Long before Taylor Swift started toting around both of her pampered Scottish Fold cats, this breed was adored by many for its unique charisma. Aside from their obvious ear folds that give the breed its name, what else do you know about this beautiful breed? Take a look at our 5 things you didn’t know about the Scottish Fold:
Source: Oksana Sorochan via Flickr
1. Not All Scottish Fold Cats Have the Trademark Ears
Although this might be a bit surprising, it is certainly true. All Scottish Fold kittens are coincidentally born with straight ears, and around 3-4 weeks of age kittens will start to develop the fold in their ear. For those kittens whose ears do not bend, they are referred to as “Straights.” There is a natural gene mutation which causes the fold in the cat’s cartilage. Aside from Straights, the Scottish Fold also comes in both longhair and shorthair varieties.
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2. They Are A Quiet Breed
These quiet cats are known for being very soft spoken, and when they do meow, it is a sweet, soft sound that isn’t very loud. You will rarely find one that is overly chatty. Fun fact: Before they were referred to as the Scottish Fold, these cats were known as “Flops” due to their signature ear shape.
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3. The Scottish Fold is Easy Peasy
This breed is easy-going and doesn’t get bothered by much. They do well in homes with children, and they have a desire to be with or near their owners at almost all times. Because of their laid-back nature they are social cats who get along great with other cats and pets in the household. The Scottish Fold thrives on interaction with others and wouldn’t do well in an environment where they weren’t given the attention they need.
Source: Vladimir Pustovit via Flickr
4. These Cats Love to Entertain
Different from other shy, loner cat breeds that prefer their privacy and solitude, the Scottish Fold loves to entertain their humans with their goofy antics. These cats are overly curious by nature, and although they may not be loud, they have a need for play and entertainment. Because of their outgoing personality, this breed can win over even non-cat lovers.
Source: Tom Thai via Flickr
5. They Even Have a Signature Pose
These funny cats are known to fall asleep fast on their back, and even have a preferred sitting position known as “the Buddha” with their legs spread wide and sitting up right. It might look rather funny, but to these goofy cats, they like being comfortable and are fond of getting a few laughs for their quirky behavior. Fun fact: Although many breeds lineages cannot be directly traced, the exact origin of the Scottish Fold can be directly linked back to a white barn cat named Susie with unusually folded ears. Susie, the first of the breed, lived in Scotland in a region known as Tayside back during the 1960’s. If you’re looking for a cool cat that loves to be near, with about the cutest little ears you’ve ever seen, the Scottish Fold may be just the cat breed for you!
