Highland Fold (longhaired Scottish Fold): history, care, cost

The Highland Fold, sometimes referred to as the longhaired Scottish Fold, is a distinctive and endearing breed of cat that draws attention with its flowing, plush coat and distinctive folded ears. This breed is similar to the Scottish Fold, but it has longer fur, which contributes to its endearing look. Even though they have striking appearances, cat lovers find them even more endearing because of their loving and gentle disposition.

The Scottish Fold, a breed that originated in Scotland in the 1960s, has a history that is closely related to that of the Highland Fold. This breed’s defining characteristic is its naturally occurring genetic mutation that resulted in folded ears. The longhaired variety was gradually introduced through selective breeding, leading to the creation of the Highland Fold.

In terms of maintenance, Highland Folds need frequent brushing to prevent matting and tangling in their coats. They require a balanced diet, mental stimulation, and routine veterinary exams to stay healthy, just like the majority of cats. They need to pay extra attention to ear hygiene in order to prevent infections because of their folded ears.

A Highland Fold’s price can vary significantly based on a number of factors, including location, pedigree, and breeder reputation. Despite their higher cost compared to other breeds, many cat lovers adore them for their unique blend of personality and beauty.

History of the breed

Since its official registration in 1993, the breed standard has been acknowledged by the majority of powerful organizations. Breeding lop-eared long-haired cats started much earlier in the 20th century, in the 1960s.

A very normal cat gave birth to some kittens one day, and one of the females had long white fur and funny hanging ears. This occurred in the Highland region of Scotland, which is where the breed got its name.

Before lop-eared cats started to be specifically bred, they were thought to be a sign of a defect.

Scottish cats are thought to have inherited the lop-eared gene from Persian ancestors. The truth is that British and Persian cats were crossed in order to enhance and solidify the latter’s breed traits. The Scottish Fold, the "older brother" of the Highland Fold, was bred by British cats in turn.

The longhaired Highland Fold is distinguished by its fluffy coat and folded ears, making it a variation of the Scottish Fold. This breed’s opulent fur needs to be regularly groomed, and it has a rich history rooted in Scotland. Even though they are generally healthy, they require special attention to avoid matting and ear infections. Prices for Highland Fold cats can differ based on breeder and pedigree, but because of their distinctive features and appeal, they are typically more expensive.

Description of appearance

The Scottish Fold’s standards are in line with the breed standards. These cats look like adorable soft toys because of their fluffy, "cloudy" fur, which gives the impression that they are slightly plump balls.

Nonetheless, the Highland Fold typically has a medium-sized, proportionate body with well-developed muscles. Some individuals reach a weight of 8 kg, but usually they are not large, about 4-5 kg. The paws are rounded, the legs are powerful and not very long, and hair grows in between the toes. The tail should be straight and erect, broad at the base, and tapering towards the tip. It is extremely fluffy. Ideally, a cat’s tail should be two thirds the length of its body.

The Highland Fold is distinguished by its hanging, downward-curved ears. They come in one, two, or three folds.

The breed is known for its wide range of acceptable color variations; cats’ coats can be solid or two-colored, as well as any pattern or stripe.

The following colors are available for Highland Folds:

• solid – evenly distributed over the entire body of the same shade: blue, gray, red, chocolate, black, lilac;
• tortoiseshell – two colors evenly distributed over the body: red and black;
• bicolor or two-color – the cat is painted in two colors, the combinations can be very diverse;
• smoky (smoke) – the pigment is unevenly distributed along the length of the hair: at the base it is colorless, and at the tip it is black, such pigmentation of the fur creates an unusual and beautiful smoky color;
• color point – the whole body is covered with white fur, and on the nose, muzzle, ears, lower parts of the paws and tail the color is contrasting, darker;
• tabby (wild color) – the fur is colored with uniform stripes with alternating lighter and darker shades, on the muzzle dark lines form the letter "M" on the forehead and around the eyes, giving them exceptional expressiveness (tabby can be marbled, spotted, ticked);
• calico – a combination of three colors: black, white and red, sometimes it is called "tortoiseshell with white".

Mr. Cat recommends: character traits

Even among domestic cats, this breed of cat has an incredible gentle and peaceful nature. While most of their peers still prefer to harbor soft feelings for a particular location, they are extremely attached to a person. They adore being petted and cuddled on your lap, and they need love and care.

One characteristic that unites many Highland Folds is their tendency to sit down on their hind legs, much like a meerkat, when they are intrigued or startled by something.

You don’t need to worry if there are kids or other animals in the house, even if they inherently make a cat assume a hunting posture: All members of the fauna, such as dogs, rats, and birds, get along well with Highland Folds. They generally approach strangers bravely and fearlessly, willingly entering their arms and allowing themselves to be caressed. In general, they enjoy attention from others.

The Highland Fold won’t persistently bother people or demand games or other forms of attention if they are busy. They’ll have no trouble finding something to occupy themselves. Cats of this breed are also known for being extremely tidy; they usually ignore curtains, furniture, and other interior decor to avoid scratching or damaging it.

Like other newborns, these kittens enjoy playing and running, so the pet owner should set up toys and cat entertainment in advance. They enjoy playing with people, but you can leave them with kids without fear because they are not aggressive and won’t bite or scratch.

Cats get more subdued and even sedentary as they age. The Highland Fold does not find it uncomfortable to be left alone if its owners are always working; in fact, it enjoys having visitors. But for this cat, order, schedule, and feeding at specific times are crucial. She finds the lack of order really annoying, especially when mealtimes are disrupted.

Care and maintenance

This breed of cat doesn’t need special attention. Nevertheless, one must consider that the breed has long hair.

For the cat to have healthy, attractive fur, frequent brushing and washing are required. Pets need to have their own combs in order to comb out long hair.

The best brushes are those with natural material teeth, which are fairly rare.

Daily brushing is recommended for long-haired Scots, and twice a day during the shedding season for optimal results. Missing a day or two is not frightening, but no more. For these cats, combing is a fun and beneficial activity. The teeth massage the skin, improving blood flow and resulting in healthier, softer, silkier hair.

Bathing Highland Folds once every six months is a good idea, but not too frequently. First, water procedures wash away the protective fatty layer from the skin; second, frequent washing causes the hair to become dull and lose its fluff; and third, Scots are, to put it mildly, water-cool. They find washing to be stressful, so you should start your pet off with bathing at a very young age to help lessen their anxiety. He may tolerate the procedure a little more calmly, but he won’t grow accustomed to it.

Cleaning the ears is an additional essential hygiene procedure. Approximately every two weeks, this should be done, taking care not to harm the ears. For this procedure, a standard cotton swab will suffice.

Kittens adapt to the litter box rapidly; all you need to do is show them the toilet a few times and explain its purpose. Given that Highland Fold cats are naturally very tidy and clean, owners should keep a close eye on the litter box’s hygiene.

They might not want to use the litter box if it smells strongly of old filler.

Like other domestic cats, Highland Fold cats require routine nail clipping, eye and teeth cleaning. They require a vaccination against viral infections at two months of age. More immunizations are administered in accordance with the schedule. In veterinary clinics, you can work with the doctor to create a personalized schedule or request a special memo.

Nutrition

The majority of cats in this breed do not tend to overeat or become obese. Only human food from the table is inappropriate for the cat; you can feed the Scotsman both natural and prepared foods. From an early age, the pet must be weaned onto a specific diet.

For those who are extremely busy at work, feeding their pet commercial food is the best option. Cats have different characteristics that premium food manufacturers consider, such as age, so you can choose the right food for each pet while respecting its uniqueness. What matters most is that the food is a well-known and superior brand. Together with the correctly balanced nutrients the animal needs, they also contain vitamins, minerals, and other substances. In other words, they offer a balanced diet, so the owner need not worry.

You will need to prepare food for your pet separately if the owners have chosen to feed them natural food. An adult cat’s diet should primarily consist of protein-rich foods because, as predators, their digestive systems are designed to break down soft meat fibers.

Lean meat and poultry should form the foundation of the diet. Byproducts from meat, vegetables, yogurt, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, and porridge are also permitted.

Giving milk is not necessary because the kitten does not produce enough enzymes to fully digest food once it reaches the nursing age. If your cat is a fish lover, you can spoil her with fish on occasion, but it’s not a good idea to do so too frequently. Urolithiasis and cholelithiasis are significantly more common in cats fed a fish diet.

Health

Members of this breed typically live 13–15 years and are in generally good health. Certain genetic mutations may occur; these may show symptoms as early as infancy.

Similar to their short-haired Scottish Fold counterparts, cats in this breed also mate with members of the straight-eared Scottish fold. A variety of genetic abnormalities develop and the progeny are not viable if both parents have lop ears.

These cats’ susceptibility to different musculoskeletal issues is also determined by the lop-ear gene. The following signs point to a propensity for bone and joint diseases:

• a short tail, with curvatures, seals;
• protruding vertebrae of the skeleton;
• uneven, waddling or limping gait;
• lack of activity typical of kittens, isolation.

The Highland Fold is a generally healthy breed overall. The cat may develop kidney issues, tartar, worms, and cardiovascular illnesses, which are common in these animals.

The majority of them result from inadequate or inappropriate care. The cat needs to be taken to the vet on a regular basis for checkups, vaccinations, vitamin and mineral supplements, anthelmintic medication, and tick and flea treatments. For the pet to live a long and happy life, it must be fed appropriately and completely, have its ears, teeth, and eyes cleaned, and have regular checkups from you.

The Highland Fold is a distinctive and adorable cat breed with a lovely longhaired coat and folded ears. Its origins are in the Scottish Fold, which combines an eye-catching appearance with a kind, affectionate disposition. This cat is a great companion for both individuals and families because of its laid-back and playful personality.

Because of its long fur, a Highland Fold needs frequent grooming. It also needs to have its food and health evaluated, particularly in light of any potential ear or joint problems. They can lead happy, healthy lives and provide their owners with warmth and affection if given the proper care.

Because of their rarity and the particular qualities that breeders preserve, Highland Folds can be more costly than other breeds. Prospective owners ought to think about this financial commitment as well as the added responsibility that comes with having a cat of this caliber. All things considered, this breed is a delightful addition to any home since it combines affection, playfulness, and beauty.

Video on the topic

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