Scottish Fold: grooming and care

International Cat Care explains that the Scottish Fold has a genetic mutation that affects the development of cartilage. The mutation makes the ear cartilage fold, so the ears bend forward, and it also causes abnormalities in bone and cartilage, known as osteochondrodysplasia, which lead to severe and painful arthritis. The joint disease can result in fusing of the tail, ankles and knees, and the article lists short, misshapen limbs among the signs.

How severe the disease is, the article says, will vary between one cat and another. Some cats may show no signs of pain, while others show minor signs that may worsen over time. The signs it describes include reluctance to move, an abnormal posture or gait, lameness and difficulty jumping up or down, and a cat in pain may hide away or groom less than normal. Your vet diagnoses it with a physical examination and X-rays.

CFA says Scottish Folds need no special grooming, while longhairs need more frequent attention to prevent tangles. VCA puts numbers on it: a steel comb once or twice a week for the shorthair, whose coat CFA describes as dense, plush and soft, and three or four times a week for the longhair. VCA also calls the breed prone to being overweight and advises measuring food portions, which matters twice over for joints that may already ache.

Handling is where a Fold's routine parts company with other cats'. Comb the cat in whatever position it chooses rather than rolling it over or stretching a hind leg out to reach the britches. Support the chest and hindquarters together when you lift. Trim claws with the paw resting in your palm, pressing the pad lightly instead of extending the leg. If touching the tail or back legs brings a flinch or a growl, stop and tell your vet.

International Cat Care lists grooming less than normal among the ways a cat may show pain. On a Fold, an untidy back, a greasy patch near the tail or a soiled rear can be the first thing you notice, before any limp. The article says there is no treatment for the disease itself, but your vet can help manage the pain with appropriate medication and suggest changes at home.

The home changes it describes are simple: low or stepped beds, raised food and water bowls, a litter tray with low sides, ramps to favorite spots and rugs on slippery floors. Add a floor-level place to comb the cat so it never has to jump down afterward. For anything sudden, such as a cat that cannot walk or jump, the City of Gloucester lists local veterinary offices and Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital in Woburn is open 24 hours.