Many assume that Cats have an “I couldn’t care less” attitude. But this assumption is often challenged, especially when it comes to the Scottish Straight, known for their gentle allure and quiet elegance. They are also incredibly affectionate and easy-going.
Tiff So — a jeweler who oversees the operations of their family business, and the proud Cat mom of a Scottish Straight named Marbles — tells us more.
VELCRO CATS
When Tiff went looking for a perfect Cat companion, Marbles was the first one she saw. She found him incredibly cute and very well-behaved.
Scottish Straights love to be around their human companions and are often close to their owners. Despite their attachment, they aren’t overly demanding.
They are perfectly content sitting quietly beside their humans or following them around the house. They make great companions and are gentle enough to be around children.
Marbles, for one, has a lot of companions: Lemon, the Sun Conure; Mocha, the Rabbit; and Popcorn, the Pomeranian/Chow-Chow mix. They get along well.
Obviously, species is no deterrent to Marbles’ capacity for affection: He even grooms Mocha!
According to Tiff, Marbles and Lemon are particularly close — they often sleep side by side, with Lemon sometimes perched on Marbles’ head.
Scottish Straights love to be around their human companions and are often close to their owners. Despite their attachment, they aren’t overly demanding.
PURR-FECT NAME
Marbles was aptly named due to his distinctive round appearance, particularly his eyes. Scottish Straight Cats, also known as straight-eared Scottish Folds, share the same cute appearance as their fold-eared counterparts. They have round facial features, including a chubby body and head.
Interestingly, Tiff’s mother had a childhood Cat with the same name, adding a touch of nostalgia to Marbles’ identity.
BOXED IN
Marbles is also a quirky Cat who often hides in the corner of Tiff’s bed. According to Tiff, it can be tricky to find him sometimes — once, Marbles managed to slip inside a cabinet and burrow under a blanket, staying so still that it took nearly 30 minutes to locate him.
He also has a habit of hiding in the laundry basket. It was a core memory for Tiff when she found Marbles asleep in a drawer among clothes.
That morning, Marbles wasn’t around looking for food, but then she heard him meowing. “It was still a mystery how he managed to fit in there,” Tiff laughed.
WHO’S A GOOD KITTY?
Marbles is incredibly well-behaved — even strangers can hold him with ease. The vet often praises his calm demeanor during clinic visits.
Tiff finds it amusing that whenever they are inside the car, Marbles is usually asleep. However, when they approach their home, he stands up right away.
And when Tiff comes home, Marbles greets her by walking in circles around her legs.
CAT’S NATURE
Just like any Cat, Marbles enjoys climbing up cabinets where he can survey the entire room.
According to Tiff, his favorite spot in the cat condo is by the window, where he can watch Birds and people.
Marbles also has special balancing abilities: He was seen balancing on a large yoga ball.
According to Dr. Heather Berst from Zoetis Petcare, preferring high perches gives Cats an aerial advantage, allowing them to spot potential dangers and stay safe.
A BATTLE WON THROUGH UNWAVERING LOVE
Marbles was not without health issues. From October 2018 to January 2019, he was in and out of the veterinary hospital due to elevated sugar levels. His weight dropped from 4.5 to 2 kilograms.
Marbles had to be admitted as he could no longer walk or eat, given his frail state. He also had to be on IV fluids. Dr. Jay Bartolome of Vets in Practice The Fort advised that Marbles’ diet be transitioned from kibble to wet food. He remains on the same diet to this day.
Determined to never give up on Marbles, Tiff used a special glucometer for animals to test his sugar levels at home. While still under admission at the clinic, Marbles was tested for daily sugar levels — which required a pin prick on either the ear or paw — about 12 to 15 times a day. His ears ended up having many punctures, but those eventually healed. They also administered insulin whenever his glucose rose beyond 250 mg/dL, at times going up to more than 700.
In January 2019, they ran a fructosamine blood test on Marbles, which showed normal sugar levels. He was discharged, and his condition slowly went back to normal. Marbles is now in good health, weighing about the same as before he got sick, without the need for additional maintenance therapy.
Tiff is grateful to Dr. Jay and the rest of the Vets in Practice The Fort staff for overseeing Marbles’ care since 2017.
STRAIGHTFORWARD CARE
Scottish Straights are relatively low maintenance. A simple cleaning of their ears, nail trim, and fur brushing are what Tiff does to pamper Marbles. Tiff brushes him about once a week and bathes him twice a year.
Even so, he’s still prone to shedding. Just picking him up can leave hair on the bed and in the car, especially when he’s stressed, such as during Vet visits. His shedding can be quite excessive at times.
HIGHLY CURATED DIET
Marbles is especially picky when it comes to food. He prefers Asian brands, such as those from Japan, Korea, and Thailand, rather than the American brands.
Given his medical history, he eats only wet food, which has the consistency of paté, with boiled chicken filet. Marbles also lost most of his teeth due to a condition that affected his gums, making wet food the more suitable choice.
Tiff makes sure to add water to Marbles’ wet food as he needs to drink around 250 mL of water a day.
Cats should drink 50 mL of water per kilogram of body weight per day.
According to the website of Cat Care for Life, these are the different life stages of Cats.
ARE YOU STRAIGHT-UP CAT-READY?
Marbles is a typical Scottish Straight, showing his traits through his close relationship with Tiff and the family. Tiff says that having a Cat is a lifelong commitment that requires readiness, both financially and emotionally. Even when faced with health challenges, Tiff showed unwavering dedication to Marbles, highlighting the importance of this level of commitment in ensuring a Cat’s well-being.
Despite the demands of caring for feline companions, the joy and happiness they bring make it all worthwhile.
Photos by JEFFREY LIM
