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What causes folded ears in cats? | The hidden cost of cute

Scottish Fold cats are known for their folded ears, but their ears fold because of a genetic mutation that affects all of the cartilage in their body. It's a condition called osteochondrodysplasia. This means the trait people find cute is also a sign of a serious underlying skeletal disorder. Because of this condition, Scottish Folds may suffer from joint pain and early onset arthritis, and may struggle to move freely, groom themselves, jump and play. Some people are drawn to this breed as they have a reputation for being easy-going and relaxed, however the sad reality is that these traits can sometimes be because the cat is in pain or has reduced mobility. Visit battersea.org.uk/costofcute to understand the hidden cost of cute and how we can change it.