How to Identify a Scottish Fold Cat

The first Scottish Fold cat was discovered in 1961 on a farm near Dundee, Scotland. The cat, named Susie, had unique ears which folded forward and downward on her head. This unique characteristic is a result from spontaneous mutation and an incomplete dominant gene. Scottish Folds are usually gentle and loving. To identify a Scottish Fold cat, follow these steps.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look at the physical stature. A Scottish Fold is a medium-sized cat with a rounded body. The tail should be flexible, not stubby or rigid.

2. Note the shape of the head. Eyes should be large and owlish. They should be broadly spaced. Their whisker pads are also round. The nose is short and gently curving.

3. Touch the coat. A Scottish Fold cat should have a silky, dense coat. Colors and marking patterns vary and should not be used to identify a Scottish fold. The profile should have a gentle curve.

4. Inspect the ears. They may be either folded or straight. Scottish Folds are born with straight ears. At approximately one month the ears will either begin to fold or remain straight. Conventional wisdom says that high stress situations, such as taking a kitten from the mother too early, can cause the ears to actually unfold.

5. Check the legs and feet. The legs and feet of a Scottish Fold should not be thick or lack mobility. The toes should not be flayed but should be compact.

Tips & Warnings

• A breeder can determine the quality of a kitten at about 11 to 12 weeks of age. This is the time that a show-quality Scottish Fold is determined. Only Scottish Folds with folded ears are allowed in the show ring.
• The stiffening of the tail is a common problem in Scottish Folds. To determine tail flexibility, moving a hand down the tail gently, arching up slightly. Be very gentle. This movement should cause no discomfort in a cat with a flexible tail.
• The Scottish Fold ears may fold in degrees. Called single, double or triple degree folds, the fold quality can determine the show quality of the Scottish Fold. Single fold is loose, and therefore not show quality. Triple fold is the most desirable, however, regular ear cleaning may be necessary for this tight of a fold.
• Scottish Folds have other unique attributes. For example, they are known for getting into odd postures. They may sit up, lie on their backs or spread out like a Scottish Fold rug.

Resources

• Visit the Cat Fanciers Association.
• Wikipedia Scottish Fold entry