Scottish cats: species of breed, features of keeping and breeding

The Scottish cat can become a favorite pet and even a member of the family. This breed has several varieties that have both common features and significant differences. Our article is dedicated to this fluffy representative of the fauna, which has an elegant appearance and has a good disposition.

This breed was the result of natural genetic mutations. About 50 years ago in Scotland, an ordinary domestic cat was born kitten with small hanging ears. The animal was rather pretty, however, for many years, the features of its appearance were considered defects. In the next generation, after the female was crossed with an ordinary yard cat, several babies with hanging ears were born - from that moment the story of the breed of Scottish cats began.

This animal is a direct descendant of the British Shorthair. The peculiarity of this breed is that in one litter both lop-eared and erect representatives are born. This is due to the obligatory presence of one upright parent. In this way, lop-eared is transmitted to offspring in 50% of cases.

By the 70s of the last century, the Scots were not so bred, as in England they came to the conclusion that babies are born with problems of musculoskeletal function. Later, geneticists corrected this mutation without harming the health of the kittens.After 10 years, the Scots gained popularity, and the breed standards of these animals were determined. Since 1994, a Scottish cat has been officially recognized by the American Cat Lovers Association.

The Scottish cat looks charming, it has a cute round muzzle and huge innocent eyes. The hair of a cat is like plush, pleasant to the touch.

Features of the breed:

• a strong muscular body that has the right proportions;
• properly developed short neck;
• the head has a rounded shape and medium size, the cheeks are well developed;
• ears are widely spaced and have narrowed tips;
• paws are small, thick;
• the tail is voluminous, of small length, its base is wide, and the end is pointed;
• eyes are large, round, widely spaced, convex, come in blue, yellow, orange, or almost red;
• the coat is thin, tightly covers the body of the cat, the color can be of any shade.

The Scottish cat is medium sized. An adult pet weighs from 3.5 to 6 kilograms. Newborn kittens have some defect in the structure of the spine, tail and limbs. When all babies are born, the ears have the usual appearance. When the kittens turn 3 weeks old, a fold begins to form on their auricles.

As for the fur coat of cats, nature has worked very well on this issue. The Scots have a luxurious fur coat in a wide palette of shades or their fur can be plain and have a tiger, marble, spotted pattern. Animals look spectacular, the main color of which is white with colored spots.

• Wang. This breed has a white coat and several spots located on the head. The color of the tail is plain.
• Harlequin. Only one fifth of the body of the animal is painted white, large spots of a different shade may be present on the fur coat, and most often they are located on the head, back, and croup. The tail is usually painted one color. If the color of the cat is predominantly white, then her eyes are usually blue.
• Bicolor. Only half of the pet's body is painted white. The cat’s neck has a white collar, and on the face there is a white spot in the form of an inverted checkmark.

Many breeders prefer a solid color of the Scottish cat, but the color of the coat of the animal may be different.

• Pure white color without impurities. Some kittens may have spots at birth, but they disappear as they grow older.
• Black color the animal is usually present from the root of the hair to its tip. Such a cat will have a black face and even a nose. The factor for disqualification is the presence of white, rusty or brown hairs on the fur coat of the animal, as well as the undercoat of gray color.
• Blue color should be characterized by uniformity. By standard, Scots can be painted in any shade of blue. Among the minuses of such a coloring, one can distinguish the presence of white hairs, a rusty and brown shade, as well as a different shade of hair and undercoat.
• Meets and purple color wool with a pink tint. The nose of such a cat usually has a lavender-pink hue. The undercoat is gray, and patterns may be present on the coat.
• Red (red) color should be uniform and saturated. A light pattern in the form of half-rings may be present on the top of the head and on the legs. In such representatives of the breed, the tip of the tail has a light shade.

Scottish cats are also found. with tortoise colorwhich combines black, red, cream, blue and chocolate colors. All of these shades are evenly mixed throughout the body of the animal. The undercoat of these animals is gray, and the nose is two-tone.

The advantages of the breed include the following features:

• sociability, attachment to a person, good mental development;
• independence and restraint;
• the attractiveness of appearance, the uniqueness of the image due to fold and huge eyes;
• undemanding care;
• cleanliness.

Cons of the breed:

• profuse molting;
• possible vindictiveness;
• hyperactivity of kittens;
• lack of a sense of proportion in food intake;
• the likelihood of health problems.

A Scottish cat kitten, while still small, has the habits of an adult representative of the breed. At 2 months, the babies are affectionate, inquisitive and very playful.

This animal is characterized by kindness, however, in spite of its outward likeness and resemblance to a plush toy, this cat is quite willful and self-willed. An adult does not show aggression and is loyal to young children, but is always able to fend for herself if she is hurt or uncomfortable.

The behavior of the Scotsman testifies to his sociability, desire to contact with the owner, to play outdoor games. An already grown cat often does dirty tricks behind the back of a person. This pet is not touchy and not vengeful, but rather jealous. A Scottish cat, in spite of everything, will try to be in the center of attention of the whole family.

A pet loves to sit in the arms of its owner at any time of the day. This creature is intelligent and complaisant, as well as accommodating and balanced. The Scots make quiet meowing sounds, but do so infrequently. They are not characterized by constant snorting.

The Scottish cat easily gets along with other cats and dogs, and also easily gets used to a new member of the family. Scratching and biting is not characteristic of Scottish, so if the pet is aggressive, then this can be caused by a disease or a character trait of a particular individual.

Charming and charming cats have good health. On average, their life expectancy is 15 years. Provided that the animal has good heredity and is properly looked after, the pet can live two decades.

The following factors can reduce Scottish's lifespan.

• Bone weakness - representatives of the breed are prone to defects in bones and cartilage, which can also occur in an adult animal.
• The possibility of obesity - with unbalanced nutrition, Scottish quickly gaining excess weight, which has a negative effect on the functioning of the heart and liver.
• If the pet is long-haired, then the presence of his combed tassels can interfere with the freedom of his movements. Lack of hair care can cause physical inactivity and muscle weakness due to the development of physical inactivity.
• The lop-eared animal has problems with the ears, where dirt and sulfur can accumulate, which cause inflammatory processes with severe complications.

In order not to shorten the life of your beloved pet, you should adhere to the following rules:

• vaccinate a kitten in a timely manner;
• feed the animal properly;
• feed your pet with mineral supplements to strengthen the bone and cartilage systems;
• regularly carry out hygiene procedures associated with cleaning the ears, combing the hair;
• The sterilization procedure can significantly increase the life of a Scottish, regardless of the sex of the pet.

When purchasing a kitten, it is worth checking well the state of his health, in particular joints. It is also worth paying attention to the health of the parents of the animal, having studied their medical records.

This breed is presented in several varieties, each of which has its own characteristics.

• Scottish fold. This is a Scottish fold cat, the main feature of which can be called a spherical head and hanging ears adjacent to it. In addition, fluffy cats have wide open, rounded eyes. These animals look like curious children. Scottish fold has a soft and smooth plush coat with a well-defined undercoat.

In an animal of medium size, the trunk is with rounded lines, the limbs are well formed, and the legs are rounded. The tail has a medium length and a pointed tip.

• Scottish Straight. The body is of moderate length. On the paws, the fingers are tightly compressed. The pet's head has a rounded shape with a convex forehead and a round muzzle.

The ears are medium, erect, with pointed tips. The area of ​​the lower jaw is round, a short neck is located under it. The coat of the animal is of medium length.

• Highland fold. This is a variety of Scottish cats with a rounded head, a strong chin and a high forehead in the shape of a dome. The neck is quite powerful, the cheeks are well developed. The nose of the cat is wide and short, there is a smooth transition to the forehead. The ears of the animal are folded and lowered forward, but due to the large length of the coat, it can be concluded that they are absent.

The eyes are wide apart, they are rounded and large. The body is compact. By cons varieties include insufficient mobility of cats and their short-leggedness. On the paws are rounded fingers that gather in a small pillow.

The tail has an average length, it is flexible and narrowed to the end. The Scottish fold longhair cat has beautiful hair, it is soft, light, silky, has a uniform structure. On the back, face and legs, the coat is shorter in size than on the rest of the body.

• Highland Stride. Semi-long-haired Scottish cats are considered a rare breed. They look beautiful, graceful, have erect ears and elongated flowing wool. These scottis do not need daily combing, so caring for animals is not difficult. Their ears are small, stand upright, have a rounded tip and are evenly covered with wool.

Scottish cats are considered one of the easiest pets to care for. They feel great both in a small apartment and in a private house. For an animal, it is worth buying or making your own sleeping place with your own hands. It is also recommended to purchase claw-point, the length of which should correspond to the growth of Scottish. Do not refuse to buy a carrier in order to transport your pet if necessary.

The content of the Scots do not show finicky. To make the animal comfortable living in the room, it must be clean and safe. This pet is extremely clean, he himself puts his hair in order and quickly gets used to walking in the tray.

Before bringing a small pet into the house, You need to perform the following steps.

• Remove excess items from the access area of ​​the kitten. For example, wires, beating and sharp objects.
• Purchase animal dishes for food and water. The best option would be heavy metal or ceramic dishes.
• Install the tray and fill it with filler. Kittens should buy a container with low sides, and as they grow older they change it to a higher model.
• Prepare a place to relax - it can be a sunbed or a blanket folded several times.
• Buy food, toys, scratching post.

Scottish cats can be short-haired and half-long-haired. With cats with a short coat, little trouble. Every week their hair is combed out using a special mitten or brush with natural bristles. Semi-long haired representatives of the breed should buy a comb that has a Teflon coating of cloves. The animal should be accustomed to combing from a young age.

The animals kept in the house are bathed monthly. Typically, Scots react normally to water, but they should only wash their wool if it gets dirty. For this procedure, you need to buy a special shampoo for cats. When bathing a pet, you need to monitor so that water does not fall into his ears. After washing, the cats are wiped and sent to a warm place where there is no draft.

For water procedures, preference is given to shampoos without color and odor, in which there are no harmful chemical ingredients and allergens. Scottish cats that participate in exhibitions bathe depending on the color of the fur coat. Dark animals need to be washed a week before the event, and light animals - for 5 days.

Haircuts for Scottish cats are unpleasant, but common procedures. Shear off pets and make them hairstyles for the same purpose as the rest of the animals. Such a procedure can only be carried out on the condition of the formation of tangles, as well as after applying medications or in order to remove dirt.

Domestic cats need to be clipped. This process is quite simple and does not bring discomfort to the animal. Scottish should be put on his lap and, taking his paw in his hands, push on the pillows. When the pet releases its claws, they can be trimmed. In this process the main thing – Do not damage the living body of the claw. Claws need to be trimmed carefully once every 2-3 weeks.

The eyes and ears of Scottish cats need regular inspection. These animals usually have clean auricles, but when plaque appears in them, the pollution is eliminated with a cotton swab. When cleaning the ears, you can use a special lotion.

The special structure of the skull of the Scottish breed of cats determines the narrowing of their nasolacrimal ducts. For this reason, the pet may have slight discharge from the eyes. In this case eyes must be cleaned with a cotton pad or chlorhexidine wipe.

To keep the pet’s teeth in good condition, the owner can buy him a special toy - an edible chewing stick. Alternatively, you can use a toothbrush and toothpaste for cats. A Scottish cat should brush his teeth once or twice a week. Scottish people do not like this process, therefore to accustom them to this is better from an early age.

Scottish breed kittens do not need special care. They can be fed with dry food, but of good quality. Combing kittens is not worth it, if there is no reason. Toddlers with long hair need to be gradually accustomed to comb, carrying out the procedure twice a month. Little scottish bathing needs to be done only if they were very dirty in the mud.

From an early age, kittens need to cut their claws so that they get used to this procedure. Ears do not need to be cleaned, but if they smell unpleasant, then this is an occasion to go to the veterinarian. Watery eyes should be wiped 1 time in 7 days with a cotton pad dipped in chlorhexidine.

Genetically, Scottish health is not considered ideal. In animals, bone deformation, tail hardening can occur, and mobility problems also occur. The cause of these problems is the cross of the fold with the fold. Representatives of the Scottish breed of cats may suffer from cardiac pathology or renal polycystic.

Every year it is required to vaccinate the animal from dangerous diseases. The first vaccination is carried out in 2-3 months, and if the owner does not have time in time, then the animal is vaccinated after his teeth have changed. 14 days after the first inoculation, a second procedure is performed. 10 days before the vaccination procedure, kittens should be given an anthelmintic.

The Scottish vaccination is needed from such ailments as calcivirosis, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, chlamydia. It is mandatory to vaccinate the animal against rabies. If your pet is outside for a long time during the day, then he will need protection against fleas and ticks. For this purpose, you can purchase special spray, collar, drops.

If there is no desire to breed Scottish cats, you can castrate or sterilize your pet. After this operation, the animal will not be able to have offspring. The procedure is performed for both sexes.

In a sterilized pet, the desire for mating persists. This procedure is carried out until the animal is one year old, when it has puberty. During sterilization, the fallopian tubes are ligated to cats, and the vas deferens, to cats. These operations are safe for animal health and do not take much time.

Scottish cats are prone to obesity, so the diet of the pet must be taken very seriously. You can feed it with dry or wet food, as well as natural products. In the diet of the animal should be a large percentage of meat. If the owner decided to give preference to factory feed, then you need to buy special food for this breed and only high quality.

The following components must be present in natural food for a Scottish pet:

• lean meats, which are treated with boiling water or give frozen;
• boiled offal;
• boiled fish without bones and better if it is marine;
• eggs and dairy products; kittens are given milk;
• vitamins and minerals in the form of food additives.

If the animal’s nutrition is poor, then its appearance will suffer, food allergies may occur, and the condition of the coat and digestive tract will worsen. The main rule of feeding Scottish cows is the refusal to mix natural food and industrial feed. Useful for pets are cereals cooked in broths or in water, they can also be given vegetable purees and egg yolks.

Ready-made cat food contains all the nutrients needed for the animal. It is better to purchase a pet food of a premium class, it is not cheap, but very healthy. A castrated cat is fed with special feed.

Since habits are difficult to eradicate, starting to raise a Scottish cat is from an early age. As soon as the kitten crosses the threshold of the house, he should make it clear what is possible and what is not. When educational activities need to take into account the biorhythm of the animal. You should not teach a kitten in the early morning, evening, or afternoon.

Scottish needs to be accustomed to the tray, and also make it clear that he is forbidden to damage interior items and indoor plants. The cat should not allow itself to steal food from the table and aggressively respond to prohibitions. Besides, the pet must get used to living in peace with other pets, relax and go to the toilet in designated areas.

A cat of Scottish breed is able to carry out certain commands. You can train an animal with the help of rewards and punishments. A feature of Scottish women is the ability to stand on their hind legs for a long timewhen a pet is interested in something from above - this ability is often used for training.

Scottish are ready to mate at the age of 10 months, but mating should not be allowed at this time, since pregnancy in a female may occur with complications, and the offspring is prone to death. Mating should be carried out in 1.5 years, when the body of the animal is fully formed.The choice of a partner must be made in advance, as the estrus in a cat lasts up to 6 days. Cats and cats are especially active in the spring, while the male at the same time shows anxiety, aggression, intensively marks the territory.

You can only knit straight Scottish representatives with strides and folds. With British cats mating is prohibited. When choosing a male, they prefer an adult, healthy and vaccinated cat. When mating, the cat is left on the cat’s territory, for this purpose its tray, dishes and dishes are brought to it and its claws are trimmed in advance.

In case of successful mating, you will notice that the cat feels nauseous in the morning, she has a good appetite, but her favorite dishes are changing. A pregnant animal may show apathy, drowsiness, lethargy. The duration of gestation of kittens is 60-65 days, and in some cases, pregnancy lasts 72 days.

The following measures are prohibited during the gestation of kittens:

• treatment with tablets, preparations for fleas and worms;
• palpation of the cat’s abdomen;
• change of diet, for example, natural food to store food;
• you can not carry a cat in her arms;
• It is forbidden to send the future mother for walks on the street.

In the offspring of Scots, signs are split, in this case both lop-eared and straight-eared kittens are born. The breed may include kittens with or without mutant traits. Kittens have no special differences between themselves, apart from the shape of the ears. To avoid deformation of the skeleton of the animal, it is worth crossing the erect and lop-eared representatives of the breed. Lop-eared in babies can be single, double, triple.

When breeding Scottish cats Do not forget about the following points.

• Every owner of a thoroughbred pet should know that its cultivation requires material investment. Despite the fact that the Scottish women are not very demanding, it is still more difficult for them to take root in the new conditions than an ordinary domestic cat. Do not forget about the proper nutrition and the cost of it. Just like the rest of the animals, a thoroughbred pet needs a visit to the veterinarian and vaccination.
• Scottish kitten can be bought at the exhibition or in the kennel. The seller must have on hand documents that confirm the cat's pedigree. Also, the kitten must have a special mark confirming its cleanliness.

If you are the owner of a thoroughbred animal, then you can bring it together with a partner found in a specialized club of cat breeders. There you can buy a purebred kitten.

Many people prefer Scottish cats as pets. The reviews of those who have already acquired such a pet testify to their companionable nature. Many owners note Scottish's keen mind, savvy, and exemplary behavior. Aggression over the animal is not noticed, the Scots are very patient with children.

The Scottish are one of the most interesting representatives of the animal world. They are distinguished from other breeds by their unusual color and peculiar shape of their ears, independent and friendly character. This pet likes to eat a lot and tastes good, so that he does not have to suffer from obesity, you will have to follow the diet of the animal. The hair of Scottish cats has a low allergenicity, however, they should not be wound up by people who cannot tolerate the coat of any representatives of the animal world.

Scottish cats are not only cute and cute animals, but also real friends. If you want to get a pet, you should pay attention to this breed. People who have this creature living at home do not regret their choice.This cat is smart, affectionate, caring, kind, undemanding.

See the following video about the features of caring for Scottish cats.