With their distinctly rounded faces, large eyes, and unique folded ears, the Scottish Fold cat has become an icon of feline adorableness, championed by celebrities and influencers on social media. But beneath this charming, owl-like appearance lies a dark genetic reality that animal welfare organizations and veterinary bodies have condemned as “torture,” prompting a growing legislative backlash across the globe.
The very trait that defines the breed—their folded ears—is the direct result of a dominant gene mutation that causes a serious, incurable, and painful condition.
This genetic affliction is known as osteochondrodysplasia (OCD), a disorder that affects cartilage and bone development throughout the cat’s entire body. While the mutation, known as the TRPV4 gene, most visibly causes the ear cartilage to collapse, its internal effects are devastating.
Every Scottish Fold cat is affected by this condition.
Veterinary experts stress that there is no “responsible” way to breed this trait without passing on the disease. Cats homozygous for the gene (inheriting it from both parents) suffer from severe, crippling arthritis early in life. Cats heterozygous (inheriting it from one parent) are also affected, though the symptoms may progress more slowly.
The result is a life often defined by chronic pain. The disease causes abnormal bone growth and progressive arthritis, particularly affecting the tail, ankles, and knees. Tails can become rigid and inflexible, and joints in the limbs can fuse, leading to lameness, a stiff gait, and a profound reluctance to move, jump, or play.
Animal welfare activists note that the breed’s noted “docility” or “calmness” is generally misconceived. In most cases, these behaviors are neither temperament nor signs of temperament but exhibit pain directly; the cats are only trying to avoid movement that hurts.
“To breed a cat for an aesthetic feature that is known to cause significant, lifelong painful disease is, in our view, unethical,” states International Cat Care (iCatCare), a leading global feline welfare charity.
This growing consensus has moved from veterinary clinics to government chambers, resulting in concrete legal action against the breed.
In Scotland, the breed’s country of origin, breeding is now effectively banned. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), the U.K.’s premier cat registry, has refused to recognize or register the breed since the 1970s due to these welfare concerns.
The Netherlands has taken one of the world’s strongest stances. The country banned the breeding of Scottish Folds in 2014. Authorities are now poised to enact a follow-up law, expected to take effect in 2026, that will also ban the keeping of the cats (with exceptions for existing pets) to stop their importation and trade entirely.
The movement is global. The state of Victoria in Australia has also banned the breeding of Scottish Folds, classifying their genetic defect as a “hereditary disease.” Similar restrictions and stringent regulations are in place in other nations, including Norway.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has publicly called for an end to the breeding of Scottish Folds, placing them in the same high-risk category as severely flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs like Pugs and French Bulldogs.
Despite this professional condemnation, the breed’s popularity has surged, fueled in large part by their high-profile status. Pop superstar Taylor Swift, known for her love of cats, owns two Scottish Folds, Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson, who have become celebrities in their own right.
Animal welfare groups are quick to clarify that the issue is not with celebrity owners, who may not have been fully aware of the breed’s problems when they acquired their pets. Rather, the “celebrity effect” has created a massive consumer demand that unethical breeders are rushing to fill, often without disclosing the lifetime of medical care and pain management these animals will require.
Beyond the guaranteed suffering of OCD, the breed is also prone to a host of other serious health issues. Their round head shape makes them brachycephalic, which can lead to breathing difficulties and dental problems. They are also at a higher risk for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a serious heart condition.
For veterinarians and animal rights advocates, the Scottish Fold is a tragic example of humans prioritizing aesthetics over animal welfare. The global crackdown signals a major shift in public and political understanding—a recognition that the “cute” feature defining the breed is, in fact, the mark of a genetic curse.
People Also Ask
Why are Scottish Fold cats being banned?
Scottish Fold cats are being banned or restricted in several countries (like the Netherlands, Scotland, and parts of Australia) because the genetic mutation that causes their signature folded ears also causes a painful, incurable disease called osteochondrodysplasia (OCD), which leads to crippling arthritis and bone deformities.
Do all Scottish Fold cats suffer from health problems?
Yes. All Scottish Folds carry the dominant gene mutation that causes osteochondrodysplasia (OCD). While the severity can vary, every cat with the mutation (which is all of them) is affected to some degree, leading to progressive joint pain and skeletal issues throughout their lives.
What is osteochondrodysplasia (OCD) in Scottish Folds?
It is a genetic disorder of cartilage and bone development. The same gene that makes the ear cartilage weak also affects cartilage in the joints, particularly the legs, paws, and tail. This leads to abnormal bone growth, fused joints, and severe, chronic arthritis.
Is it ethical to breed Scottish Fold cats?
Major veterinary bodies, including the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and International Cat Care (iCatCare), state that it is unethical to breed Scottish Folds. They argue that knowingly breeding an animal for a trait that guarantees a painful, lifelong disease for human aesthetic pleasure is cruel.
What health problems do Scottish Folds have besides arthritis?
In addition to the guaranteed OCD, they are prone to brachycephalic (flat-faced) issues like breathing difficulties and dental disease. They also have a higher risk of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a form of heart disease.
Do Scottish Fold cats live in pain?
Many do. The progressive arthritis caused by OCD is a chronic pain condition. Their common “calm” or “docile” nature is often a sign that they are in pain and are therefore reluctant to jump, run, or play like a normal cat.
What kind of cats does Taylor Swift have?
Taylor Swift famously owns two Scottish Fold cats, named Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson, as well as a Ragdoll named Benjamin Button. Animal welfare groups have used her cats’ popularity to raise awareness, urging fans not to seek out the breed due to their inherent health issues.
Can Scottish Folds have straight ears?
Yes. Some cats born in a Scottish Fold litter do not have the folded-ear gene and are born with straight ears. These are often called “Scottish Straights.” They do not suffer from osteochondrodysplasia and are often used in breeding programs (mated with a Fold), but the ethics of this are still debated as it perpetuates the breeding line.
What is the lifespan of a Scottish Fold?
Their lifespan can be 12 to 15 years, but their quality of life is often compromised. They typically require lifelong pain management, joint supplements, and regular veterinary care to manage the symptoms of their genetic condition.
Which countries have banned Scottish Folds?
Breeding is banned or severely restricted in the Netherlands, Scotland (where the breed originated), and the Australian state of Victoria. Norway also has strict regulations. The Netherlands is taking the further step of banning the keeping of the breed, expected to take effect in 2026.
