A fluffy cat sits with its paws spread out imposingly, the only thing missing is the TV remote control. Straight ears and wide open eyes with a silent question. A Highland Straight representative of one of the four breeds of Scottish cats has settled at home. The pet differs from its relatives in the length and thickness of its fur, and, like a true Straight, is considered to have upright ears. What features do these animals have and how not to make a mistake when choosing a kitten: just find out the requirements of the standard and the recommendations of breeders.
Breed characteristics
The Highland Straight is an officially recognized breed. According to approved standards, Scottish Straight Longhair cats have the following characteristics.
The head is round in shape with thick fur and plump cheeks. Neat chin. Short, wide nose. Pretty face.
Representatives of the Scottish breed have large eyes. Round. The outer corners look raised up. The look always seems slightly surprised. The color of the iris is in harmony with the color of the coat. Heterochromia occurs in some individuals.
Small ears. The tips are rounded. Wider at the base. Erect. The inside is covered with thick fur.
Highland straights are considered miniature representatives of the cat family. The body is round, with well-developed muscles. The average weight of adult individuals is five to six kilograms. Males are much larger than females.
Straights' legs are short. Paws are rounded. Dense tufts of wool are planted between the toes. This feature makes the gait of animals absolutely silent.
Fluffy tail of medium length.
The standards allow any types of colors and patterns of Highland Straight coat.
History of the breed
The Scottish mountainous regions, called the Highlands, are the historical cradle of the Highland Straight breed. It was there that the distant wild ancestors of modern domestic Scottish cats lived. Hence the name of these four-legged cats.
The Scottish Straight-eared Longhair received official recognition only in the seventies of the twentieth century.
Breeding work was carried out on crossing British cats with Persians and Himalayan breeds. Breeders worked to develop a unique breed with good health and a variety of coat colors.
At first, long-haired individuals were considered a cull. They didn't pay enough attention. However, over time, breeders were still able to appreciate the unique external characteristics of the new breed of cats.
To this day, there are not many nurseries that breed Highland Straights. But those who have become the happy owners of these four-legged animals never tire of singing their praises. So the breed still has every chance to one day conquer this world.
Highland fold mating
When thinking about breeding Highland Folds, you should know that only following certain mating rules will help you get healthy offspring with excellent breed characteristics. The first and most important of them is that you cannot cross two lop-eared partners. The offspring of such parents will appear with serious pathologies. The ideal partners for highland folds are the “Scots” straights.
The second important point is that you should not breed a female if she is not yet one and a half years old. It is at this age that the cat is ready to bear kittens and give birth. Ideally, the first mating should occur during the pet’s third estrus.
The cat is brought for a “date” to the cat, usually on the second day of estrus. Both partners must be treated for parasites and vaccinated in advance. It is better to select an experienced male, especially if this is the female’s first mating. It is desirable that the cat be larger than the female cat, as well as the same or similar color. For a guaranteed result, the female must stay with the male for at least two days.
Character and psychology
Affectionate and flexible - these are perhaps the key character traits of the Scottish Straight cat. Why are they loved so immensely?
At a young age, Highland Straights are, of course, not such “couch” cats. Lovers of frolic. Such “mass people are entertainers.” Always busy either thinking about or implementing a wide variety of cat tricks.
However, already at the age of one year, straight cats mature. They calm down their childish ardor and become sort of imposing, fluffy aristocrats.
Highland Straight breeders unanimously recognize the high intelligence of their four-legged friends. Representatives of the breed quickly get used to the home routine and accept the boundaries of what is permitted. They are easy to train, enthusiastically learning the simplest commands.
The Straits are distinguished by their independence. They, of course, adore their owner with all their cat souls. But they also need to be alone from time to time.
Scottish cats are monogamous. They treat all family members kindly, but only one person becomes the love of their life. But even these mustachioed striped ones don’t stay in his arms for long. This is the nature of the breed.
What to feed?
Long-haired Scottish cats need to be given food that is intended for purebred pets. These foods contain all the necessary vitamins and nutrients. It is better not to buy cheap food, as many of them are of poor quality.
You don't want to put too much food in the bowl because cats tend to overeat. A bowl of clean water should also be freely available to the pet.
Cats can eat natural food, but you should not feed your pets human food, because the animals will have digestive problems. There is no need to suddenly change the diet; it is better to consult with the breeder.
Some owners of longhaired Scottish cats combine dry food, canned food and treats. The pet will remain healthy and their digestive system will function well.
Scottish longhair cats are the most beautiful pets with a kind and peaceful character. The main thing is to take good care of such pets and create good living conditions for them.
The character of Scottish cats is described in more detail in the video below.
How to choose a kitten
Choosing a Highland Straight kitten begins with finding a suitable cattery. At an early age, the characteristic features of the breed are hardly noticeable, which is why kids can easily be confused with young representatives of other breeds or even yard kittens.
The reputation of the nursery must be impeccable. Attention is paid to the site, reviews of previous customers, documentation, and the interior environment.
Kittens should be taken to a new family no earlier than three to four months of age. An earlier move has a negative impact on both the psychological and physical health of the furry baby.
By about twelve weeks, the baby becomes independent enough from his mother, the cat, to go to a new family. Another plus is that by this time the first vaccinations will have already been done.
Particularly scrupulous breeders try to create conditions in nurseries that are as close as possible to home ones. Animals are allowed to move freely around the area and communicate with each other. Such an atmosphere greatly facilitates the further socialization of four-legged animals.
When meeting someone, pay close attention to his appearance. Clean ears, clear eyes without discharge. Soft tummy. Shiny flowing coat with thick undercoat. A healthy baby is playful, curious, and happy to make contact.
Since the key pedigree characteristics of Highland Straights appear only at eight months, we can only rely on the conscience of the nursery owners.
Conditions of detention
You need to inquire about both the condition of the kitten and the peculiarities of its maintenance. It is worth asking the breeder about his diet. A sudden change in diet causes health problems, so it is better to leave the menu unchanged. You need to look where the tray is located and find out what kind of filler the breeder uses.
Social adaptation is important for kittens
Another point when choosing kittens is getting to know their parents. After watching them, you can imagine how the kitten will most likely grow up. You should ask the breeder about vaccinations. If you like one of the kittens, but its vaccination has not yet been completed, you should make an advance payment for the baby and wait until he gets all the vaccinations. This will subsequently protect your pet's health.
Features of care
In general, caring for representatives of the Highland Straight breed is not much different from caring for other cats. Not burdensome or specific.
Scottish Straights are clean themselves. They only need to be bathed if the pet gets seriously dirty, for example while walking outside.
For water treatments, buy a special cat shampoo for long-haired breeds for your furry friend. After bathing, the mustachioed and striped one is protected from drafts. If the cat is not afraid of a hair dryer, then it can be used to dry its fur.
Straight eyes are prone to watery eyes. They are inspected regularly. At least once a week, treat with a cotton pad or swab dipped in warm water or a special solution. Sold at any veterinary pharmacy. A separate swab is used for each eye.
Check ears once a week. Clean as needed using a soft cloth soaked in a special lotion.
To prevent tartar, your pet's teeth should be brushed. Special cat toothpaste and brush. A children's toothbrush will also work.
The four-legged furry's claws are trimmed as they grow. They are accustomed to the procedure from early childhood. Start with one claw once a week. Gradually the pet gets used to it.
Combing
The Highland Straight belongs to the long-haired representatives of the cat family. Therefore, the animal’s luxurious fur coat requires appropriate attention and care.
The basic set of cosmetic tools includes: a comb with long teeth, a brush with natural bristles, and a special furminator. Straights need to be combed at least once a week. But during the molting period you will have to switch to daily care.
A careless attitude towards your pet's fur will lead to constant problems with fur scattered throughout the apartment.
In addition, the animal develops tangles. Initially they cause physical discomfort. Afterwards, pain occurs. Mats provide an ideal environment for the development of fungal and bacterial infections, which lead to chronic dermatitis.
Experienced breeders advise starting combing with leisurely movements with the comb in the direction of hair growth. Next comes the furminator. They go in the direction of hair growth and against. Complete the procedure with a brush. With its help, the pet is given a massage and “fixed styling.”
What is the price?
If the animal has the correct ears, has all the vaccinations, all the documents have been completed and the pedigree is in order, the cost of a long-haired Scottish Fold cat kitten will be 25 thousand rubles. You can buy it cheaper, but without a package of documents. In this case, the purchase will cost around six thousand rubles. This breed has been known in Russia for many years, so you can easily find nurseries that deal with them.
Nutrition
On the one hand, Highland Straights cannot be classified as picky cats in terms of nutrition. They are omnivores. Moreover, the Scots are real gluttons. And also true admirers of the “sofa” lifestyle. Therefore, breeders should be careful about the quantity and quality of cat food.
The simplest solution is to choose ready-made food. Not lower than premium class. A suitable mixture contains at least forty percent meat. This food is balanced and contains all the microelements and vitamins necessary for your pet’s health.
This is an ideal option for people who do not have extra free time.
For breeders who have the opportunity to independently develop a daily menu, natural nutrition is suitable.
The diet is based on dietary meat. At least seventy percent. Another ten are for offal. Beef, veal, rabbit, turkey, chicken are ideal. Among cereal crops, preference is given to buckwheat and rice.
Kefir is an essential part of the Scottish Longhair's daily diet. Before serving, it is warmed to room temperature. As an alternative, use fermented baked milk or yogurt. Raw vegetables and herbs will add variety to the menu.
When feeding a pet with natural food, the animal is additionally given a vitamin and mineral complex, previously agreed upon with a veterinarian.
It is strictly forbidden to feed the Scottish Highland Straight with milk, fish, sweets, pickles, smoked meats and table food.
A prerequisite for keeping a cat is to provide access to fresh, clean drinking water.
Straights are fed two to four times a day. The serving size is calculated based on the weight, age and lifestyle of the animal.
Health
The absence of the lop ear gene has a beneficial effect on the health of representatives of the Scottish family. Indeed, unlike straights, folds relatively often suffer from problems with the musculoskeletal system.
But even straight-eared cats are predisposed to certain diseases.
Turn of the century. This is due to the relationship with Persian cats. It was from them that the straights inherited a genetic predisposition to this disease. Weakening of the muscles and ligaments of the eyelids leads to deformation of the eyelid. The cornea of the eye begins to rub against the skin and hairs. Why does it get injured over time?
The first manifestations are watery eyes, ingrown hairs, and red eyes. It is important not to miss the moment and contact a specialist in time. Otherwise, there is a high risk of losing the eye.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Another “gift” from Persian relatives. Deterioration of the heart walls leads to loss of elasticity. Blood circulation improves. The supply of oxygen and nutrients becomes difficult. At first, only an ultrasound will help identify the disease. Late stages cannot be treated. The first symptoms are shortness of breath, fatigue and fainting.
Obesity. With poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle, Scottish Straights inevitably develop problems with excess weight and all the accompanying ailments.
With proper care, the average lifespan of Highland Straights is about twenty years.
Interesting Facts
The long-haired straight-eared cat got its name from the mountainous terrain in Scotland, where the breed originated. The word highland translated from English means “highlands”.
Other interesting facts about Highland Straights:
- These cats have a poorly developed vestibular apparatus. When falling from a height, they do not always land on their feet. Scottish Longhairs are afraid when they are picked up and never climb to heights themselves.
- The Highland Straight gene for long hair was inherited from representatives of the Persian breed.
- Both straight-eared and fold-eared longhaired Scots are used to work with children with special needs. They are present in school classes in some European countries.
Vaccinations
Good health is an integral part of a long and happy life for a pet. It is the breeders' job to provide for it. In this matter, vaccination is on the same level as proper nutrition.
Owners of domestic cats often say that their pet does not go outside, which is why it does not need vaccinations. It's a delusion.
Pathogenic microbes and dangerous viruses easily enter the home on people’s clothes and shoes. Pets must be vaccinated. Regardless of their lifestyle!
When the kitten reaches seven to nine weeks, he receives his first vaccination. After two to three weeks, revaccination occurs. It is important to ensure that the procedure does not coincide with the period of the baby’s teeth changing. At this time, the baby’s immunity is especially vulnerable.
Further vaccination occurs on an annual basis. An individual vaccination schedule is drawn up by a veterinarian depending on the characteristics of the animal’s breed and lifestyle. Ten days before vaccination, the cat is dewormed.
In addition, you should visit the veterinary clinic in advance and make sure that your pet is healthy. After all, vaccination is a serious test for the immune system. In a weakened animal, the likelihood of severe complications increases significantly.
Varieties
Highland Fold Fold. In appearance, these pets may look very large, but in fact they simply have too fluffy fur and a large bone. Therefore, these pets are not obese or overweight. Cats of this breed have the following characteristics.
- The head is round, medium in size, with a chin, cheeks and jaw located on it.
- The body is short and proportional to the head. The paws are small, round in shape, and look too furry. The weight of an adult pet can reach 7-8.5 kilograms.
- A cat has a distinctive feature - its ears. They are always folded. The ears have single, double, sometimes triple folds that determine their shape. When kittens reach the age of 3 weeks, their folds are already visible. Ears are the main characteristic that determines the thoroughbred of a pet.
- The eyes are set wide and large. They are round in shape, so they fit well with the roundness of the pet. The shade of the eyes matches the shade of the fur. All parts of the face give the cat a surprised expression.
- The cat's fur is very soft, light and silky to the touch. The hind legs and chest have longer fur.
The color of the coat can be varied, but it will not have white spots and it will not have lilac and chocolate undertones. There is such a color as color point - the pet’s body color has light tones, and the paws, tail and muzzle have dark shades.
The color of a cat's fur can be solid, striped, or spotted. The rarest thing you can come across is a marble shade. The most popular are tortoiseshell, gray, smoky, white and black coat tones. There are representatives of the breed that have colors such as bicolor and tabby.
The rarest coloring is “turtle in patches”. This color can only be found in females. It appears thanks to a combination of tortoiseshell and bicolor. In this case, the animal’s body will have 3 colors. The lower part of the body will have a light shade, and the upper part will have a tortoiseshell tone.
The straight-eared, fluffy Highland Straight is a rare breed, so such cats can only be seen at exhibitions and in special nurseries. These animals have close relatives - Persian and British cats. Thanks to this, the animal has fur of a rare color. The distant ancestor of these breeds is the wild cat, which lived in the 18th century in the mountains of Scotland.
This breed is usually bred by crossing a Highland Straight with a Highland Fold. If you use a female and a male from the same breed, a genetic pathology may develop. Crossbreeding may result in kittens that have both erect and drooping ears.
The long-haired cat has a massive but small body. Its weight varies from 4 to 6 kg. The head has a round appearance, the plump cheeks protrude slightly. The forehead is wide, has a small notch near the nose. Animals' eyes are set wide apart. The fur is long, silky, and has many color options, each of which can match the eyes.
The ears are medium in size, with rounded ends. The pet has thick paws, so it appears plump. But the body itself is not thick, it has average dimensions.
