Scottish Straight: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The Scottish Straight is the straight-eared variety resulting from Scottish Fold breeding. It all began in 1961 in Scotland, with Susie, a farm cat with folded ears. Since the ear-fold gene is linked to a cartilage abnormality, responsible breeders never mate two cats with folded ears: they pair a Fold with a straight-eared cat. Some of the kittens are therefore born with straight ears: these are the Scottish Straights, recognized as a breed in their own right by several feline federations, including TICA and WCF.

The Scottish Straight is a medium-sized cat, with a round, stocky body, weighing about 3 to 6 kg. Its head is round, with large round, expressive eyes and full cheeks. The ears are straight, medium-sized, slightly rounded at the tip. The short coat is dense and plush, soft to the touch. All colors and patterns are accepted. Its semi-longhaired variant is called the Highland Straight.

Calm, gentle and very sociable, the Scottish Straight is an affectionate cat that enjoys human company without being intrusive. It generally gets along well with children, dogs and other cats. It is curious and likes to observe what is happening in the house.

It is an ideal indoor cat, which adapts perfectly to apartment living. It likes to play, especially with feather toys or fishing rods, and rest near its humans. A cat tree and daily play sessions help it stay active.

Intelligent and cooperative, he easily learns to use the litter box and the rules of the house. Rewards and play help teach him to use the scratching post rather than the furniture.

The price of a Scottish Straight depends on the breeding, the parents' health tests, the color and the pedigree.

Unlike the Scottish Fold, the Scottish Straight does not carry the ear-fold gene responsible for osteochondrodysplasia. It may nevertheless be affected by diseases present in related breeds, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease.

The Scottish Straight needs a complete cat food, rich in animal proteins, in an amount suited to its often moderate activity.

It is not possible to know at birth whether a Scottish kitten will have folded or straight ears: Fold ears begin to fold at around three to four weeks of age.