Folded Eras: Taylor Swift’s beloved Scottish Fold cats make the purrr-fect companions

The breed of Taylor Swift’s beloved cats has been named as the most affectionate and intelligent in the UK.

A new study by Burns Pet Nutrition has revealed that the Scottish Fold has been named as the ‘top cat’ by Britons.

The Scottish Fold has risen in popularity in recent years, with popstar Taylor Swift owning a pair called Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson and Ed Sheeran owning one called Calippo.

The little-eared scamps have charmed pet owners nationwide, with 75 per cent of survey respondents considering them the most intelligent and 67 per cent deeming them the most affectionate.

The study also found that a whopping 92 per cent of cat owners found them the easiest to train compared to other breeds.

The popularity of Scottish Folds has skyrocketed, with 110,000 sold in the UK in 2021 alone, with the surge partly due to the breed’s association with social media-savvy celebrities.

Meanwhile, Ragdoll cats, known for their love of being held and cuddled, were a close second in the poll.

Over half (56 per cent) of Brits rated Ragdolls as the most affectionate, ahead of Maine Coons at 46 per cent.

In terms of personality, more than half (56 per cent) of Brits said Ragdolls had the biggest personalities, with 46 per cent choosing Maine Coons and 41 per cent preferring Bengals.

The survey, which included responses from 2,041 pet owners, also provided insights into how cat breed colours affect training and affection.

Calico cats were found to be the easiest to train, with eight in 10 owners reporting that their three-coloured pets responded best to instructions, and half of these owners also noting their cats were incredibly affectionate.

Among tabby owners, 25 per cent claimed their pets were more cuddly than other colored cats, with 85 per cent stating they were the easiest to train.

Nutrition Manager at Burns Pet Nutrition, Laura Crotch Harvey said: ‘All cat breeds are often unfairly lumped in together as one.

‘But like dogs, cats have very different personalities and needs, from grooming, stimulation, exercise, and nutrition.

She added: ‘It’s clear, those looking for that perfect companion should investigate the different breeds properly to ensure they’re picking the cat that best suits them and their lifestyle.’

With the Scottish Fold topping the charts, it’s evident that these celebrity-favoured felines are more than just a pretty face – they’re intelligent, affectionate, and a joy to train.

It comes after welfare charity Cats Protection called for the breeding of Scottish Folds to be outlawed because of concerns about their health in 2022.

The charity is also unhappy with A-listers for sparking a huge rise in demand for the pets.