Scottish Folds are not always in pain, but they can suffer from a degenerating joint disease, which can be painful. This health problem causes a reluctance to move, an abnormal posture, and other issues. The unique ear shape is caused by a defect in the formation of cartilage. Without this defect, the ears would be typically shaped like other cats. But this cartilage defect also manifests in other parts of the body in what is called the Scottish Fold disease, or Osteochondrodysplasia. A vet discovered that all Scottish Fold would develop this disease, and all those cats would have a pain-filled life.