Persian Scottish Fold Cat Mix: Info, Pictures, Temperament & More

Despite their undeniably cute appearance, the Persian Scottish Fold mix is not a particularly common or popular cat, perhaps with good reason. With the flattened ears of the Scottish Fold and the long, lustrous coat of the Persian, you would think this particular crossbreed would be everywhere. However, with the combination of genetic mutations and high incidence of health problems in both parent breeds, this may be one combination that’s best left alone. 

Read on to find out what we mean…

Breed Overview

In recent years, both the Persian and Scottish Fold have come under scrutiny, and not for positive reasons. With their thick, fluffy coats and squished faces, the Persian cat was, at one point, one of the world’s most popular and recognizable breeds. In recent years, the detrimental effects of the Persian’s brachycephalic facial features have drawn criticism from veterinary professionals and animal welfare organizations. As a result, we are starting to see an increase in the popularity of the traditional Persian cat, often referred to as the ‘Doll Face’ Persian. Though these are still not as healthy and robust as your run-of-the-mill moggy, their more natural skull structure means they can certainly breathe a lot easier. 

The Scottish Fold, on the other hand, was not created through selective breeding for extreme features, but is the result of a genetic mutation affecting cartilage development. The same defect that prevents the ears from standing to attention causes abnormal joint formation, often resulting in debilitating and painful arthritis. Organizations like International Cat Care have called for breeding of the Scottish Fold to stop, and in some countries, the breed has even been banned.

Given the problems faced by both breeds, it’s no wonder the Persian-Scottish Fold is not about to win any popularity contests!

Persian Scottish Fold Cat Characteristics

Persian Scottish Fold Mix Kittens

Temperament & Intelligence of the Persian Scottish Fold Mix 🧠

Feline temperament can be difficult to accurately predict, particularly when dealing with more than one breed. However, with both the Persian and Scottish Fold being known as fairly calm, docile cats, it’s likely that the resultant mix will also be pretty chilled out. 

They may be a little short-tempered and less tolerant of noisy, busy households, but ideal if you’re after a cat that is drawn to sitting around on laps rather than running laps around the home.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

The Persian-Scottish Fold may not be the best candidate for small children, particularly if they are suffering from painful joints. Families with older children, couples, or older owners are more suitable for this crossbreed.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶🐱

Similar to the question of small children, how well a Persian-Scottish Fold will tolerate or befriend other household pets will depend greatly on the health and temperament of the individual cat, along with the temperament of the other pets. Being a cat, you certainly don’t want them to be sharing space with any small pets like hamsters or mice, but they’re less likely to be overly fixated on prey-type animals than breeds like the Bengal or Abyssinian, for example.

With calm introductions, plenty of space, and supervision, you should be able to introduce a Persian-Scottish Fold to other cats or dogs.

Things to Know When Owning a Persian Scottish Fold:

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

All breeds should follow a healthy diet with portions specific to their activity level and weight. Persians are somewhat predisposed to kidney disease, so choosing a high-quality wet food is a good place to start. Consider adding joint supplements to the food to help support the cartilage.

Exercise 🐈

Whilst exercise is important for any cat, enrichment is possibly even more so. Providing spaces to explore and climb is essential to keeping your cat active, but make sure there are lots of different levels for cats to get up and down. Jumping down from heights can seriously damage the joints, particularly if there is a pre-existing problem.

Use toys, games, and interactive play to make sure your Persian-Scottish Fold’s brain gets plenty of work too. A bored cat can become a destructive one.

Training 🧶

Persian Scottish Fold mix kittens are intelligent and loyal, both excellent qualities when training. Loyal cats are eager to please their human, so they want to do what they can to please them. Both breeds also adapt pretty well to new environments and lifestyle changes. Early training as kittens can help make necessary adjustments as adults much easier for them.

Grooming ✂️

These cats are likely to have thick, long coats that will need daily attention or risk getting matted. Short, frequent grooming sessions with a comb and dematting tool can prevent knots from forming and be less stressful than long, intense brushing. Folded ears can accumulate dirt and wax, so ask your vet to demonstrate the best way to keep them clean.

Health and Conditions 🏥

A Persian Scottish Fold mix cat is likely to have health conditions that should be considered carefully. If unsure, speak to your vet or a reputable shelter about your concerns before adopting. Both parental breeds are prone to severe conditions that you should expect.

Male vs. Female

The only noticeable differences between male and female Persian Scottish Fold mix cats are those that are similar in every other breed. Male cats tend to be a bit larger than females. Spayed or neutered cats will most likely have very similar behavioral traits.

A male cat that hasn’t been neutered will be more territorial and could mark its territory with spraying. A female cat that hasn’t been spayed may go through heat cycles as young as 4 months. Spaying/neutering is recommended by the time kittens are 6 months old.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Persian Scottish Fold Cat

1. Folded Ears Are a Mutation

The folded ears were first found randomly in several kittens in the 1970s, and from them, the Scottish Fold breed was developed. Because of the genetics involved, two cats with folded ears may produce a litter with kittens having both folded and straight ears. The severity of the harmful effects of this mutation depends greatly on whether a kitten has inherited one or two copies of the mutated gene, with some cats euthanized within the first few years of life due to painful joint disease.

2. The Gift of Gab

Scottish Folds aren’t known to be talkative but will always let you know how they feel or want something. Just the opposite, Persians are great conversationalists. Their mixed kittens tend to take after the Persian lineage, creating a very vocal kitty who will love to chat with you. Be prepared, in any case. They might learn to talk back and give some attitude when they don’t get their way.

3. Persian Cats Really Did Come from Persia

Persia was located in modern-day Iran. When we think of man-made breeds, we also think of some more recent ones, like the Aphrodite, Minskin, and Toyger. However, the Persian is a mixed breed going back to the 1700s when a cross between a long-haired Italian cat and a Persian Sand cat was bred with a long-haired Turkish cat.

Final Thoughts

Cat breeders have avoided this crossbreed due to the high chances of severe health problems. While they may be charming, other adorable breeds would require less veterinary care over time and have a much better quality of life. The mix isn’t recognized by pedigree organizations like the CFA, even though their parent breeds are. The Scottish Fold isn’t recognized in some other countries, like the UK, because it’s considered a mutation that leads to severe health problems.

With so much stacked against these adorable kitties, you aren’t likely to find a Persian Scottish Fold mix at a reputable breeder. However, if you are set on it, you could call local rescues and shelters to let them know what you’re looking for.

See Also: 

• Siamese Ragdoll Cat Mix – Guide, Pictures, Temperament & More

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

Featured Image Credit: Borkin Vadim, Shutterstock