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

Written by: Ashley Bates

Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

British-Shorthair-Cat-vs.-Scottish Fold-Cat

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

Breed Overview

Height

12–14 inches

Weight

12–16 pounds

Lifespan

12–17 years

Colors

White, blue, red, black, cream, white & black, ebony, red, orange-blue, gray, tan, beige, chocolate

Suitable for

Virtually any lifestyle, indoor living

Temperament

Calm, affectionate, social, mild

The Scottish Fold is instantly recognizable due to the breed’s classic folded-over ears and thick, short fur. Conversely, the British Shorthair looks remarkably like a Persian—because that’s essentially what they are, only with a short coat!

When you combine these two delightfully wide-eyed breeds, what do you get? The Scottish Fold British Shorthair Cat Mix, an adorable, squishy-faced, bended-ear cutie with a personality to match their sweet expression. Learn more about this combination—and whether you want to pay the piper to have one.

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Scottish Fold British Shorthair Cat Mix — Before You Get One

Energy
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A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
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Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
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Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
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Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.
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3 Little-Known Facts About Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mixes

1. Scottish Folds and British Shorthairs Look Similar

You will notice a few differences between the Scottish Fold and British Shorthair—like those classically adorable, folded ears. 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. Both Parent Breeds Share European Origins

As you can gather from the names, both parent breeds come from European countries. In fact, they are each top favorite purebreds in the U.K.!


3. Not All Kittens in This Pairing Will Have Folded Ears

It is genetically possible to have a litter of kittens that have folded ears. But it’s much more likely that some in the litter will have the regular ears of the British Shorthair.

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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 lovely feline and what you can potentially expect.

The British Shorthair is a modest, 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. They are definitely a cat you can tote around in your arms or that cat carrier hoodie you bought on Amazon!

Folks who are familiar with each cat might come to the table with specific characteristics marking each breed. But in combination, you get all the good traits, it seems, such as an agreeable, adaptable, and affectionate cat with adorable actions and mild manners.

Even though they might not utilize a lot of their intelligence unless you persuade them, the Scottish Fold British Shorthair mix makes for a brilliant kitty. They quickly pick up concepts that might be otherwise difficult or uninteresting to other cats.

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.

These cats make excellent additions to most lifestyles and should always have another furry partner in crime, as they tend to enjoy like-species interactions.

Are These Cats Good for Families?

This breed has all the personality traits that make them ideal for multi- or single-person households. They blend well with just about every lifestyle. 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. So, these kitties are easy to please.

This is a hybrid breed mix, so both qualities 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 breed is 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 calm, cool, and collected kitties will make best friends with the family dog and cuddle up next to their fellow cats. These cats 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—no matter how many cute TikTok videos you’ve seen.

3 cat face dividerThings 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 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, if not stored 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.

No matter what diet option, 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. Also, you might notice you have a cat that is sensitive to certain proteins or harsh ingredients.

So, while you might be able to try different foods for flavor, you might have to switch it up eventually due to health or market trends. Also, please remember that if you prepare homemade meals, you should always add the appropriate vitamin and mineral additives dosage. Work with your vet to determine the best dietary option and get recommendations before deciding.

Exercise

You may notice that even as a kitten, this mixed breed tends to be less active than some others. They prefer relaxation overexertion, even though they will be playful occasionally. A good recommendation is to make sure that your cat gets 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 brilliant and quite capable of learning facts 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 kitten 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. But they might need a little help from time to time. It would help if you bathe your cat no more than every 4 to 6 weeks.

Health and Conditions

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 and carpets.

With the Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix being a hybrid, the kittens can take on genetic conditions from both parents. Luckily, each parent breed is pretty healthy, but certain issues can still crop up. Remember, proper routine vetting is key for prevention or early detection.

Another thing to mention is that if your kitten has folded ears, it’s imperative to keep them clean and free of moisture. These kitties are very prone to ear infections and need a little human help to keep things operating smoothly.

Minor Conditions
  • Degenerative joint disease
  • Polycystic kidney disease
  • Joint disorders
  • Osteochondrodysplasia
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Hemophilia B
Serious Conditions
  • Ear infections

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.

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Final Thoughts

So, the Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix checks all the boxes for what makes a feline fantastic. They are super easygoing, highly loyal to their families, and adorable to boot. What’s not to love?

Does a Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix have your heart? If so, you can try to locate a breeder with quality, healthy kittens around your area. If you can’t find much of anything locally, just know that you can still get one, but there might be travel involved.


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

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