Cat Breeds with Small Ears – Cat-World

Cats with little ears are adorable. we see pictures online of those with folded or miniature ears and wonder what causes small ears in cats or what breeds have small ears.

what causes small ears?

There are breeds of cats that appear to have small or non-existent ears! the most common of these is the Scottish fold, named after its oddly shaped ears. however, the genetics of the breed can produce cats with both straight and folded ear phenotypes.

Folded ears occur due to a genetic mutation that affects cartilage development. “n” means that the cat carries the normal gene (straight ears). “sf” means that the cat carries the fold mutation. cats with two copies of the n gene have consecutive years and cannot pass the fold on to their offspring. cats with one copy of each will have folded ears, but may develop other cartilage-related problems. they can pass the fold variant to about 50 percent of their children. cats with two copies of the folded gene have folded ears, but their health problems are often more severe. they will transmit their variant to all the offspring.

Can my cat have small ears after birth?

small ears are usually a genetic mutation that does not occur after birth. however, there is a phenomenon called cauliflower ear, which creates a similar appearance. but you don’t want your cat to have this as it is an irreversible deformity. Cauliflower ear is also known as a perichondral hematoma caused by scar tissue and trauma. many feral and free-roaming cats gain this trauma from fighting with other cats.

breeds of cats with small ears

scottish fold

• History: The first Scottish Fold was a barn cat named Susie who was found in Scotland. his ears had the characteristic, albeit strange, fold. she had kittens, which were born with folded ears. a nearby farmer registered the breed in 1966.
• Temperament: The breed is affable and placid. they adapt well to other animals within the home and become easily attached to their keepers. it is common for these cats to be stubborn. curiously, they like to sleep on their backs or sit in the buddha position.
• Physical Features: Scottish Folds are best known for their distinctive ears. Over the years, breeders have selectively bred for genes, introducing multiple ear folds into some cats. these are medium-sized cats that can come in any color.
• Health: Scottish folds live for approximately fifteen years. however, the breed is susceptible to kidney and heart problems. some are prone to degenerative joint disease, which can decrease their range of motion.

Persian



• History: Unlike other breeds, we do not know the exact origins of the Persian. the first ancestors were documented to have been imported from Persian to the Italian peninsula in the 17th century.
• Temperament: Persians are described as calm and placid cats. they have a high rating in closeness and affection to the owners.
• Physical Characteristics: Show Persians have long, bushy fur on short legs. the breed was established with a short muzzle, but it has been exaggerated. The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) has four coat pattern variants, but Persians can be any color.
• Health: Median lifespan is over 12.5 years, slightly shorter than other breeds. the modern Persian has a shortened face which can make them prone to breathing difficulties, skin and eye problems, and birth problems. In addition, the breed suffers from kidney problems, heart disease, and degenerative eye problems.

toy



• History: This breed was developed by breeding domestic shorthaired tabbies to ensure that the coat resembled a tiger. the breed was created to inspire people to care about tiger conservation.
• Temperament: Playfuls can be calm cats who are a great addition to the family. they are smart enough to be trained to perform tricks or walk on a leash. the breed is playful and affectionate.
• Physical Characteristics: Breed standards include a medium-sized head with small, round ears. body stripes must be vertically aligned with surrounding markings. bold and non-uniform markings are preferred.
• Health: Togyers are considered a healthy breed. however, heart murmurs have occurred before. plus, not all health issues may be known, as the toyger is still a newer breed.

highlanders



• History: This breed originated as a cross between the Desert Lynx and the Jungle Curl. the breed was recognized by the international cat association for competition as of 2008.
• Temperament: Highlanders like water. They are playful, human-oriented cats. the breed is active and confident. cats of this breed love children of all ages and other animals. intelligence is top notch and requires a lot of stimulation and play to avoid boredom.
• Physical Characteristics: Purebred cats are bob-tailed or short-tailed, with spotted or bullseye markings. they have wide-set eyes and the ears may be slightly curled. Highlanders have a muscular body.
• Health: They are not known to have any particular health problems. however, they may inherit some of the health problems of their ancestors. the main problems affecting the breed include ear infections, horner’s syndrome and constipation.

American curl



• History: American curls originated in california in 1981 when a cat named shulamith gave birth to kittens with the same curly ears as her. kittens are born with straight ears but curl up in forty-eight hours.
• Temperament: They are known for their people-loving personality. he is active and smart, but he likes to follow you around. If you don’t give them enough attention, they will try to get your attention, but they are not talkative. these cats can learn to open doorknobs, so be careful!
• Physical Characteristics: Long-haired and short-haired cats of this breed have a soft, silky coat. require little preparation. on display, their ears should curve in an arc between 90 and 180 degrees.
• Health: Due to crossbreeding with non-pedigree cats, the breed is generally healthy. however, rough handling of their ears can damage the cartilage. Additionally, the ears require frequent cleaning to help prevent infection. “curl” is considered a dominant gene.

munchkins



• History: Munchkins are considered to be the original dwarf cats. originated when a music teacher found two pregnant cats under a truck. he kept one and his kittens were short-legged. however, only two records acknowledge the munchkin. there is controversy about the breeding of this cat due to genetic mutations associated with its small stature.
• Temperament: Munchkins are described as outgoing and intelligent. however, there are reports that his short legs do not affect his running or jumping abilities.
• Physical characteristics: The cloak comes in all colors and patterns. In addition, they can be long-haired.
• Health: It is difficult to identify what problems are caused by their genetic mutation since the breed is newer. but we have seen that lordosis and pectus excavatum are more common in munchkins than in other breeds.

Ukrainian levkoy



• History: As the name suggests, the breed was created in the Ukraine in the early 2000s. It was created by crossing Donskoy Hairless females with Scottish Fold males. the breed is not recognized by any international cat registry.
• Temperament: Ukrainian levkoys are known to be playful and intelligent. they are social creatures who enjoy the company of other pets or family members.
• Physical Characteristics: The breed has smooth, elastic skin that may appear wrinkled. their ears fold inward and they are medium-sized cats. they are known for their strange angular head and almond-shaped eyes.
• Health: Due to their hairless nature, regular bathing is important for this breed. without it, natural oil will accumulate on the skin. your skin may be prone to fungal infections, colds, or sunburn.

Is it ethical to have a cat with small ears?

While these breeds are adorable, some breeders have stopped mating with Scottish folds and others for ethical reasons. cats with the mutation have additional health problems that affect cartilage and joints. If you’re interested in adopting a cat with small ears, contact your local animal shelter to see if they have any. It’s up to you whether you want to adopt from a breeder, but it can be hard to find due to ethical concerns.

how do I care for my cat’s ears?

With genetic or other ear problems, it’s important to care for your cat’s ears properly. improper care can increase the risk of infection or other complications. While cats have been known to keep themselves relatively clean, there are a few additional steps you can take if you’re concerned.

You should only clean your cat’s ears if you see a small to moderate amount of debris or discharge. clean them every two to three months, as excessive cleaning can lead to irritation. You can clean the ear by folding the flap over and using your other hand to hold the ear cleaner. hold it to the cat’s ear but not inside. Once you get the cleaner in, massage the base of the ear to make sure it covers the ear. then use a cotton pad to wipe away debris.

also, you should make sure your cat is checked about twice a year to help prevent any problems.

fun facts

• The popularity of Scottish folds has increased significantly since some celebrities have shown off having them. ed sheeran has a scottish fold called a calippo. Plus, Taylor Swift has tri-scottish folds.
• A cat’s ear contains thirty-two muscles that are used to rotate the pinnae to identify where a sound is coming from. the muscles allow the ear to rotate up to 180 degrees.
• Cat ears contain three small bones: the malleus, the anvil, and the stirrup. these are called ossicles and transmit sound to the inner ear.
• Cats always land on their feet thanks to their ears. the inner ear provides balance to all animals. the ear has something called the vestibular apparatus that is full of crystals and hairs suspended in a liquid. this tells the cat which way it is when it jumps or falls.
• the extra flap of skin on the outside of a cat’s ear is called a henry pocket. The pocket helps cats detect higher-pitched sounds and can also help them bend over.