What to watch out for when raising a Scottish Fold cat

There are a few things to note when raising a Scottish Fold cat. First, the ears. Scottish Fold cats have folded ears, which make it difficult for owners to observe the cat's ear condition, especially for new cat owners who may not even bother to check the ears. This makes the cat's ears prone to ear mite or Malassezia infections. Second, bone development. Due to genetic issues, Scottish Fold cats may have skeletal malformations. Owners should feed the cat glucosamine and watch for signs of painful sitting positions.

Why do Scottish Fold cats have folded ears?

This is because the folding ear trait is incomplete dominant. If a cat has the folding gene, it may exhibit folded ears. If a Scottish Fold cat is crossed with a straight-eared cat, its offspring may have both folded and straight ears, or they may have incomplete dominant folding ears. Cats carrying the folding gene have a certain likelihood of developing genetic diseases, but compared to purebred cats with the folding gene, those carrying the gene have a lower chance of developing symptoms.

Genetic diseases in Scottish Fold cats

The folding of the ears is caused by genetic cartilage abnormalities. Cats with this disease experience pain in one or more limbs, making them unwilling to jump high. Due to the inability of the joints to bear weight, the cat's walking pace may seem stiff. The limbs are shorter than those of a normal cat, with particularly abnormal toe morphology. The cat assumes a crouching position, has a short, thick tail, and a thick tail base that cannot bend. As the cat ages, the severity of the symptoms worsens. If the cat shows reluctance to walk or is in pain, owners should give it painkillers and long-term supplementation with glucosamine.

How to treat genetic diseases in Scottish Fold cats

Currently, there are no drugs available to treat genetic diseases in Scottish Fold cats. If a cat has already developed symptoms, owners can only alleviate its pain through medication, such as glucosamine and joint supplements. After the cat develops the disease, it experiences extreme pain as its tail and limbs become increasingly stiff. It is recommended that owners take the cat to a veterinarian for euthanasia when its condition deteriorates.