Hello everyone!
We wanted to share our heartwarming story about how our beloved pet, Tikhon, came into our lives and stole our hearts.
How We Met Tikhon
On International Women's Day, we surprised our daughter with a long-awaited kitten. We chose a Scottish Fold with a unique appearance, and our daughter had been dreaming about a cuddly plush toy that would purr and keep her warm at night.
We spent weeks searching for the perfect pet. We scoured through dozens of ads, visited several shelters, and finally found him – a small, adorable ball of fluff with enormous, expressive grey eyes. We found him through an ad on the 8th of March, but unfortunately, we couldn't pick him up that day. We went to get him on the 9th of March instead.
Scottish Fold Photo
Scottish Fold PhotoWe drove the little guy from another city, and at first, he was meowing loudly and trembling in the car. But soon, he fell asleep and slept for most of the journey home.
When we brought the kitten home, our daughter was over the moon with joy!
Scottish Fold Photo I still can't believe my dream came true. The kitten, named Timon, settled in right away. He was hilarious, swatting at his paws as he explored every nook and cranny of the apartment, but mostly just slept - we'd brought him home at just 1.4 months old. Scottish Fold Photo <\/a> \
The first few days were a whirlwind of new discoveries and hilarious situations. Tikhon turned out to be a super playful and curious little kitten. He'd chase sunbeams on the kitchen floor, stalk his own paws, and happily play with a ribbon on a string. <\/a> Scottish fold photo <\/div> My daughter was glued to his side, feeding, hydrating, and putting him to bed. Tikhon quickly adjusted to his new home and got used to his litter box (no issues with the litter box from the very beginning). <\/a> Scottish fold photo <\/div> Tikhon became a full-fledged member of our family. He'd greet us at the door after work, keep our feet warm in the evenings, and wake us up in the mornings with his soothing meows. This little guy grew right before our eyes.
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<\/a> Scottish fold photo <\/div> He was always by our side, curiously observing everything we did.
Scottish fold photo
Personality quirks and antics
I've gotta say, our cat Tikhon is pretty chill overall, especially considering he's living with a kid. He's got a pretty laid-back vibe, but he's not without his quirks - he's super protective of his boundaries and hates being held on our laps. He'll only come when he feels like it, and on his own terms.
He's also super playful - he's been obsessed with toys since he was a kitten. We've got a whole collection of cat toys, mice, feather wands, and all sorts of other fun stuff. It's hilarious to watch him figure out what's his and what's not - he'll dig through the box, grab whatever he can, and then methodically put everything back in its place.
One funny thing is how Tikhon loves to climb up into high places and survey his kingdom. We've got a whole collection of cat towers and perches, but he's particularly fond of our dresser - he'll scamper up there and just chill for hours. And don't even get me started on boxes - like most cats, he's absolutely crazy for 'em. He'll dig through the box, grab whatever he can, and then methodically put everything back in its place.
My cat Tikhon was happy to get his paws into even the smallest crevices, like a little bucket. My Scottish fold cat in a funny pose Tikhon also fell in love with his scratching post, and he loves to lie on top of it and observe everything around him.
He actively uses his scratching post, but he's not picky about other things either. He especially loves wooden baseboards and a cat tree. The wallpaper has been slightly damaged from his claws. I tried to get him to stop, but it's useless. I even tried trimming his nails, but it only got worse. Maybe someone has managed to teach their cat not to scratch, please share your tips!
This is his favorite pose, and it's actually easier for him to sit like this. He used to do it all the time when he was a kitten, but as he got older, he started to roll onto his side.
Scottish Fold photo Oh man, that's a funny pose! And it's not the only quirky pose my cat has. He also loves stretching out his back legs and front legs and lying there on his side, or sometimes he'll even stretch out and lie on his back. Scottish Fold photo
Scottish Fold photo Scottish Fold photo Diet I've been feeding him exactly as my vet recommended - dry and wet food. When we first took him to the vet for his shots, the vet suggested introducing him to low-fat yogurt and lean meat. But after he got neutered, he completely refused to eat regular food, only dry food, and occasionally he'll eat wet food. Now he's loving his dry food, Best Dinner Holistic. I usually order it in big batches on Ozon (super convenient and fast).
I've been keeping a close eye on our cat's hydration levels because, let's be honest, they're mostly a dry food kind of cat. We make sure there's always plenty of fresh water available.
In terms of their diet, our cat isn't too fussy. The only downside is that they've completely given up on their regular food and won't even touch it. It's like they're completely satisfied with their dry food. Thankfully, their weight is just right - not too thin or too chubby.
Their coat is looking healthy too. One thing I will say is that they do shed a lot, especially during spring. But a good brushing session always leaves them feeling relaxed and happy.
Scottish Fold photo
Health issuesNow, I want to talk about something that's really important to consider when thinking about getting a Scottish Fold. I'm sure many people, like us, are swayed by their adorable appearance and charming personalities. But it's essential to remember that every breed has its unique characteristics and potential health issues.
When our Scottish Fold, Tikhon, was around six months old, I noticed that he was limping on his back leg. At first, I thought it was just a minor issue, but things only got worse over the next few days. He was literally dragging his leg behind him. Not knowing what to do, we rushed him to the vet for a check-up.
The vet took a look at him and, based on my description, suspected that he might have rickets. I was shocked by the diagnosis, and I have to admit that it was a wake-up call for me. It just goes to show how important it is to do your research and be aware of the potential health issues associated with any breed you're considering.
We headed home, got the cat settled with medication and vitamins, and were told to keep an eye on him. I have to admit, that time was a nightmare for me – the whole family was really worried about the little guy, and he'd already become such a big part of our lives. I started researching online, which only added to my shock – this disease is incurable, and as time goes by, the cat's condition will only get worse, effectively turning him into an invalid. And it's a pretty common issue in this breed.
So, what causes this condition, you ask?
Some experts believe there might be a breed predisposition to rickets, particularly in Scottish and British Folded cats. 1
Rickets in cats can be congenital or acquired. Congenital rickets develops due to subpar and unbalanced maternal nutrition, premature breeding, genetic abnormalities, or frequent
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During our search for a beautiful Scottish Fold, we ended up with a genetic condition that's not curable. To be honest, if I'd known about this beforehand, I wouldn't have considered getting a cat from this breed. It's a huge responsibility, and I would never leave a child or a pet unattended!
Scottish Fold photo Scottish Fold photo
The Verdict
So, if you're thinking of getting a Scottish Fold, be prepared for anything. From their fur to their mischief, to the damage they can cause to your furniture, walls, and baseboards, to the possibility of a genetic condition that's not curable – like the one I mentioned earlier. The last point scares me the most, but the rest is just a part of life. The most important thing is your pet's health. I wouldn't recommend this breed to anyone, but it's ultimately up to personal choice. We adore our cat, who's now four years old, and he's been bringing us joy for all four years!
Thanks for reading!