Scottish kittens care, character and characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

The positive qualities of an animal include its character: the cat has a calm disposition and is friendly.
The Scotsman is hospitable and treats people with respect. The Scots, thanks to their extraordinary intelligence, are easy to train; their courage allows the animals to perform at various exhibitions. A cat can be taught to give a paw, walk on its hind legs, and perform simple tricks.

Fold cats easily learn to use the litter box and tolerate water treatments. Some individuals happily swim in open water sources.

One of the disadvantages is the price of the breed. If you are going to purchase a purebred animal, you will have to shell out an amount of up to 40 thousand rubles. Cats without a pedigree are much cheaper, about 4 thousand rubles, but this does not guarantee that they will sell you a Scotsman and not an animal with surgery performed on the ears. Moreover, such individuals may experience serious health problems in the future.

Other disadvantages include the health of purebred cats. Some Scots suffer from osteochondroplasia. This is a hereditary disease associated with damage to the bone tissue of the joints, cartilage, and manifests itself as a slowdown in bone growth. This disease can be fatal.

Other common diseases of Scottish Folds: chondrodystrophy, arthritis, arthrosis. These diseases usually occur due to improper mating of animals. Therefore, before buying an animal, you should carefully study the pedigree of the animal, right down to the cat’s ancestors. Scots may also suffer from entropion. Adult animals are susceptible to the development of glaucoma and cataracts.

Like all animals, the fold-eared breed may show signs of allergies, mange, or skin eczema. Deafness is also an eternal companion of the breed; it can be complete or partial. Diseases of the cardiovascular and digestive systems, and the bladder develop in old animals or when the cat is not properly cared for.

What the owner should know

In order for the offspring to be healthy, you need to know some features of mating Scottish Folds:

You need to select a partner of a similar breed, that is, Scottish, but not Scottish Fold. In this case, the best option would be Scottish Straight. This breed of cat has straight ears. If a Scottish straight-eared cat is mated, then the opposite is true, the cat must be fold-eared.

You cannot cross a Scotsman with a British breed. In this case, the cubs are too large, the tail and head are deformed, and the structure of the coat does not meet the standards.

The male must have a uniform color, good quality coat, and a proportional build. You should definitely pay attention to the tail, it must be flexible. This factor affects the health of the animal’s spine. This way, developmental defects in the baby can be avoided.

You should also pay attention to the cat's ears. It would be correct if they are directed forward, small, widely spaced and do not go beyond the head

An important feature is the ear folds, it is very good if they exist. Such breeds are considered unique

It is best if there are two of them, and they are tightly folded on the head. It is very rare to meet a Scot who has three such folds.

It is important to assess the health of the male; he should not have dandruff or any discharge from the eyes, nose or ears. The animal should not be emaciated or too large, everything should be within normal limits.

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Many owners of Scottish cats begin to look for a partner through advertisements. This method is not bad; you can select a suitable candidate. But there is another simple way: breeder clubs that specialize in Scottish Folds. The specialists working there will be able to help you choose a suitable male and tell you about his characteristics. By choosing this method of mating, you can be sure of healthy offspring.

Before mating, it is advisable to agree on the amount of the cat’s owner’s fee. He usually gets one baby, which has straight ears. There are always fewer fold-eared kittens; it very rarely happens that all the cubs from one litter are straight. If this is the case, then the cat’s owner receives money as a reward. The amount is equal to the cost of a Scottish Fold kitten.

Before mating, it is advisable to personally make sure that both partners are treated for worms and other parasites. It is permissible to treat the cat before intercourse for diseases such as rabies, chlamydia and other diseases, as well as to prevent worms.

The room where the whole process takes place must be clean, bright, dry and spacious, and it must be warm. The intercourse of animals can last several days, so you need to be prepared for the trip. You need to take with you a tray with filler, bowls for food and water, and the food itself. It happens that a cat is very aggressive, so before mating you need to trim its claws.

Your cat may not get pregnant the first time. In this case, it is necessary to bring her to the cat on the 2-3rd day of the next estrus and leave her there for a couple of days. In one day, a cat can cover a female up to 14 times, but after a few days he ceases to be interested in her.

Color characteristics

• Fold kittens (you can see the photo in the article) are distinguished by small, flat ears that resemble a cap on the head, large eyes, and the skull itself is round. Therefore, such animals are often called owls.
• The ears of fold-eared kittens are literally bent in two, forming a double and sometimes triple fold. They are firmly pressed to the head, but sometimes animals are born with straight ears that do not fold at all or fold, but at the age of three weeks.
• You will immediately recognize fold-eared kittens. The photos added in this article will prove that these animals have eyes that look at the world with a sweet expression. The medium-sized body is also rounded, like the head, and it ends with a medium-length tail. Shorthair cats have a soft, plush coat. Long-haired breeds differ only in that the pile is much larger than that of the first Scots and British, and also the hips, legs, tails and heads look more voluminous.

  

• There are no Scottish cats of the same color. Breeders have developed different breeds: striped, white, two-colored, and multi-colored. The same applies to eye color, which is directly related to fur. For example, white and bicolor cats can have blue eyes, and kittens are often born with different shades of the iris.

Loss of characteristic: when the ears rise

Straight-eared kittens are called straights, and fold-eared kittens are called folds. The clear difference between them lies in the presence and number of folds on the ears. One fold causes the ears to straighten over time. This does not mean that the kitten is straight. To answer the question about his breed, an examination is carried out. It is especially important for owners who plan to crossbreed kittens. An incorrect conclusion about the straightness of an animal leads to the crossing of two lop-eared individuals and sick offspring. If there are two folds, then it is impossible to predict the outcome: the kitten can remain fold-eared with the same success as become straight-eared. Three folds ensure the ears don't straighten out.

External differences between British and Scottish cats

Folds with erect ears are sterilized to prevent the transmission of a dominant gene that has lost visual expression.

There is a clear sign that distinguishes a fold-eared cat with erect ears from a straight-eared one: the size of the ears. The first one has smaller ones.

Temporary changes in the position of the ears are also possible, the cause of which is weather conditions. The heat causes the Fold's ears to rise slightly.

In addition, the ears of the folds also rise in females after giving birth.

Character of the breed and behavioral characteristics of Scottish Fold cats.

Cats of this breed are very kind and calm, but also do not allow themselves to be offended. Typically, a fold-eared cat becomes attached to only one owner, expressing this with his affection.

She is quite independent and discreet, and is ideal for those people who are often busy at work and are rarely at home. Due to its reserve, it does not have the playfulness that children so often need, so if you plan to have a pet for a child, it is better to choose a more active and mischievous breed.

They also cannot stand loud noise in the house and love silence and comfort. They meow very rarely, mainly when they really need something, for example, if the bowl is empty.

They have one peculiarity: they can stand on their hind legs for a long time and if they are interested in something, they can watch it for a long time, taking a meerkat pose. It is also interesting that they know how to sit in the Buddha pose when they rest on a bed or on upholstered furniture.

If there are other pets in the house, fold-eared cats will happily make friends with them. They get along well even with dogs.

These are non-conflict animals and can easily endure both trips to exhibitions and visits to the veterinarian.

The only thing they don’t like is guests or strangers in the apartment. In such situations, the fold-eared cat will prefer to hide in another room.

• Calmness and lack of conflict (on the street you rarely see a Scottish Fold fighting with other cats);
• Patience (if the owner is absent for a long time, the pet will not be very nervous, and at the time of feeding it will not meow much);
• Attachment (they get used to the owner and place of residence quite quickly);
• Independence and independence (very rarely they ask the owner for anything and do not bother with whims);
• Moderate emotionality and playfulness;
• Curiosity;
• Intelligence and grace (they are quite smart and if teased, they will prefer to ignore ill-mannered people or animals rather than respond with aggression).

Scottish Folds are an exclusively domestic breed, as they were bred and kept in appropriate conditions. Despite the calmness and lack of aggression, these animals still know how to hunt.

The hunting instinct allows you to easily catch small rodents and large insects.

These animals are amazingly smart and intelligent. They are able to differentiate the information they receive and select only the information they need.

Thanks to this, they are easy to learn and train. The voice and sounds that folds make are not quite like meowing. But this is not a drawback at all, but a distinctive feature of this amazing species.

External factors

Now let's figure out how to choose a real Scottish kitten. Very often, under the guise of Scots, they sell British or even mongrel children. Before you make a purchase, it’s worth visiting specialized nurseries to get an idea of ​​what Scottish Fold kittens might look like.

Let us note the main external signs of the Scots:

• the fur is short, as if plush;
• very reminiscent of little bear cubs;
• the eyes are round and large, slightly slanted;
• the head looks like a fur ball;
• folds have drooping ears, while straights have straight ears;
• if you look from the side, the mouth “smiles”;
• neat nose;
• ideal representatives of the breed have a “childish” face;
• Parents of children should also have pedigrees.

Scottish cats can come in different colors: you can find black, white “teddy bear” cats, as well as cream, blue and even red. There are a huge number of coat patterns, such as brindle, spotted. There are representatives who have a mixture of colors and patterns.

Appearance

A characteristic feature of Scottish folds, of course, are the ears that are bent forward. By the way, Scottish cats do not have to have fold ears. To obtain healthy, full-fledged offspring, it is necessary to cross lop-eared animals with those who have straight ears (Scottish straight).

A characteristic feature of this breed is its forward-curved ears. By the way, Scottish cats do not have to have fold ears.

Scottish cats are medium in size, have a muscular body and strong, slender, rounded paws. Large, wide-set round eyes, plump cheeks, a completely spherical head due to folded ears, smoothly turning into a short thick neck - this is a typical portrait of a fold-eared Scot. Cat fur is soft, elastic, plush, bouncy.

Colors

Scottish Fold cats are characterized by a variety of coat colors.

It happens:

• single color (blue, black, sand);
• striped (marbled, spotted, brindle, tabby);
• multicolor (harlequin, van, tortoiseshell).

The colors usually harmonize with the color of the eyes, but there are cats with multi-colored irises.

Body weight gain chart

For any breed of cat, including Scottish, there is a table that shows changes in the weight of animals depending on age and gender. In the table, this indicator is usually given up to a year. For the Scots it looks like this:

As already noted, at the age of 4–6 months, Scottish Folds and Straight-eared cats become teenagers. At this age, cats are already in heat. These animals grow up to 2–2.5 years. Before the growth period ends, pets manage to gain about 500–700 g more and their final weight is about 6–9 kg. Therefore, until the age of 2.5 years, you need to carefully monitor your pet’s weight so that it grows up healthy and well-developed.

You can determine how much a newborn pet already weighs using ordinary kitchen scales. Older individuals are weighed on floor scales. After weighing, the weight is compared with the table readings and it is determined whether weight gain is proceeding normally.

Sample menu by age

Scottish kittens are taken away from their mother cat no earlier than they are 2-2.5 months old. At this age, babies are already able to digest solid food and their diet can be gradually supplemented with new food products, ready-made kitten formulas, depending on the choice of diet.

Before the Scotsman appears in the house, decide what exactly you plan to feed the fluffy and what type of food the baby will receive. Before a year, you need to completely switch the cat to a certain diet.

Approximate nutrition menu per kilogram of body weight of a Scot

Recipe 1:

• raw beef –20-25 gr.;
• light – 5-7 g;
• vegetable oil – 2 gr.;
• dry tremors – 0.2 g;
• oatmeal, buckwheat – 4-5 gr.

Recipe 2:

• fresh liver – 8-10 g;
• fish – 20-25 gr.;
• buckwheat, rice, oatmeal (optional) – 4-5 g;
• yeast – 0.1 g;
• low-fat, calcined cottage cheese – 3-4 g.

The diet and amount of feeding depends on age. Kittens up to 3-4 months are fed frequently (4-5 times a day), in small portions, at the same time. After 8-9 months, the Scot can be transferred to two meals a day.

When feeding prepared foods, consider the age of your pet. On the packaging, the manufacturer indicates the approximate daily dose and other feeding recommendations. When eating natural foods, calculate the amount of food yourself.

Up to a month

The kittens are fed by the mother cat until they are 1-2 months old. With colostrum and milk, babies receive useful substances and antibodies that provide immune protection. Therefore, before this age they should not be separated from the cat.

If kittens are left without a mother, or do not receive the required amount of mother's milk, they need to be fed or supplemented with special milk formulas, a cat's milk substitute, every 2 hours for up to a month. Up to 3 weeks - 10 times a day, from 3 to 4 - 8-9 times. They can be purchased at veterinary pharmacies and pet stores.

The mixture is carefully poured into the kitten’s mouth through a syringe without a needle or bottles are used for feeding infants.

Approximate calculation of food (daily norms):

• 30-35 ml of food per 100 g of weight in the first week of kittens’ life;
• 37-42 ml per 100 g of weight per two weeks;
• 48-52 ml per 100 g of weight in the third week;
• 48-55 ml per 100 grams of weight per month.

If it is not possible to feed babies with special formulas, to increase the nutritional value of cow's milk, add 1 packet of 10% cream and one egg yolk to it.

You can also try placing the babies with another nursing cat, if possible.

2 months

At 2 months, the kitten’s main diet is milk, which it receives from its mother. During this period, complementary foods can be gradually introduced in small portions. For feeding, use special food (mixes, ready-made food) for small kittens or formulas for infants.

Initially, give the Scot only one type of complementary food, and if there are no problems in the gastrointestinal tract, gradually introduce other new foods in small portions. The average portion for a 2-month-old kitten is 120-180 g per day. Feeding frequency – 5-6 times a day.

After 2-2.5 months, babies are ready to receive feed and solid food. New foods are introduced into the diet gradually, in small portions at a strictly defined time, so as not to cause problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

If you are adopting a kitten at this age from a breeder, ask what was used for complementary feeding.

3 months

At 3 months, the Scotsman can be fed new foods, solid food, and ready-made kitten food. The pet is given raw beef, minced chicken, boiled turkey, chicken, lean fish, dairy, fermented milk products, raw chopped rabbit meat, lamb, veal.

The daily norm is 180-240 grams, depending on the weight of the kitten. Feeding frequency – 4-5 times a day.

Considering that during this period kittens are actively growing, they should receive adequate nutrition, a balanced diet, enriched with vitamins, amino acids, and minerals.

4-6 months

At 4-6 months, kittens, depending on the type of food, are fed ready-made food or natural products. If the cat is kept on a natural diet, gradually introduce offal, herbs, and vegetables. Supplement your diet with vitamin, mineral complexes and supplements. Feeding frequency – 3-4 times a day. Serving size: 200-270 g, depending on age.

Important! When introducing new products into your pet’s diet, monitor your pet’s stool and condition. Some foods and even feed can cause food allergies. In this case, adjust your diet.

At 5-6 months, the pet’s gastrointestinal tract digests any type of meat and fish well. The meat is fed raw, having previously been doused with boiling water in small portions. Meat products can also be given boiled or stewed.

Fish (sea, ocean) - once a week and only boiled, stewed or steamed. Before serving the fish, it is pitted.

Scots are given milk if they are not allergic to lactose or have digestive disorders with a natural diet. Do not mix dairy products with meat and fish. It is best to mix cottage cheese with porridge and vegetables.

Advice! If a Scot has a sensitive gastrointestinal tract, feed him dietary food, holistic.

After 6 months, teenage kittens are transferred to 2-3 meals a day. Gradually reduce the frequency of feedings, but increase the portions. After a year, Scots are fed twice a day.

Buying Scottish Fold, how to buy correctly?

• The kitten's ears should fit snugly to the head;
• The head should be round and the coat plush and soft;
• The kitten's gait and movements should be smooth and flexible (fold-eared cats may have diseases of the musculoskeletal system at the genetic level, which can occur when these animals are improperly crossed);
• The tail should be flexible and not very long;

It is recommended to buy kittens from trusted nurseries, where crossing is carried out according to all the rules for breeding this breed.

When buying an animal from unknown people, there is a risk of developing joint diseases in the future, due to possible unscrupulous compliance by these people with the conditions of crossing its ancestors.

• Single fold ears (if only the ends of the ears are bent);
• Double fold (the ears bend entirely at the base of the auricle, leaving a small gap between the ears and the head);
• Triple fold (complete fit of the ears to the head).

The coat color of cats can be either monochromatic or with a variety of color shades.

Primary colors

There are primary coat colors for Scottish cats. Any color of an animal can be classified into one group or another:

• tabby;
• solid (plain);
• chinchilla;
• smoky;
• shaded;
• with a white base;
• colorful (colored);
• tortoiseshells.

These colors are considered the most important for classifying an animal by its color. Each cat of the Scottish breed can be classified into one of the listed groups.

Scottish Straight Color Point

Plain

Another name for this group is solid colors. This type includes monochrome animals with uniform tinting of the coat in one color. Since the British breed was of particular importance when breeding the Scots, the Scottish coat received blue and gray tones, and the color of the iris acquired an amber color. Various variations of genes (dominant, recessive) determined the appearance of different colors of Scots. These can be a variety of shades:

• black or ebony;
• milk chocolate or cinnamon;
• chocolate or brown;
• “deer” – faun;
• red (red);
• soft gray with a pink undertone – lilac;
• pure white.

White Scottish Fold.
A cat's eyes directly depend on the color of its coat. White pets tend to have blue or different colored eyes (heterochromia). Purple and black cats have irises of yellow and copper shades. Amber is typical for individuals of chocolate colors. This type of wool should not be interspersed with any other color. The tone should be rich and uniform along the entire length of the hairs. The presence of marks on the coat means the presence of a defect, which reduces the value of the cat if it takes part in professional felinologist exhibitions.

Cats of this breed, colored pure black, white, red, chocolate, are considered rare. Such kittens will be more expensive. Precious colors - gold and silver - are also considered solid. The task of any breeder is to preserve the purity of the color and its breed type. They are unstable when crossed and are very finicky about adding a new set of genes.

Two-color or bicolor

This term refers to the combination of half the wool is white and the second half can be colored in other colors, for example:

• blue;
• cream;
• red;
• tabby

In the latter case, the pattern must be strictly symmetrical. With this combination, animals can be called cream bicolor or red bicolor.

Blue straight-eared bicolor

Cream bicolor fold

Red bicolor straight

Tabby bicolor fold

Point

The body of the animal has a light basic shade, some areas are painted in darker colors. This is a group of oriental colors (originally found in eastern cat breeds). A similar color is also found in Persian, Fold, Thai and other cat breeds. In turn, color points are divided into subspecies, of which there are 20. There are basic or classic combinations that occur more often than others:

• Seal Point - These cats have a basic white or cream color with dark brown and black spots on the body. In the English version the color is called seal-point.
• Blue point - blue or gray spots on a white-blue background. Other cool shades may occur.
• Chocolate point. The general color of the animal is similar to ivory, and the markings are a brown chocolate shade, but several tones lighter than those of seal points.
• Lilac. Another name for lilac (lilac-point). These cats have spots of brown or gray-pink, lilac, and the body of the animal is light beige.

Interesting read: who are the lop-eared Britons?

Using these colors, breeders created other shades that are now widespread. Such derivatives are:

• cream points – soft cream-colored spots on the cat’s body located on white fur;
• red - red spots on a light body (sometimes pure white);
• Torti – similar to tortoiseshell. The main feature is that it occurs in females. The markings are heterogeneous and can be in the form of a mix of spots of brown, red, cream, and blue. Another feature is that their shade changes with age;
• tabby - the markings are striped, the colors may vary, and the body is predominantly light.

There are also rare points that are considered exotic:

• Cinnamon Point - Markings are cinnamon colored on a beige body. The skin on the pads is light pink;
• faun - light purple markings located on the beige body of the animal.

It is characteristic of all points that the color depends on the animal’s body temperature (in the cold, the colored areas become a little darker and more saturated). Breeders are constantly working with this group to create more interesting marking colors.

Torties or tortoiseshells

Tortoiseshell, also called tortoiseshell, is similar to the coloring of a turtle's shell. Such cats have an interesting pattern on their body, similar to this reptile. This coloration can be unpredictable and may change. This happens after every molt, which occurs twice a year. In this case, the design, pattern, and color of the marks may change. Individuals with this color are almost always sterile and are found only in cats.

Cats with such fur are extremely rare. The color scheme is usually formed by combinations of red, black, and cream colors. Individuals with a color distribution proportion of 1:1:1 look most impressive. There are several features of this color:

• In blue tortoiseshell cats, black can be replaced by blue, red by cream. This creates a bluish-cream combination.
• Purple is replaced by black and red, and cream by purple.
• Chocolate turtles have a black to chocolate substitution.

There are a variety of combinations. The main requirement is a symmetrical, uniform pattern throughout the animal's body.

Smoky

This type is also called smoky or smokey (from the English “smoke” - smoke). Such a cat should have a uniform color without inclusions. The base is silver-white wool. Part of the hair is black, the rest is silver. This type belongs to the silver group. This phenomenon is formed by the dominant gene of this color.

Smokey should not have a pattern, but this can sometimes happen. It can be perceived as a solid (solid) color, but this is wrong. The animal's hair is colored 2/3 of its length and is called shaded. If your pet has thick fur, you need to part the fur to see the color of the base.

Tabby

The animal may have eyeliner on the nose, eyes, a pattern on the chest that resembles a necklace, rings on the tail, paws, spots on the ears or cheeks. There may be a line around the nose. The stripes on the body should not be wide. Marbled species may show a gradual transition to spots on the belly or neck. This pattern stands out against the general background of the pet’s color. There are different tabbies:

• Tiger or mackerel. Such animals may have narrow stripes directed vertically. A pattern resembling a collar appears on the neck. The side stripes rise up the back, forming a saddle-like pattern here.
• Spotted or spotty. Spots of various shapes and sizes have clearly defined boundaries. A line is formed along the entire length of the spine.
• Shaded, whiskey or marble. The pattern consists of spots and stripes that are scattered over the entire surface of the animal. Such animals can have any coat color, the main thing is that they have a pronounced pattern against the general background. It owes its name to its similarity to this textured stone.

Tabby Scottish fold.

Tabbie can also be classified by color:

• Silver. It is the main one, on which a black pattern is applied.
• Silvery blue. The undercoat is white on the sides, face and tail of the animal.
• Reds. Red base with rich red patterns.
• Brown. The wool has a dark copper color, on which a black pattern is drawn.
• Blue. Refers to cream and blue tones. The pattern is expressed against the general background.
• Cream. The base of the wool is light, the pattern contrasts against its background.
• Cameo. White base with red stripes.

This coloration suggests the presence of a zonal pattern on the body. It can be in the form of the letter “M”, which is located on the animal’s forehead.

Paticolor

Characterized by the appearance of white spots of different sizes and shapes. It could even be a white cat with a few spots of a different tone. Two options are considered standard, there are eight in total. The ideal is 1/3 to ½ white. If a cat has more than 90% of its entire surface painted white, the color is called “harlequin”. If an animal has a colored tail, then it is a van.

Scottish Fold Paticolor.

Chinchilla

The basis of this color is tipping. This phenomenon is characterized by the coloring of 1/8 of the hair, most of which is white. A kitten gets this color if both of its parents are colored in the same way. There are three main types of chinchilla:

• golden;
• blue;
• unique.

Silvers may have stripes or shadow marks on their tail. The eyes are green and the nose is beige. The golden chinchilla is characterized by the presence of a reddish tint on the back, sides, and tail.

Ticked

This color is considered rare for this breed; kittens with a similar color are highly valued. The peculiarity lies in the color of the hairs. The hair should have three stripes of different colors. Also, such cats are sometimes called Abyssinian. This creates the image of small specks on the animal’s fur. There may be stripes on the paws and tail.

Interesting read: what to feed the Scots.

Shaded

The coloring extends to the upper third of the hair. The rest of the body is painted white. Such individuals have a light undercoat. The coat is shaded on the sides, back, and head. Golden, silver, and red colors can also be shaded.

Wang

White body except for tail and muzzle. There may be several spots on the animal's body and paws. Their coat is unevenly colored and looks like a tabby.

Harlequin

4/5 of the wool is dyed white. The spots are scattered randomly over the entire surface.

Shaded

ticked

Harlequin

Wang

Cameo

brindle

Breeders' advice

Breeders are reminded that the Scottish Fold cat can be very different. In one litter, both Scottish Straights (with straight ears) and Scottish Folds (with envelope ears) are born.

Moreover, both varieties can have not short, but semi-long hair. Then they will be called Highland Straights (Scottish Straight Longhair) or Highland Folds (Scottish Fold Longhair).

Lop-eared and straight-eared

Scottish Straights differ from their fold-eared relatives only in the position of their ears, maintaining the indescribable charm of the breed as a whole - they, like Folds, are round-eyed, respectable and charming. Breeding work with the Scottish Fold is full of surprises, since mating occurs exclusively between fold and straight.

With a 50/50 probability, a straight-eared cat can produce fold-eared offspring. In practice, the distribution of straight-eared and fold-eared babies in one litter cannot be planned: sometimes all newborns have envelope ears, sometimes the entire litter is decorated with straight ears.

Short-haired and long-haired

Short-haired animals have a soft, but quite dense coat, reminiscent of plush to the touch. Highlands (with long hair) can be born from both long-haired and short-haired sires (if they have the recessive gene for long hair).

The Highland coat cannot be cottony (this is considered a flaw), but must be silky and airy, not matting and requiring almost no maintenance.

The abundant fur of the “Scots” does not spoil, but even more accentuates their rounded head and expressive round eyes

A little history

The Scottish Fold cat breed, or, as it is also called, Scottish Fold, most likely arose as a result of a random mutation. In 1961, Scotsman William Ross noticed a cat with ears turned down. This cat gave birth to two kittens, one of which remained with Ross. From that moment on, the farmer began to improve the new breed.

Since the 1970s, when representatives of this breed were brought to the United States, Scottish Fold cats began to be bred precisely in order to preserve the original structure of their ears.

Nutrition

The Scottish Fold kitten must eat properly. Since representatives of this breed have a tendency to quickly gain weight, their portions should be limited from childhood and their diet should be controlled so that it is complete. Many owners, after acquiring fluffies, prefer to give them the food that was used in the nursery, but this is wrong. When preparing your diet, you should consider the following recommendations:

• You can feed Scottish Folds only with natural food intended exclusively for cats;
• It is allowed to add canned foods, wet mixtures and dry food to your pet’s daily diet;
• You can periodically combine natural food with artificial food.

When feeding your kitten canned foods, you need to remember that they should not contain dyes or preservatives. Supplements in the form of beneficial microelements and vitamins will also not hurt your baby. Prohibited products include:

• legumes;
• raw fish;
• potato;
• all types of herbs and spices.

Recommended products include:

• boiled or raw vegetables;
• dietary meat of rabbit, chicken and turkey (it is pre-boiled and chopped);
• low-fat fermented milk products;
• sea ​​fish (deboned and boiled);
• all types of cereals mixed in equal proportions with fish or meat.

What not to feed a Scotsman

Some products, especially from our table, as well as low-quality food, can harm the health of a Scottish breed kitten. An unbalanced diet causes developmental disorders, nutritional allergies, disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract, and other systemic disorders.

Foods that should not be given to a Scot:

• smoked meats, marinades;
• fatty meats;
• fresh meat without heat treatment;
• tubular, fish bones;
• raw milk;
• spicy, salty foods;
• tubular, fish bones;
• raw river and sea fish;
• sweets, baked goods.

Do not feed the Scotsman from our table with economy-class food, frozen meat, or expired products.

Before giving your kitten raw meat, pour boiling water over it or boil it for several minutes. Food and water should always be fresh.

Character and education

The character traits of the Scots are their humility and friendliness. Education should always start from the very first days. You should definitely accustom the kitten to the litter box, wean the kitten from biting and scratching, climbing curtains and tearing up furniture.

The innate intelligence and cleanliness that are inherent in kitties will help you easily accustom your Scottish kitten to the litter box

It is important to change the filler frequently. It doesn’t matter whether you are teaching a kitten to toilet or other skills, just show it once and the pet will understand

If you don’t want your sofa upholstery or wallpaper to suffer, train your kitten to use a scratching post. Pop-Eyes may not be able to learn masterly tricks, but they all know how to stand on their hind legs for a long time.

In general, the behavior of the Scots is peaceful and phlegmatic, which does not exclude hunting skills and dexterity. Catching fast mice will not be difficult for kitties with the appearance of a soft toy.

Fluffies often lie on their backs in front of their owner, showing that they completely trust him. But they don’t like to sit on their hands for a long time, showing their independent feline disposition.

Scottish cats are good with dogs and other cats and can get along with any animal. They easily get used to new people. The cute fluffy bites and scratches very rarely. There are different things that can be said about the causes of aggression; it could be stress, illness, or a personality trait of a particular animal.

The character of Scottish cats is soft and flexible; they are not at all angry, but calm and peaceful creatures. To ensure that you raise your kitten affectionately, treat him with respect and do not allow children to hurt him.

Maintenance and care

These pets do not cause their owners any special problems in caring for themselves.

It is important to provide a nutritious diet for Scots

There is no need to wash your pet often; once a month is enough. The kitten should only be washed if it is heavily soiled to avoid unnecessary illnesses. Wash them using special kitten shampoo.

Usually, the Scottish coat does not shed much, so you can brush your cat twice a week. It is better not to use a furminator; it tears out the undercoat and the coat loses its splendor. If your cat has a lot of hair, a comb is a great brush for Scottish cats.

When tangles have formed on the fur, Scottish haircuts become not a whim of the owners, it is necessary for good health. Because they, along with the British, have sensitive skin. Under the caked fur, irritation appears and blood circulation is impaired.

The kitten's eyes should be cleaned as they become dirty. To care for Scottish Fold cats, you need to carefully examine their ears. They contain a lot of sulfur, help your pet get rid of it.

Feeding

You can feed Scottish Fold cats and kittens with both ready-made food and natural food. It is also possible to combine them. When picking up a Foldik from the breeder, be sure to check what the kitten ate so that the baby’s transition to a new diet is not abrupt, and the unusual food does not cause an upset stomach.

Natural food

Small Scottish kittens need four meals a day. An adult cat (from 8 months old) should be fed twice a day. Both a kitten and an adult cat should have low-fat fermented milk products in their diet - kefir, cottage cheese. By-products, lean meat, boiled sea fish, cereals, grated raw and boiled vegetables, vegetable oil - all this is necessary for a fold kitten to grow and develop.

How much does it cost and where to buy

The cost depends on what category the Scottish kittens belong to. If you just choose a beautiful pet, the price may be less than 10 thousand rubles.

If a kitten with a rich pedigree meets breed standards and can participate in exhibitions, the price will increase to 50 thousand rubles.

You should only buy from trusted places, preferably from a nursery. Experienced breeders will help you choose the right kitten according to your wishes.

How to distinguish from an ordinary cat

You can easily distinguish a Scotsman from an ordinary cat after he reaches 3-6 months. By this time, all the signs of the breed appear and it is easier to determine whether the cat you are being offered is purebred.

It is better to trust a professional, he will be able to distinguish earlier. The Scottish cat has the main distinctive features: the structure of the body and paws, the shape of the muzzle and the structure of the coat.

Caring for Scottish kittens

Newborn Scottish kittens do not immediately open their eyes. Immediately after birth they are blind and completely helpless. Only on the 6th day do kittens’ eyes open.

Then their ears begin to open. At first, the babies look the same. After 3 weeks, the Scottish kitten's ears rise or fall, and the tips begin to curl. After three weeks, babies begin to walk and try to get out of the box. The sex can be determined after the first month.

At 2 months, a Scottish kitten is ready to start feeding on its own. A Scottish kitten is completely ready to separate from its mother at 3 months. A 4 month old kitten eats 6 times a day. As kittens grow older, their eye color changes.

In a week, the Scots cub gains approximately 200 grams. At two months they gain a kilogram of weight, and after the fourth month they already weigh 1.5-2 kg and are considered teenagers.

Conditions of detention

Scottish cats are considered one of the easiest pets to care for. They feel great both in a small apartment and in a private house. It is worth buying or making your own personal sleeping place for an animal. It is also recommended to purchase a scratching post, the length of which should correspond to the height of the Scottish cat. You should not refuse to buy a carrier to transport your pet if necessary.

The Scots are not picky when it comes to content. In order for an animal to live comfortably in a room, it must be clean and safe. This pet is extremely clean, he puts his fur in order and quickly gets used to going to the litter box.

Before bringing a small pet into your home, you need to complete the following steps.

• Remove unnecessary objects from the kitten's access area. For example, wires, breakable and sharp objects.
• Buy food and water dishes for the animal. The best option would be heavy metal or ceramic cookware.
• Place the tray and fill it with filler. Kittens should buy a container with low sides, and as they grow older, change it to a higher model.
• Prepare a place to rest - this can be a sunbed or a blanket folded several times.
• Buy food, toys, scratching post.

Grooming

Scottish cats can be shorthaired or semi-longhaired. With cats that have short hair, there is little hassle. Their fur is brushed weekly using a special mitten or a brush with natural bristles. Semi-long-haired representatives of the breed should purchase a comb that has Teflon-coated teeth. Animals should be taught to comb from a young age.

Animals kept in the house are bathed monthly. Scots usually react well to water, but they should only wash their coat if it gets dirty. For this procedure you need to buy a special shampoo for cats. When bathing your pet, you need to make sure that water does not get into his ears. After washing, the cats are dried and sent to a warm place where there is no draft.

For water procedures, preference is given to colorless and odorless shampoos that do not contain harmful chemical ingredients and allergens. Scottish cats that participate in exhibitions are bathed depending on the color of their coat. Dark animals need to be washed a week before the event, and light animals - 5 days.

Haircuts for Scottish cats are unpleasant, but common procedures. Pets are given haircuts and hairstyles for the same purpose as other animals. This procedure can be carried out only if tangles have formed, as well as after applying medications or to remove dirt.

Nail care

Domestic cats need their nails trimmed. This process is quite simple and does not cause discomfort to the animal. You need to put Scottish on your lap and, taking his paw in your hands, press on the pads. Once your pet has released its claws, they can be trimmed. In this process, the main thing is not to damage the living body of the claw. Claws should be trimmed carefully, once every 2-3 weeks.

Eye and ear hygiene

The eyes and ears of Scottish cats need regular examination. These animals usually have clean ears, but when plaque appears in them, the contamination is removed with a cotton swab. When cleaning your ears, you can also use a special lotion.

The special structure of the skull of the Scottish breed of cats causes the narrowing of their nasolacrimal ducts. For this reason, your pet may experience slight discharge from the eyes. In this case, the eyes need to be cleaned with a cotton pad or chlorhexidine wipe.

Dental care

To keep the pet's teeth in good condition, the owner can buy him a special toy - an edible chewing stick. Alternatively, you can use a toothbrush and toothpaste for cats. A Scottish cat's teeth should be brushed 1 or 2 times a week. Scottish dogs do not like this process, so it is better to accustom them to this from an early age.

Kitten care

Scottish kittens do not require special care. They can be fed dry food, but of good quality. Kittens should not be brushed unless there is a reason for it. Babies with long hair should be gradually accustomed to brushing, carrying out the procedure twice a month. Little Scottish cats need to be bathed only if they are very dirty in the mud.

Kittens need to have their nails trimmed from an early age so that they get used to this procedure. You don't need to clean your ears, but if they smell bad, that's a reason to go to the vet. Watery eyes should be wiped once every 7 days with a cotton pad soaked in chlorhexidine.

Choosing food for a Scottish kitten

Homemade products

With age, Scottish cats may develop obesity or urolithiasis and obesity if not properly cared for. Home feeding should be ideally balanced with natural products. The diet includes:

1. Lean meat. Scottish kittens are fed it daily in the form of mince, which, after preparation, is stored in the freezer for at least 24 hours. Before giving the minced meat to the Scots, it is doused with boiling water.
2. Fish. It is given to kittens in the form of fillets, boiled in salt water for 20 minutes, once a week. Among the permitted varieties are hake, sea bass, and carp.
3. Porridge. They are boiled in water. Buckwheat, barley and wheat groats are used for preparation. It is recommended to include porridge in the diet 3-4 times a week and mix it with meat.
4. Vegetables. Depending on their age, kittens are given cooked or raw food 3-4 times a week. Pumpkin, carrots, zucchini, beets, and broccoli are best suited.
5. Fruits. Many kittens love pears, apples, bananas and grapes. You should not feed them to animals more than once a week.
6. Milk and dairy products. Ryazhenka, kefir, cottage cheese and cream can be given up to the age of 1 year 1-2 times a week. Products should not have too high a fat content.
7. Grass. Finely chopped stems are good to mix with porridges.

It is important to enrich natural food with vitamins. Their deficiency leads to loss of coat shine and shedding. Feeding with natural products can be done in two ways:

• Immediately put the daily amount of food into the cat's bowl - kittens regulate their own food intake.
• Use portion feeding method.

New natural products are included in the diet of animals consistently.

Industrial feed

You can choose ready-made food, either dry or wet. Canned food should not be included in the daily diet of Scottish Straight and Fold kittens. Their composition is not well balanced enough for this.

When feeding wet food, you need to make sure that there are no uneaten leftovers left in the bowl.

It is better to start giving dry food from three months. It is not recommended to feed animals with industrial food from different manufacturers.

High-quality dry food:

• has a well-balanced composition;
• provides prevention of tartar;
• can be stored for a long time at room temperature without losing its original properties.

Dry food is convenient for feeding animals when the owner is absent for a long time. Industrial feed can be used to treat and prevent various diseases. For example, Hill's Prescription food is used to feed kittens:

1. Diet s/d – for kidney diseases.
2. Diet j/d – for joint diseases.
3. Diet z/d – for food allergies.

For skin diseases, it is better to use industrial food ROYAL CANIN Skin Young Male.

Mixed feeding

A diet that includes homemade food and industrial feed is called mixed feeding. It is ideal for the care and nutrition of adult Scottish straight and fold cats and cats and allows you to maximally balance the diet.

Remember that excessive caloric intake causes obesity in animals. According to the rules:

• You cannot feed natural and industrial food at the same time;
• Feeds of different origins need to be fortified.

When mixed feeding castrated and sterilized cats, fish and salt are excluded from the food.