Scottish Fold

Every Scottish Fold descends from Susie, a fold-eared farm cat found in 1961 near Coupar Angus (Scotland) by the shepherd William Ross. What folds its ears is a dominant mutation of the TRPV4 gene that affects not just the ear cartilage but cartilage throughout the body: it causes osteochondrodysplasia, a disorder of bone and cartilage, and it affects every Fold, not just badly bred ones. Its temperament is sweet and calm, but there is no way to breed a healthy Fold. The British GCCF and FIFe do not recognise it, breeding it is banned in the Netherlands and in Germany it is classed as “torture breeding” (“Qualzucht”).

If you already live with one, give it a comfortable life: weight under control, beds and litter trays with a low entry, ramps or steps, non-slip floors and gentle play. Watch for signs of pain: stiffness, reluctance to jump, sitting like a Buddha with its legs stretched out, a stiff tail, changes in how it uses the litter tray. Your vet can prescribe pain relief and joint supplements. If you are after this temperament, the British Shorthair or a Scottish Straight offer it without the mutation.

Osteochondrodysplasia in every Fold: early arthritis, deformities of the legs and tail, chronic pain. In kittens with two copies of the gene (Fold × Fold matings) it is severe and appears very early. It also inherits polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and HCM from the British and Persian cats used in breeding. A Fold cannot be “bred well”: the mutation is the disease.