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Exotic Shorthair cats and Scottish Folds are two drastically different breeds of felines. Both of these cat breeds have different needs in terms of their health, maintenance, and personalities. The Exotic Shorthair and the Scottish Fold are both popular cat breeds.
Naturally, when comparing the Exotic Shorthair vs the Scottish Fold, you will ask yourself the question of which of these two cat breeds is the best?
When considering Exotic Shorthair vs Scottish Fold, the Exotic Shorthair wins this comparison. While both cat breeds are wonderful, the Exotic Shorthair does not shed much, makes an excellent lap cat, and has a sweet personality.
Cat Product Note: I will talk about and recommend some cat products in this article, which will hopefully provide your cat with a more enriching life. These are Amazon affiliate links, so I receive a commission from Amazon, with no added cost to you. These are my honest recommendations, so if you are interested in checking them out, please click below!
For Exotic Shorthair Cats:
- I recommend this cat stroller on Amazon for Exotic Shorthair cats since it is quite versatile (affiliate link): Click Here.
- The cat condo / cat tree that I like on Amazon (affiliate link) for Exotic Shorthair cats: Click Here. This is the cat tree that I own for my Domestic Shorthair cat, Charlotte, and she loves it!
- This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Exotic Shorthair cat since it provides an excellent space that is safe for lounging outside (affiliate link): Click Here.
For Scottish Fold Cats:
- The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for Scottish Fold Cats because it is robust and can go anywhere (affiliate link): Click Here
- The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Scottish Fold Cats because my similarly-sized cat loves it! (affiliate link): Click Here
- This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Scottish Fold cat since it provides a safe environment for this cat to jump, climb, and hang out (affiliate link): Click Here.
We go into more detail about the different factors in deciding between the Exotic Shorthair vs Scottish Fold below!
Exotic Shorthair Appearance vs. Scottish Fold Appearance
Let’s start by discussing the appearances of Exotic Shorthair cats and Scottish Fold cats.
What does an Exotic Shorthair look like?
Exotic shorthair cats are the result of breeding a Persian with an American shorthair. So, they resemble the Persian in a lot of ways, excluding the short coat. They have large, rounded heads, a short muzzle, and a slightly squished-looking nose.
Many people have described the general aesthetic of exotic shorthairs as looking like a “teddy bear.”
Exotic Shorthairs are small-medium size cats; the largest usually weigh about 13 pounds.
Their coats are short but slightly longer than other recognized shorthair breeds. The hair should be dense and fluffy. They come in all the colors that a Persian cat can; anywhere from tabby to color point has been recorded.
What Does a Scottish Fold Cat Look Like?
Scottish Fold cats have one characteristic that makes them stand out among all other feline breeds. The ears fold over on these cats, which is what gives them their names. Scottish Fold cats are a medium-sized cat that has a compact build. They can weigh between 6 and 13 pounds.
The short-haired Scottish Fold has a dense fur coat with a soft texture. The long-hair Folds may have a tail plume, toe tufts (fur clump that sticks out on the paws), and a ruff (resembles a mane around the cat’s neck, people often compare it to a lion’s mane).
Scottish Fold cats can come in various colors and patterns, including white, black, blue, red, cream, chocolate, and more! The eye colors can be dependent on the fur coat that shows.
Exotic Shorthair Hypoallergenic vs. Scottish Fold Hypoallergenic
Exotic Shorthair cats may be more hypoallergenic than their Scottish Fold counterparts. This is due to their shorter hairs.
Are Exotic Shorthairs hypoallergenic?
No, Exotic Shorthair cats are not hypoallergenic. Considering that Exotic Shorthairs are a crossbreed of Persian cats, they produce the same amount of irritating proteins that Persians do. Thus, they are, unfortunately, not hypoallergenic.
Do Exotic Shorthairs shed?
Yes, Exotic Shorthair cats shed. Even though Exotic Shorthair cats are descended from Persian cats, they do not shed very much.
This means that you will be able to enjoy petting the thick coat of these cats without all the loose hairs that you might find on the average feline. The Exotic Shorthair is an excellent choice if you are looking for a lower shedding cat.
Our article discussing cats that don’t shed much talks more about the Exotic Shorthair and other lower shedding breeds: Click Here.
Are Scottish Fold Cats Hypoallergenic?
No, Scottish Fold cats are not hypoallergenic. So, if you have cat allergies, do not expect that this cat breed will not affect your allergies.
Do Scottish Fold Cats Shed?
Yes, Scottish Fold cats shed. Even though Scottish Fold cats typically have short hair, it is also very thick and dense. Though this breed does shed only moderately, if you get in contact with their fur during snuggles, you will react to it as it is very thick.
Maintaining an Exotic Shorthair’s fur coat
Though Exotic Shorthair cats are related to Persian cats (which require a lot of grooming), they will try to maintain their fur (cats are exceedingly clean animals). However, they will benefit from weekly brushing to help with the occurrences of shedding and hairballs.
Maintaining a Scottish Folds Fur Coat
Scottish Folds do not require too much special grooming. It would help if you brushed your cat at least once per week. My advice is to start young since it will get your cat used to the process.
I find that a glove brush is great since my cat (a domestic shorthair named Charlotte) thinks she’s being petted. My guess is that since the Scottish Fold loves humans so much, they will love being petted and combed at the same time!
Exotic Shorthair Personality vs. Scottish Fold Personality
Next up, the personalities. Even though they have similar builds, they differ a lot when it comes to personalities. Let’s find out how!
Exotic Shorthair Personality
Exotic Shorthairs share many traits with their Persian cousins, which makes them gentle and calm friends. However, they’re known to also have a bit of liveliness associated with the American shorthair background in them – they’re curious, playful, and friendly.
It’s known that Exotic Shorthairs don’t always like to be left alone and want to be in the presence of their owner.
They make excellent lap cats, and their calm demeanor can make them ideal candidates for urban living. However, they can also be excellent mousers and would be at home in a barn environment (I would not keep this cat as an outside cat though). It’s been known that they are quiet cats, very rarely making noise.
Unlike Scottish Folds, Exotic Shorthairs might sometimes leave their owners alone to go curl up in a corner and nap.
Scottish Fold Personality
Scottish Fold cats love human beings. They love to express how they feel, and they can be quite active. Your Scottish Fold cat will love to play and have company. Scottish Fold cats do not do well when left alone for long periods of time. If you can keep up with their need for love and give them the attention they crave, then this cat may be the right one.
If you do get another cat, I recommend a Domestic Shorthair cat like my feline, Charlotte. There are almost always plenty of Domestic Shorthair cats ready for adoption, and they make sweet pets. I am extremely happy with my Domestic Shorthair cat.
We discuss what happens when you leave cats alone and miss their owners in our article: Click Here.
Are Exotic Shorthairs smart?
While these cats are known to be exceptionally smart, showing their intelligence might depend on the Exotic Shorthair’s mood. If they aren’t in the mood to play or learn a new trick, they might ignore you.
Don’t take this as a sign that your cat isn’t intelligent, though – exotic shorthairs have been known to be incredibly curious and capable of learning all sorts of tricks.
Are Scottish Folds Smart?
Scottish Folds are intelligent cats. These cats do have high intelligence, but they can be challenging to train. These cats are more affection oriented, which means that they are hard to teach to be alone.
If you do leave them alone, they will want hours of attention when you return. However, these cats can be adaptable if you need to leave them alone in the house.
Exotic Shorthair Lifespan and Scottish Fold Cat Lifespan
There are big differences in the feline lifespan of each of these cat breeds.
Exotic Shorthair Lifespan
Exotic Shorthairs will usually live between 8-11 years, and the breed has a host of health issues associated with it that could severely shorten their life if you don’t take care of them properly. We’ll discuss these issues a bit later.
Scottish Fold Lifespan
The average Scottish Fold Lifespan is 14 to 16 years. There are some stories about Scottish Fold’s living longer than this, but in general, this is the expected lifespan.
Enriching Your Exotic Shorthair and Scottish Fold’s Life
Every feline breed can benefit from a few extra steps. You can go through a couple of steps to ensure a more enriched lifespan for your Exotic Shorthair or your Scottish Fold.
Affection
Being affectionate and showing your feline friend a little more love is crucial. A loved cat is a happy cat. Cats might not show their love back like other four-footed mammals, but it certainly doesn’t mean they don’t need it. Felines just express themselves in different ways.
A good example of this is my cat, a domestic shorthair cat named Charlotte, meowing at me this morning. She had already eaten, and I figured correctly that she just wanted to be petted for a while. I spent some time giving her affection, and she was purring a lot.
Cats can benefit from your love and affection a lot. If you choose to ignore your kitten, it will gradually develop disinterest and won’t feel lively. Most people don’t even consider this aspect at all. But the simplest form of affection might trigger them to be a lot happier.
Going Outside With Your Cat
It is NOT recommended for house cats to roam outside by themselves; however, there are plenty of ways to take your cat outdoors with you. If your cat is energetic and curious, you might want to take them outside with a harness and a leash.
It’s crucial to find a harness that fits your pet correctly and make sure that they feel comfortable wearing it before they venture outside. We take a closer look at cat harnesses and if they are safe in our article: Click Here.
If your pet is more of the observer type, then a specialized cat backpack or cat stroller might be more their speed. Don’t be fooled, though; these forms of going outside can be just as beneficial as walking on a leash. Your cat gets to enjoy new scenery, new smells, and fresh air.
Personally, my strategy would be to take the cat out on the cat stroller and cover some ground. Then, when you find a safe area, take your cat out and walk around with her on the harness and leash. Finally, when it is time to go home, put the cat back in the stroller and cover that ground again. That way, everyone gets exercise!
For more information on whether your cat might like a cat stroller, take a look at our article on the subject: Click Here.
- I recommend this cat stroller on Amazon for Exotic Shorthair cats since it is quite versatile (affiliate link): Click Here.
- The cat stroller on Amazon that I recommend for Scottish Fold Cats because it is robust and can go anywhere (affiliate link): Click Here
Cat Condos / Cat Trees
Cat condos or trees are a must for cats because they tend to live in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. Having a high perch to hang out in helps with your cat’s sense of security; they have the high ground, after all.
It’s also a good spot for entertaining themselves, especially if it has integrated toys or scratching posts. Make sure that your cat tree has areas that are big and sturdy enough to hold your cat.
Our article on if cats really do like cat condos / cat trees: Click Here.
My cat, Charlotte, uses her cat condo multiple times a day. I frequently find her perched on the top platform, in the cat house, or scratching on the scratch posts – which is exactly where I want her to scratch (not my furniture!).
I actually recommend this cat condo / cat tree for both the Exotic Shorthair cat and the Scottish Fold cat (see links below).
- The cat condo / cat tree that I like on Amazon (affiliate link) for Exotic Shorthair cats: Click Here. This is the cat tree that I own for my Domestic Shorthair cat, Charlotte, and she loves it!
- The cat condo / cat tree on Amazon that I recommend for Scottish Fold Cats because my similarly sized cat loves it! (affiliate link): Click Here
Catios
If you have access to a yard, you can buy a cat enclosure (Catio) or build one with chicken wire and wood. You could technically convert your apartment balcony into a playpen if you secured it properly so your cat would be safe.
- This space should have a strong cover, and the wire should be partially buried to prevent predator attacks.
- Your cat should never be out in extreme weather conditions, and you should be nearby to watch them.
- The space should include a variety of toys and perches. If you look to purchase a Catio, you will often see places for a cat to perch or lay.
- Make sure you keep it clean.
- Make sure your feline always has access to fresh water. Lots of people underestimate how much water a cat needs to drink. If you take your cat outside, bring water.
- This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Exotic Shorthair cat since it provides an excellent space that is safe for lounging outside (affiliate link): Click Here.
- This is the Catio on Amazon that I recommend for the Scottish Fold cat since it provides a safe environment for this cat to jump, climb, and hang out (affiliate link): Click Here.
Using Cat Grass
Both types of felines love chewing on grass, so cat grass is a good choice. Cat Grass consists of a grass mixture such as wheat, oats, or rye and is different from outdoor grass you have on your lawn.
Cat Grass contains vitamins and minerals, which are quite beneficial to the digestive system of felines. It’s a tasty, healthful snack that also provides happiness for your cat.
Our article that analyses the importance of cat grass: Click Here.
Exotic Shorthair Health Issues vs. Scottish Fold Cat Health Issues
Now let’s talk about the different health issues that these two breeds generally have to face. This is usually an important topic since a cat owner will want to know about the future health prospects of their Exotic Shorthair or Scottish Fold.
Exotic Shorthair Health Issues
Exotic shorthairs are susceptible to a host of health issues because of their facial structure – their nose and eyes are too close together. It would be best if you watched for these health issues:
- Brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome: issues with the upper airways associated with the cat’s facial structure. This can cause inflammation and strain on the heart. There are multiple treatments for this condition; please consult your vet.
- Bladder and kidney stones
- Dystocia: issues during labor due to the kittens’ large skulls.
- Feline polycystic kidney disease (PKD): a genetic condition that can lead to kidney failure. DNA screening is suggested.
Scottish Fold Health Issues
Scottish Fold cats are known to be prone to the following health issues:
- Degenerative joint disease is common in this cat breed, especially in the tail and ankles. Handle your cat gently. You’ll want to make sure you have your Scottish Fold regularly checked by your local veterinarian. Feline degenerative joint disease can affect your Scottish Fold at an early age.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart disease that affects this cat as well. There seem to be some open questions still on whether this is hereditary for Scottish Fold cats. This health issue affects how your Scottish Fold is able to pump blood to her heart.
- Ear problems are also common in this cat because of the folds. You have to make sure they get cleaned properly and that insects, like ear mites, don’t nest in the folds. You will want to keep a close eye on how your Scottish Fold is dealing with her ears. If she seems bothered by them, its probably a good idea to take her to the veterinarian.
Exotic Shorthair Price vs Scottish Fold Price
The prices for these two cat breeds are surprisingly close to each other. If you are looking for a high-quality Exotic Shorthair kitten for sale or a high-quality Scottish Fold kitten for sale you will likely be shelling out about the same amount of money.
Exotic Shorthair Price
I was able to find some websites for Exotic Shorthair breeders and looked up the Exotic Shorthair price information. Unfortunately, I only saw pricing information on one of the Exotic Shorthair breeder websites. I sent out messages to the others and will update this article after I receive that information.
Khloe’s Kittens
At Khloe’s Kittens, you should expect to spend $1500-$2500 on an Exotic Shorthair kitten for sale. Deposits are $300; however, if you want to move yourself up on the waitlist, they have a special option to be on the priority waiting list, which comes with a guarantee that you will receive a kitten from a future litter for $3000.
They do offer delivery options, but I did not see pricing information on their website. They will deliver up to 3 hours away from their Essex County, New Jersey, USA location.
They do put out a warning on their website that if you see breeders offering these types of kittens for $800 or less that you should investigate thoroughly to ensure they are not a scam.
Scottish Fold Cat Price
Purrfect Folds
I searched for Scottish Fold cat breeders to find Scottish Fold cat costs, and I discovered Purrfect Folds. This cattery breeds and sells Scottish Fold cats with both folded ears and perked ears. Folded ears are what you would normally associate with a Scottish Fold. It looks like perked ears are the type of perked ears you would find on a normal cat.
At Purrfect Folds, you can purchase Scottish Fold cats with folded ears for $1750 – $2500. You should expect to place a deposit of $875 to $1250. If you are looking for a Scottish Fold cat with perked ears, you can purchase one for $800.
You should expect to place a deposit of $400 for perked ear Scottish Fold cats. In order to place a deposit with Purrfect Folds, you should expect to provide the following information:
- Completed Contract
- Full Name
- Mailing Address
- Phone Information
- Preferred Airport if you need shipping
- PayPal contact information if it is different than the other information you already provided.
Wunderfolds
Another Scottish Fold cattery I found was Wunderfolds. This cattery also sells Scottish Fold cats with folded ears and straight ears. Here is a breakdown of the different costs for different types of cats at Wunderfolds:
- Copper Eyes
- Straight Ears: $1500-$2500
- Folded Ears: $2200-$3400
- Blue Eyes from Color Points
- Straight Ears: $1800-$2800
- Folded Ears: $2800-$3800
- Rare Bi-Color Blue or Odd Eyes
- Straight Ears: $2500-$4000
- Folded Ears: $3500-$5000
At Wunderfolds, you should expect your purchase to include the following for your Scottish Fold:
- Age Appropriate Vaccinations
- Your Cat Dewormed
- Microchipping
- Spay or Neuter
- Free 30 Days of Pet Insurance
- TICA Registration Proof
- Lifetime Breeder Support
- Pet Gift Bag
Exotic Shorthair Breeders vs Scottish Fold Cat Breeders
I found more information while researching cat breeders on Scottish Fold cats than I did on Exotic Shorthair cats, but I found enough to compare the catteries.
Exotic Shorthair Breeders
I did not find a ton of information on quality Exotic Shorthair catteries. However, I did find information on Khloe’s Kittens, which is a quality cattery worth examining.
Khloe’s Kittens Cattery
Khloe’s Kittens Cattery is based out of Essex County, New Jersey, and breeding Exotic Shorthair cats is something they take great pride in. At Khloe’s, they raise their Exotic Shorthair kittens like they are family members.
They are a cageless facility. This breeder also breeds other cat breeds and the Exotic Shorthair, such as the Persian and Himalayan cat breeds.
The Exotic Shorthair kittens at Khloe’s Kittens are brought up around dogs and children, which is great because it means that these cats should not be surprised to encounter either of them in their new home.
Khloe’s cares deeply about providing good homes for the cats that they raise.
Scottish Fold Cat Breeders
Purrfect Folds
Purrfect Folds is located in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. A veterinarian runs it, and they breed Scottish Fold kittens with both long hair and short hair. Some of their Scottish Fold kittens have folded ears, and some have straight ears.
Purrfect Folds emphasizes quality and not on quantity. Their owner is a member of the Cat Fanciers Association and serves on the Scottish Fold Breed Council. Additionally, Purrfect Folds has won the Cattery Excellence Award from Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).
The Scottish Fold cats at Purrfect Folds get accustomed to other people and other pets to make their adjustment to your home easier for them. They emphasized the happiness and socialization of their Scottish Fold cats.
Wunderfolds
Wunderfolds is located in Fort Mill, South Carolina. This Scottish Fold cattery is certified by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA). They state that their cats are selected for their great appearances and come from breed winning lines worldwide.
Wunderfolds states that their Scottish Fold kittens are raised from day one in a clean family home environment with the owner and three children. This ensures the Scottish Fold kittens receive a ton of love and socialization.
Wunderfolds prides themselves on providing a friendly and organized customer experience for their Scottish Fold customers.
Exotic Shorthair Adoption vs Scottish Fold Adoption
Exotic Shorthair Adoption
Adopting an Exotic Shorthair kitten or cat is a great way to give a cat a loving home. I did a little research and did not see any cat rescues devoted to the Exotic Shorthair cat. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be opportunities to adopt an Exotic Shorthair cat, though.
Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue
This group has been working to find loving homes for abandoned or surrendered purebred cats for 21 years! That is quite a long time to be doing this. Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue (SPCR) gives you the ability to search available purebred cats on their website.
They state that the approximate adoption fee for a purebred mix cat (if you don’t mind if your cat is mixed) is $75-$175. The adoption fee for purebred cats are $100-$400. The adoption fee for rare breed purebred cats is $250-$600.
These adoption fees include:
- Spay or Neuter
- Feline Leukemia/FIV Testing
- Distemper Vaccination
- Microchipping
- Deworming
- A Flea Free Cat
- Grooming
- Temperament Testing
- Many Times Dental Cleanings
- Blood Panels for Older Cats (If Necessary)
Scottish Fold Cat Adoption
Adopting a Scottish Fold kitten or Scottish Fold cat is a great way to give a Scottish Fold cat a loving home.
Scottish Fold Rescue
I found Scottish Fold Rescue, which appears to be devoted specifically towards adopting Scottish Fold cats in need.
Scottish Fold Rescue is incorporated in Florida, USA, and even has a board of directors. This organization arranges for fostering, medical care, and other essentials for Scottish Folds cats in need until a permanent residence can be found.
Scottish Fold Rescue also educates the public around responsible pet ownership. Additionally, they operate from donations and funds put up through volunteers.
Scottish Fold Rescue also has a Scottish Fold Rescue & Adoption Network, which is a network of volunteers who have the common goal of facilitating the rescue and re-homing of Scottish Fold cats in need.
Exotic Shorthair Sounds vs Scottish Fold Sounds
Exotic Shorthair Sounds
You are going to hear beautiful sounds from an Exotic Shorthair cat. To prove this, see the below video of an Exotic Shorthair meow.
Scottish Fold Sounds
Scottish Fold cats are well-known to be vocal cats with soft voices. This means you might think you hear a meow, and then you look and wow, a Scottish Fold really is meowing…just very softly! Here is a video of a Scottish Fold being vocal.
Exotic Shorthair History vs Scottish Fold History
Exotic Shorthair History
The Exotic Shorthair cat is a product of experimentation in the 1950’s when Persian cats were bred with American Shorthair cats.
Some experimentation with other breeds took place, but the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) acknowledged the Persian / American Shorthair crossbreed as the Exotic Shorthair in 1966.
The Persian is now the only acceptable outcross breed with the Exotic Shorthair. Sometimes, Exotics will get long hair due to a recessive gene inherited on the Persian breed side of their genetics. Depending on the cat organization, they may accept these longhaired Exotic cats as Persians.
The American Cat Fanciers Association calls them the Exotic Longhair, and The International Cat Association considers these cats to be Persians.
Scottish Fold Cat History
Historically, Scottish Fold cats come from a Scotland – specifically, a barn cat named Susie, who was discovered near Coupar Angus in Perthshire, Scotland in 1961. People noticed that Susie had folds in her ears, and when she had kittens, they also had the folds.
The breed was later registered with the Governing Council of Cat Fancy (GCCF) in 1966. A breeding program ensued, and of the kittens that were produced, a large portion of them had the trademark folded ears. Some of them had straight ears, though.
The Scottish Fold was not initially accepted as a show breed due to limb deformities and ear problems. The Scottish Fold was not long after migrated to the United States.
Conclusion
Both the Exotic Shorthair cat and the Scottish Fold cat are special cats with unique feline histories. If you are lucky enough to have either one of these cats, I think you will be exceptionally happy.
Personally, after conducting the research in this article, I think the Exotic Shorthair cat narrowly defeats the Scottish Fold cat. You will need to judge for yourself, though, because you might weigh different comparisons differently than I do.
If you are thinking of purchasing an Exotic Shorthair or a Scottish Fold kitten, it makes a lot of sense for you to do further research on breeders or catteries and ensure that you get the cat you want.
