Cat Breeds that Come from Canada Part 3: The Foldex

In Part 3 of the ‘Cat Breeds that Come from Canada’ series we’re featuring the Foldex, a special – not to mention beautiful – breed that purposefully resembles a teddy bear. Here’s an overview of this fascinating breed.

THE LOOK

Their main feature is of course the ears which are small and folded (forward) with smooth-edged tips.

Head: rounded face

Eyes: well-rounded and wide open

Coat: short or long hair; dense and soft

Colours: all colours and patterns and combinations

Body: medium-sized with a short neck and short legs

Nose: longer than an exotic shorthair, shorter than a Scottish Fold

DID YOU KNOW?
In a litter of Foldex kittens, only approximately half of the kittens will have the folded ears gene.

THE HISTORY

Scottish Fold + Exotic Shorthair = Foldex

The super cute Foldex breed (aka Exotic Fold) was developed in Quebec in 1992 by crossbreeding an exotic shorthair and a Scottish Fold. It’s still an experimental breed that is only recognized by the Canadian Cat Association (CCA) and mainly bred in Canada. However, it was acknowledged with full Championship breed status in 2010.

BEHAVIOUR AND PERSONALITY

Looking for an active, cheerful, curious and intelligent kitty? Consider a Foldex. These sweet, charming and confident cats enjoy attention and make great pets for households with children.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

The Foldex sports a short, super soft coat. To distribute skin oils and get rid of dead hair, weekly brushing should be prioritized and the occasional bath is recommended. Owners should also clean their teeth, eyes and ears as often as necessary.

POSSIBLE HEALTH CONCERNS

Particular genetic health problems seem absent, but it’s important to only breed a folded ear cat with a straight ear cat. Skeletal defects often occur when both parents have folded ears. Responsible breeders should be able to provide a written health guarantee to prospective Foldex owners.

Health issues that affect the Scottish Fold may affect the Foldex:

• Congenital osteodystrophy (COD): affects the cartilage and bones in the limbs, vertebra and tail
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): inherited from parents; various cysts forming in the kidneys
• Cardiomyopathy: inherited from parents; a disease that affects the heart muscle

Health issues that affect the exotic shorthair may affect the Foldex:

• Respiratory problems
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
• Eye problems, e.g. progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)