Scottish Fold British Shorthair Cat Mix: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

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REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Lorna Whittemore

BVMS, MRCVS (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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The Scottish Fold is instantly recognizable due to their folded-over ears and thick, short fur. The British Shorthair has characteristically large round eyes and a rounded head with a short dense plush coat.

Breed Overview

When you combine these two breeds, what do you get? The Scottish Fold British Shorthair Cat Mix: a feline with a personality to match their sweet expression. However, it must be stressed that any Scottish Fold mix could have serious health issues. Learn more about this combination and potential welfare issues surrounding this mixed breed.

Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix Characteristics

3 Little-Known Facts About the Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix

1. Scottish Folds and British Shorthairs Look Similar

You will notice a few physical differences between the Scottish Fold and British Shorthair. But they look a lot alike, too. They both have similar coats, coat textures, and patterns. Also, they have large, wide, circular eyes that captivate the heart!

2. The British Shorthair Is a Popular Breed in the UK.

It makes sense that the British Shorthair is often the most popular cat breed in the UK. In fact, they usually snag the first or second place on the list!

3. The Scottish Fold British Shorthair Could Have Serious Gene Conditions.

Scottish Folds with folded ears carry a gene that causes that mutation. However, the mutation affects cartilage not only their ears but other parts of their body, causing pain and mobility issues.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Scottish Fold British Shorthair Cat Mix

Before we describe what to expect from your Scottish Fold British Shorthair mix, it’s essential to know what made up this cat and what you can potentially expect. When two breeds are combined, there is no way to know for sure which traits and genetics will dominate; each will be a unique individual. The original Scottish Fold cats were bred with British Shorthairs to start the breed. This is because the original Scottish Fold cat, Susie, was the only one affected with the curled ears in her litter. All Scottish Fold cats can be traced back to this one individual from a farm in Scotland.

The British Shorthair is a quiet cat that loves time off to themselves. While they thrive on connections with humans, they are also entirely independent and less social than their Scottish cousins. They tend to enjoy back scratches instead of full-body cuddles.

Conversely, the Scottish Fold is much more social, thriving on human companionship more than the British Shorthair. On the downside, the Scottish Fold has a more controversial breeding history. Their unique folded ears are the result of a genetic mutation causing osteochondrodysplasia. This mutation leads to a myriad of health issues, which could, in turn, affect this mixed breed’s temperament because of physical discomfort.

In combination, you hope to get all the good traits, such as an agreeable, adaptable, and affectionate cat with adorable actions and mild manners.

Easy training like where to go potty seems to be a cinch to most domestic cats, and this mix is no different. They are attentive and curious, requiring lots of attention and stimulation but not aggressively so. They generally work well with others if you want to train them in a more advanced fashion.

Are These Cats Good for Families?

This breed has all the personality traits that make them ideal for multi- or single-person households. While they enjoy company, going to work won’t be too terrible for your kitty; they might actually enjoy a few hours sunbathing in the window while you’re away.

But don’t worry. They will happily greet you when you come home, eager to hear about your day. Equally, they wouldn’t mind if you were with them for most of the time, either.

This is a hybrid breed mix, so both qualities may even out. That means while your cat loves your company and companionship, they will be fine while you’re at work. Some cats can be a little more demanding than others, but overall, this mix is usually very middle ground.

Since they are relaxed, they work well with small kids who know how to respect animals. They aren’t very vocal, so they make awesome companion additions to homes with seniors or disabled individuals.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix will get along very well with other pets. These cats are generally relaxed and have the potential to live peacefully with the family dog and other fellow cats. They are typically not aggressive or dominating over other animals.

As with all domestic cats, though, you shouldn’t trust them with smaller pets. These cats might have a little lower prey drive than more active breeds, but instincts are instincts. It’s best to keep your cat totally separate from tiny pets. It isn’t safe for rodents, reptiles, or birds.

Things to Know When Owning a Scottish Fold British Shorthair Cat Mix

Food & Diet Requirements

The Scottish Fold British Shorthair Cat Mix doesn’t require any special diet, but they should have a quality one. Many pet owners are switching to fresh, raw, and organic food alternatives and steering clear of heavily processed foods.

However, there are many acceptable cat foods on the market.

Dry Kibble

Dry kibble has a long shelf life and wide availability, but be careful of preservatives, allergy triggers, dyes, and other ingredients that can disagree with your cat’s system.

Wet Canned Food

Wet canned food has lots of flavor and moisture, which is sure to tickle the fancy of every feline’s taste buds. However, many brand recipes have a few preservatives and high-calorie content.

Raw Food

Raw food is typically offered homemade with the supervision of a veterinarian. While this is a very natural and healthy diet for your cat, it also risks contamination with bacteria, like Salmonella and E. coli, and parasites if not stored and prepared properly.

Fresh Food

Fresh food is an ever-growing popular diet option for cats. Many pet parents choose subscription services, having perfectly tailored fresh meals sent right to their door on a routine schedule. Some also prefer to make the meals at home, but you should always ensure that you’re adding all the correct ingredients by consulting with a veterinary nutritionist.

No matter what diet option you choose, you should watch for any allergies for the first few years of your cat’s life. Sometimes, cats don’t start showing sensitivities until adulthood.

Exercise

You may notice that even as a kitten, this mixed breed tends to be less active than some others. They prefer relaxation over intense exercise, even though they will be playful occasionally. A good recommendation is to make sure that your cat gets a few 10- to 15-minute intervals of exercise per day.

As your Scottish Fold British Shorthair Cat Mix ages, they might be a little more prone to packing on the extra pounds. These cats are heavy-bodied, and they tend to love treats and food. So, you’ll need to monitor their weight to ensure that your cat is getting the correct amount of food and exercise.

You can get a variety of self-play and interactive toys so they can keep themselves occupied. Remember that they need to stimulate their minds and their bodies. Getting your cat puzzle toys to motivate their strategic prey drive can be a great outlet.

Training

Some Scottish Fold British Shorthair Cat Mixes might be a little lackadaisical. But don’t let this deter you. These highly affectionate cats would prefer snuggling up and watching Netflix with you rather than performing tricks.

They are however brilliant and quite capable of learning tasks and concepts. Litter training should be easy. After one time of showing your Scottish Fold British Shorthair kitten the litter box, they should catch right on with no problem.

Every cat is different, of course, so it can sometimes take a few weeks. Just remember to offer guidance, and have patience as your little one navigates through this part of life.

Grooming ✂️

The Scottish Fold and British Shorthair look very similar in structure and facial appearance. So, the combination of the two doesn’t change the outcome too much. The Scottish Fold British Shorthair Cat Mix benefits from routine brushing just to get rid of any loose fur that could wind up on your sofa.

Cats are master groomers, able to keep up with their own hygiene.

Health and Conditions

It is important to note that while the British Shorthair is susceptible to common feline-related health conditions, a major concern is what could happen to this cat due to the Scottish Fold’s genetics.¹

As mentioned earlier, Scottish Folds get their easily recognizable ears due to a genetic mutation. Many people considered this mutation to be “cute” and efforts were made to breed more of these cats. However, mutations in the TRVP 4 gene affect all cartilage development, not just in the ears, and result in osteochondrodysplasia throughout the body. Scottish Folds, which carry the TRPV4 single gene variant, can have severe joint and bone growth issues, leading to arthritis, inflexible tails, spinal abnormalities, and short, stiff legs². These problems will make it hard for the cat to walk or jump comfortably, causing quite a bit of pain throughout their lives.

Since the breed suffers from several painful health issues, there is controversy about breeding them in general. While the welfare of the Scottish Fold should be considered first and foremost, people still breed them in the USA, as there are no laws banning this. However, some countries have banned breeding them to protect the cat’s welfare:

Some breeders will crossbreed the Scottish Fold to reduce the chance of genetic mutation. But this method does not guarantee a clean bill of health. So, if you do have a Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix, there is a chance that the cat will suffer from the aforementioned health conditions.

As a responsible pet owner, you should weigh the ethics of actively seeking out a Scottish Fold or even a Scottish Fold Mix. They might look adorable but the ear mutation may lead to debilitating lifelong physical issues.

Routine Healthcare

Health care is just as important for our pets as for ourselves. Your Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix will need routine vet care, which usually includes several first-year visits and one annual visit thereafter.

During the first year, they will receive parasite treatment, core vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter surgery. It is always best to spay or neuter your Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix to prevent some complicated issues. These cats generally sexually mature by 6 months of age, so you will need to make sure you schedule the surgery before that.

Once your animals start spraying to mark their territory or try to meet, the behavior might never stop. This can be tricky to deal with and leave permanent impacts on your fabrics, carpets, and relationships.

Male vs. Female

Male Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mixes are generally larger than females, with larger heads and broader bodies. Since both parent breeds are similar in size, there isn’t a drastic difference in overall weight.

As for personality, that is up to every individual cat. Females are slightly more reserved and more likely to gravitate toward one person. However, males tend to be a little more affectionate and social than their female counterparts.

Final Thoughts

While the Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix sounds like an ideal cat on paper, it might not be the best idea to seek a breeder to get this mix. While the breeding of Scottish Folds is not illegal in the USA, it calls into question the ethics surrounding the breeding of a cat who will have untreatable health issues.

However, if you find one at a shelter or one that needs to be rehomed, this cat could make a wonderful companion due to the temperament of the parent breeds. But be prepared to reach out to your vet to have the cat tested for the TRPV4 and be prepared for ongoing vet visits.

See Also:

• Scottish Fold Siamese Mix: Pictures, Info, Temperament & Traits
• Tabby British Shorthair Cat: Info, Pictures, Origin & History

Featured Image Credit: Left: British Shorthair Cat, lowpower225, Shutterstock | Right: Scottish Fold Cat: Diachenko, Shutterstock