Scottish Fold: Why its ears fold down

The Scottish Fold's most distinctive feature is its ears, folded forward and down, giving it a round and very appealing look. But behind that cute trait lies a health issue that deserves careful understanding. Let's meet it objectively.

Its body

The ears fold because of a dominant gene mutation that affects cartilage. Interestingly, all Scottish Fold kittens are born with straight ears, and the fold develops at about three weeks old. It usually has a rounded build, soft fur and a gentle, quiet temperament.

What you need to understand

Here is an important scientific fact: the same gene that affects the ear cartilage affects cartilage throughout the body. As a result, a Scottish Fold can develop a joint disease called osteochondrodysplasia, which may cause pain and difficulty moving. That is why responsible breeders only mate folds with straight-eared cats to reduce the risk, and several countries have banned breeding them altogether.

A note for grown-ups

You could use the Scottish Fold to talk with a child about an important idea: being cute does not always mean being healthy. Some appealing traits may come with suffering for the animal. Teaching a child early to think for the animal's sake — and to put a pet's health and happiness before its looks — is worth far more than chasing appearance alone.