Lop-eared cat breed

The content of the article

• What do Scottish fold cats look like?
• Varieties
• Color
• Breed characteristics
• Interesting features of Scottish cats
• The structure of the ears is caused by a genetic mutation.
• All kittens are born with straight ears.
• They take funny and unusual poses.
• They do not like to sit in their arms
• Inherited Health Problems
• Care and maintenance of lop-eared cats
• Hygiene procedures
• Hair care
• Scottish fold breeding
• Buy Scottish Fold kitten

Only Scottish representatives are classified as fold-cat breeds. They are also called Scottish fold. The breed was created by crossing with American and British Shorthair cats. At first, interbreeds were allowed, but the animals began to have health problems. Because of this, they were not recognized by the system in Scotland. The breed was registered in North America. Only unscrupulous or uninformed sellers call cats British fold. It is not right. Although the British are similar to the Scots, their ears are always straight.

What do Scottish fold cats look like?

Animals have an interesting appearance. A medium-sized body smoothly merges with a spherical head and a short neck. The paws are low, small flat ears are directed with the tips down, the boys have bulging cheeks. The eyes of the Scots are large, blue. Unpaired combinations are found, for example, one is gold and the other is blue. The nose in animals is short, wide.

Varieties

There are 2 types of thoroughbred folds:

• Scottish fold. The animals are distinguished by a short, thick, soft coat.
• Highland fold. With early mating, the Scots were crossed with the Persian breed. So there were cats with long, fluffy, silky hair..

Color

The breeds of Scottish fold have a diverse color. Common monochromatic colors of cats are white and black, red, cream or blue, smoky. Combination colors: gray with black, red or brown with a white tint.

On the wool can be patterns, circles.

The tortoiseshell pattern of tricolor cats looks beautiful. The color they form is black, cream, red shades.

Breed characteristics

Scottish cat is always friendly, balanced. He is curious, smart, easily adapts to the environment, new people. Pets treat other animals with caution, but quickly get used to it. Plush cats are playful, their character in everyday life is calm, good-natured.

The animals are quiet, they will not bother meow without reason.

Lop-eared cats are a great gift for children. In the family, the Scotsman has an affection for the owner, while for others they only allow themselves to stroke, caress.

Interesting features of Scottish cats

The animals have an unusual structure of the auricle, a funny character. They need to be monitored to prevent diseases common in this breed. There are interesting features that distinguish Scots from other animals..

The structure of the ears is caused by a genetic mutation.

The Scottish fold breed came about as a result of crossbreeding of rural Scottish cats. The ears of animals are tilted forward and slightly down.

This feature appeared due to a mutation, the predominance of an incomplete dominant fold gene..

All kittens are born with straight ears.

Animals are born similar to other cats. Their ears are straight, pointed. By 1 month they are doubled. This is one of the hallmarks of the Scottish breed..

They take funny and unusual poses.

In a dream, lop-eared cats curl up, raise their paws up. Sometimes animals stretch out on the floor, curl funny. They squat, stand on their hind legs like meerkats..

They do not like to sit in their arms

Beautiful cats with hanging ears will be on the heels of the owner. They like to be around, play or watch from afar..

Animals are wayward, therefore do not like to sit on their knees, hands.

Inherited Health Problems

Due to genetic mutations, the lop-eared cat breed is prone to disease. These can be skeletal anomalies (inflexible paws, thick tail).

There are problems with the gastrointestinal tract – digestive upset, poor appetite.

Sometimes there are degenerative diseases of the joints, redness, itching of the skin.

Hereditary health problems:

• obesity;
• cysts in the kidneys;
• diseased heart;
• violation of the structure of the eye;
• scabies;
• deafness;
• ear infections.

Care and maintenance of lop-eared cats

To keep the animal healthy, carry out hygiene procedures, take care of the coat. Cats are unpretentious to the conditions of detention. They should have a clean filler tray. Immediately identify the place for dishes with food and water. Prepare a sleeping area for relaxation.

Get a portable doctor visit basket and scratcher.

Hygiene procedures

Clipping a claw is one of the important types of care. It must be carried out once a month. Get a special secateurs that will prevent injury, make the procedure convenient, safe.

Once every 2 weeks, clean your pet’s ears. No need to use plastic sticks, a cotton swab is suitable.

Inspect your eyes daily. Wipe off the discharge with a cotton pad. Prolonged lacrimation may indicate infection. If pus or odor develops, consult a doctor. Twice a year, give drugs for worms.

Hair care

In order for the animal to be healthy, it looks neat, you need to monitor the appearance:

1. Comb the cat once a week. When the wool begins to molt, do it daily. Get a brush with short teeth from the pet store. A comb is suitable for the Highland fold breed.
2. Once a month, wash your cat with special shampoo. Keep your ears dry and keep them dry..
3. As soon as the warm season begins, carry out flea treatment. Follow instructions for use..

If the cat participates in the exhibition, the hair is sheared, emphasizing the roundness of the body.

A light colored animal can be washed on the day of the show. In hot weather, you need to turn to professionals to slightly reduce the length of the coat.

Scottish fold breeding

At the initial crossing of two identical breeds, physical mutations appeared. Kittens were born with dysfunctions of the bones, heart. With exotics and British representatives, the mating did not bring good results – the tail was not so mobile, and the vertebrae fused over time.

Genetics concluded that you can not knit a fold cat and cat.

One of them needs to have straight ears. To get a breed with thick fur, you need to use two animals with long hair. It is important to choose a cat whose color resembles that of a cat.

Buy Scottish Fold kitten

Babies are given at the age of two or three months. A healthy kitten should be friendly, active, curious. Do not choose a too calm or playful animal, with bald patches and combs. These may be the first signs of ill health or character..

Buy a clean, well-groomed, chubby and pleasantly smelling kitten. A big plus if he chooses you.

Cats are bought for breeding and participation in exhibitions.

It is better to take the animal from a trusted seller or in a nursery.

This will protect against the purchase of a sick kitten. The breeder provides a written health guarantee (passport).

Scottish fold kitten costs from 10 to 55 thousand rubles. Price depends on parents, origin. Some buyers pay attention to exhibition prospects. A kitten with a rich pedigree, good external data can cost up to 60 thousand rubles.