Appearance
The Fold cat has gained popularity due to the fact that it has a gentle character and beautiful appearance. The animal has a rounded head and a firm chin. The cat's jaw is powerful, extending into a small neck. The cat has beautiful round eyes, their shade goes well with the coat.
Cats have a short nose, but at the same time wide. If you look at the pet, its profile is streamlined and soft. The cat's ears point forward and are triangular in shape. The tips of the ears are slightly rounded.
The body of the Scottish Fold cat is medium-sized, strong and muscular. The pet does not look like he has extra pounds. The cat has rounded paws. The tail is long or medium in size and proportional to the body. Cats are a little more than cats.
Character
The Scottish cat has a slightly playful character, kindness and calmness. This breed becomes strongly attached to its owner and is good friends with other pets and small children. The main advantage of the Scottish cat is silence; they rarely meow and are very quiet.
This breed will be ideal for a person who leads a quiet life without fuss. Small lop-eared kittens may behave badly as children, but do not cause damage to the home. Animals love to hide various small objects. These cats love cleanliness very much, they are quite smart.
Adult cats are affectionate, calm and understand everything well. They know how to obey if it is in their interests. They can be stubborn if they don't want to do something. This breed loves to be friends with people; cats choose their leader and are constantly with him. Animals are very loyal, but never impose themselves. They love to lie near their owner, but not in a person's arms.
The Scottish Fold cat loves to meditate and stretches its paws forward. A pet of this breed prefers to sleep on its back and loves massage treatments performed with special combs. The cat has a gentle and soft character, so it will become a good friend for every person.
Most owners say that this breed is considered an ideal pet, as it does not harm and is well-bred. Externally, cats are cute, beautiful and gentle, they will not leave anyone indifferent. The character of the Scottish cat itself is good and harmless.
Health
Scottish cats have a genetic predisposition to various diseases. This may not occur in all animals, but it is important to be aware of what problems a future owner may face. Thus, fold-eared cats are predisposed to diseases that are associated with the skeleton. Osteochondrodysplasia, which is inherited, is not excluded. This disease causes skeletal deformation, impaired movement and problems with the tail. The disease can develop in both a kitten and an adult.
The following signs of pathology are observed:
- lameness;
- stiff gait;
- avoidance of jumping;
- touching the cat's tail hurts;
- the animal walks squat.
If such a disease develops, it is forbidden to allow the animal to be mated. When breeding with a sick pet, there is a high probability that kittens will be born with problems with the motor system.
Scottish cats are prone to heart disease. If you get vaccinated and visit your doctor regularly, preventive measures can improve your pet's life. On average, this breed lives from 10 to 15 years.
Scratching post and toys
Mandatory care attributes that any Scottish kitten should have are:
- one or two scratching posts that will allow you to sharpen your claws and clean them in a timely manner - as the basis of care;
- various types of toys in the form of balls, mice, fishing rods with feathers and other entertaining toys that you and your pet will enjoy.
Having these toys will not only amuse your animal, but will also allow him to have fun while you are away. And if you wish, you can always play with your pet without thinking about where to get a ribbon for playing or a candy wrapper in order to attract a Scottish kitten.
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Scottish cat care
Fold cats themselves adore cleanliness and take good care of themselves. They get their coats in order and quickly become toilet trained. If you have a scratching post at home, cats will not damage the furniture. Scottish cats quickly remember everything and try to behave well.
When the kitten grows up, he will not mess up the house and scatter all the things that do not lie smoothly. This breed prefers to spend more time with a person, and at the same time they are not intrusive. If the kitten is left alone at home, then you need to give him various toys so that he does not get bored.
We must not forget that there must be care for the coat of a Scottish cat. If your pet has a short coat, it will be easier to care for it. Then you will need to comb the cat once a week with special brushes.
You need to wash the animal depending on its coloring. As a rule, it is recommended for a cat to take water treatments once a month. If a cat participates in exhibitions, then it is washed a week before the event. You need to purchase a special shampoo for this breed.
Cats' claws must be trimmed. In fact, this procedure is carried out without pain for the animal. You need to sit the pet on your lap, take the paw and press lightly so that the cat releases its claws. Then you can begin the procedure, the main thing is not to touch a living nail. This can be understood by looking at the claws; they are light in color.
Regular examination of the ears and eyes is a must. Most often, Scottish cats have clean ears. If dirt becomes noticeable, take a cotton swab and remove the dirt. It is best to use special lotions to clean the ears. The eyes become wet in small kittens, so you need to apply eye drops and monitor the condition of the animal.
Nutrition
In order for food to benefit the cat, you will need to follow some rules. First of all, there should be a balanced diet. As a rule, Scottish cats eat dry, wet food or eat natural food. The food should be of high quality and with a normal dosage of meat.
It is prohibited to mix natural food and feed at one time. It is allowed to give meat products, cereals and vegetables together.
The Scottish Fold cat needs to be given protein food. It is best to feed the animal low-fat meat products, fish, and dairy products.
When a kitten grows up, it must receive all the necessary fats; they are found in egg yolks and butter. The pet should eat on average 2-3 times a day in small portions. It is not recommended to feed a fold-eared cat in large quantities, as overeating can lead to obesity.
What to pay attention to
It is worth carefully monitoring not only the diet, but also the number of servings, since feeding Scottish Straight cats requires a clear dosage . This is due to the fact that this breed is prone to obesity and a Scottish cat cannot always control its appetite, when it is not really full, and when it has overeaten. However, if a Scottish cat leaves food on the plate, you should not immediately contact a veterinarian, because you can adjust the portion size based on the mood and activity of the Scottish cat.
The Scottish Straight kitten should be fed in such a way that 40% of all food is protein.
Up to a year, it is recommended to structure the diet in such a way that it is divided into three to four meals, and for adult cats, 2 feedings during the day will be optimal. A prerequisite must be the availability of clean, boiled water.
Upbringing
If a pet has some bad habits, it will be difficult to wean it. It is better to try to prevent their appearance. As soon as the kitten appears in the house, he must understand what is allowed to do and what is not allowed.
Scottish cats are required to adhere to the following rules in the house:
- do not scratch furniture;
- rest and go to the toilet in the right places;
- do not harm the plants that are in the house;
- be friends with all pets;
- do not climb on tables or steal food;
- maintain cleanliness;
- do not show aggressive behavior.
Do not yell at the cat, otherwise it will become aggressive and will not trust its owner. The little kitten gets used to the new place and owner quickly. If the animal does something wrong, then you need to say the command “no” and lightly spank it. This breed loves to interact with people, and cats need to be played with regularly.
Cats follow a certain routine, so it is not recommended to disturb them in the morning and evening. If you wish, you can train a Scottish cat. They love to stand on their hind legs and stand on them for a long time. To raise a Scottish cat you will need to gain strength and patience.
Manicure
Purchasing a scratching post is also a maintenance requirement, as cleaning nails is a natural need for any cat, and Scottish cats are clean enough to sharpen their claws on your furniture. It is best to organize the Scottish cat’s space in such a way that all the toys, scratching post and her personal house are within visual reach, then she will understand that this is her territory and will not disturb you if you want to be alone.
It is very important to refresh your Scottish cat's environment from time to time, since most cats spend their entire lives in confined spaces and variety in toys and games will certainly please your kitten.
Colors of Scottish cats
Scottish cats come in a huge number of colors. They come in brindle, spotted, and marbled. The most popular shade of this breed is red. Scottish cats of this color have good intelligence and are easy to train. This pet has a bright and rich red hue. The color is located evenly throughout the body.
The Scottish cat's paw pads and nose are bright red. These cats have golden or copper colored eyes. In order to find an animal with this color, you need to make a lot of effort, since this shade is rare.
Preparing for the arrival of a Scottish kitten in the house
The character of the Scottish Fold cat is quite calm and lazy. To keep such a pet you will need a small amount of space. There is one drawback that in childhood the kitten is very playful and energetic.
Before purchasing a pet, you need to prepare as follows:
- Remove all wires, cables, phone charging devices, things that break. Small items will also need to be hidden for the safety of the pet so that he does not swallow them.
- You need to purchase dishes for eating food and water. You need to buy one made of ceramic or metal material to avoid the bowls from tipping over.
- You should purchase a tray and a special filler for it. It is necessary to accustom a Scottish cat to the toilet from the first hours in the house. It is best to buy a tray that has low sides.
- A place to relax. It is necessary to purchase a bed or a special house for sleeping. A Scottish cat can get used to sleeping with its owner, then a designated place will not be needed.
- Scratching post. It must be so that the kitten does not damage things and furniture in the house.
- Toys. This will help distract the baby from hooliganism, as he will be busy playing.
When an animal appears in the house, it must be immediately accustomed to a place for toileting and food. It is imperative to ensure that the kitten eats only from a bowl, then the food will not end up on the floor. As a rule, kittens are sold that are already litter box trained. In the first days, the baby may not be able to find the toilet on his own, so you need to show it to him constantly.
Prohibitions
There are foods that are strictly not allowed for feeding cats:
- potatoes and any dishes made from them;
- greens and grass grown on the windowsill or purchased in special stores;
- pasta and food with spices and herbs;
- fatty meats such as pork;
- dairy products with a high percentage of fat content.
Taking into account the structural features of bone and cartilage tissue, it is necessary to regulate your pet’s nutrition in such a way that it receives all the necessary nutrients, especially in the period up to 1 year, so the nutrition of a straight-eared British kitten is of great importance in the process of care, and its regulation ensures the health and longevity of your cat.
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Breed Features
A good advantage of the Scottish cat is its good learning ability and love of cleanliness. Most cats of other breeds love to take revenge, but the Scotsman will never do this. From childhood, they quickly understand the toilet and learn to sharpen their claws in the right place.
The pet has a quiet voice, and he makes it only when he is hungry or calls for help. The cat has powerful paws and a body, he moves gently and gracefully.
You can go on a trip with this breed, as cats can easily tolerate travel. They quickly get used to new places and often participate in exhibitions.
The Scots have a calm and balanced character. This breed feels comfortable in an apartment, as they do not like to live in the yard. A fold-eared cat does not require a lot of space and care, but you need to give the pet the necessary attention. It is best to take the animal outside for socialization purposes.
In order for cats to be friends with other pets, they need to be taught friendship from childhood. They can easily get along with any dog, as they have an easy-going character.
Scottish Fold cats are friendly and affectionate in nature. It is important that the animal is raised from the very first days in the house. Then you will be able to raise a good and cute cat. The main thing is to love and caress your pet, and then the owner will receive reciprocity.
Eye hygiene
The anatomy of Scottish cats provides for a high risk of infection of the tear duct, therefore it is necessary to pay special attention to the hygiene and care of your kitten's eyes . Very often, owners of Scottish cats consider it normal for this breed to have a tear streak from the eye. However, this approach is not correct, since purulent or brown discharge from the tear duct signals that you urgently need to contact a veterinarian and clean the tear duct, because the main cause of such discharge may be infection or improper care.
It is recommended to wipe the eye from the corner and along the inner edge with a damp swab weekly, and if desired, you can purchase a special liquid for eye hygiene and care. It is also imperative to inspect the eyes every morning and, if a dark coating forms, remove it with a regular sponge.
These simple rules will help keep your pet healthy and avoid visiting the veterinarian.