Don’t Buy Taylor Swift’s Breed Of Cat, Warns Animal Charity

An animal charity has warned against buying Scottish Fold cats, popularized by celebrities like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, due to their genetics causing them lifelong pain. Scottish Folds have round faces and folded ears due to a genetic mutation that also leads to osteochondrodysplasia, arthritis, and severe pain. Cats Protection, the charity issuing the warning, found that one percent of companion cats in the UK may be Scottish Folds, with the breed comprising 3 percent of cats bought or adopted in 2023.

The popularity of Scottish Folds has been driven by celebrities posting pictures on social media, despite the breed facing health problems such as ear diseases and polycystic kidney disease. Breeding Scottish Folds is not officially recognized due to welfare concerns, and Cats Protection is campaigning to educate people about the health issues associated with the breed and advocate for a breeding ban. Their docile nature may be perceived as a positive trait, but in reality, Scottish Folds are less active due to being in constant pain.