Lop-eared cats: description, character, care, feeding, rules of keeping

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Charming lop-eared cats have long won the hearts of Russian animal lovers. Many dream of such a pet. However, not everyone knows that Scottish Fold cats are an unusual breed that has its own characteristics. This applies to animal care, feeding and he alth.

According to most owners, Scots (Scottishfolds - the second name of the breed) are very affectionate and peaceful creatures.

From the history of the breed

Often a new breed of cat appears in the course of a natural genetic mutation that occurs unexpectedly in the most ordinary cat. That is how the breed of lop-eared cats appeared. All representatives of the Scots descended from the snow-white, not quite ordinary cat Susie, who had curved ears. She was unaware that she would become the progenitor of a new breed, and she calmly caught mice in the most ordinary barn in Scotland.

Probably, Susie would have continued to live in obscurity, if in 1961 the shepherd William Ross did not pay attention to her, who in his spare time studiedbreeding cats. After Susie gave birth to kittens from the most ordinary house cat, Ross bought one of them - a kitty named Snooks.

Snooks later had kittens from a British shorthair cat. So a new breed began to develop, the representatives of which at first were called simply lop-eared cats, later the word “Scottish” was added to the name, which indicated the country of origin. In addition, sometimes this breed is called the British Fold.

Breeders became interested in breeding unusual cats, and it was found that the gene mutation is dominant. In other words, this means that if at least one of the parents has the gene for folded ears, then the born kitten will also have such ears.

Another gift from Susie was the gene for long hair, which was inherited by her descendants. Such representatives of the breed are better known to animal lovers as long-haired Scottish Fold cats. Surprisingly, so far these animals are not officially recognized in the country of origin of the breed. Local experts fear that folded ears could lead to ear infections or deafness due to cartilage problems.

Description of lop-eared cats

Adult Scottish Fold cat weighs an average of 4 to 8 kilograms. His body is strong, even from shoulders to hips, with a well-developed chest. It is rather difficult to call it muscular: it is rather rounded and soft. The head is round in shape with smooth lines of the muzzle, cheekbones and cheeks.protrude, the lower jaw is clearly defined.

Lop-eared cats have longer and thicker whiskers than cats. The neck is tight and short. The nose is wide and short, with a small hump at the bridge of the nose. The ears are small and set wide apart. Their corners hang down funny forward, and the ear hole is completely covered. The ears can have from one fold, when the ear does not lie too tightly on the head, up to two, when it lies more densely, and up to three, when the ears fit very tightly to the head. Interestingly, kittens are born with straight ears, they begin to take shape at the age of about three weeks.

Round eyes rather large, set wide apart. The front paws are even, small, the hind limbs are set at an angle. The tail is of medium length, wider at the base than at the end. A short and wide tail is considered a fault.

Wool

Short-haired fold cat has a dense, plush coat, very soft to the touch. Long-haired representatives of the breed have hair of medium length, only on the hips it is slightly longer.

Color

Scots come in many colors - plain, tabby and white, tabby, multi-color, two-color. According to the standard, the color of the eyes depends on the color of the coat. For example, bicolor or white cats may have blue eyes.

Lop-eared cats: character

Scots are considered ideal pets - taking care of them at home is easy. They have a calm and restrained character. These pets are friendly andfriendly to all family members. They easily adapt to new living conditions, get along well with other pets.

Scottish Fold cat is completely devoid of aggression, which is important for families with children. By nature, these are smart and intellectually developed animals. According to the owners, they understand everything perfectly, respond to commands and, importantly, remember them well for the future. Very quickly accustomed to the scratching post and tray.

It's not just the external features of these cats that have made them so beloved - their gentle nature also plays a big role. These are gentle, docile and good-natured creatures that do not show aggression even for self-defense. Lop-eared cats are very attached to the owner, but they are never overly intrusive, although they are always happy with attention to themselves. This breed is ideal for keeping in an apartment.

Specialists classify this breed as intelligent: animals will not climb cornices, jump on cabinets, spoil the property of the owners. Although they are very sensitive to their owners, the Scots do not tolerate being held on their knees when they do not want to.

Despite a very calm disposition, representatives of the breed are sometimes not averse to having fun or running around. Lop-eared cats often stand up on their hind legs when they are interested in something. Interestingly, in this position, they can spend quite a long time.

You might think that their unusual ears are less mobile than other cats, but this is not so. With their help, animals communicate quite effectively, adding zest to theircheerful and quiet voice, if required. These are moderately active cats. They are very fond of various toys that are designed to test their dexterity, and even puzzles.

The favorite occupation of these beauties is any work that includes interaction with a person. Most of all, Scottish folds love to be with their family and participate in all its events. These charming creatures need human attention. They don't like to be alone in the house for hours at a time, so owners who are at work all day should consider keeping their pet company, like a second cat.

Attitude towards children and pets

Friendly lop-eared cats are ideal for families with children, as well as other pets. They gladly accept attention from small owners, but on the condition that they treat animals without excessive familiarity. The Scots are happy to play with children, they can learn various tricks. These cats get along great with dogs as long as they are socialized.

Care and maintenance of a lop-eared cat

Representatives of this breed need a weekly combing of wool, which will help get rid of dead hairs and massage your pet's skin. For longhaired animals, this procedure should be carried out twice a week to prevent the formation of tangles.

At least once a week, a Scot needs to brush his teeth. This procedure is a periodontal prophylactic.

Carelop-eared cat requires a mandatory and regular examination of the ears once a week, especially in cases where they are tightly folded. They are wiped with a cotton swab or a damp soft cloth dipped in a solution of warm water and apple cider vinegar in a 1:1 ratio.

Bathing

Don't bathe these animals unnecessarily. This should only be done if your pet's coat is very dirty. For prevention, this procedure is carried out no more than 4 times a year. Don't put your cat in a full bath. At its bottom, spread a towel on which they put a cat and pour water on top of it, trying not to get on its head. Shampoo must be special. It can be purchased at a pet store. Water temperature +35…+37 °C.

Claw trimming

Once or twice a month, a pet living in a city apartment needs to cut its claws. If you live in a private home and your pet has free access to the street, there is no need for trimming.

The Scottish Fold tray must be kept spotlessly clean. These cats are famous for their cleanliness, so such a pet does not accept dirt and bad smell.

Scot food

Caring for lop-eared cats, which lead a not very active lifestyle, should include a thoughtful and balanced diet, as these animals are prone to gaining excess weight. The owner, with the help of a veterinarian or breeder, must choose whether his pet should be fed natural or using prepared foods.

Thanfeed a lop-eared cat if you opted for natural food? Your pet should receive a varied diet in terms of mineral and vitamin composition. The Scots diet should include:

• lean chicken, beef, turkey;
• sea lean fish;
• offal;
• cheeses;
• vegetables;
• cottage cheese;
• kefir;
• porridge from millet, rice, oats;
• raw egg.

From the cat menu should be excluded:

• pork;
• mutton;
• potato;
• bow;
• beans.

He alth

Experts believe it is best to keep the Scottish Fold cat indoors only to protect the animal from diseases that other animals spread. In addition, it will help protect your pet from dog attacks and other dangers that cats often face on the street. Diseases of lop-eared cats are quite often genetic in nature.

Future owners are interested in how long lop-eared cats live. With good care and proper nutrition, Scottish cats often live up to 25 years. Scotsman's main he alth concerns include:

• diseases of the joints, especially in the tail, causing the animal severe pain and reduced activity;
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart disease that veterinarians consider hereditary.

What to name a cat or a cat?

Nicknames for lop-eared cats are, no doubt,owner's prerogative. You can call your pets Murka or Vaska, and this will not make them less loved. But if you have purchased a charming plush baby, but have not yet decided on a nickname, we offer you several options.

For cats:

• Alan.
• Bonnie.
• Watson.
• Glam.
• Kreg.
• Ross.
• Steve.
• Mickey.
• Tarry.
• Uni.

For cats:

• Alva.
• Betsy.
• Wendy.
• Daisy.
• Diva.
• Connie.
• Lucky.
• Nora.
• Faya.
• Shiny.

Interesting facts

• Lop-eared cats have different ears. Considered a valuable breed feature, their maximum closeness to the head and their small size.
• Not all representatives of the breed have drooping ears, in some individuals they remain erect. These animals are called straights. In addition to the position of the ears, they retain the rest of the breed characteristics. For breeding Scottish Fold cats or straight cats can be used. They have not damaged the gene responsible for the development of cartilage and bone tissue.
• Straits do not participate in exhibitions, but are only used for breeding. It is forbidden to cross two folds, since in this case there is a high risk of giving birth to kittens with mutations, deformities, and serious defects.

Adorable Scot with unusual floppy ears, a plush fur coat and plump cheeks is a wonderful pet that does not require complexcare.