Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold originated from a single natural mutation observed in a farm cat named Susie in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1961. Susie's folded ears were noted by shepherd William Ross, who began breeding from her descendants. The breed was exported to the United States where it became popular in the 1970s. It has since become globally fashionable, particularly following high-profile celebrity ownership. The gene that causes the ear fold (a variant in the TRPV4 gene) affects cartilage development throughout the body — not only in the ears. This has significant welfare implications that prospective owners must understand before purchasing. The RSPCA Australia and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) do not support the breeding of Scottish Folds due to welfare concerns associated with osteochondrodysplasia. The breed is not recognised for breeding or showing by most Australian cat councils. Keep all cats strictly indoors in Australia.

Scottish Folds require the same general care as any shorthaired or longhaired cat, with one critical addition: lifelong monitoring for signs of osteochondrodysplasia (joint pain, stiffness, reluctance to jump, abnormal gait or posture, tail inflexibility). Any individual showing these signs requires prompt veterinary assessment and a pain management plan developed with a veterinarian. The 'Buddha sit' posture — sitting upright on the haunches with legs splayed — is now understood by many veterinarians to be a sign of discomfort in the lower spine and hips rather than a quirky behaviour. If your cat regularly adopts this posture, discuss it with your vet. Responsible breeders only pair folded-ear individuals with straight-eared Scottish Straights to reduce the proportion of severely affected offspring. Never breed fold-to-fold.

Shorthaired: brush weekly with a rubber grooming glove or soft brush. Longhaired (Highland Fold): brush two to three times per week with a wide-tooth comb and slicker brush to prevent tangles. The ears require gentle weekly cleaning; the folded ear canal may trap moisture and debris more than upright ears. Monitor the tail for signs of stiffness or reduced flexibility — this is an early indicator of osteochondrodysplasia affecting the tail vertebrae. Monitor the paws and hind legs for signs of pain, swelling or reluctance to move. Brush teeth regularly. Trim nails every two to three weeks.

Scottish Folds socialise readily given their calm, sweet temperament. Introduce new pets and people gradually. Handle regularly from kittenhood and monitor for any signs of pain response — flinching when the tail or legs are touched, reluctance to be picked up or hunched posture can all indicate osteochondrodysplasia-related pain. All handling should be gentle and avoid placing stress on the tail or limbs. Children should be taught to handle the cat gently and avoid the tail.

Provide standard indoor cat enrichment: cat tree, window perch, interactive toys, puzzle feeders and scratching surfaces. Avoid high-impact activities that involve extensive jumping if the individual shows any signs of joint discomfort — lower cat trees and steps or ramps to furniture may be more appropriate for affected individuals. Daily interactive play at a level appropriate to the individual cat's comfort and mobility. Monitor enrichment behaviour for any changes that might indicate increasing discomfort.

Scottish Fold Osteochondrodysplasia (SFOCD): The defining and most significant welfare concern of the breed. The TRPV4 gene variant that causes the folded ears also affects cartilage development throughout the body — in the limb bones, tail vertebrae, paw bones and other joints. All cats carrying even one copy of the fold gene develop osteochondrodysplasia to some degree. Severity ranges from mild stiffness to severe, crippling, painful lameness with fused vertebrae and deformed limb bones. There is no cure. Onset can occur as young as 7 weeks. The condition is progressive and causes chronic pain. Fold-to-fold (homozygous) pairings produce severely affected offspring in approximately 25% of cases. Even fold-to-straight pairings produce some degree of osteochondrodysplasia in folded-ear offspring.

The RSPCA Australia, Australian Veterinary Association, British Veterinary Association and International Cat Care all do not recommend the breeding of Scottish Folds on welfare grounds.

Additional concerns: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM); dental disease; polycystic kidney disease in some lines.