Scottish Fold
The folded ear comes from a cartilage mutation that also causes painful osteochondrodysplasia.
About the Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold is a breed of domestic cat characterised by a naturally occurring autosomal dominant mutation associated with feline osteochondrodysplasia (FOCD). This genetic health condition affects cartilage development throughout the body and produces the breed's defining feature: ears that "fold" forward and down towards the front of the head, contributing to its often described “owl-like” appearance.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Key facts
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Weight
- 3–6 kg
- Height
- Data varies by line
- Lifespan
- 11–14 years
- Est. monthly cost
- $58 (≈ $696 per year)
- Purchase price
- $1,200–$2,100 from a breeder
Where the monthly cost comes from
Routine care for a Scottish Fold averages about $58 a month, or roughly $696 a year. That figure is summed from the measured US line items below — food is scaled to this breed's body weight and grooming to its coat — not quoted from any single clinic or breeder.
| Category | Per month |
|---|---|
| Food (scaled to 5 kg) | $194.00 |
| Treats | $42.00 |
| Routine veterinary care (adjusted for this breed's known issues) | $187.95 |
| Medications (flea, tick, heartworm) | $49.35 |
| Grooming (2/5 coat requirement) | $28.00 |
| Toys | $25.00 |
| Litter | $150.00 |
| Licence | $15.00 |
| Total | $58 |
Pet insurance is not in that total. The average US accident-and-illness premium is $383 a year for a cat, but most pets are not insured, so adding it to every breed would overstate what a typical owner pays.
If you insure, board and budget for emergencies
Owners who carry insurance, leave the pet boarded when travelling and set money aside for emergencies land near $135 a month — about $1,624 a year. This is a modelled budget, not a survey result:
| Item | Per year |
|---|---|
| Routine care, as itemised above | $696 |
| Pet insurance (NAPHIA average premium) | $383 |
| Boarding (10 days at $25/day) | $250 |
| Emergency fund (one ~$900 event every 3 years) | $300 |
| Fully-loaded total | $1,624 |
Boarding rate from MarketWatch ($25/day). Emergency allowance modelled on Rover's finding that a typical emergency visit starts near $300 and reaches $4,000 with diagnostics and an overnight stay. The number of boarded days and the once-in-three-years emergency frequency are our own planning assumptions, stated here so you can substitute your own.
Includes routine vet visits, food, grooming and supplies. Excludes emergencies, training, boarding and the purchase price above. Method and sources: data sources.
Temperament and care profile
Health issues to watch
The FDA's animal adverse-event database holds 171 reported events filed under this breed name (data current to 2026-10-05). Reports are not proof of causation and are not adjusted for how many animals of the breed exist.
How it compares
Pick a second breed to see a side-by-side breakdown of cost, size, shedding and lifestyle fit.
- Scottish Fold vs Exotic Shorthair
- Scottish Fold vs American Shorthair
- Scottish Fold vs Siamese
- Scottish Fold vs Chinese Domestic Cat
- Scottish Fold vs Abyssinian
- Scottish Fold vs Dragon Li
- Scottish Fold vs Birman
- Scottish Fold vs British Shorthair
- Scottish Fold vs Russian Blue
- Scottish Fold vs Bengal
- Scottish Fold vs Turkish Angora
- Scottish Fold vs Munchkin
Breeds closest to this one
Ranked by measured similarity across shedding, grooming, energy, trainability, apartment fit, child friendliness, vocalisation and adult weight.
- British Shorthair — about $2/month more
- Exotic Shorthair — about the same monthly cost
- American Shorthair — about $1/month more
- Munchkin — about $4/month less
- Chinese Domestic Cat — about $1/month less
- Birman — about $1/month less
- Ragdoll — about $41/month more
- Russian Blue — about $2/month less