How many years do Scottish cats live and what does it depend on?

Scottish cats are known not only for the unusual shape of the ears. Scottish Folds are a delightful breed that benefits from a remarkable calm and hardy personality. Cats quickly adapt to new conditions and events, whether it is a visit to a veterinarian or participation in exhibitions. They are quite obedient, they understand well the mood of the owners, so there are no special difficulties in upbringing. Many people wonder what is the average life expectancy of such cats at home.

Lop-eared cats do not bother their owners. They will not meow defiantly in order to achieve what they want. The fidelity of this breed should also be especially noted. The animal is able to bond not only with a certain family member, but also with the family as a whole. Responsive pets will always help you in a stressful situation. However, with a small amount of attention, cats can chase you and require a few minutes of petting.

At night, cats do not run around the house, they are not inherent in excessive emotionality. However, they are quite touchy, so the key to your happy coexistence is the timeliness of feeding, cleaning the trays, as well as providing the animal with entertainment equipment.

Cats establish warm relations with children; they do not release their claws when playing. With other people's children who have come to visit, they behave a little indifferently, but they can allow themselves to be stroked, touched. Cats do not conflict with other animals, they can allow them to dominate, they rarely act as initiators of quarrels. Congenital tact and condescension excludes impulsive reactions, so anything outside the norms of behavior happens much less often than in representatives of other breeds.

This is a relatively new breed. Its ancestor was an unusual fold cat, born in 1961 in Scotland. Her offspring were crossed with representatives of the British breed. Although the resulting species has similarities with the British, it has its own distinctive features:

• the body and head have a rounded shape, medium size, but at the same time the animals have a strong constitution;
• paws are quite impressive with large soft pads;
• ears are relatively small, rounded, drooping;
• eyes are large, round and very expressive, their shades can vary;
• wool can be of various colors, thick and soft.

To get a healthy baby, you need to carefully examine the kitten and observe its behavior. It should be borne in mind that at birth, kittens weigh about 100 g, their size is very small. Therefore, it is recommended to acquire animals after a period of formation and strengthening of the body at about 2–3 months of age. And also at this age, the move of a pet from a breeder to a new owner will be more favorable, adaptation to new conditions will be more successful.

This breed has a high risk of diseases caused by problems with the skeletal system., therefore, you should pay attention to the mobility of the joints of the limbs.

Cats of this breed have good health due to the combination of carefully combined genes, which is the basis of their longevity.

The average lifespan of a pet, provided with full care and attention of the owner, increases and can reach 15–20 years. In favorable conditions, excluding the presence of negative factors, animals can live for more than the established average statistical period. There are cases when Scottish Folds lived to be 32–33 years old.

And also sterilization affects the life expectancy of furry pets. So, in castrated and neutered individuals, the risks of developing diseases of the reproductive system, which are most common in older cats, are reduced. However, various stresses, inappropriate conditions, difficult situations have an adverse effect on the psychological and physiological state of animals.

Regular visits to the veterinarian, timely vaccinations, a balanced varied diet, hygiene procedures will help keep your pets healthy. To increase the life expectancy of your pets will allow compliance with a number of recommendations for caring for them.

And it is also necessary to understand that the breed has certain characteristics, therefore, its vulnerabilities should be taken into account.

• Bones... Cats of this breed have a fairly strong skeleton, but congenital anomalies are often found. As they get older, there are problems with the growth of cartilage and bones that can be corrected, but the lifespan of pets decreases.
• Excess weight. This breed is prone to corpulence, therefore a balanced diet plays a significant role. It is important to avoid food lean in the amount of protein, a large amount of carbohydrates.It is necessary to moderate the excessive appetite of pets. Taking into account the ratio of the cat's weight and height, you can identify problems and adjust the diet in time.
• Wool. Bathing and combing the animal can significantly reduce the risks of diseases of the digestive system, as well as give a well-groomed appearance to lop-eared pets. The coat of this breed is thick, so cats have difficulties with self-cleaning, it begins to get tangled. When wool enters the digestive system, lumps appear, which are difficult to remove and disrupt the work of organs for processing food and assimilating useful micro- and macro-elements. Long-haired Scottish Folds must be looked after daily, purchased pastes to remove wool from the body.
• Ears. The breed has a special structure of the auricles. Dust, insects, dirt quite easily get into the ear canals, thereby causing inconvenience for cats, and in some cases, illness. Therefore, Scottish Folds need careful ear care.
• It is necessary to carry out hygienic procedures for the oral cavity. It is especially important to pay attention to the condition of the teeth of cats on natural nutrition. Signs of disease include gum disease, foul odor, and tartar.

For how long cats live and how to extend the life of your pet, see the next video.