At first glance, cats with unusual looks like folded ears, super-short legs or flattened faces may seem like a cute choice for a pet cat. But the truth is much darker, with cats bred for novelty looks likely to suffer a life of pain, behavioural problems and premature death.
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Scottish folds have garnered wider popularity in recent years, thanks to their promotion through celebrities and YouTubers. Although they are friendly and affectionate cats with undeniably very cute features, they present an array of health issues as a result of their breeding. We asked Sarah Elliott, central veterinary officer for Cats Protection, to explain...
What is a Scottish fold and why are they so popular?
The Scottish fold cat is characterised by its 'owl-like' ears, which are a result of natural dominant gene mutation, which affects the cartilage throughout the body.
All Scottish folds are descended from a white barn cat called Susie, who had an unusual fold in her ears. Two of her kittens were born with folded ears, and one was acquired by William Ross, who began a breeding programme. In 1966, he began registering these cats with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, the UK's pedigree cat registry. In the 70s, the GCCF pulled the registration of these cats following concerns about ear cartilage and hearing problems. The breed has remained popular and has spread over to the US and around the world.
From Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran to Molly-Mae Hague and Claudia Schiffer, the past few years has seen a host of celebrities showing off Scottish folds – particularly on Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms. This has led to a surge of popularity in the cat breed.
What are the health risks for Scottish folds?
Despite their popularity, Scottish folds present a host of health conditions – so much so that the breeding of fold cats is prohibited in several countries (including Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Scotland), and some cat registries don't recognise the breed.
Cartilage issues
'The Scottish fold is one breed we have seen becoming really popular with the celebrities, and that’s been a big worry for us,' says veterinary surgeon Sarah. 'These are cats which have been intentionally bred to have folded ears which give them an owl-like appearance. Lots of people have no idea that this has been intentionally caused by selectively breeding cats with a genetic defect which affects cartilage development.' This cartilege development is what causes the folded ears, but it also causes a whole host of other health problems.
Arthritis and joint pain
The selective breeding can also cause serious joint and bone abnormalities, Sarah explains. "Scottish fold cats are almost guaranteed to develop arthritis and will likely suffer a lot of pain. We need to help people understand that these cats are to suffer considerably – and there’s nothing cute or fun about that.”
The ongoing risks of trend-led cat breeding
The increased popularity of cats like the Scottish fold has given rise to unethical breeders looking to develop the next trend. “It’s all about looks and these breeders have no concern whatsoever for the health and wellbeing of the cats they’re creating through selective breeding. They’re bred purely for novelty value, and the profit that brings.” says Sarah.
Scottish folds price: how much do these cats cost?
While prices can vary, the average cost of a Scottish fold is between £500 and £850, making them one of the more expensive breeds.
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