Features of white fold Scottish cats

A relatively young breed of cats - the Scottish Fold (Scottish Fold) - very quickly managed to gain love and popularity all over the world, attracting more and more fans with its unusual appearance and various colors. A special place among them is occupied by the infrequent white Scottish folds. Not every potential owner of a white fold kitten with blue eyes knows that it is for this species of cute animals that there are peculiarities and nuances of maintenance and care.

Scottish Folds trace their history back to the classic British cats. The discoverer of the breed is considered to be a Scottish farmer, William Rossi, who in 1961 noticed an unusual white kitten named Susie at his neighbor. The kitten's ears did not protrude upward, as in ordinary cats, but were curved forward and lowered downward. William became very interested in this unusual animal and after a while acquired his kitten, which inherited from its mother not only white color, but also an unusual shape of ears.

William and his wife Mary crossed a white fold kitten with a smooth-haired British cat. The result was the progenitor of modern Scottish Folds. The breed was officially registered in 1965. But in 1971, it was revealed that cats with an unusual appearance have health problems, since the mutated gene responsible for the unique shape of the ears endowed its owners with deafness and problems with the spine. The existence of the breed was threatened.

But by that time, Scottish Folds had already acquired a mass of admirers, and active work began to eliminate genetic problems. It was found that both Fold Scottish cats (Scottish Folds) and Straight cats (Scottish Straights) can be born at the same time. As a result, a method that allows to significantly reduce the likelihood of a defective gene manifesting by crossing Scottish folds only with Scottish straights, and not with lop-eared brethren, has finally been found. Thus, the breed has confirmed its right to exist.

We can say that Scottish Folds are almost the ideal pet. The owners characterize the Scots as the most accommodating and peaceful creatures in comparison with other cat breeds and note their following positive features:

• calm, peaceful character;
• moderately playful and inquisitive;
• attached to the owner, but not jealous;
• self-sufficient, not afraid of loneliness;
• they do not like heights, therefore they do not jump on furniture and do not spoil the curtains;
• have a quiet voice, meow very rarely;
• smart, trainable;
• sociable, suitable for both families with children and the elderly;
• get along with most other pets;
• very clean;
• long-livers - with good care, they live up to 20-22 years.

Disadvantages of the breed are mainly related to possible health problems. The weak points of Scottish Folds are the joints and eyes. Since the breed arose as a result of gene mutations, arthritis and arthrosis, disorders in bone development can be inherited. Eye diseases - glaucoma and cataracts - occur in older cats, and because of the structure and shape of the eyes, an eyelid volvulus can occur. In this case, surgery is required.

The popularity of Scottish Folds is largely due to their very attractive and unusual appearance, which must meet the following standards:

• the maximum weight of a cat is 8-10 kg, of a cat - 4-5 kg;
• strong, stocky body with a broad chest;
• well-developed muscles, powerful legs and neck;
• flexible tail of medium length;
• spherical head;
• round, bright, widely spaced eyes of various shades;
• small, forward-facing ears folded in half;
• small nose, round cheeks, massive chin;
• short, dense, plush coat with a very thick and dense undercoat;
• extremely varied colors (smoky, tortoiseshell, purple, black, cream and many others).

White Scottish Folds with blue eyes... It is the white cat that is considered the ancestor of the Scottish Fold. Among fans of the breed, this color is considered very popular and in demand. White fold kittens with blue eyes are especially appreciated, causing a feeling of tenderness and purity. Such animals are rarely born, and their fans often have to sweat in search of their dreams.

It is almost impossible to guarantee the appearance of a Scottish fold in a litter. All kittens are born straight, and only after 3-5 months the shape of the ears begins to take on its final shape: it remains standing or bends into a fold. Ears can be folded in different ways: from single to triple. The larger it is, the more valuable and thoroughbred the cat is considered.

It is even more difficult to predict the appearance of a white fold kitten. Even in both snow-white parents, due to the presence of a huge variety of colors in the genetic set, kittens of a wide variety of colors can appear.

The pigment melanocyte is responsible for the color of the animal's eyes. For the birth of a white kitten with blue eyes, such a combination of circumstances is necessary so that the pigment content in the iris of the eyes is minimal. Much more often, the pigment is present in sufficient quantity, so kittens are born with yellow, brownish or green eyes.

It should be taken into account that the gene that provides the animal with a rare white color, unfortunately, in 50% of cases endows its owner with a defect - deafness... For this reason, when choosing a kitten, it is necessary to check his hearing. True, problems with the hearing aid in these cats are compensated by the exacerbation of other sense organs. For example, a strong sensitivity to vibrations develops, due to which the animal reacts to the voice and recognizes movement. Often, owners of hearing-impaired cats are not even aware of the presence of such a defect, since the animals have a very good reaction.

More common is the birth of a white fold kitten with eyes of different colors, one of which is blue. In this case, deafness from the side of the ear is possible on the same side where the blue eye is located.

If you still managed to become the happy owner of a snow-white blue-eyed miracle, you need to provide your pet with comfortable living conditions.

The kitten's house is best placed in a secluded place, protected from drafts, to which kittens are very sensitive. The eyes and nose of the animal should be checked regularly, as watery eyes can be a sign of a cold. The likelihood of getting bronchitis is also very high.

Scottish folds quickly learn to use the litter box, but for white animals, choose a higher height to avoid contamination of the paws and abdomen.

Snow-white wool will require more frequent bathing (for other colors, bathing is necessary once every 2 months), while detergents should be soft and neutral, without tinting components and fragrances. After washing, damp wool should be carefully blotted with a towel and dried with a hairdryer to avoid dust adhesion.

A kitten needs a nutritious diet rich in vitamins and microelements, which may contain natural food (lean meats, fish, boiled vegetables, cereals, dairy products) or premium food. If necessary, various dietary supplements can be included in the diet.

For the features of caring for cats of this breed, see the next video.