Foldex Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Scottish Fold is a distinctive cat with its big eyes and folded-down ears, and its popularity makes it a great choice to crossbreed. The Foldex, also known as the Exotic Fold, is one of the more popular Scottish Fold crossbreeds and is being developed from a mix of Scottish Fold and Exotic Shorthair stock.

Breed Overview

This loving, sweet cat has both a tiny snub nose and little folded ears, although the folds aren’t as extreme as in Scottish Folds.

Foldex Cats Characteristics

Foldex Kittens

Foldex kittens are cute, and overall, they are loving and friendly cats. However, they do have some health issues that you should be prepared for, making them a higher-maintenance cat than many other breeds. Because of the possibility of serious health conditions, don’t buy a Foldex cat unless you’re confident you can afford vet bills and have the time and energy to help your cat through health challenges.

Because Foldex cats aren’t a registered breed in most countries, it can be hard to track kittens down. More cat breeders are available in Canada than in the US, but even if you are willing to go through the hassle of importing a cat from a different country, you should still expect waiting lists and interviews before you can adopt.

Always look for a good breeder before you adopt. The Foldex is prone to many health issues, and that’s one more reason why you should look for a reliable breeder who is committed to the health of the breed. The best breeders will carefully trace pedigrees and even do genetic testing to minimize health problems.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Foldex

Foldex cats are very intelligent cats that love their owners very deeply. They usually prefer calm environments and love to nap, cuddle, and spend time with their owners. Some Foldex cats are more outgoing, but many prefer to be with their favorite people and don’t love spending time with strangers. Foldex cats can become clingy if they aren’t given enough attention or feel ignored.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

Foldex cats usually make a good choice for families, although they may struggle with the noise and chaos that babies and toddlers make. They often enjoy being around older children and become very affectionate and loving. Foldexes are a happy medium between the friendly, outgoing Exotic Shorthair and the reclusive Scottish Fold. If you have children and cats in the same household, it’s important to teach proper pet handling techniques to help your cat stay safe. Children shouldn’t be left alone with a cat until they know how to pet and play with a cat without hurting it and until they are old enough to recognize when a cat wants space and respect that.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Foldex cats usually get along well with other cats and most dogs. Some Foldex cats have high prey drives and struggle to be around small mammals, reptiles, or birds. Foldex cats do best with dogs when they have been introduced to friendly and relaxed dogs from a young age. Some cats will struggle to get along with dogs because they see other dogs as a threat. This can usually be worked through with time and patience. In general, neutered males and females do better with other pets than unaltered males.

Things to Know When Owning a Foldex:

Food & Diet Requirements

Foldex cats need only about 1/3 of a cup of dry food or 4-5 oz of wet food each day. The exact amount needed depends on the cat. Many Foldex cats are prone to overeating, so it’s important to portion your cat’s food to the amount needed to maintain a healthy weight. Foldex kittens should be given as much food as they want to help them grow. High quality cat food will help your cat be more energetic and stay in a healthy weight while getting all the nutrition they need to survive.

Exercise 🐈

Foldexes need daily exercise. This is usually a great way to bond with your cat. Some Foldex cats are very self-motivated when it comes to exercise and will happily play with catnip mice, run, and climb without prompting. Others are less energetic, but they will often happily play with a wand toy or a ball if their humans are on the other end of it. Aim for one to two hours of exercise a day for young cats and 30 minutes to an hour of exercise for seniors but know that each cat’s exercise levels vary.

Training 🧶

Foldex cats are intelligent and curious, which makes them a good candidate for training. Behavior training should come fairly easily to them, although some cats are stubborn in persisting in bad behavior. Some Foldexes also make ideal candidates for other types of training, including leash training, fetch, and simple tricks. Cats that are engaged, responsive, highly motivated by rewards, and eager to please, usually make the best candidates for training. Like all cats, Foldexes usually will only perform tricks when they are motivated.

Grooming ✂️

Foldex cats usually have short coats with minimal shedding. Occasional brushing is important to keep shedding to a minimum, but they are not usually high-maintenance cats. The exception is that many Foldexes lose mobility at a young age due to their predisposition to arthritis. If you notice that your cat is struggling to groom herself, a vet visit can help with arthritis treatment and help you know how to help your cat stay clean.

Health and Conditions 🏥

One drawback of the Foldex is that both parent breeds suffer from serious health conditions, leaving these cats a little more likely to inherit certain health problems. They are prone to arthritis and bone problems, including a serious condition called Osteochondrodysplasia. Their shortened noses can lead to breathing problems and eye problems that can be mild or serious. They also are susceptible to feline polycystic kidney disease, a disease that will destroy kidney function over time.

Male vs Female

Male Foldex cats are usually significantly bigger than females. When they aren’t neutered, males also tend to be more aggressive and territorial. Neutered males are usually much more laid-back and get along well with other pets.

Female Foldexes are smaller and more sensitive. Some females are prone to separation anxiety or become clingy towards their owners, however, others are much more relaxed.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Foldex Cats

1. A New Canadian Breed

Foldex Cats were first bred in Quebec in the early 1990s. Over the past 30 years, they’ve become more popular, but they are still a very new, experimental breed. Only a few breeders work with Foldex cats.

2. There’s Still a Long Way to Go!

In 1998, the Canadian Cat Association accepted Foldex cats into their “experimental breed” category, and in 2006 they became a fully registered breed. But Foldex cats still have a long way to go. They aren’t yet recognized by the major US and UK cat registries.

3. What about the “Straight-ex”?

Like Scottish Folds, Foldex cats with folded ears don’t always produce folded-ear kittens. This means that some purebred Foldex cats have straight ears. These cats are called Straights and are hard to distinguish from Exotic Shorthairs.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Foldex is an exciting new breed. They have the beautiful features of two beloved cat breeds, and loving, friendly personalities. However, they aren’t the best for new owners because of their health issues that can make them higher maintenance. As Foldex cats gain more recognition across cat registries, they are likely to become more common and available. These beautiful cats deserve to live in loving homes!

See Also:

• Scottish Fold Ragdoll Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
• Scottish Fold British Shorthair Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

Featured Image Credit: Pherawit Rattanachot, Shutterstock