Recently, pets like cats have gained incredible popularity. People especially fell in love with the gray fold Scot. What is the reason for such sympathy, let's try to understand this article. Indeed, in addition to this breed of cats, there are many others that can not only be inferior to them in appearance and character, but also surpass in some respects. So why is the cat breed a fold Scot?
History of their origin
The first mention of the breed was recorded in the twentieth century. Initially, it was a mixture of ordinary yard cats with the British, but later breeders became interested in them and in 1963 started breeding cats with hanging ears. Almost immediately after its appearance in the USSR, a cat breed, a fold Scot, went on television. This happened in 1970, when young viewers watched the cartoon Carlson Returned. Matilda, a housekeeper's cat, was a representative of cats with hanging ears.
Appearance
What do we pay attention to first of all? Of course, in appearance. And really, how can you not get enough of these cute hanging ears and deep eyes? But besides the ears, the Scot has fold eyes, which are unnaturally large for a cat and most often a beautiful blue color. Another distinguishing feature is the large round head, which is also a rarity for cats. It is worth noting the dense, short coat and folds of the Scots, which can be varied. On this basis, it is better not to try to distinguish the breed.
Character
Looking at the attractive appearance of a fold Scot, the character also cannot be ignored. What if a little angel turns into a big prankster? But this is not about the Scots, because their character is even better than appearance. The main plus is calm and poise. With such a favorite, you can even sit down to watch a movie that he can watch until the very end.
These are very kind and friendly animals who are always happy to spend time with the owner. They have a soft character, and to argue with this cute cat is almost impossible. Kids love to play, they are always interested in everything new. Adult individuals are not so active, but also like communication. It is interesting to watch how a little kitten just explores all corners of its new home. And adult fold Scots will go around them in search of the most convenient place to relax.
The owners have virtually no trouble with them. Since they quickly get used to a person, they like to spend time with him. However, often these animals choose a pet among people and tend to be with him more often. This character trait is inherent in dogs. You don’t need to devote too much time to the cat and bother with it for hours, just surround it with care and affection. Lop-eared Scots nicknames are remembered quite quickly, but do not give them too long or complex names.
Features
The lop-eared Scots have a very soft and calm character, they are also very neat and not vindictive at all. Most likely, you have met such breeds of cats that can take revenge on the owner that he screamed or because of a bad mood did not award a treat. The Scots are not like that at all. They are easy to accustom to the tray and to the scratching post, so if you take up the upbringing of the baby in time, then in adulthood he will not spoil your furniture.
Another feature is their ability to move quietly. Although they are gaining a fairly large body weight, and their paws are large, but their jumps and other movements are almost inaudible. The same goes for the voice. Scots generally rarely scream, only in case of emergency, but even then the owners have to listen.
They love to travel and are quite calm about transportation. During long trips rarely give the owner extra trouble. Thanks to their sociability and calmness, they often become participants, and then winners of various exhibitions and competitions.
Four-legged friends
As already mentioned, the Scots love communication with people, but they are not against friends with other animals. Therefore, they will quite calmly react to the fact that in the next room another cat or another animal will live. They manage to make friends even with dogs. If you worry that two pets will turn the apartment upside down at once, then in vain. The lop-eared sloth will not rush about the rooms. This is not at all suitable for his relaxed lifestyle. In the house where the fold Scot lives, mice almost never appear, because they know that jokes are bad with this hunter. And, it would seem, this does not at all look like such a calm cat, however, he leaves no chance for rodents.
Friendship with children
Children and Scottish folds quickly find a common language. It is especially interesting for the child to play with a curious kitten. An adult cat will calmly relate to many pranks that children allow themselves. But this does not mean that parents can do anything to allow the baby, who can not only torture the cat, but also make him angry. And this condition of the animal often leads to the fact that children receive various scratches and bites.
Purchase
Scots can be safely attributed to young breeds, and in this regard it may seem that finding it is not so simple. But this is far from the case. Breeders are actively engaged in breeding the breed, and to acquire it is quite simple. And the price is quite affordable, although not all thoroughbred animals have such a low cost. When choosing a baby, you first need to look at his pedigree and all the attached documents, talk with the breeder and observe a little the behavior of the kitten you like.
Some believe that fold Scottish cats are cats that have an exceptionally gray shade of hair, but this is a fallacy, as shades can be very diverse. It is better to get a kitten who is already accustomed to the tray, has all the necessary vaccinations and underwent primary socialization. Basically, these are kittens from two to three months. If you plan to take part in various exhibitions, then first of all pay attention to the tail of the animal. It should be devoid of all kinds of creases, excesses, movements should be without any difficulties.
The main pride of this breed is broken ears. They may be slightly straightened in childhood, but do not be alarmed, as with the growth of the cat, the ears will begin to bend. This is a completely normal phenomenon and it depends on the development of the breed or individual.
Care Features
Scottish Fields can be not only short-haired, but also long-haired. Caring for the first ones is pretty simple. It is only necessary to periodically comb it with the help of a finisher. This is necessary in order to remove fallen hairs from the thick undercoat. For more furry representatives of the breed, this procedure needs to be increased. This is due to the fact that long hair forms tangles and rolls. It is not necessary to cut the representatives of the breed.
The lop-eared pet will not refuse massage. To conduct it, you need to purchase a special rubber brush or a brush with rounded teeth. These cats are not afraid of water, but this does not mean that they need to be bathed often. Swimming is recommended in case of emergency and only using special shampoo.
And again, attention must be paid to the ears. The problem is that the auricles are covered with tips, so a lot of sulfur is collected there, which needs to be removed. For cleaning, cotton swabs and a special liquid are used, which can be bought at a veterinary pharmacy or pet store.
When choosing a tray and a stove bench, make sure that they fully correspond to the size of the pet, otherwise it will be inconvenient for him there, and the cat will refuse to use these items. The lounger should be located in such a way that the pet was in artificial shelter. It’s good if you place it near the wall of the cabinet. And do not place it in such a way that a draft gets on it. The claw should be quite high so that the cat can stretch out to its full height during procedures with claws. And do not forget to cut them several times a month for a couple of millimeters.
Walking
Initially, this breed was bred for home maintenance and, accordingly, its representatives got such a character that various walks are of little interest to them. The cat will like it more if you have various gymnastic apparatus at home that will help him keep fit. You can make them yourself, or you can buy them in a store. What is included here?
- Wooden stick constructions.
- Layered shelves.
- Carton boxes.
Such items will help not only the adult to maintain their muscle tone, but the baby will also develop much better and faster. It will be much easier for those owners who live in the private sector. The cat will be able to do all the necessary exercises in the garden. However, do not leave it unattended. And do not forget to buy a special collar for him, which will protect the lop-eared pet from fleas and ticks, since during walks in the fresh air no one is safe from meeting these pests.
Food
How to feed a Scottish fold? Like most domestic breeds, this cat prefers natural feed or a high-quality dry product. But do not mix them. The owner must choose one feeding method and stick to it. Boiled chicken, slices of fresh beef and offal are included in the basis of natural food. It is recommended to give the liver exclusively boiled. As for fish, the inhabitants of the sea are included in the diet, but only after preliminary cooking.
Take a look, maybe your pet will want to eat cereals. You can give rice, millet and oats cooked in milk or broth. Sometimes you can add egg yolk to cereals. It is recommended to include fermented milk products in the form of low-fat cottage cheese or kefir in the menu. It is also allowed to use cream and sour cream, but in a minimal amount, since these products are too fatty and can lead to various liver diseases.
For those who decide to choose an easier way and feed the pet with dry food, you need to choose only premium products. They have all the necessary vitamins and minerals. As for the brand, here the choice rests with the owner. You can seek advice from a veterinarian who, after a preliminary examination of a cat, will be able to choose the most suitable food for him.
Diseases
The most attractive part of the body of the Scot is the ears, which later can become a big problem for him. The fact is that this feature is a mutation, which often leads to rickets in kittens, and in adults it causes osteochondrodystrophy. Such diseases cause a lot of discomfort to pets, and over time can generally lead to disability. Unfortunately, modern medicine has not yet found a way to deal with this mutation.
When choosing a Scottish fold cat, pay attention to its mobility. You need to touch the legs and tail: if their movements are greatly inhibited, then these are the first signs of the diseases mentioned above. And it is impossible to cure them even at such an early stage.
In the previous paragraphs, it was said that the cat’s bed should not be in a draft. This is due to the fact that he can catch a cold pretty quickly or even get bronchitis. And also weaknesses are in the Scottish fold eyes. The task of the owner is to ensure that they do not water, as this has its side effects. And the main one is nasal congestion. And if we talk about the general condition of the animal, then it has good immunity and is considered quite seasoned.
It is also worth mentioning that these cute cats often suffer from hemophilia. Their blood coagulation is so deteriorating that even with the slightest scratch, it is very difficult to stop the blood.
Lop-eared Scot: vaccinations
The first vaccination should be carried out in two months, and this is the task of the breeder. Buying a kitten without this vaccination is not recommended. However, after this vaccination, the rest should be done by the new owner of the furry pet. The Scottish fold cat does not require any special vaccinations, and all vaccinations are given in accordance with established standards. An animal receives vaccines once a year against diseases such as hepatitis, plague, rabies, and many others. Before this procedure, the owner must necessarily deworm the pet, regardless of whether the cat has worms or not.
Knitting
Because of the genetic mutation of the breed, fur seals have many problems. In addition to various diseases, they have difficulty viscous. The problem is that two cats with bent ears cannot be allowed to mate. This is due to the fact that their offspring will be too weak, and the chances of survival are practically nullified.
Nature has made sure that animals can reproduce quietly. That is why each litter of these cats includes kittens whose ears are straight and bent. Remember that Scottish fold and Scottish Straight can be mated. Scottish Straights are representatives of the breed with straight ears. They can not be admitted to the exhibitions, but without them breeding offspring is impossible. Only from such mixed pairs can healthy kittens be born.
For a young male, you need a kitty who already had several mating, but an inexperienced female needs an experienced partner. The female carries offspring for no more than nine weeks.
Representatives of the breed always with great success appear at various exhibitions and competitions. Scots are always on the list of winners. If this cat fell into the family, then in a short time he will become its full member. This breed was created for home, warmth and love in the family. And she does an excellent job with her duties.