Scottish Straight
The Scottish Straight is the "brother with the upright ears" of the Scottish Fold. In one litter, both kittens with upright and folded ears can occur. The folded ears of the Scottish Fold are originally the result of a mutation (a genetic error) that has been deliberately bred into the breed. The folded ears are caused by an abnormality in the cartilage, which unfortunately can also cause serious and painful problems in the rest of the body. The Scottish Straight does not have this abnormality but may still carry the defective gene. In several countries, including the Netherlands, breeding with Scottish Fold (and Straight) or their crosses is not allowed, as the cartilage abnormality is considered harmful to the cat's welfare.
The Character of the Scottish Straight
Scottish Straights are intelligent, curious cats with a sweet personality. They enjoy being around their owners. They can, after a good introduction, often get along well with children and other pets. They follow their owners everywhere and love cuddling. However, they usually don't like to be picked up. They are world-class sleepers and often sit in the "Buddha sit": they sit a bit slouched, almost like a human on the couch in front of the TV. But if something catches their attention, they sit upright like a prairie dog to see what's going on, a very funny sight!
Although they are not overly energetic, they enjoy playing and can learn to fetch. Most Scottish Straight cats enjoy drinking flowing water, such as from the faucet or a drinking fountain, and some eat and drink with their paws. Scottish Straights are generally calm cats. But when they have something to say, they use their small voice to get your attention.
The Appearance of the Scottish Straight
Scottish Straights have a fairly round head with large round eyes and a round body, which gives them a cute appearance that matches their friendly character. The ears are small to medium-sized with rounded tips. They can have either short or long hair. Short-haired Straights have dense, fluffy hair that stands away from the body, while long-haired Straights have a full coat with a prominent chest, plume tail, toe tufts, and ear base. Their coat comes in almost all colors and patterns. The Scottish Straight is a medium-sized cat. All eye colors are found, but copper-colored eyes are the most common.
Caring for the Scottish Straight
Scottish Straight cats shed lightly throughout the year, with heavier shedding periods in spring and fall. Brush short-haired Straights weekly to remove loose hair. Long-haired Straights need to be brushed several times a week, depending on the amount of undercoat. During shedding periods, you can give your cat an anti-hairball paste like Kat-a-lax to help ingested hairs be passed more easily with the stool, reducing the risk of hairball formation. A fish oil supplement helps keep your cat's skin and coat healthy and shiny.
Health Risks
Scottish Straights are generally good eaters and are not as active as other breeds. Special attention should be paid to their diet to avoid obesity. Take advantage of the fact that they enjoy interacting with their owners by playing with them a lot. This provides them with exercise and mental stimulation. By giving their kibble in a food ball, you encourage slower eating (and exercise!), which leads to better satiety and reduces the risk of overeating.
Scottish Straights do not have the folded ears of the Scottish Fold. Although the likelihood is smaller, they may still have the cartilage abnormality osteochondrodysplasia. Your vet can check for this in your Scottish Straight.
Also, heart disease such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and kidney disease such as polycystic kidney disease occur within the breed. It is important to purchase your Scottish Straight kitten from a reputable breeder who has had the parents tested for these conditions. Regular check-ups with the vet also help to detect health problems at an early stage.
As with all cats, it is good to regularly check your cat's claws, eyes, and ears. To keep their teeth healthy, brushing their teeth is recommended.
If you have any questions about the Scottish Straight or our products for cats, please contact us.
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