There is increasing pressure to ban Scottish Fold cats, a designer breed popular among celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Molly-Mae Hague, and Ed Sheeran, due to concerns over the breed’s painful inherited conditions.
Scottish Fold cats are recognized for their distinctive owl-like appearance, characterized by round faces and folded ears. However, experts warn that these traits result from a genetic mutation that causes lifelong pain and mobility issues.
The Animal Welfare Committee, which advises the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and devolved governments in Scotland and Wales, has highlighted the breed’s suffering. The committee recommends introducing licensing legislation to ban the breeding of Scottish Folds in the UK. Similar bans already exist in Austria, Belgium, and Norway, where the breeding or sale of these cats is prohibited.
The breed’s popularity has been amplified by social media and celebrity endorsements. Taylor Swift often features her two Scottish Fold cats, Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey, on her social media platforms, while Ed Sheeran’s Scottish Fold, Callipo, even has its own Instagram page. Molly-Mae Hague also owns two of the breed, named Eggy and Bread. The 2024 film Argylle, which prominently featured a Scottish Fold, further fueled the breed’s visibility.
Despite their appeal, experts stress that the cats’ unusual features result from defective cartilage caused by a genetic mutation. This condition, known as Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia (SFOCD), leads to skeletal deformities, including inflexible tails and shortened feet. These issues often progress to painful arthritis at a far younger age than in other cat breeds.
Alison Richards, Cats Protection’s Head of Clinical Services, has voiced concern, stating: “All Scottish Fold cats suffer from varying degrees of painful degenerative joint disease. The underlying genetic defect has severe consequences for their health.” Richards noted that this condition develops so predictably that it is now being used as a model for studying human arthritis.
The Animal Welfare Committee’s report underscores the broader issue of breeding practices that prioritize aesthetic traits over animal welfare. It criticizes the creation of Scottish Folds from a single cat with “desired” characteristics, leading to inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity.
The report concludes: “Breeds should not be perpetuated where they suffer from health and welfare problems linked to characteristics selected for that breed. Licensing legislation should explicitly prevent the breeding of these animals throughout the UK.” It also suggests extending the prohibition to other dwarf breeds, such as Munchkins, which similarly experience severe physical suffering.
Currently, there are no specific feline breeding regulations in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. However, Scotland bans the breeding of cats with health issues, including Scottish Folds.
As calls for a UK-wide ban intensify, critics hope to address the welfare concerns tied to breeding practices and protect future generations of cats from unnecessary suffering.
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