Do Scottish Fold Cats Shed? (Shedding and Grooming)


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Even though all breeds of mesmerizing feline friends are cherished for the matchless memories and love they offer us, this is typically coupled with a surplus of fur and dander distributed across caregivers’ valued interior décor. So, do Scottish Fold cats shed?

The Scottish Fold cat breed has a moderate to a high tendency for shedding and has high grooming needs. Therefore, they should be groomed frequently to prevent excessive shedding, furballs, and matted fur, depending on the length of the fur coat.

Although handling hairy belongings is undeniably irksome for any cat caregiver, shedding fur is a natural and crucial aspect of feline health. So stick around to find out everything you need to know about a Scottish Fold cat’s fur coat, as well as how to go about establishing a healthy grooming routine for your delightfully fluffy companion.

If you wonder what the best products are for your cat, check out this article that will break down all my recommendations for you: Things To Buy For A Cat Right Now!

Do Scottish Fold Cats Shed a Lot?

Yes, the Scottish Fold cat breed does shed a lot of their fur since shedding provides numerous health benefits for all cat breeds. However, the frequency and overall amount of fur shed during the process will be subject to the length and thickness of their fur coat, whether or not they have an undercoat or double coat, and holistic care from their formative years through to adulthood.

Scottish Fold Cat Fur

Scottish Fold cats have plush and soft coats, and they are iconic for their full and bushy tails. The fur is adorned by an array of colors fluctuating from warm to cool tones, paired with various patterns and markings, including solid, tricolor, bicolor, tabby, smoky, shaded, spots, tortoiseshell, and much more.

The Scottish Fold cat breed does have longhair and shorthair variants, and longhaired variants may vary in terms of the fur coat texture. But, the fur texture is generally soft, dense, and robust regardless of the fur length.

For this breed, caregivers need to provide plenty of love and care to evade undesirable outcomes. In addition, the living environment will contribute to how tangle-free and soft their fur is throughout their life. There are many ways to ensure that they have well-kept fur, and doing so will increase their quality of life in an extensive range of ways.

Do Scottish Fold Cat Fur Mat Easily?

Scottish Fold

Yes, the Scottish Fold cat breed is more prone to mats and tangles due to the nature of their fur coats. It is common for this breed to form various knots and imperfections in the coat without proper care, but the odds of these tangles will be higher with longhaired variants.

How much do Scottish Fold Cats Shed?

Scottish Fold cats have a moderate to high tendency to shed their fur, which is significantly high for longhaired variants and moderate for shorthaired variants. Unlike many cat breeds, which shed more during summer and less during winter, this cat breed sheds all year-round, shedding more frequently and excessively during spring and fall.

Thus, it is essential to make sure the Scottish Fold cat is provided with related necessities so that it sheds as frequently and as much as the breed ordinarily should. Promoting a healthy frequency of shedding will be supported by a detailed and extensive grooming routine and essential influences such as the general living environment and overall hygiene.

Is Shedding Normal For Cats?

Yes, shedding is an integral part of life for most cat breeds, irrespective of inheritances or the distinctive traits and length of the fur coat. Shedding fur regulates their body temperature in shifting climates, enabling cats to stay cool in warmer climates and warm in colder climates, additionally assisting their body functions and holistic health.

Cats also shed their fur to eradicate the presence of dead or loose fur strands, allowing fresh and robust fur to take its place on the skin. The presence of solid and healthy fur strands helps protect the cat’s skin and body from unsafe factors, such as bacteria, risky substances, and potentially lessening the severity of injuries to the skin.

Shedding fur maintains the health of the cat’s fur coat as they age, and it’s crucial that dead hair is removed, so it does not hinder this indispensable bodily process. Since the fur coat is necessary for defending the cat’s body from numerous influences and regulating its temperature in fluctuating climates, losing too much fur will surely have detrimental effects.

Can Scottish Fold Cats Shed Too Much Fur?

Unnecessary shedding is not ordinary and may suggest the presence of underlying medical issues which should be examined professionally to be acknowledged, precisely diagnosed, and treated suitably. It is possible for owners to over-groom their cats which can deteriorate healthy fur strands and eliminate them unnecessarily, or cats may allogroom to an extent where fur begins to thin and wither.

It is even possible for the Scottish Fold cat breed to do them harm by simply handling them the wrong way during grooming and fur coat care. Caregivers should seek medical assistance from a vet if the cat is shedding more than the breed typically should, is shedding in clumps of fur that start revealing the skin, or is suddenly shedding without a sensible reason, such as shedding more during certain seasons.

Are Scottish Fold Cats Hypoallergenic?

No, the Scottish Fold cat breed is not hypoallergenic; thus, they produce similar allergens compared to many other cat breeds. In addition, their moderate to a high tendency for shedding may give off more dander and fur strands than many other breeds, and the odds of experiencing allergic responses may be more prominent with longhaired variants.

How To Manage Scottish Fold Cat’s Fur Coat

The Scottish Fold cat breed has special care requirements, which are mainly subject to the length of the fur coat. Caregivers should ensure that they have the appropriate approach and tools when caring for fur. In addition, they need to be handled very gently during grooming and petting, especially when caring for their bushy yet sensitive tails.

How Often Should You Groom a Scottish Fold Cat?

The Scottish Fold cat breed’s requirements will be influenced by fur length, and gentle daily petting can assist in keeping the coat soft. Shorthaired Scottish Fold cats should be groomed once or twice a week, and longhaired Scottish Fold cats require grooming three to four times a week.

How Do You Brush a Scottish Fold Cat?

Steel combs should be used for Scottish Fold cats regardless of their fur length, which is effective in removing loose hair and keeping the coat soft and tangle-free. The Scottish Fold cat breed needs to be handled delicately during grooming to ensure no harm is done to them.

What Should You Do To Groom Your Cat?

The Scottish Fold cat breed is a gentle and sweet lap cat, and they are incredibly affectionate. When grooming, caregivers should target areas of the body that are pleasant for the cat, after which they can work towards other areas. More attention should be given to the areas that have more fur, such as their bushy tails.

But, owners need to be careful with the tail since mishandling can cause stiffness and pain for them. If it is noted that your Scottish Fold cat is experiencing pain or issues with the tail during grooming and petting, they should be taken to the vet as it may indicate arthritis.

Grooming sessions are more successful when done consistently from a young age, as unraveling tangles will be painful, especially since they are already a sensitive breed. In addition, the Scottish Fold cat breed thrives with a stable routine and loves being brushed during playtime; thus, such an approach would be pretty practical for them.

Do You Need To Bathe Your Cat? 

How easily this breed gets dirty will depend on the fur length and the environment. Scottish Fold cats need to be bathed if they become dirty, which is more likely with longhaired variants. In addition, your Scottish Fold cat may require regular bathing if they roam outside or socialize with other animals since it risks tracking in bacteria.

Attention should be given to the ears’ cleanliness, as its distinct shape makes this breed susceptible to ear infections.

How Can I Make My Cat’s Fur Healthier?

Yes, diet and nutrition will influence overall health and bodily function, including skin and fur health. Therefore, ensuring that your Scottish Fold cat has adequate hydration and the provision of indispensable vitamins and minerals will be advantageous for upholding healthy skin and fur as they age.

Following a recommended diet plan which is all-encompassing and is tailored to the season of the cat’s life will be beneficial for optimum health.

Scottish Fold cats have a moderate to a high tendency for shedding fur and have high grooming needs. They need regular grooming to safeguard the health of their dense and plush coats, and the tail needs to be groomed gently to ensure they are not harmed in the process.

Owners must guarantee nutrition and grooming from childhood depending on the fur length, as this is most constructive in caring for the fur throughout its life.

The cat water fountain I recommend. See the link below!

Regarding adequate hydration, I provide my cat a cat water fountain that she enjoys drinking from.  Check out this cat water fountain on Amazon (affiliate link):  Check Out This Wonderful Cat Water Fountain on Amazon!

If you enjoyed this article, check out a few more:

  • American Shorthair vs Scottish Fold (Best Big Comparison):  Click Here.
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  • Maine Coon vs Scottish Fold (Surprising Rare Analysis):  Click Here.

Here are some of my favorite cat products

In addition to checking out some other More Meows articles, I hope you’ll check out some of my favorite cat products as well.  These are affiliate links, so if you end up using them, I’ll get a commission at no extra cost to you.  These are the products I really do find most helpful.

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My Cat’s Litter-Robot 3 Connect (with night light on) – See the link above the photo!

Cat Tree:  I have purchased a couple of this Amazon Basics Cat Tree on Amazon (affiliate link).  My cat spends a lot of time on and around this cat tree, which I position near my sofa.  She uses the scratching posts on this cat tree multiple times a day, which means she is not scratching the sofa instead.

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Christopher Carlson

I have an Domestic Shorthair Tabby named Charlotte. She is full of energy when she isn't sleeping most of the day. I share what I learn about cats on this site.

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