been recognized by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, so breeders in the UK were almost not interested in it, making it more common overseas than in its homeland, Scotland, in the UK.
In 1980, this breed began to enter Europe. The first Scottish Fold kitten in France was born in 1982. However, FIFE and GCCF did not recognize this breed. Scottish Folds are rare throughout the European continent. In the United States, Scottish Folds were crossed with Persian cats to produce a new long-haired cat breed known as the Highland Fold or Longhair Scottish Fold. TICA has recognized this breed.
In 1987, in Germany, Scottish Folds were crossed with Rex cats to produce PUDELKATZE or Shepherd Cat, a cat with curly fur and drooping ears. Because the number of PUDELKATZE cats is still very small, it has not been recognized as a breed.
From 1978 to the present, the recognized breeding method for folded ears is to mate a folded ear cat with an upright ear folded ear cat.
Recommended for cat lovers
1, Soft and Watery Stools
Soft and watery stools are a common situation for cats. Normal stools are brownish, firm, well-formed, and moderately moist.
Causes: catching a cold, changing food, poor food quality, stress reaction, parasitic infection, etc.
Symptoms: loose, sticky, shapeless, watery.
Solution: If it is caused by parasitic infection, it is recommended to deworm. If it is due to stress reaction from a new environment, it is not a big issue, and it is recommended to observe for a few more days. For dietary reasons, do not change cat food frequently, reduce gastrointestinal burden, and also pay attention to portion control, feed less but more frequently, and feed on a regular schedule. Also, pay attention to clean and fresh drinking water, do not give the cat mineral water as it may cause urinary stones.
2, Depression
Cats are sensitive animals, and depression is common.
Causes: lack of companionship, the death of a companion, abuse, being kept for a long time, etc.
Symptoms: loss of appetite, lying down all day, hiding, sensitive and irritable, timid.
Solution: Cat depression is a mental issue, and it is recommended for the pet parents to spend more time with the cat. On normal days, you can interact with the cat more using treats or cat toys to reduce the cat's stress as much as possible.
Hygiene: Since cats have a lot of hair, they are easily susceptible to various bacteria and parasites. For the health of the cat and the owner, the cat should be bathed regularly and its fur should be groomed;
Diet: Different cats have different food preferences. Owners should not randomly choose cat food available on the market for convenience. Cat food should be carefully selected based on the type of cat, growth situation, and physical condition. Additionally, special utensils should be prepared for the cat;
Health: Like humans, cats can also get sick. When a cat is ill, it must be taken to a specialized animal hospital for treatment. Regular check-ups and vaccinations should also be conducted. Only when a cat is in good health can it have the energy to play with its owner;
Safety: There is a saying, "Curiosity killed the cat." Cats are restless creatures and are always curious about various things. Their nature also makes them keen on entering enclosed spaces. Therefore, owners must close doors, windows, and lids to prevent cats from getting into potential danger;
Living Environment: Cats love to lounge around and take naps. Therefore, as an owner, it is important to prepare a small mat for them to sleep on. These mats can accumulate a lot of bacteria after long-term use, so regular cleaning and disinfection is necessary;
Cat Litter: The issue of pets defecating anywhere has troubled many pet owners, but cats are actually very clean animals. As long as the owner prepares cat litter, the cat will go to the litter box to defecate on its own;
Cats cannot tolerate mistreatment. When owners force them to do something, they can become annoyed. Therefore, owners should trim their cat's nails regularly to prevent scratches and infections when playing with them.
Grooming Time: Recommended every three days
1. Relax the cat: Before grooming, you can give the cat a massage. Wait until the kitten purrs before proceeding with the following tasks;
2. Comb along the fur: From the back, waist, buttocks, to the tail; you can wet the cat's fur with a small amount of water to reduce static electricity. Comb along the direction of hair growth, from top to bottom;
3. Comb from the chest to the abdomen: Lift the cat and sit on your lap in a human position, comb from top to bottom. The cat's belly is more sensitive, so the cat owner must be quick and accurate when grooming;
4. Groom the head and the area around the face of the cat: You can comb from the cat's head or face towards the neck, be careful with the cat's eyes;
5. Under the armpits and the side of the abdomen: At this time, the cat can be lying on its side, lift the cat's front paws, and comb from the armpits to the side of the abdomen;
6. Finally, use a slicker brush to remove excess hair, straighten the cat's fur, and complete the entire process.
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