There’s just something about the cute, curled ears of Scottish Fold cats that makes them irresistible. You might not realize that other breeds can have curled ears, including the American Curl. The American Curl’s ears are typically curled backward, unlike the forward-curling ears of the Scottish Fold. It’s easy to tell the difference between these two breeds, not just because of how the ears are curled, but also the more athletic body of the American Curl versus the Scottish Fold’s medium-sized, thick body.

However, outcrossing the Scottish Fold with the American Curl is not an acceptable breeding practice, according to the Cat Fancier’s Association.  Breeding two cats with curled ears can lead to severe health conditions, and Scottish Fold breeders are only allowed to use British Shorthairs and American Shorthairs as outcrosses.

Breed Overview

American Curl Scottish Fold Mix Characteristics

American Curl Scottish Fold Mix Kittens

American Curl Scottish Fold Mix Kittens

Folded ears are not a guarantee with either cat breed, and they regularly produce kittens that have normal ear pinnae since both breeds have ears that grow in opposite directions. These kittens exhibit the temperament characteristics and body type of their respective parent breeds but will develop a shining personality of their very own as they grow. Kittens with curled ears, which are usually the ones highly sought after, are much harder to find.

Temperament & Intelligence of the American Curl Scottish Fold Mix

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

The American Curl Scottish Fold mix can be a wonderful cat. They combine the laidback and loving nature of the Scottish Fold with the energetic and affectionate temperament of the American Curl. Both parent breeds are often considered dog-like in their behaviors. They’re known for playing fetch and following their people from room to room. Thankfully, this is not typically done in an annoying way but just allows the cat to keep track of their favorite person and the goings-on in the home.

They tend to be good with children, but it’s important for children to learn to respect the space and boundaries of the cat, as well as understand how to handle them. This is especially important since Scottish Folds have delicate and sensitive tails and a tug on the tail can result in pain and difficulty walking, sometimes permanently. Mixes of Scottish Folds are also at risk for this sensitivity.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

When proper introductions are provided, this mix tends to be an excellent addition to a home with other pets. Obviously, special care should be taken with small pets that may be perceived as prey, like lizards, hamsters, and birds.

Both parent breeds are also known for being cats that get along well with dogs, which may be due to their dog-like personality. As long as everyone receives appropriate introductions, your American Curl Scottish Fold mix will likely get along well with dogs in the home and may even actively seek them out for play.

Things to Know When Owning an American Curl Scottish Fold Mix

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

While the American Curl has a lean body, the Scottish Fold has a stocky body with a medium build. This breed is prone to obesity, although any cat breed can develop obesity or become overweight with overfeeding or inactivity. Aim to feed your cat a high-quality, protein-rich cat food to help support healthy growth and muscle development.

Cats are obligate carnivores, so they require a large amount of protein in their diet. Commercial cat food is the best option for ensuring your cat receives an appropriately balanced diet. Homemade and raw diets aren’t usually recommended due to the nuances of nutrition, but a veterinary nutritionist can also help you safely develop a nutritionally complete diet for your cat.

Exercise 🐈

As previously mentioned, you may have a higher risk of obesity with this mix due to the higher risk for Scottish Folds. Regular exercise and activity are essential parts of maintaining a healthy body weight and staving off obesity. The American Curl is an active, athletic cat, and this is likely to carry over into your American Curl Scottish Fold mix, so be prepared to spend an hour or more per day encouraging your cat to play.

Games, toys, and puzzles are all great ways to help your cat become more active, and the more directly involved in these activities you are, the more you and your cat will bond. Due to the high level of intelligence with both parent breeds, you may also be able to teach your cat how to participate in sports and activities, like feline agility and even games of fetch, which both breeds are known to enjoy.

Training 🧶

The essential parts of training any cat include litter box training and teaching the general rules of the home, including appropriate scratching spots and restricted areas. Having all of the members of the home stick to the same set of rules will expedite basic training for your cat.

If your cat seems bored or interested in activities they see others doing, then you may have success in training your cat to perform tricks, play games, or succeed at activities like agility courses. Since both parent breeds are intelligent and trainable, you are likely to find good outcomes by training your American Curl Scottish Fold mix.

Grooming ✂️

Both parent breeds can come in shorthair and longhair varieties, so your mixed kitten can develop just about any coat type. With shorthair cats, grooming is typically limited to regular brushing to remove loose fur and dander. Longhaired cats require more frequent brushing, and you will likely need to pick out a comb or brush that is made specifically for longhaired cats. This will help you get deeper into the long coat, removing tangles and reducing the risk of matting. If your cat becomes matted, a groomer may need to help get it out.

As with all cats, a nail trim when nails seem exceedingly long is a good idea. A groomer or vet can perform this if you aren’t comfortable with it. Your cat will keep their claws under control most of the time, but sometimes claw tips can become extremely long and sharp, which increases the risk of injuries like broken nails and foot injuries.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Male vs Female

There are no notable differences between males and females, but you may notice. Physically, males tend to be larger than females. This will be more noticeable if your kitten has more of the Scottish Fold appearance due to the stocky body of this breed. You are most likely to see this difference in size if your male wasn’t neutered until after reaching full physical and sexual maturity.

In general, male cats are more loving and will strongly bond with members of the household, including other pets. Females may be more independently minded, which doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll see your female cat less, but she may be less likely to seek you out for affection or reassurance.

3 Little-Known Facts About the American Curl Scottish Fold Mix

1. Scottish Folds Started as an Accident

The first Scottish Fold cat was a barn cat in Scotland. This cat, Susie, had unusually curled ears, but her owners did not attempt to breed her. However, Susie did have a litter of kittens, bringing forth two more cats with curled ears.

One of these kittens was spayed while still young, so only one kitten went on to produce offspring. Susie did not live long past the birth of her kittens, being killed by a car only 3 months later, so she did not produce more folded-ear kittens, but all Scottish Fold cats share common ancestry with Susie.

2. American Curls Also Started as an Accident

The American Curl’s origin story is eerily similar to that of Susie. In 1981, 15 years after the first Scottish Fold, a stray kitten with unusually curled ears was found. This kitten, Shulamith, went on to have a litter of kittens that produced two kittens with curled ears.

Word of these kittens spread quickly, rapidly garnering the interest of cat lovers. These kittens went on to be bred, successfully bringing forth the genetic mutation responsible for the ear curl. As they say, the rest is history from there.

3. Folded Ears aren’t Present at Birth

Neither Scottish Folds nor American Curls are born with folded ears at birth, so it’s a mystery for a few weeks after birth as to which kittens will have this trait and which won’t.

In American Curls, the ears begin to fold around a week of age, but they will not show their full curl and may even curl and uncurl up until around 16 weeks. For the Scottish Fold, the ears may begin to fold around 3–4 weeks of age, but it is typically not entirely evident until 11–12 weeks when the breeder is able to determine if a kitten will show quality or not.

Final Thoughts

The American Curl Scottish Fold mix can be a charming cat, taking on many of the positive qualities of their parents. They are likely to be affectionate and attentive, as well as intelligent, trainable, and dog-like in their behaviors.

However, they are also at risk for developing some of the debilitating conditions that their parent breeds are prone to, including osteochondrodysplasia, which is a painful and debilitating condition. American Curls and Scottish Folds with curled ears should not be crossed due to the danger of the offspring inheriting serious health conditions.

It’s important to ensure that your breeder performs all the necessary tests on the parents before breeding, including cardiac scans and joint assessments by specialized veterinarians. If your breeder did not take these precautions, it’s best to get a kitten from a different breeder. Otherwise, you may end up with a kitten that experiences lifelong medical issues and painful, progressive conditions.

See also:

• Skinderlop (Sphynx & Scottish Fold Mix) Pictures, Info, Temperament & Traits
• Scottish Fold Siamese Mix: Pictures, Info, Temperament & Traits

Featured Image Credit: (L) janekub, Shutterstock | (R) Andrey Tairov, Shutterstock