10 Intriguing Facts About Scottish Fold Cats

From the land of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the soulful sounds of bagpipes, and the world’s most exquisite whiskies comes another Scottish gem—the endearing Scottish Fold Cat. (No offense to Scottish terriers.) Discover more about this charming, floppy-eared feline that has captured hearts far beyond Scotland.

1. A unique genetic mutation gives them their distinctive folded ears ...

Beyond their wide, expressive eyes and rounded physique, the most striking feature of a Scottish Fold is its uniquely folded ears. These ears curve forward, lying flat against the cat’s head, often drawing comparisons to the look of an owl or a cuddly teddy bear.

This distinctive trait stems from an incomplete dominant gene caused by a spontaneous mutation. It influences the cartilage throughout the cat’s body, with the ears being the most noticeable manifestation. However, the mutation affects the entire skeletal structure.

2. ... This can sometimes lead to health issues.

Scottish Folds are prone to varying levels of osteochondrodysplasia, a painful disorder marked by abnormal bone and cartilage development. Severe cases may result in arthritis, fused joints in the tail, ankles, and knees, lameness, deformed limbs, and an unusual gait. To minimize these risks, breeders often pair Scottish Folds with straight-eared cats, such as British or American Shorthairs.

3. Scottish Folds are not born with folded ears.

At birth, Scottish Folds have typical, pointed ears. Their iconic folded appearance only begins to develop between 2 to 4 weeks of age. Some cats retain straight ears and are referred to as Scottish Shorthairs or Scottish Straights. However, only cats with fully folded ears are eligible to compete in shows according to the CFA and other cat associations.

Originally, Scottish Folds had less pronounced ear folds, with the crease starting midway and tilting forward. Through years of selective breeding, modern Scottish Folds now exhibit double or triple ear folds, resulting in ears that lie entirely flat against their heads.

4. The Scottish Fold breed originated from a barn cat named Susie.

In 1961, a white barn cat named Susie with uniquely folded ears was discovered on a farm in Perthshire, Scotland. She later had two kittens, both inheriting her distinctive ear trait. William Ross, a local farmer and cat enthusiast, adopted one of these kittens and, in 1966, registered the breed with Great Britain’s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). Collaborating with geneticist Pat Turner, Ross began breeding Scottish Folds, resulting in 76 kittens over three years—42 with folded ears and 34 with straight ears. Through cross-breeding with British Shorthairs and other cats, the breed evolved into the adorable, round-faced feline we adore today. Every Scottish Fold can trace its ancestry back to Susie.

5. Scottish Fold cats were once known by a different name.

Originally resembling lop-eared rabbits, Scottish Folds were referred to as “Lop-eared” or “Lops” until the breed was officially registered and renamed the Scottish Fold.

6. Scottish Folds exhibit a wide variety of colors and patterns.

The short-haired, medium-sized Scottish Fold can be found in an array of colors and patterns, including black, blue, red, tabby, and shaded silver [PDF]. Their eyes can be any color, though copper is the most common [PDF]. Occasionally, you’ll encounter longhaired Scottish Folds, known in some circles as Highland Folds.

7. Scottish Folds have limited popularity in Europe ...

The GCCF, the UK’s largest cat registration body, initially accepted Scottish Folds for shows in 1966. However, by 1971, they stopped registrations due to concerns about physical deformities, ear infections, mites, and potential deafness. The British Veterinary Association even proposed a ban on breeding them.

8. ... But they’re adored in America.

In 1970, Scottish Folds arrived in America when three kittens were sent to Neil Todd, a New England scientist studying spontaneous genetic mutations in cats. After completing his research, the kittens were adopted by breeders and enthusiasts, spreading the breed’s popularity.

In 1977, Scottish Folds gained provisional status in the CFA, and over the years, they’ve become a highly coveted breed in the U.S. Today, prospective owners may face waiting lists and prices as high as $2500 for a Scottish Fold kitten.

9. Scottish Folds are famous for their quirky postures.

Scottish Folds are celebrated for their ability to sit, stand, or lie in amusing, human-like positions. They often perch on their haunches in a “Buddha-like” stance, stand upright on their hind legs, or contort themselves into playful and unusual poses.

10. Scottish Folds have a strong presence in pop culture.

If you’re unfamiliar with Taylor Swift’s Scottish Folds, Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey, or the viral sensation Maru’s social media fame, consider exploring Peter Gethers’s book, The Cat Who Went to Paris (1990), and its sequel, A Cat Abroad (1993). These books beautifully narrate the heartwarming bond between Gethers and his beloved Scottish Fold, Norton.