The British Shorthair price is a major aspect you need to look into when planning to purchase this breed. This purr-fect kitty is by no means cheap and would require more from you in the long run.
For you to have an idea about the estimated total cost of raising a British Shorthair cat, I created this handy financial guide. This includes a breakdown of the initial, annual, and additional expenses of British Shorthair care.
I have also included a list of breeders and rescues you can get in contact with. So, if you’re ready for British Shorthair ownership, go ahead and pore through this guide from beginning to end!
The Average Cost of a British Shorthair
The British Shorthair price usually ranges from $1,500 to $2,400. This may vary from one breeder to another and is also dependent on factors such as demand, coat color, and breeder reputation. British Shorthair cats for show also have a higher price range between $2,200 and $3,000.
Rarity isn’t an issue for British Shorthair cats because they are very common. In fact, due to their popularity in the pet community, demands are high, making them even more expensive.
Generally, the British Shorthair’s price also depends on quality and age. Moreover, British Shorthairs qualified for pet shows and those that adhere to the breed standard are definitely more expensive than companion cats.
Meanwhile, senior or retired British Shorthair cats are cheaper than kittens bought from professional breeders.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a British Shorthair Kitten
As previously stated, the British Shorthair price is quite expensive, and this is not solely based on their distinct features.
It is worth knowing where their selling price is derived so you won’t get scammed and swayed by unprofessional breeders who offer them at an unreasonable price range.
Here is a detailed list of the primary factors that affect the British Shorthair price:
Breeder’s Reputation: Well-established and known breeders typically sell more expensive kittens than the newbies in the business. They can surely give you high-quality British Shorthair kittens because of the years they spent perfecting the breeding process. In other words, their reputation speaks for their pricing, unlike most unregistered breeders.
Age: British Shorthair kittens are more expensive than adults. Aside from the fact that younger cats are much easier to train, most people want their pets to grow up under their care. Some breeders take advantage of this; that’s why their cat litter costs more.
Pedigree: A British Shorthair kitten with a high-quality pedigree surely has the best temperament, physical attributes, and health condition. If you consider getting a kitten with a champion bloodline, its price would definitely be higher than those companionship kitties because they adhere to the breed standard.
Genetic Tests and Health Checkups: When reputable breeders aim to follow high standards on breeding, their financial capacity is extended to ensure the physical wellness of their British Shorthairs. Given that, they have to spend money for vet consultations, vaccine shots, and tests for hip dysplasia, polycystic kidney disease, and others that do not come cheap.
Registration: Responsible breeders register their British Shorthairs on feline registries such as the Cat Fanciers Association Inc. and The International Cat Association. This renders the British Shorthair cats expensive since the cost of registration is often added to the final price of the cat.
Aside from the factors discussed above, some minor expenses can slightly affect the price of a British Shorthair. This includes registration, shipping fee, and the current economic situation of where the breeder is located.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a British Shorthair Cat From a Rescue?
If you really want a British Shorthair but want to save money, you can adopt one from cat rescue centers or shelters. Adoption fees covering vaccinations, microchipping, and medical expenses only cost $100 to $200.
You can set the worry aside because you’ll surely find a rescue and animal shelter that ensures that their cats are well-rehabilitated.
You can ask for the records and details of your future pet before officially starting the adoption process. This way, you are assured that you’ll get a healthy British Shorthair even though it is already an adult cat.
Initial Cost of British Shorthair Cat Ownership
Apart from the British Shorthair price, you should also prepare the essential items and accessories your cat needs as it adjusts to its new home.
Lucky for you, I have already made a list to make your online haul easier.
Here are the initial supplies needed by a British Shorthair cat as it transitions to your home:
Food and Treats: British Shorthair cats need nutrients and constant nourishment. Thus, giving them premium cat food, wet food, and treats is necessary for their development. The cost of these essentials for your British Shorthair ranges from $20 to $50.
Food and Water Bowls: Food bowls are also essential for British Shorthair kittens to ensure that they will be able to consume an adequate portion of their meal and drink the right amount of water. Stainless steel bowls are suggested by most breeders because they last for a long time. You can buy both for only $10 to $25.
Litter Box: A sturdy litter box is crucial for potty training, especially for indoor cats like the British Shorthair. High-quality litter boxes commonly cost $20 to $160, but this would still depend on the size of the litter.
Litter Sand: Litter sand goes hand in hand with the litter box. This is either made of actual sand or recycled materials and is used by British Shorthairs to bury their waste. Generally, a pack of litter sand costs $15 to $25.
Collar and ID Tag: A set of collars and ID tags are both functional, especially when you always bring your British Shorthair for walks in your neighborhood. If they get lost, they will be easily identified using these items you can buy for only $5 to $20. These items are usually one-time costs.
Cat Bed: Just like other cat breeds, your British Shorthair cat will spend most of its time sleeping. To give it a comfortable resting spot, you can buy a cat bed for only around $15 to $35. This is also essential if you have visitors since your British Shorthair would have a comfortable spot away from strangers.
Cat Carrier: You need to buy a carrier if you want to bring your purebred British Shorthair kitten wherever you go. But this will probably be very useful if you are going overseas. Carriers are typically priced at $20 to $60, depending on your British Shorthair cat’s weight.
Toys and Scratching Post: Most breeders suggest buying your new British Shorthair a set of toys that would keep them entertained and help release their pent-up energy. These toys may include a yarn, toy mouse, cat tree, laser pointer, and stuffed toy. A sturdy scratching post would also be beneficial since it serves the same purpose as toys. Typically, these would cost you $15 to $70.
Grooming Essentials: Even though the British Shorthair self-cleans just like other cats, it would still benefit from grooming. Thus, you would need to purchase some essentials such as toothpaste and toothbrush, nail clippers, brushes, etc. These items cost around $25 to $35 collectively.
Initial Vet Visits: Paying the vet a visit right after you take home your British Shorthair would help you identify if it has alarming health issues or genetic abnormalities that should be addressed. Vet consultation fees usually range from $200 to $400.
Initial Vaccine Shots: Initial vaccine shots for your British Shorthair are already provided if you choose a good breeder. Once you take your new pet home and assume the role of a fur parent, you are already responsible for completing its vaccinations. The total cost of a British Shorthair cat’s complete vaccine shots ranges between $25 and $50.
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medications: To ensure that your pet is parasite-free, one of your top priorities should be preventive medications and treatments. The cost of these medicines and procedures ranges between $30 and $100.
Neutering/Spaying: These surgical procedures will cost about $200 to $500, which may vary from one vet to another. Spaying can protect your female British Shorthair cat from having malignant or cancerous breast tumors, while neutering your male cat lessens their chance of getting prostate issues, testicular cancer, and other health problems.
Microchip: Microchipping your British Shorthair is a precautionary measure to prevent it from escaping your property. This can help you find your pet when they suddenly vanish within your sight. You can have your pet registered and microchipped for $40 to $60.
Miscellaneous Supplies: As you go along with your British Shorthair ownership, you’ll realize that they need more items than what was listed above. You may see yourself purchasing accessories, poop bags, paw wax, and more. These could collectively cost $15 to $30.
For easier reference, here is a checklist of the initial expenses of owning a British Shorthair:
This initial tally of expenses is inevitable for a British Shorthair cat owner, but most of the items listed above are only one-time costs.
You can ask your breeder for cheaper brand suggestions in case the ones you find are unreasonably pricey. Better yet, search for tips for saving money just like the ones I detailed in the latter part of this article.
Annual Cost of Owning a British Shorthair
If you are a first-time British Shorthair cat owner, you should also prepare a minimum of $1,270 to $2,605 on top of the cat purchasing price for your pet’s annual needs.
This total expense mostly covers replenishment for cat food and treats, litter sand, toys, cat tree, and other key essentials such as vaccinations and vet care.
To elaborate more on this total cost, here is a breakdown of the items and services that a British Shorthair kitten needs annually:
Investing in a pet insurance policy for your British Shorthair will cost around $360 to $600 annually.
This may seem expensive but it is actually helpful to get you through the most challenging times of your British Shorthair without breaking the bank.
Another great way to cut costs, in the long run, is to ensure that you provide your cat with regular vet visits. This will help diagnose severe health problems early on and avoid expensive treatments later.
Moreover, this helps lengthen the British Shorthair lifespan, so you really get your money’s worth.
The annual cost of your cat’s health care is usually $100 to $200. For a cheaper option, you can look up all the veterinarians in your area and compare prices before settling for one.
Other Potential Expenses
As an owner, you should also be aware of some services available for your British Shorthair’s emergency and non-emergency needs. Except for emergency treatment, all these services can be availed at your discretion.
Below is a list of the services that your British Shorthair may need and their estimated cost:
Grooming: Although professional grooming is optional, it is a good idea to take your British Shorthair to a grooming salon for pampering and deep cleaning from time to time. This is especially suggested if you aren’t really skilled in home grooming. Full grooming at a pet salon costs around $50 to $80.
Emergency Treatment: In life or death situations or accidents, your British Shorthair undoubtedly needs emergency treatment and serious medical services. This will cost a lot, so you should prepare an amount ranging from $800 to $1,500. If your cat is covered with pet insurance, there’s a chance that this cost would be lessened.
Pet Sitting/Cat Boarding: If you can’t take your kitty on your out-of-town trips, you can hire a pet sitter or bring them to the nearest cat boarding facility. Hiring a pet sitter can cost around $15 to $40 per night, while cat boarding charges range from $20 to $40.
Pet Fee and Deposit: If you have a landlord that isn’t that cat-friendly, expect an extra cost for a pet deposit. They ask for about 40 to 85 percent of your monthly rent, covering potential damages that your British Shorthair cat might bring about.
All in all, owning and raising a British Shorthair kitten typically includes monthly, annual, and one-time expenses.
However, as they grow with you, you’ll encounter more fees you wouldn’t have thought necessary. Thus, before deciding to have a British Shorthair as a companion, I recommend that you assess your financial limits first.
Places to Find British Shorthair Kittens for Sale and Adoption
If you have already decided to get a British Shorthair, know that buying one from a reputable breeder is always the best option.
You can start your hunt online by browsing professional breeding websites and social media accounts. While you’re at it, check out various articles on how to avoid kitten scams.
To help you with your search, I have listed down some British Shorthair breeders whom you can choose from:
McSmitten Kittens – This is a small cattery registered through The International Cat Association, offering purebred British Shorthairs from European and American champion bloodlines. McSmitten Kittens ensures that all their British Shorthairs are chipped, vaccinated, and come with veterinary records.
Catnificent Cattery – Also a TICA registered British Shorthair breeder, Catnificent Cattery mainly breeds golden and silver-colored British Shorthair cats. They concentrate on producing kittens that comply with the standards of a purebred British Shorthair.
Silverbrook Cattery – You can also find a British Shorthair kitten in this cattery located in Seattle and Tacoma in Washington. They breed show-quality British Shorthairs from international bloodlines. In fact, one of their studs was considered by TICA as the top British Shorthair from Washington.
While it is highly suggested to buy British Shorthairs from registered breeders, the expensive price may put you off. Don’t fret, though, as there is a way to skip the expensive British Shorthair cost — cat adoption.
Refer to this list of British Shorthair rescue organizations and advertising if you want to rehome one:
Pet Haven – Known to be the first foster-based rescue organization in Minnesota, Pet Haven rescues and rehabilitates British Shorthairs and other cat breeds. They implement in-home fostering to identify the rescued cats’ medical condition, personality, and temperament. This helps the organization find the right adoptive parents for their cats.
Rescue Me! – This is an organization that was able to rescue and rehome a total of 479 British Shorthair cats to date. You can easily find a British Shorthair rescue group in their directory as they cover a lot of countries, not just states.
Adopt-a-Pet – Adopt-a-Pet has been helping humane societies, SPCAs, and animal shelters advertise their homeless pets, including British Shorthairs and other purebred cats, for quite some time now. You can instantly locate a British Shorthair near you using their search filters. They also allow browsing their pets through age and gender.
Adopting won’t be as easy as buying from registered breeders, but it will be worth trying.
It sure isn’t a fast process since rescue volunteers carefully review adoptee profiles, but rest assured that you’ll get the best purebred British Shorthair even though they aren’t little kittens anymore.
Money-Saving Tips for British Shorthair Cat Owners
The British Shorthair is an expensive breed. Thus, to help you save money and ease some of the financial burdens of owning a British Shorthair cat, here are available alternatives that are ultimately budget-friendly.
Choose expensive over cheap, low-quality items. Some cat owners prefer buying more affordable products, thinking it saves them more money. In reality, these items break easily, so they need constant replacement. It is better to invest in high-quality items for British Shorthairs that can last them a lifetime.
Monitor their health regularly. You should not be negligent about the overall health of your British Shorthair cat, even though, naturally, they come from a healthy breed. Prevention will always be better than cure. To skip spending too much on treatment procedures or medicines, prioritize their health by ensuring that they consume all the nourishment they need through food and exercise.
Make DIY treats and toys. Try searching for online tutorials on creating toys and treats in the comfort of your own home. This will save you not only the materials costs but also shipping fees.
Get pet insurance. As already stated, good pet insurance will save you from bankruptcy. Feline emergencies happen when you least expect them, so it’s better to prepare for them instead of relying on your savings.
Aside from all these, you can check out instant money savers and pet hacks on YouTube. There are plenty of tips and guides like this, so you won’t have any excuses to start tending to a British Shorthair breed.
Final Thoughts
Looking at all the above expenses might be overwhelming, especially when you include the price of British Shorthairs.
However, if you are financially capable, you should already start searching for a British Shorthair as they are well worth their expensive price.
They are loyal, loving, and easy-going cats, even though they may be slightly reserved at first.
Those with a high-quality pedigree will even bring you more joy as they are very calm and amicable. Do not hesitate to invest in a British Shorthair, and you’ll see for yourself why.
Does the British Shorthair cat cost more than what you expected? Let us know in the comments.
Comments