Scottish Fold Ears 101 – Genetics, Problems, Cleaning

The whys & hows of the cutest cat ears in the world

Are you familiar with the Scottish Fold cats? What is the first visual thing that pops into your head when you hear about them? With a few exceptions, people will always answer ‘their ears’.

The folded tight ears are the trademark of the Scottish Fold breed. The ears are the reason some describe these precious cats as owl-looking. However, the ears also could also be the culprit of developing certain health problems during life.

Be that as it may, Scottish Folds are all around us, popular, and well-loved. Let’s see where they got those ears and how it happened.

Short history & genetics of the Scottish Fold

History

It all traces back to 1961 and this one cat named Susie. Susie was a white-coated cat with a unique fold in her ears. When she had kittens, two of the little ones inherited the trait. Out of the two cats with folded ears, only one reproduced and passed on the gene. Thus, one way or another, all Scottish Folds bare the same root – Susie.

Registering the new breed was one thing but getting recognized was more of a struggle.

Genetics

The fold of the ears is due to a genetic mutation responsible for more than meets the eye. This mutation causes problems across the entire body affecting the cartilage. It is also the reason why the ears fold forward and down giving the particular look known for the breed.

However, the ears are the smallest issue. Because of the same dominant gene mutation, some cats were severely crippled. It affects the bones of the limbs and tail and can lead to stiffness.

Genetically, it happens like this: one cat that has folded ears can carry either 1 (heterozygous) or 2 (homozygous) copies of the Fd gene that causes the fold.

Mating a Scottish Fold with 2 copies of this gene with any kind of cat (Scottish Fold or other) only gives kittens with folded ears. Furthermore, they are also more susceptible to severe health problems. For this reason, it is widely accepted that you only breed Scottish Folds with a single Fd gene copy.

Breeding in this manner has only a 50% chance of having folds and discards the health issues. The most common breeding pair is the Scottish Fold and the British Shorthair.

Did you know!? In Scotland, the origin and name-giving country, the Folds are not recognized as a breed. They fear that the ear fold could create ear problems and even deafness.

Appearance: types of Scottish Fold ears

Maybe you’ve already caught on to this, but not all Scottish Folds have folded ears. Because of mating Scottish Folds only with non-Folds, the other 50% chance is that the kittens will be straight-eared.

Most cats have their ears cropped to their heads but don’t be taken aback by a Scottish Fold looking normal.

Their ears develop gradually. When born, all kittens have straight ears. It is only within 3 or 4 weeks (21 days) from birth that the ears start to bend forward. Of course, this is only for those that have the gene.

There is a small suspicion at first glance concerning some kittens that could be non-folds. There is a possibility of them actually carrying the gene but with a weak manifestation. In such cases, the ears of these small ones could start to fold and then straighten back up. It’s like a teasing program for cat owners.

The first line of Scottish Folds has only one fold of the ears. In time though, the breeding program developed and certain crosses have been produced. As a result, some cats developed two or even three folds.

• Single fold– the ear bends forward to about mid-ear.
• Double fold – the ear bends tight reaching the head.
• Triple fold – the ears are tucked inwards and forward-sitting tight on the head. In this case, you can get the impression that they are earless cats. Adorable though!

Their appearance is perfectly complemented by the roundness of their bodies. The head, big eyes, nose, paws, body, and tip of the tail are rounded and well-contoured.

Did you know!? Even though their ears are so tight on their heads, they still move them to express feelings. They will swivel them to pay attention, raise them slightly at the sound of incoming food, and push them back when annoyed or angry. Do not underestimate them!

Possible problems

The life expectancy of a Scottish Fold is around 15 years. They are overall healthy cats, but prone to certain issues.

Some cats develop specific diseases during life, while others live a healthy life. The ears do not pose such big problems as one might think.

Originally, issues about their genetic baggage were brought up. Aside from the mobility problems caused by the gene, cats could suffer from mites, ear infections, and possible deafness.  Regulating the breeding process managed to control such problems. If crossed with British Shorthairs or American Shorthairs, these concerns are almost null.

This doesn’t mean that Scottish Folds don’t require more care and attention to their hygiene. Infections and mites can still occur and the folds of the ear favor them. The tightly closed gap of the ear creates an environment for infections to persist.

One thing that is certainly more present than in other breeds is wax buildup.

Cleaning & prevention for Scottish Fold ears

Regular check-ups once a week are mandatory. Pay attention to potential signs of problems. Bald spots, excessive scratching, or unpleasant smells can signal a discomfort.

Dirt and debris can gather inside the ear canal. Do check the canal with care. Because of the fold, you will need to gently unfold the ear and take a look.

A healthy cat ear should be pink in color and clean.

In case you smell a dirty scent coming from your cat’s head, check for infections. If you cannot manage to examine the ear without hurting the cat, go to a vet.

Avoid putting anything down or inside their ears. When cleaning, you should use a damp cloth and try to remove dirt with patience. Another option is to use water with vinegar. You can make a solution for efficient cleaning. Cotton swabs are a big no-no because it can hurt the cat or cause damage to the ear.

Swelling of the ears might indicate an infection. In this case, seeing a doctor is the first and best step.

From time to time, cats can also get water-logged ears. This makes your cat irritated and itchy causing hearing or balance problems.

When you do the weekly check-up, you can also massage the ears for a short while. This prevents water from building up. Don’t over-groom though, infections can be caused this way too.

If you are yet to shop for a baby Scottish Fold, keep in mind all of the above. They are sociable and loving cat pets with an amazing appearance, but they also need extra care to grow and be healthy. Oh, and hey, don’t be surprised if your kitten doesn’t grow folded ears. No reason to complain to the breeder if you’ve done your homework and know all the possible outcomes.