The Scottish Fold, with its round face and folded ears, is a gentle, affectionate cat. The gene that causes the folded ears also affects cartilage and bone throughout the body, so many Scottish Folds develop painful joint problems. A healthy diet and, above all, a healthy weight help keep a Fold as comfortable as possible.
Does a Scottish Fold Need Special Food?
No cat breed needs a special food to be healthy. Like any cat, a Scottish Fold needs a complete and balanced food (labeled as meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles in the US, or as a “complete” food under FEDIAF guidelines in the UK) that suits its age, weight, activity and health. Some brands make breed-specific foods, and they can be a convenient choice, but a good-quality complete food for the right life stage works just as well. For a Fold, keeping a lean body weight matters more than any particular brand.
Feeding a Scottish Fold Kitten
Scottish Fold kittens need a complete kitten food rich in protein and energy to support growth. Don’t add calcium or other supplements to a kitten’s diet without your vet’s advice: a complete kitten food already contains the right balance, and extra calcium can harm developing bones.
- when you bring your kitten home, keep feeding the food it ate at the breeder or shelter for the first week or two, then switch gradually;
- feed a complete kitten food (or an “all life stages” food) until about 12 months old;
- kittens under 6 months usually need three to four meals a day; from 6 months, two to three meals a day is usually enough;
- always provide fresh water;
- don’t give cow’s milk, which can cause diarrhea.
Read more about feeding a kitten.
Feeding an Adult Scottish Fold
Adult Scottish Folds tend to be calm and are prone to gaining weight. Extra weight puts even more strain on their joints, so careful portion control is essential.
- feed measured portions, using the feeding guide on the pack as a starting point, and adjust to keep your cat at a healthy weight (you should be able to feel the ribs easily);
- include some wet food every day to help with hydration and urinary health;
- keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories;
- weigh your cat regularly and see your vet for an annual checkup;
- if your cat has been spayed or neutered, its calorie needs will be lower. Read more about feeding a spayed cat and a neutered male cat.
Health Issues and Diet
- Osteochondrodysplasia, a disorder of cartilage and bone development, affects Scottish Folds to some degree because of the gene that folds their ears. It can cause stiffness, lameness and arthritis. Watch for reluctance to jump, a stiff gait or a thick, inflexible tail, and see your vet. Keeping your cat lean is one of the most important ways to help, and your vet may recommend a joint-support diet or pain relief.
- Obesity. Read more about obesity in cats.
- Heart and kidney disease (HCM and PKD) can occur in the breed.
If your cat has a health condition, your vet may recommend a specific or prescription diet. Don’t give supplements or change to a prescription diet without your vet’s advice, and see your vet if your cat’s appetite, weight, thirst, stools or coat change.
What About Homemade Food?
Homemade diets are very difficult to balance and are often missing essential nutrients, such as taurine and calcium. If you want to feed homemade food, use a recipe formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Never feed your cat foods that are toxic to cats. Read more: foods cats should never eat.
Read more about the Scottish Fold breed and what to feed a cat.
