Last updated Oct 24, 2023
Scotland may be famous for their scotch, haggis, and bagpipes but, by far, the country’s cutest export is the Scottish Fold cat.
Scottish Folds are a medium-sized cat breed known for their unique ear shape – folded forward and downward on the head. Though all Scottish Fold kittens are born with a straight or normal ear, some develop folded ears around 3 to 4 weeks of age. This unique ear shape is caused by incomplete dominance, a genetic term that means that one copy of a particular gene does not dominate over the other copy of the gene.
Even more interesting is that the lineage for all Scottish Folds can be traced back to a female white barn cat named Susie.
In America, Scottish Folds have become extremely popular, with owners like Taylor Swift joining lengthy waiting lists and paying several hundred dollars for a Scottish Fold kitten.
If you’re going to go through the trouble to get a Scottish Fold cat, you should be willing to put in the time to choose a high-quality diet to keep your new cat healthy. Read on to see our top picks for the best cat food for Scottish Fold cats.
At a Glance: Best 8 Cat Foods for a Balanced Scottish Fold Diet To Buy
Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food
- Rich in animal protein and hydrating moisture
- Very low carbohydrate content
- Made with a single source of animal protein
Wellness Complete Health Natural Grain-Free Pate Canned Food
- Rich in real animal protein from chicken and turkey
- High in moisture, easy to digest
- Very low in carbohydrates, under 2%
Authority Chicken Entrée Pate Adult Cat Food
- Rich in protein from chicken and fish
- Packed with moisture, easily digestible
- Very low in carbohydrates, under 3%
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Cat Food
- Made with real human-grade ingredients
- High in protein, minimally processed
- Rich in moisture once rehydrated with water
Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Salmon Formula Grain-Free Dry Food
- Packed with biologically valuable animal proteins
- Extremely low in carbohydrate, low-glycemic
- Highly digestible, free from additives
Simply Nourish Essentials Tender Chicken Recipe Kitten Chunks in Gravy Canned Food
- Made with real animal protein from chicken
- Rich in moisture and omega fatty acids
- Flavorful gravy increases palatability
Feline Natural Chicken & Venison Feast Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Packed with highly digestible animal protein
- Limited number of ingredients
- Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health/mobility
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Cat Food
- Biologically appropriate, rich in animal protein
- Supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion
- Limited list of main ingredients
Understanding Your Scottish Fold’s Nutritional Needs
Though your Scottish Fold may look different from other cats, his nutritional needs are the same. All cats are obligate carnivores, which means their bodies are adapted to require a meat-based diet.
While dogs are often considered omnivores, your cat has a biological requirement for meat in his diet. Cats have a short digestive tract and they lack the digestive enzymes necessary to process plant food.
In the wild, your cat would consume a whole prey diet, eating the flesh, organs, and raw bones of whatever he can catch. A cat’s ideal diet consists of about 52% protein, 46% fat, and just 2% carbohydrate or less (typically limited to the stomach contents of prey).
Unfortunately, many commercial cat food diets don’t come anywhere close to meeting these requirements. But that’s what we’re here for!
We’re here to help you gain a thorough understanding of your Scottish Fold’s dietary requirements so you can make a smart and healthy decision regarding your cat’s daily diet. All cat foods are not created equal and we’re here to help you choose the best one.
Your cat requires a high-protein, moderate-fat, and low-carbohydrate diet that is made with whole foods and is free from artificial additives.
Simply put, the closer your cat’s diet is to that whole-prey model, the better.
When shopping for cat food, a named source of high-quality animal protein should always be the first ingredient. Ideally, at least two of the top three ingredients should be meat, poultry, or fish.
In addition to protein, your Scottish Fold needs fat in his diet to provide essential fatty acids (especially omega 3s) and calories to fuel essential bodily processes. These too should come from animal sources as much as possible. Look for ingredients like chicken fat or salmon oil rather than canola oil or safflower oil.
Finally, the lower the carb content of your cat’s food, the better.
To estimate the carbohydrate content of a commercial cat food, simply use the values represented in the Guaranteed Analysis. Add up the values for crude protein, fat, moisture, and fiber along with ash, if it’s listed. Ash is simply the inorganic mineral content that is left over after the product is cooked.
If the ash content isn’t listed, estimate about 7% for dry food and 2% for wet food.
Once you have those numbers added up, subtract the total from 100% to get your estimated carbohydrate content. We like to see a maximum of 10% carbs, though less is always better.
Things To Avoid in Your Scottish Fold’s Diet
Just as important as knowing what to include in your cat’s diet is knowing what things to exclude. We always like to see a short list of ingredients because that means the food will be easier for your cat’s body to process. Highly digestible food means less waste and more nutrients for your cat.
When shopping for cat food, check the list of ingredients and look for red flags such as:
- A carbohydrate listed as the first ingredient
- High concentrations of plant-based proteins (like pea protein)
- High concentrations of legumes and pulses (like beans, peas, and lentils)
- Non-specific ingredients
- Artificial additives like colors, flavors, and preservatives
If your Scottish Fold has cat food allergies, you may need to be even more careful when shopping for a new cat food. We’ll talk more about cat food allergies later.
So, what brands made it to our top recommendations for the healthiest canned, soft & wet cat Food for Scottish Folds? Keep reading to find out!
In addition to performing our own qualitative analysis of the brands reviewed here, we submitted samples for analysis at an ISO 17025 certified food testing and analysis lab.
We bought the products at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by Cats.com without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
Analytical testing in a food chemistry lab gives us the exact macronutrient and micronutrient content of each recipe. The tests also look at microbial content, yeast, mold, and heavy metals, helping you ensure that you’re putting only the best in your cat’s bowl.
Also Read: Why We Lab Test Cat Food and How to Interpret the Reports
Our Top 8 Picks for the Best Cat Food for Scottish Fold Cats
Now that you have a better understanding of your Scottish Fold’s nutritional requirements and how to identify a high-quality cat food, you’re ready to start shopping!
If you’re still not quite sure where to start, don’t worry – we’ve assembled a list of recommended options to get you started.
#1 Overall Best: Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 13% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 40
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.00 per day
Smalls is a fresh cat food delivery service that sends monthly deliveries of 5-ounce packages to your door. Every subscription begins with a 10-pack sampler and rolls over into a monthly plan you can customize according to your Scottish Fold’s preferences and calorie requirements.
With a variety of protein choices, available in both minced and pâté-style, Smalls gives you plenty of options for your cat. All recipes are packed with real animal protein and are low in carbohydrates. The food is gently cooked but retains high moisture content to support your cat’s hydration and digestion.
This Ground Bird recipe features chicken muscle meat and chicken liver as the main ingredients. Easily digestible vegetables like green beans, kale, and dandelion greens provide essential nutrients while synthetic supplements ensure balanced nutrition. Overall, it’s a fairly high-protein, high-fat formula with very low carbohydrate content.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Water Sufficient for Processing, Dried Yeast, Tricalcium Phosphate, Kale, Magnesium Proteinate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Dandelion Greens, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Cod Liver Oil, Salt, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Biotin.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Cod Liver Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Rich in animal protein and hydrating moisture
- Very low carbohydrate content
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Fresh cat food delivered to your door
What We Didn’t Like
- Only available as a subscription plan
- No phone support (text and email only)
#2 Runner Up: Wellness Complete Health Natural Grain-Free Pate Canned Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 10.5% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 33
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.99 per day
For high-protein, grain-free nutrition, we recommend this Wellness canned food recipe for cats. It is packed with premium animal protein from chicken and turkey, inclusive of nutritious organ meats like chicken liver. Plus, it’s full of real chicken flavor your Scottish Fold will love.
This formula from Wellness supports five signs of cat wellness: lustrous skin and coat, healthy digestion, bright eyes and strong teeth, high energy, and a healthy immune system.
While this recipe is packed with animal protein and rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration, it does contain a few plant ingredients. Fortunately, they’re limited to carrots, cranberries, and flaxseed – the flaxseed provides supplemental omega-3s. Overall, the carbohydrate content of this recipe is fairly low (around 16%) but higher than we’d like.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Carrots, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Cranberries, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Beta Carotene, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Rich in real animal protein from chicken and turkey
- High in moisture, easy to digest
- Very low in carbohydrates, under 2%
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains some thickeners (guar gum and xanthan gum)
#3 Budget Pick : Authority Chicken Entrée Pate Adult Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 10% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 33
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.07 per day
If you’re looking for a high-quality canned food for your Scottish Fold but you’re on a budget, we recommend Authority. This brand offers a variety of protein-rich wet foods featuring real animal proteins like chicken. This particular recipe is one of our favorites.
This canned formula features fresh chicken as the main ingredient, supplemented with additional protein from ocean fish and egg. Chicken liver acts as a supplemental source of protein and a rich source of key nutrients. We also appreciate that the primary source of added fat is animal-based (menhaden fish oil).
Overall, this formula is highly affordable, rich in protein and moisture, and low in carbohydrates. It costs under $0.25 per ounce when you purchase a 24-count case of 5.5-ounce cans.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Ocean Fish, Brewers Rice, Dried Egg Product, Guar Gum, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Taurine, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Brewers Dried Yeast, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Proteinate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite).
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Rich in protein from chicken and fish
- Packed with moisture, easily digestible
- Very low in carbohydrates, under 3%
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains some added carbohydrates (brewers rice)
- Contains some added thickener (guar gum)
#4 Best Dehydrated: The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 35% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 13
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.17 per day
Fresh cat food is a highly nutritious option for Scottish Folds, but it isn’t always the most convenient option. With The Honest Kitchen, you can give your cat the nutrition of fresh food without the hassle – simply rehydrate some of this dehydrated cat food for each meal.
The Honest Kitchen uses premium quality ingredients, including high-quality animal protein from chicken and eggs, along with other whole foods. There are a significant number of plant ingredients – primarily fruits and veggies – like sweet potatoes, flaxseed, pumpkin, and spinach. These elevate the total carbohydrate content of the formula, which is something to keep in mind.
This dehydrated cat food is minimally processed, rich in antioxidants, and highly digestible. All you have to do is measure it out, add water, and watch your cat scarf it down.
Ingredients
Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Eggs, Dehydrated Potatoes, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Organic Flaxseed, Dehydrated Pumpkin, Dehydrated Spinach, Dried Cranberries, Minerals [Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite], Taurine, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), D- Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement].
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Made with real human-grade ingredients
- High in protein, minimally processed
- Rich in moisture once rehydrated with water
What We Didn’t Like
- Requires rehydration prior to feeding
- Fairly expensive compared to other options
#5 Best Dry Food: Dr. Elsey’s CleanProtein Salmon Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 54% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Cup: 451
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.89 per day
Though you may be most familiar with the Dr. Elsey’s brand for their cat litter, they also produce high-quality cat food. The CleanProtein line of cat food features low-carb recipes packed with animal protein like chicken and salmon. Rather than grains or starches, these foods use gelatin as a binder.
Dr. Elsey’s CleanProtein salmon recipe kibble is made with fresh salmon as the first ingredient. It is supplemented with additional sources of protein like dried chicken, egg, and salmon hydrolysate. What makes this formula unique is the high biological value of the protein sources and the extremely low carbohydrate content – it is estimated under 5%.
In addition to being high in protein and low in carbs, this formula is completely grain-free and doesn’t contain any artificial additives.
Ingredients
Salmon, Dried Chicken, Dried Egg Product, Gelatin, Salmon Hydrolysate, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Chickpeas, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Pork Protein Isolate, Potassium Citrate, Fructooligosaccharide, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Carbonate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide), Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Packed with biologically valuable animal proteins
- Extremely low in carbohydrate, low-glycemic
- Highly digestible, free from additives
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains some legumes (dried chickpeas)
- Fairly expensive compared to other options
#6 Best For Kittens: Simply Nourish Essentials Tender Chicken Recipe Kitten Chunks in Gravy Canned Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 10% Min
- Age Range: Kitten
- Calories Per Ounce: 26
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.77 per day
If you want to give your Scottish Fold kitten a healthy start in life, consider this Simply Nourish kitten food recipe. It features fresh chicken as the primary source of protein, with additional protein from chicken liver and eggs. It’s also rich in moisture and has a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
This wet food formula is made with simple, natural ingredients, making it highly digestible, with the nutrients being more easily absorbable for your kitten. You’ll also be glad to know the food is very low in carbohydrates, under 1% estimated.
Though your kitten may not realize the nutritional value of this wet food, he’s sure to love the real chicken flavor and savory sauce that adds both flavor and moisture.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg White, Potato Starch, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Cranberries, Ground Flaxseed, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols) (Source of DHA), Potassium Chloride, Sunflower Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Proteinate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite), DL-Methionine, Magnesium Sulfate.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Made with real animal protein from chicken
- Rich in moisture and omega fatty acids
- Flavorful gravy increases palatability
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains some added starch and thickeners
#7 Best For Seniors: Feline Natural Chicken & Venison Feast Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Made In: New Zealand
- Guaranteed Protein: 9% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 24
- Typical Cost Per Day: $7.58 per day
While your cat’s nutritional needs may not change according to breed, there are some dietary considerations to keep in mind as he gets older. Senior cats (aged 8 years and above) often experience digestive and mobility challenges but they still require a nutritious diet rich in protein and calories.
This Feline Natural canned food formula is a great option for older Scottish Folds because it is made with ultra-nourishing muscle meat, organs, and blood. Though these ingredients may make you feel a bit squeamish, they’re easily digestible for your cat. High-quality protein is essential to support your cat’s lean muscle mass as he ages.
In addition to being a rich source of animal protein, this recipe contains New Zealand green mussel as a natural source of joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin. The mussel also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and support healthy brain function.
Ingredients
Chicken, Venison, Water Sufficient for Processing, Venison Kidney, Venison Liver, Venison Blood, Flaxseed Flakes, New Zealand Green Mussel, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Magnesium Oxide, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Packed with highly digestible animal protein
- Limited number of ingredients
- Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health/mobility
- Concentrated source of protein and calories
What We Didn’t Like
- Fairly high phosphorus content
- Somewhat pricey
#8 Best Freeze-Dried Raw: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 44% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 131
- Typical Cost Per Day: $6.01 per day
For cats with sensitive digestion, a high-quality, easily digestible diet is best. If you suspect food allergies, you may even want to switch to a novel source of protein. Fresh or homemade food is great but freeze-dried raw food provides a convenient alternative.
Stella & Chewy’s does freeze-dried well, processing their recipes at low temperatures to preserve the original nutritional value of the raw ingredients. This rabbit formula features fresh rabbit with ground bone, as well as rabbit liver. These ingredients are biologically appropriate for cats. The only other main ingredients are olive oil and pumpkin seed.
We love that this formula is packed with protein and is rich in healthy fat as well, making it a great option for young Scottish Folds and cats who need to gain weight. Plus, because the food is designed to be rehydrated before feeding, it is rich in moisture that supports your cat’s healthy digestion.
Be aware that raw food may contain bacteria, like E. coli, that can cause foodborne diseases. Talk to your veterinarian before feeding your cat a raw food diet.
Ingredients
Rabbit With Ground Bone, Rabbit Liver, Olive Oil, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Dried Ediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Taurine, Tocopherols (Preservative), Dandelion, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Biologically appropriate, rich in animal protein
- Supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion
- Limited list of main ingredients
What We Didn’t Like
- Fiber content is a little bit high
- Fairly expensive compared to other options
Do Scottish Folds Get Cat Food Allergies?
You may be surprised to learn that cats can suffer from allergies just like humans. Allergy symptoms may look different in cats than in people, but allergies can still cause a major problem for your cat.
When it comes to allergies in cats, some of the most common culprits are environmental allergies and flea allergies. Food allergies account for only 1% to 5% of skin diseases in cats, so they are less common than cat food manufacturers would have you believe.
What’s more, grains are not the most common cause of food allergies in cats – common proteins like beef, chicken, and fish are.
Food allergies in cats are most likely to develop when the cat is repeatedly exposed to specific allergens (substances that cause allergies). For example, if a cat has a food allergy to chicken and your cat’s diet has chicken as its protein source, your cat may experience allergic symptoms like persistent itchiness and hair loss.
Feeding your Scottish Fold a rotational diet may help prevent food allergies from developing and could make it easier to change your cat’s diet later if a food allergy does develop.
Food allergies can be challenging to diagnose. If you suspect that your Scottish Fold has a food allergy, your veterinarian will likely recommend a food elimination trial, which involves feeding a diet containing a novel protein, like duck or kangaroo, for at least 8 to 12 weeks; no other food can be fed. Identifying the ‘culprit’ ingredient is key to avoiding that ingredient in your cat’s diet.
Your veterinarian will be able to help you manage your Scottish Fold’s food allergy without sacrificing quality, taste, or nutrition.
Click here to read our list of best organic cat food.
Homemade Food and Raw Diets for Scottish Fold Cats
While high-quality commercial diets do exist, they can be pretty expensive. If you want to give your Scottish Fold the best of the best, you may want to consider a homemade diet.
Making your own cat food gives you complete control over what ends up in your cat’s bowl. That can be a huge benefit if your cat has food allergies or sensitivities, and it means that your cat won’t be eating any artificial additives.
The challenge with homemade cat food is that you need to follow a vet-approved recipe to make sure you include the right ratios of key nutrients.
Before you settle on a homemade cat food diet for your Scottish Fold, think about whether you are going to go with a cooked diet or a raw diet. Raw food diets have become popular in the pet world but carry a risk for foodborne diseases, for pets and people. For this reason, veterinary organizations and the FDA advise against feeding pets raw food diets. Speak with your veterinarian if you decide to feed your Scottish Fold raw food.
No matter what kind of diet you choose for your Scottish Fold, go with the highest quality you can consistently afford. Follow the feeding recommendations on the package if you’re feeding a commercial diet or measure your cat’s daily portion by weight for homemade diets.
Learn more about homemade and raw cat food in our handy guide.
Final Thoughts
No matter a cat’s breed, a healthy diet is essential for supporting your cat’s long-term health and wellness. From kitten to adult to senior, quality nutrition promotes healthy body functioning and gives your cat the energy he needs to live his best life.
All cats require a species-appropriate diet made up of animal ingredients. The higher the protein, the better, and don’t forget about healthy fats. Limit your Scottish Fold’s carbohydrate intake as much as possible and consider a fresh or homemade diet, if you can afford it.
If you’re looking to upgrade the quality of your Scottish Fold’s diet or simply want to introduce some variety, consider one of our recommendations above!
I love this website! I was doing research on the Scottish Fold cat, and I found your site! So useful.
Hi we have a new Scottish Fold kitten 4 months old and looking for the best recommended kitten wet foods to try. As the ones in this article seem to be for cats older than 1yr what would you recommend?
Thanks!
Hi Steve,
For kitten food suggestions, I recommenced reading our article on the best kitten food written by Mallory Crusta.
Hope this helps 🙂
Ok I’ve tried everything on this list & my Scottish Fold would only touch the Stella & Chewys – but now it wants more variety . Nom Nom now only has 2 formulas & he doesn’t eat fish . I tried the just for dogs cat edition – he didn’t touch it !! Ugh .
Hey there! Have you tried other varieties of Stella & Chewy’s? They have a pretty broad selection and all of them should be good for your Scottish Fold. Otherwise, you can try other freeze-dried food brands like Primal or Vital Essentials, all of which should suit your cat’s taste and texture preferences. And if you’re looking for an alternative to Nom Nom, you might think about trying Smalls. Their food is texturally and nutritionally very close to Nom Nom, but they have a few different flavor options, including turkey and beef. Let me know if you’d like to go over any other ideas—we’ll be happy to help you find something that works for both of you.
Hi I have a quick question, I have two beautiful Scottish food cats and I have been feeding them the Purina Pro plan savor chicken and rice adult cat food for a while now. It has 40% protein and all the necessary vitamins and minerals as well. However it also contains rice which is now making me hesitant about continuing to feed them this food. I wanted to know what your opinion on this particular dry food is and if it’s okay to continue to feed then because they love it.
Hello Jannat, thank you for commenting! The Purina Pro Plan Savor chicken and rice food is indeed on the higher-carbohydrate side and contains quite a few lower-value ingredients. It’s acceptable in that it’ll keep your cats healthy and has all the nutrients they need, but it’s not nutritionally excellent. You might want to consider transitioning to a more meat-heavy, low-carbohydrate diet.
Hi, I just got my Scottish fold kitten.
She is only 3 months old and the breeder is telling me she must eat adult cat food because the calcium is lower than in kitten’s food.
To be honest I don’t care if her ears stand up again, I want a healthy kitten.
She says Scottish folds suffer from bladder stones due to the calcium intake.
Does anyone know about this?
Thank you!!
Hello Olga, thank you for the interesting question. I would not recommend feeding any kitten, including a Scottish Fold, an adult food. Calcium content isn’t the only difference between adult and kitten foods, so your 3-month-old could miss out on other important nutrients. As for the concern regarding bladder stones and calcium intake, I haven’t been able to find anything corroborating your breeder’s claim. It’s recommended that Scottish Folds eat an appropriate amount of calcium, but I don’t see anyone else recommending adult food for kittens in the name of less calcium. You may want to bring this question to your veterinarian.
So…..maybe somebody didn’t proofread the article.
#3 for wet food suggestion: the Fancy Feast. 3rd ingredient is “Wheat Gluten”
and for the “what we liked section” , the article says they liked that the food contains no wheat gluten.
…..I wonder if the other foods are really looked into before recommending, since this mistake is pretty obvious and hard to miss
Leon, thank you for pointing this out. I’ve removed the contradictory statement in the “What We Liked” section. As for the rest of the article, this is an older piece that is in need of an update. We plan to rewrite it later this year. For now, you might appreciate our article on the overall best cat food you can buy: https://cats.com/best-cat-food
We have a two year old SF, who has respiratory issues.. We’ve run the gamut from antibiotics, antihistamines, and now wondering about asthma. He’s had several courses of prednisone. He has a cough sounding like chest congestion, never coughs anything out, but at the end of a coughing fit he swallows, so I don’t think we can say “non producing cough”. As I read several articles, I’m wondering about asthma, and then stumbled over an article about chicken being an allergen. Any suggestions? Currently he eats (free feed) pure balance dry, and either Sheba (single portions) or Fancy Feast chicken (a variety of them).
Hi Patty, thank you for writing to us. It’s hard to say whether or not your cat has an allergy. The best way to find out if he does is through allergy testing and/or an elimination diet.
Hi Mallory,
Thank you for the suggestions. My 10 month Scottish Fold boy does not like seafood. I understand Omega 3s are very important for them. Is there any brands you can suggest for seafood that he might like?
There’s no reason why your cat has to eat seafood to get his omega-3 fatty acids. Feline Natural foods, for example, are not fish-based but contain green-lipped mussels as a great source of multiple omega-3 fatty acids. And there are many other foods that contain salmon oil or other fish oils as sources of omega-3s but don’t taste fishy. Alternatively, you can feed a regular fish-free diet and just add some fish oil to it. If he’s very opposed to the taste of fish, he may not like it, but it’s worth a try!