Confident | Independent | Loyal. Although the Scottish straight is related to the controversial Scottish fold cat, they don’t share the genetic mutation that causes cartilage defects. This makes this breed a purrfect choice for hoomans that want a Scottish cat without the joint issues. Today we’ll unpack the ancestry of these floofs and delve into their purrsonality traits, health predispositions and feeding requirements so that you can make a decision on whether one of these kitties is the right match for you.
SCOTTISH STRAIGHT CAT BASICS
Average Lifespan: 10 - 15 years
Average Weight: 2.5 - 6kg
Coat Length: Short - Long
Colouring: All colours and combinations
Shedding: Moderate
WHAT IS THE ANCESTRY OF THE SCOTTISH STRAIGHT CAT?
This adorable breed of floof is part of the Scottish cat family which includes both the short and long-haired varieties of the Scottish fold and Scottish straight. The first of the Scottish cats was Susie, a barn cat that was found on a farm in Perthshire, Scotland in 1961. She had uniquely folded ears that were angled forward making her look almost owl-like. She passed this trait onto half of her litter of kittens with the other half having normal, straight ears. This gave birth to two breeds of cats, the foldy eared Scottish fold and the straight-eared Scottish straight.
Sadly the dominant gene that causes Scottish folds to have their uniquely bent ears also causes severe cartilage abnormalities in these cats which can be immensely painful and predispose them to developing early-onset and progressive arthritis. This makes breeding these cats highly controversial and not supported by the British Veterinarian Association or the GCCF.
Fortunately for Scottish straights, they don’t inherit these cartilage issues nor the bendy ears and tend to live happy and healthy lives.
WHAT DO SCOTTISH STRAIGHT CATS LOOK LIKE?
As Scottish straights come from the same litter as the Scottish fold, they look exactly like their bendy-eared brothers and sisters only with normal pointed ears. They’re big-boned and with thick padded fur, they look similar to a cuddly bear cub without the ferocious temperament. They come in a variety of different colours and combinations as well as short and longhaired varieties. Their eyes are like dinner plates, big and round and come in all sorts of colours with copper being the most common.
WHAT IS THE PURRSONALITY OF THE SCOTTISH STRAIGHT CAT?
Laid-back and friendly, the Scottish straight fits well into furmilies of all shapes and sizes. They’re affectionate and loyal and love being part of the action, following their hoomans around like a cuddly shadow. These guys do have an independent streak about them though, and will often opt to sit next to their pawrents on the couch rather than their laps. They’re usually very quiet, preferring to survey conversations from afar rather than butting in, however, they will use their voice if someone tries to pick them up as they’re not the biggest fans of being handled from a height.
ARE SCOTTISH STRAIGHTS HEALTHY?
Although Scottish straights don’t carry the gene that causes severe cartilage abnormalities, they are prone to developing other health conditions including:
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): This causes cysts to form on the kidneys and can lead to kidney damage.
- Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS): Some Scottish folds have short noses giving them a flat-faced appearance. This can cause breathing difficulties and also makes them more prone to developing cat dental disease.
There are genetic tests available for PKD so make sure your breeder can provide evidence of this and speak to your vet if you have any concerns.
SCOTTISH STRAIGHT CAT FEEDING REQUIREMENTS
Unlike their bent-eared brothers and sisters who benefit from joint supplements in their food, Scottish straights have no specific nutritional needs. Nevertheless, like all cats in the animal kingdom, Scottish straights are obligate carnivores so require a diet high in quality animal meat to provide them with all the essential nutrients they need to sustain a long and happy life. Cats struggle to digest plant matter so avoid cat food that contains plant proteins like pea protein as they provide little nutritional benefit to your Scottish straight.
They also need a careful balance of 41 essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals which can be found in either the form of a complete dry cat food or a complete wet cat food. The choice of either is up to you, or as typically is the case up to your Scottish straight!
SCRUMBLES, THE PAWFECT FOOD FOR SCOTTISH STRAIGHT CATS
If you have a Scottish Straight cat, explore our range of cat food, with poultry and fish recipes in a variety of flavours and textures. Our recipes contain added prebiotics or probiotics, with no added sugar or salt. You can find the full ingredients and nutritional information on each product page to help choose a recipe that suits your kitty.
For a little something between meals, we also offer Krunchies: Cat Dental Treats - a tasty way to reward your feline friend. Want to know what to do with the empty packaging? Check the instructions on your pack and your local recycling guidance.
