Persian Scottish Fold Cat Mix - Care Guide, Pictures, Info & More

Breed Overview

The Scottish Fold is friendly and even-tempered. They are considered moderately active, so they are more active than lap cats. They make excellent additions to any family but suffer from health problems that could impact their quality of life. Persian Scottish Folds are often quiet and docile and do better with older people, singles, or families without young children. While affectionate, they can discriminate and only offer affection to those they trust. But let’s examine what this interesting mix might provide if you bring one home.

Persian Scottish Fold Cats – Before You Bring One Home …

3 Little-Known Facts About Persian Scottish Fold Cats

1. Both Parent Cats Are Popular With Celebrities

Marilyn Monroe owned a white Persian, but Florence Nightingale supposedly owned over 60 cats in her lifetime, some of whom were Persians. Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift both have Scottish Folds in their homes.

2. Your Cat Might Inherit Health Risks if They Have Folded Ears

The gene behind the cute folded ears is also responsible for osteochondrodysplasia, which can be characterized by the abnormal development of the cartilage and bone. It is, unfortunately, incurable and incredibly painful.

3. All Kittens Will Be Born With Straight Ears

The folds in your kitten's ears won't appear until they are 3 to 4 weeks old, so it is never entirely obvious how many kittens in a litter will have folded ears.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Persian Scottish Fold Mix 🧠

Both Persians and Scottish Folds are similar in several ways, which makes it a little easier to anticipate what their kittens might be like.. Both are affectionate and not the most energetic of cats, although the Persian is much quieter than the Scottish Fold. Socializing your cat early is always a good idea because it gets them used to new situations and people. The Persian is picky about whom it shows affection to, but they’re still friendly.

The Scottish Fold is known to be intelligent and can be taught to fetch and walk on a leash. The Persian is moderately intelligent, and training can be a little trickier. It will require more patience and time on your part. They aren’t needy cats in the sense that they need you around all the time to entertain them. So, you don't have to worry about them being left alone while you’re out at work or meeting friends. They will, of course, expect your attention when you come back home. But then, that’s to be expected!

Are These Cat Good for Families? 👪

The Persian Scottish Fold mix is an excellent fit for families. While Scottish Folds are known to get along with families with children and even other animals, the Persian likes a quieter life. Early socialization and taking the time to create a comfortable environment will do wonders, however.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Both Persians and Scottish Folds get along with cats and dogs, so your Persian Scottish Fold mix will fit right in with a multi-pet family. However, it is a little trickier when it comes to smaller pets like birds, mice, or hamsters because a cat’s natural hunting instinct will kick in. We recommend that you don't leave your cat alone with these animals if you keep them as pets.

Things to Know When Owning a Persian Scottish Fold Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements

These cats don't require special diets, but it’s best to choose a high-quality diet that’s rich in protein, has a low carbohydrate content, and has a moderate amount of fat. This, of course, changes if your cat inherits the Scottish Fold’s folded ears. Osteochondrodysplasia affects the bones and joints, and your cat might need a diet focusing on joint health that keeps the fat content low. If you feel your cat will benefit from this, speak to your veterinarian. Any big decisions about diet should always be run through your vet first.

Exercise 🐈

The Persian Scottish Fold mix will not be the most active cat. Persians enjoy a peaceful, relaxing life, and Scottish Folds are only moderately active. Persians aren’t especially active because they can suffer from breathing problems, thanks to their flat faces. This means you will need to encourage your cat to move. Invest in toys and puzzles to encourage your cat to play indoors. You can even get toys with space for treats or food inside them to encourage your cat’s natural hunting instinct. You can watch them hunt, chase, and catch to their heart’s content.

Training 🧶

Persians are more resistant to training than the Scottish Fold and aren’t deemed quite as intelligent, but they can be trained if you’re patient. Use positive reinforcement, and remember never to scold or shout at your pet since it only creates fear. The key to training is to be consistent. Training is also an excellent way to get in some exercise and bonding time with your cat.

Grooming ✂️

Short-haired Scottish Folds are low maintenance, but there is a long-haired variety. If your cat has fur more like its Persian parent, it will require brushing at least every day to stop the coat from matting. Cats are also clean and will groom themselves, but you might need to bathe your cat if it develops osteochondrodysplasia. Cats in pain often struggle to groom themselves like healthy cats, and you might need to bathe your cat every 4 to 6 weeks.

If your cat inherits the flat face of the Persian, it may develop lacrimal tears, which is a discharge between their eyes and nose. This can make their face look dirty, and you will need to use cat wipes to keep them clean. If your cat has inherited folded ears from the Scottish Fold side of their parentage, you will need to check their ears for mites, dirt, and signs of irritation or infection.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Persian Scottish Folds are at risk of developing osteochondrodysplasia, which will affect every cat that inherits the folded ears. This can then lead to arthritis and obesity. Osteochondrodysplasia can be managed with medication, but there is no cure. Thankfully, since the Persian Scottish Fold is a mixed breed, there is a lower chance of a kitten developing this, but it can still happen.

Persians have eye and dental problems resulting from being brachycephalic. Both the Scottish Fold and Persian were bred for traits that ultimately made them controversial. The folded ears and squashed faces of these breeds should be diluted by mixing them, but breeding two cats with health issues also means running the risk of a kitten inheriting both.

Male vs Female

The only difference between male and female Persian Scottish Fold cats is their size; males are larger than females. Their behavior and temperament are similar, regardless of their gender.

Conclusion

The Persian Scottish Fold mix is an affectionate, gentle cat that loves its family. They aren’t very active, but you can keep them healthy with daily exercise. Both parents are prone to some health risks you should be aware of that can drastically impact the quality of your cat’s life. However, since it’s a mixed breed, the Persian Scottish Fold may not experience many health issues.

Featured Image Credit: JK Lin, Shutterstock