In shortThe Scottish Fold is gentle, calm and attached, but he is one of the hardest cats to read: his folded ears barely move. And the gene that folds his ears also affects his joints: in him, a cat who hesitates to jump speaks of pain before character.
Born of a spontaneous mutation in Scotland, the Scottish Fold has abnormal cartilage that folds his ears and can stiffen his joints, sometimes from a young age. He is settled, affectionate, often sitting in surprising positions, the “Buddha” on his back or sitting like a human, which probably relieve his joints. He likes company and hates upheaval. His expressiveness comes through the eyes, tail and posture rather than the ears.
Everything within reach. Ramps, steps, low beds. He should not have to jump to live.
Early joint follow-up. A vet who knows the breed, from the first signs of stiffness. Treatments exist that relieve.
Calm and routine. He absorbs tension. Fixed schedules and a place of his own when things move.
As a kitten, already watch his gait and the flexibility of his tail: severe forms of osteochondrodysplasia show early. As an adult, chronic joint pain to relieve, strict weight to spare the joints. As a senior, kidneys, heart and joints. A Fold who no longer climbs onto the couch is not sulking: he is in pain.
Both. It is typical of the breed and probably a position that relieves his joints. Use it to look at the rest: if he jumps less, walks stiffly or has an inflexible tail, consult.
By the lashing tail, dilating pupils, whiskers pulling back and the body stiffening. These signals are the same as in other cats; you just have to look at them first.
Because the folded-ear gene also causes a painful cartilage disease, in all Folds to varying degrees. Several countries ban breeding them. If you have one, the point is to relieve him early.
Mimo reads behavior. It does not replace a vet.
Ten seconds is enough. On iPhone. Android is in closed testing.