Confirmation that cats may carry fold-ear related mutations even if they appear to have straight ears

Anicom Advanced Medical Institute, in collaboration with Anicom Pafe and Azabu University, has genetically confirmed that some Scottish Fold cats carrying the TRPV4 gene mutation associated with folded ears undergo a change in appearance to look like straight-eared cats as they mature. By integrating longitudinal photographic data with genotype data, the study revealed that a certain percentage of individuals, despite carrying the fold-ear mutation, change from folded ears as kittens to straight-like ears as adults. It was also confirmed that these individuals tend to have smaller pinnae compared to typical straight-eared cats. However, this difference is difficult to distinguish by appearance alone, suggesting that genetic testing is crucial for effective breeding management. The findings were published online on May 6, 2026, in the specialized academic journal 'Animal Genetics,' published by John Wiley & Sons.