Cats with Folded Ears? A Scottish Fold Breed Guide

Scottish Folds are some of the cutest cats on the block, capturing the hearts of cat lovers with their unique looks for more than 60 years. But what is a Scottish Fold cat exactly, and why is this breed so popular?

Whether you’re interested in bringing a new furry family member home or simply want to learn more about your own Scottish Fold, this in-depth guide will help you understand this breed’s history, personality, care tips, health risks, and more.

What is a Scottish Fold cat?

The defining feature of Scottish Folds is their folded-back ears, which creates a rounded face. That, paired with their expressive eyes and flat faces (often described as brachycephalic), leads some owners to describe them as having an owl-like look. And, depending on the angle you’re looking at a Scottish Fold’s face, they may not even appear to have ears! That said, there are actually three different degrees of ear fold among these cats:

• Single fold — The ear tip is folded downward
• Double fold — Half the ear is folded downward
• Triple fold — The entire ear is lying close to the forehead. This is the type most commonly associated with these cats as it’s the “show quality” fold accepted by most cat registries.

Scottish Fold cats typically have medium-sized, sturdy bodies, legs, and tails. They can weigh up to 13 pounds. The coats of both Shorthair and Longhair Scottish Folds are plush and dense, requiring a fair amount of grooming to keep their fur in good condition.

9 fun facts about Scottish Folds

1. All Scottish Fold cats can be traced back to Susie, a folded-ear farm cat in Scotland in the 1960s.
2. Scottish Fold kittens are born with straight ears. They may start to fold within the first month of life.
3. The kittens that don’t develop folded ears are called Scottish Straights. This division of the breed wasn’t accepted for championship status by The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) until 2022.
4. A natural genetic mutation causes this breed’s ears to fold and can also affect the cartilage and bones in other areas of their body.
5. They’re laid-back, sweet, and friendly cats, getting along well with people.
6. This breed has lower energy levels than some other cats; they’re content just loafing around. But this can make Scottish Folds more prone to becoming overweight, so a healthy diet and exercise are key.
7. Scottish Folds are considered one of the more expensive cat breeds due to strict breeding requirements to ensure that the line stays healthy.
8. A typical lifespan of this type of cat is 11 to 16 years.
9. You’ve probably seen a Scottish Fold cat in pop culture, especially in recent years when the breed made appearances in movies and music videos.

Similar cat breeds

These felines share some similar physical characteristics as well as the sweet temperaments of the Scottish Fold (if you're considering adopting a cat like this, by the way):

• Scottish Straights (again, these are just Scottish Folds who don't develop the trademark folded ears)
• British Shorthair
• American Curl

History of the Scottish Fold cat

A relatively new cat breed, the history of the Scottish Fold cat dates back only to 1961 with Susie, a cat found on a farm in Scotland by local shepherd William Ross. Susie’s unique look — white fur, folded ears, and captivating copper eyes — captured Ross’s interest, and he asked the owners of the farm if he could have one of the kittens in her next litter. He eventually bred one of Susie’s kittens with a British Shorthair and other local breeds, and the resulting litters had the folded-ear trait. Thus, the Scottish Fold breed was born.

But not all Scottish Folds have folded ears; litters produce kittens with straight ears, too. This breed’s folded ears are a result of a natural genetic mutation. Although it’s a dominant gene, it’s not always displayed in all Scottish Fold kittens.

The breed was introduced to North America in the early 1970s, and the shorthair Scottish Fold was officially recognized by the CFA in 1978, later followed by the longhair and straight-eared types. The International Cat Association (TICA) allows breeders to use the British Shorthair (like William Ross did) and American Shorthair in Scottish Fold breeding programs.

Do Scottish Fold cats make good pets?

With some of the sweetest, gentlest personalities, Scottish Folds tend to make wonderful pets! In fact, they’re now one of the most popular cat breeds. Many pet parents consider their temperament and energy levels perfect for family life, but their grooming requirements might dissuade some.

Breed temperament

Calm, social, and curious are the most fitting words to describe a Scottish Fold. You’ll likely find your cute cat lazing around on the couch, the floor, or on their favorite bunched-up blanket — basically anywhere near their human family members.

Natural homebodies, Scottish Folds love to be cozy in their own space, but their curiosity does drive them to their paws every so often. Maybe they’ll follow their pet parents from room to room or perk up when they hear a strange sound, sitting on their hind legs like a prairie dog.

They’re social little creatures, always wanting to be where the action is. You won’t find Scottish Folds scampering under the chair when visitors come over, instead living up to their title as one of the friendliest cat breeds. While they might not be their fully affectionate selves with strangers at first meeting, after trust is built, this cat breed will be loyal for life. Because Scottish Folds love people, they might not do too well on their own for long periods of time.

Energy levels

While every cat is individual and unique, Scottish Folds tend to be one of the lazier cat breeds, preferring to cuddle on the couch for hours at a time rather than partake in rambunctious activities. They’re like the paperweights of cat breeds, plopping down just about anywhere for some head scratches or a long nap.

But even the calmest of cats can have their energetic moments. The curious nature of Scottish Folds motivates them in games of fetch or other activities. And, just like other cats, they do get the zoomies from time to time.

Although this breed is a top choice for more mellow households, it’s important for pet parents to engage these sweet-natured, low-energy cats in activities to help them get their exercise.

Grooming needs

Both shorthair and longhair Scottish Folds require some level of routine maintenance due to their dense coats. This breed sheds year-round, so brushing and combing is crucial to remove dead hairs. Shorthairs have shorter topcoats, so they typically only need to be combed about once a week. In addition to their weekly combing, longhairs need closer inspection to ensure that their longer fur doesn’t become matted or tangled.

If their coat becomes particularly dirty for some reason, bathing your cat is an option, but be sure to consult your vet.

Your Scottish Fold cat’s fur isn’t the only thing that needs maintenance:

• Ears — Be sure to check Scottish Fold ears every week or so to ensure that there are no signs of infection.
• Teeth — Yes, you should brush your kitty’s teeth! For healthy teeth and gums, a good rule of thumb is to brush your Scottish Fold’s teeth daily.
• Nails — Just like human nails, cats’ claws keep growing, so aim to trim them every few weeks. Read our tips on trimming your cat’s nails to ease the process.

Scottish Fold cat health concerns

Like all cat breeds, there are some health issues that Scottish Folds may be susceptible to. When bred carefully by responsible breeders, these cats are generally healthy and are at lower risk of congenital problems and other illnesses down the line.

Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean you should automatically discount these kitties as pets, but it does mean that it’s important to be aware of common health risks to be a responsible cat owner. It’s also important to promote your cat’s health with regular visits to your veterinarian and discussing any concerns as they come up. Plus, a cat insurance policy can help protect them (and your budget) by covering certain hereditary conditions, unexpected injuries, and more.

Ear infections

If left unchecked, Scottish Fold ears can develop infections more easily than with other cats. Their ear folds can trap moisture, a breeding ground for bacteria. As part of your weekly grooming session, check for signs of an ear infection. If you do notice a symptom, take your pet to the vet.

Degenerative joint disease

The genetic mutation that causes bent ears also causes a type of degenerative joint disease (specifically osteochondrodysplasia), where the bones and cartilage in other areas of the body have difficulty developing.

If your cat has folded ears, they are carrying the gene for the disease. The degree to which this issue develops is different for every Scottish Fold — some may show few signs, if any, while others may have more extreme cases. That’s why it’s so important to be aware of and watch for the common symptoms:

• Moving slower or less frequently than usual
• Trouble getting comfortable or curling up
• Limping
• Unable to jump up or down
• Misshapen legs or tail
• Difficulty grooming themselves

In addition to these physical symptoms, if your cat is in pain, they may also not have much of an appetite or prefer to hide away (another telltale sign that a normally social Scottish Fold may need medical attention).

Ethical breeding programs only breed Scottish Folds with straight-eared cats to help mitigate this joint issue and ensure through DNA testing that the pairings are healthy. However, this is a common health issue with Scottish Fold cats, so consulting a veterinarian as early as possible is key to keeping your pet happy and healthy.

Other health issues to watch out for

Scottish Folds are also prone to having the following medical conditions:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — Some cat breeds, like Maine Coons and British Shorthairs, are predisposed to this heart disease. Because Scottish Folds are typically bred with British Shorthairs, they’re also predisposed.
• Polycystic kidney disease — Cats born with this condition may not have any symptoms until they’re older, but if they’re drinking and urinating more than usual, it’s time to take them to a vet.

Scottish Fold cats in pop culture

Scottish Folds aren’t just popular pets in everyday life. This breed has also had its time in the Hollywood spotlight, most recently in the 2024 film Argyle. And before that, Taylor Swift’s Scottish Fold cat made a cameo in her 2014 music video for “Blank Space.”

In 2016, Elle Magazine even declared the Scottish Fold to be one of the “coolest cat breeds,” noting that celebrities Kirsten Dunst, Patrick Dempsey, Mia Farrow, and, of course, Taylor Swift, all were proud owners.

Take a look at more cat breed guides to learn about the fascinating world of felines!