Scottish Fold Cat Insurance | Cat Breed Guide

Scottish Fold cat breed

With distinctive folded ears and affectionate personalities, Scottish Fold cats make lovely pets. Find out if the Scottish Fold is right for you in our guide.

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Scottish Fold cat breed information and advice

Scottish Fold cats can be traced back to farm cats in Scotland in the 1960s. They were first known as lop-eared cats thanks to the distinctive fold in their ears, this marked the first stage of their development.

But, what separates them from other cat breeds, also makes them controversial. The distinctive fold of the ears is sometimes seen as an undesirable deformity. As it stands, the Scottish Fold (or Highland Fold as the long-haired version is known) isn’t recognised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of Great Britain. Read our guide to decide whether a Scottish Fold cat is right for you.

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Scottish Fold facts
Lifespan	14 - 16 years
How much	£100 - £1,500+
Size	medium
Weight	2.5-6kg
Colours	White, blue, red, black, cream, calico, tortoiseshell, shaded, tabby
Grooming	moderate (short-hair), high (long-hair)
Temperament	affectionate, sweet, gentle
Exercise	medium

Insurance for your Scottish Fold

Scottish Fold cats are known to have problems with osteoarthritis due to the genetic mutation responsible for its folded ears.

There are several other conditions this breed is more prone to developing, including:

Make sure you protect your Scottish Fold cat with cat insurance to help with the cost of any treatment that your cat may need.

How to care for a Scottish Fold cat

Short-haired Scottish Folds are pretty low maintenance cats. Their long-haired counter parts require a little more grooming, but overall they’re an easy going breed and a breeze to take care of.

Feeding and nutrition

Make sure you provide your Scottish Fold with a nutritious, balanced diet. If you buy your kitten from a breeder, ask for their feeding schedule so you can stick to their routine and feed them at the same time every day.

Try and keep to the same food they’re used to and if you decide to change their diet, do it gradually to avoid any stomach upsets.

Grooming

A weekly comb or brush will keep a short-haired Scottish Fold coat soft and in good condition. Long-haired cats need more attention as they can get knotty easily. They tend to have longer hair on their thighs, a tail plume, toe tufts and tufts on their ears. They may have a ‘ruff’ around their neck too.

Exercise

Scottish Folds are moderately active cats and will enjoy playing with interactive toys. A cat tree or perch will also keep them entertained. Regular exercise will help to prevent them from becoming overweight so make sure you always have time to play with them.

Training

These smart cats can be trained to play fetch and do other tricks with time, patience and treats. And you shouldn’t have much of a problem toilet or litter training a Scottish Fold.

Temperament and behaviour

Scottish Fold cats are typically good-natured and easy-going with soft voices and a wide range of purrs and meows. Their affectionate temperament makes them great companions and they’re usually good with children. They don’t like to be left alone for too long so are best suited to homes with other pets.

They like to play and explore outdoors, but make sure the outdoor space is enclosed and safe. They are also known to have a strong prey drive and be good hunters. Something to bear in mind when letting them out.

So, is a Scottish Fold cat right for you?

The laid-back, friendly Scottish Fold will get along with children who treat them kindly, other cats and cat-friendly dogs. This makes them a good choice for families but if left alone all day, they may need another cat to keep them company. When you return home, they will enjoy playing before curling up on your lap to be close to you.

Scottish Folds may look cute, but they are a controversial breed. Owners need to be aware of the long-term health problems associated with the breed.

Frequently asked questions

How much are Scottish Fold cats?

Scottish Folds are quite rare as only a few cats in each litter tend to have folded ears. Their price can also be higher if they’re from a known bloodline. Expect to pay anything between £100 and £1,500 for a Scottish Fold kitten. Always buy from a responsible and reputable breeder.

Are Scottish Folds legal in the UK

Yes, they are legal in the UK and their breeding is not currently banned. But, a number of cat protection charities are campaigning for it due to the health problems associated with the breed.

What do Scottish Fold cats eat?

Scottish Folds should be fed a diet adapted for their age, health condition, and weight. Feed them a high protein, low carbohydrate, low-calorie food but make sure they don’t eat too much. Being overweight will make any joint problems worse.

Why do Scottish Fold cats sit like that?

One of the interesting traits of Scottish Folds is that they can often be found sitting or lying in unusual positions. They may lie on their backs with their legs stretched out or paws in the air, sitting on their hind-legs or sitting up like a Meerkat. Or you may find them sitting in a position with their legs stretched out and their paws on their stomach (the Buddha position). No-one knows exactly why they like these positions, but they must find them comfortable!