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Scottish Fold Cat Facts & Worksheets

Scottish Fold Cat is a domestic cat and popular pet renowned for its charming looks and folded ears.

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The Scottish fold cat, known initially as the lop-eared cat, is renowned for its charming looks and folded ears. It is a breed of cat with medium-sized boning. It is highly sought-after and adored by many of its adorable beauty and pleasant demeanor. 

See the fact file below for more information on Scottish Fold Cat, or you can download our 26-page Scottish Fold Cat worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY OF THE SCOTTISH FOLD CAT

  • Scottish fold cats are native to Scotland, and to be more precise, they were found on a farm close to Coupar Angus in the Tayside region in 1961.
  • Susie, a white farm cat with distinctively folded-down ears that William and Mary Ross first noticed, is the ancestor of every Scottish fold.
  • In 1963, Susie gave birth to two folded-ear kittens, of which William and Mary Ross were given one. This white beauty, who shared her mother’s folded ears, they named Snooks.
  • The Rosses began a breeding program utilizing domestic cats randomly bred and nearby British Shorthairs from their cattery as outcrosses.
  • They realized that only one parent was required for the gene to be dominant to carry down the distinctive trait of folded ears.
  • In the UK, in 1966, William Ross registered the Scottish fold breed with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.
  • Many breeders and enthusiasts were first ecstatic with this novel and distinctive breed, but soon GCCF started to worry about potential health issues.
  • Scottish Folds’ registration was closed by GCCF in 1971, and new registrations were not permitted in their registry. 
  • In 1973, the Scottish Fold was approved for Cat Fanciers’ Association registration, and in May 1977, Scottish Folds were accorded CFA provisional status.
  • The Scottish Fold earned the title of CFA Champion Breed in 1978. It gained recognition in all North American cat associations in a startlingly short time and established itself as one of the most well-liked breeds in the country.
  • It wasn’t until the middle of the 1980s that the breed’s long-haired variant received formal recognition.
  • Although many associations have a different standard for the longhair and refer to it as the Highland Fold or the Longhair Fold, all associations recognize the Scottish Fold Longhair for the championship.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

  • The well-rounded heads of Scottish Fold cats have a solid chin and jaw that flow into a short neck. They have thick, rounded whisker pads on their muzzles. 
  • The ears of the Scottish Fold can fold in one of three ways: single, double, or triple. A single fold occurs when only the tip of the ear bends downward; a double fold occurs when half of the ear turns downward, and a triple fold occurs when the entire ear bends downward on the head.
  • The Scottish fold cats have wide, well-rounded eyes. Blue, green, gold, or unusually colored eyes that match their coat color can be seen in them.
  • These cats are categorized as medium-sized, but what makes their bodies stand out is how round they are.
  • Their toes are well-rounded and well spaced, having five in front and four behind, and they have short, coarse legs.
  • Their tails may be medium to long, in accordance to their bodies. If handled incorrectly, some of these cats have a tendency to develop tail stiffness.
  • Long-haired Scottish folds are also found, albeit their coat is often short and dense. Their coat colors may be white, blue, cream, red, silver, cameo, brown, bluecream, tortoiseshell, and black.
  • Numerous coat patterns are available, including solid, tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolor, spotted, and shaded.
  • Scottish fold cats typically range in weight from 9 to 13 pounds for the males and 6 to 9 pounds for the females. They typically stand between 8.5 and 10 inches tall. They typically measure between 10 and 12 inches in length (not including their tail).

TEMPERAMENT

  • Scottish fold cats are relatively even-tempered, which means that while they are not overly active, they do have more energy than a typical lap cat.
  • These cats are incredibly sociable and devoted to people. They adore attention and, given enough time, will frequently follow you around.
  • Scottish folds are also intelligent and are simple to educate to perform basic tricks.
  • They enjoy exploring, playing games, and spending time with their family. 

CARE AND GROOMING

  • Owners of Scottish fold cats must examine and clean their cats’ ears as needed every week because of their folded ears.
  • Cat owners must dab their chosen cleaner onto a cotton ball or soft cloth to clean the ears gently. Cotton swabs should not be used to clean the cat’s ears since they may unintentionally harm or hurt the inner ear.
  • Scottish Folds don’t require any particular grooming, but at least once a week, brushing is necessary to maintain the health of their coat and get rid of dead hair.
  • On the other hand, a Highland fold will require at least twice weekly combing to avoid matting and tangles.
  • Scottish folds should also have their nails cut as often as necessary, like every few weeks. 
  • Cats can naturally trim their nails with the help of the many toys and scratch posts.
  • For better general health and fresher breath, Scottish fold cat owners must also regularly brush their pets’ teeth with pet toothpaste a veterinarian has approved.
  • Cats occasionally experience discharge that can amass in the corners of their eyes. To clean it, owners may apply a soft, damp towel to the area around their eyes and wipe it outward.
  • Scottish fold cats, like all cats, must be litter-trained and their litter box should be maintained.
  • Scottish Folds should get routine veterinarian examinations to check for diseases that they are genetically predisposed to getting.

DIET AND NUTRITION

  • The eating habits of the Scottish Fold breed are pretty similar to those of other domestic cat breeds.
  • Scottish Fold cats and kittens must eat meat to survive. Meat and other animal products provide them with all the nutrients they require.
  • Usually, they’ll enthusiastically tuck into the food you provide for them and keep eating until they’re satisfied. However, if given a chance, they can try to hunt other creatures outside, especially if you don’t provide them with enough food.
  • A Scottish Fold should consume a lot of protein and relatively few carbohydrates. A combination of wet and dry meals should be included.
  • The best dry food should contain as much protein as possible—ideally over 30%—named meats and organs as the first few components, little to no filler such as wheat or potatoes, and all the vitamins and minerals that cats and kittens require, especially taurine. Better selections include those without grains and those with fewer carbohydrates overall.
  • It is best to seek roughly the identical amounts of high-protein ingredients in wet food as you have learned to anticipate in dry food. Since the moisture content significantly alters the quantities of the elements, don’t expect to get the exact high percentages.
  • Scottish Fold kittens need to follow a kitten diet until the 12-month mark, when they are considered fully developed.

COMMON HEALTH ISSUES

  • The genetic abnormality that results in the altered ear cartilage in all cats with folded ears also results in altered bone cartilage, a disorder known as osteochondrodysplasia.
  • Scottish fold cats may exhibit symptoms of arthritis, such as a change in stride, aberrant posture, malformed limbs, and a change in activity level. Cat owners should be on the lookout for these symptoms.
  • The Scottish Folds’ folded ears can spread illnesses. Infection from bacteria, fungi, or parasites can appear.
  • Scottish fold cats are also more likely to acquire the kidney condition polycystic renal disease.
  • Scottish Folds have a genetic predisposition to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM). In this disorder, the heart’s muscular walls thicken, which lowers cardiac function. Heart disease cannot be cured, although it can be controlled with medicine and dietary changes.
  • Scottish Folds can get a periodontal disease if they don’t have regular dental care. The gums get inflamed when plaque accumulates and hardens into a layer of tartar. Gums deteriorate and detach from teeth if untreated.
  • Scottish fold cats can gain weight since they aren’t quite as active as other breeds. 
  • The typical lifespan of a Scottish fold cat is 12 to 14 years.

FUN FACTS

  • Many people describe Scottish Folds as “owlish” or “teddy-bear-like.”
  • Scottish folds are renowned for lying on their backs and sitting in the “Buddha Position,” with their front paws resting on their tummies and legs extended in front of them.
  • Scottish Folds have straight ears at birth, and only if the kitten carries the proper gene does the fold start to form between 18 and 24 days.
  • Maru, a male cat from Japan, is one of the most well-known Scottish fold cats. His YouTube videos have received millions of views. Maru was once dubbed the most famous cat in the world by the Los Angeles Times.
  • Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey are the names of two Scottish Fold cats owned by Taylor Swift.
  • Despite being adored in Australia and the United States, they are not a recognized breed in Scotland, the United Kingdom, or Europe.
  • Never breed a Scottish Fold with another, as the offspring would have severe genetic abnormalities. Instead, breeds with straight ears, such the British short hair, are mixed with them.

Scottish Fold Cat Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Scottish Fold Cat across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Scottish Fold Cat, renowned for its charming looks and folded ears.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Scottish Fold Cat Facts 
  2. 3-2-1
  3. Meet the Scottish Fold
  4. Finding My Way Back
  5. Thumbs Up or Down
  6. Crossword
  7. Bowl of Words
  8. Making a Choice
  9. Letting the World Know
  10. Making Your Own
  11. A Day in the Cat’s Life

Frequently Asked Questions

What is special about Scottish Fold cats?

The Scottish Fold is a breed of cat that is easy to live with and take care of. They are affectionate and get along with all members of their family. You should handle their tail gently though.

What problems do Scottish Folds have?

Some health problems have been found in the past with the Scottish Fold breed, including osteochondrodysplasia, a developmental abnormality that affects cartilage and bone development, polycystic kidney disease, and cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease.

How do I keep my Scottish Fold healthy?

Trim your cat’s nails every few weeks to keep them short and healthy. Provide a scratching post for your cat to scratch so they don’t scratch your furniture. This will help keep their nails trimmed. Brush your cat’s teeth at least once a week to keep their teeth healthy and clean. Check your Scottish fold’s ears regularly for any irritation or mites.

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Link will appear as Scottish Fold Cat Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 9, 2022

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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