Scottish Fold vs. Scottish Straight Cats: Differences Between Them

Cats are glorious creatures. Though persnickety and independent, many are deeply loyal to their caretakers. The house cat comes in a variety of different breeds, many of which are immensely popular. For instance, the Scottish fold and Scottish straight cats are both beloved, especially for their ears. Although these two breeds share a similar gene pool, there are some differences between the two breeds. Let’s dive into the differences between the Scottish fold and Scottish straight cats.

Overview of Scottish Fold and Scottish Straight Cats

The Scottish fold and Scottish straight cats share many similarities, especially because they come from the same gene pool. Both of these breeds originated from the Scottish breed group, and these types can come in longhair and shorthair. For the most part, Scottish straights and Scottish folds are identical—except for their ears.

The original Scottish fold, Susie, lived on a farm in Scotland. Susie’s ears were folded, and she had two kittens that also had folded ears. A neighboring farmer inquired about adopting one of Susie’s kittens and then registered the breed with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in 1966. Susie only had one kitten go on to reproduce. The kitten, Snooks, was white like Susie. All Scottish folds can be traced back to Susie.

Snooks was bred with a red tabby. A kitten from that litter was bred with a white British shorthair. This litter had five cats with folded ears, resulting in the creation of the Scottish fold breed. The remaining kittens had normal ears; these became the Scottish straights.

Breeding Scottish Folds

To breed a Scottish fold, the breeding pair must include a cat with non-folded ears. This ensures genetic diversity. Some of the non-folded ear cats include American and British shorthairs. In recent years, Scottish straights and Scottish folds have been bred together. These litters often have a mix of both folded and non-folded ears.

Personality

As a result of their shared genes, Scottish folds and Scottish straights have similar personalities. Both breeds have calm dispositions, making them a great family pet. They’re also extremely adaptable. Being a relaxed breed, Scottish folds and Scottish straights enjoy cuddling with their owners, but they’re attentive to anything that grabs their attention. Both breeds enjoy learning how to play fetch. In general, neither breed is very vocal, but on occasion, they’ll mew if they want something. Of course, individual personalities can vary no matter the breed.

Health

Scottish folds have a predisposition to developing osteochondrodysplasia. This disease is a result of the cat’s breeding history, and it is an inheritable disorder. Scottish straights, depending on their breeding line, can also be at risk of developing this disease, which affects cartilage and bone development.

Cats who develop osteochondrodysplasia might exhibit signs of lameness, stiffness, or a stilted walk. These symptoms are the rest of arthritis that affects the cat’s bones, cartilage, and joints. Talking with your veterinarian about your concerns is always a great starting point.

Physique and Coat Varieties

Scottish folds and Scottish straights are medium-sized cats, typically weighing anywhere between six and 13 pounds. These breeds have a projected lifespan of 12-16 years. Depending on the gene pool, both breeds can come in either shorthair or longhair varieties. Scottish folds and Scottish straights can come in a diverse range of colors and patterns, all of which depend on their breed line. The most common patterns include tabby, solid, and bicolor coats.

The Scottish folds and Scottish straights both have rounded heads, wide eyes, and short noses. The main physical difference between these two breeds is their ears.

Ears

The key difference between Scottish folds and Scottish straights is the ear shape. Scottish folds have a gene mutation that affects the ear’s cartilage. As a result, the ears fold forward. In contrast, Scottish straights have upright ears, like those of a typical housecat. The ear shape is the key variance between these two breeds: one has folded ears, and the other has more traditional ears.

The Difference Between Scottish Fold and Scottish Straight Cats

The only real definitive difference between the Scottish fold and Scottish straight cat is their ear shape. Other than that, the cats have similar personalities and physical traits. Unfortunately, Scottish folds might have potential health problems as a result of their gene mutation. However, both of these breeds have gentle personalities and are exceptionally loyal to their caregivers. Both Scottish folds and Scottish straights are bound to give you companionship and joy.