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How Much Does a Scottish Fold Cost in 2024? Updated Price Guide

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on February 8, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

fluffy orange Scottish Fold cat

How Much Does a Scottish Fold Cost in 2024? Updated Price Guide

Scottish Folds are a very interesting breed and are one of the rarest cats in the world. Not only do they have a distinct appearance, but they also come in several different coat colors and patterns. Their name comes from the shape of their ears, which are folded downward instead of standing upright.

If you are interested in getting a Scottish Fold as your next pet, you should know how much they cost. In general, adopting a Scottish Fold can cost between $300 and $500, and getting one from a breeder can cost as much as $3,000. Let’s find out more!

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Bringing Home a New Scottish Fold: One-Time Costs

Owning a Scottish Fold cat is an expensive commitment. If you purchase your cat from a breeder, you’re looking at 10 to 15 years of care, vet bills, and food. Purebred cats cost more, in general, due to their breed status and popularity.

Some colors cost more than others as well, depending on rarity. The cost also varies depending on how many cats are available and how much each one sells for, but expect to spend between $1,000 and $3,000 on your Scottish Fold kitten.

cute Scottish fold kittens chinchilla one month old_Mikhail Kniazev_shutterstock
Image Credit: Mikhail Kniazev, Shutterstock

Free

It will be challenging to get a Scottish Fold for free. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask your family, friends, or colleagues to see if they have a Scottish Fold that has had a litter.

Remember that when doing this, you won’t know the health status of the cat. If you find one for free, ensure you’re getting them from someone you trust, and ask to see the cat in person before adopting them.

Adoption

  • $300–$500

One of the best ways to save money on a Scottish Fold is to try a local rescue organization. You can start with your area’s rescue organizations or go online to examine rescues in neighboring states. The amount you will pay for the cat depends on age, gender, and overall health, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $500 for these cats if you’re lucky enough to find one.

Breeder

  • $500–$3,000

If you buy a Scottish Fold from a breeder, you’re going to pay up to $3,000! If the cat is a kitten, you can expect to pay more. Make sure you’re buying from a reputable breeder. A good breeder will allow you to visit their facility in person and provide health records for kittens and the parent cats.

Avoid breeders selling Scottish Fold kittens for low prices, as it may be a sign of poor breeding practices and unhealthy kittens. Also, be aware of breeders who won’t let you visit and don’t provide health records for their kittens.

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Initial Setup and Supplies

To keep your kitten healthy and happy, you’ll need to feed them nutritious food. You may also want to invest in a high-quality litter box that is easy to clean so your cat doesn’t have to roam the house looking for a place to do their business.

If you decide to get an adult cat from a breeder or rescue group rather than a backyard breeder, be prepared to make several visits over the course of several weeks until the kitten is ready for adoption.

These visits may include getting updates on vaccinations and health checks and discussions with the breeder about the feeding routine, training methods, and other lifestyle concerns.

Let’s look at more supplies that you may need:

List of Scottish Folds Care Supplies and Costs

ID Tag and Collar $15–$20
Spay/Neuter $200–$500
X-Ray Cost $100–$270
Ultrasound Cost $250–$500
Microchip $45–$60
Teeth Cleaning $50–$300
Bed $35
Nail Clipper (optional) $10
Brush (optional) $10
Litter Box $15
Litter Scoop $10
Scratching Posts & Toys $40
Carrier $40
Food and Water Bowls $20

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How Much Does a Scottish Fold Cost Per Month?

It can be challenging to determine what it costs to own a Scottish Fold cat on a monthly basis since they vary widely in price based on a number of factors. The cost of food and veterinary care are both important considerations, but other factors, such as the level of upkeep, may also come into play and will vary depending on your cat’s health.

However, it’s safe to say that the average monthly cost will be between $80 and $200.

This is an average across the board. It considers the costs of medical care, grooming, feeding, and much more. Keep in mind that $100 per month is just an average. Some owners spend much less, while others spend more. That is why it is so important to set a budget before you begin the adoption process.

orange scottish fold with striped bandana
Image By: Kajohnwat Srikulthanakij, Shutterstock

Health Care

  • $75–$1,000/year

Health care for your Scottish Fold will be more than with other types of cats. They are prone to some fairly serious health issues, and this may cause an increase in medical bills. This is not to say that a Scottish Fold will suffer from health issues, but they are more likely to than many other breeds due to genetic mutations within the breed.

Food

  • $20–$40/month

You must consider a few maintenance costs when owning a Scottish Fold. The first is food. You should expect to spend around $20–$40 monthly on food for your cat, but possibly more if you spring for the highest quality brand.

Grooming

  • $35/year

A Scottish Fold owner needs to remember that grooming is an important part of caring for them. They may be low maintenance, but you still need to groom them. You should brush their fur every week.

This will keep them from getting painful knots in their fur. While brushing your cat’s fur is easy, you still need to buy the right grooming tools. You can expect to pay around $10–$15 for a good brush. This won’t be a monthly expense, but you may have to replace the brush occasionally throughout your pet’s life.

Medications and Vet Visits

  • $30–$120/month

The most important factor when it comes to care costs is the health of your pet. You don’t want to bring home a sickly cat, and it’s imperative to make sure that you select a healthy cat from the start. You can do this by visiting a few breeders before making your final decision and ensuring you see the cat’s health records.

A visit to the vet before you bring your new Scottish Fold home can also help you understand what you will need to do to keep your cat healthy. It takes very little effort to keep your cat healthy. You can expect to pay between $30 and $120 monthly.

The most common things you can expect to pay for include heartworm medication, flea and tick medication, vaccines, and more.

scottish fold cat checked by vet
Image By: Irina Vasilevskaia, Shutterstock

Pet Insurance

  • $30/month

When buying a Scottish Fold, especially for a high price, you will also want to have a budget for pet insurance. If you don’t purchase a reliable policy, you may be in for a shock down the road if your pet needs emergency vet care.

Pet insurance is something that every cat owner should have. It is a small monthly investment that can save you thousands of dollars in the long run, especially if your cat has an emergency. The average monthly cost for insurance for your Scottish Fold is around $30.

That is less than the average cost of most other breeds. However, it’s best to examine several insurance providers to find the best monthly rate and premium.

Environment Maintenance

  • $30–$50/month

Maintaining your cat’s environment, including the litter box, also has monthly costs that must be considered. For example, you need to refresh the litter, the disposal bags, and any other ongoing costs associated with keeping the area clean and smelling fresh. This will vary but can cost anywhere from $30 to $50 monthly.

Example (for cats):

Litter box liners $15/month
Deodorizing spray or granules $30/month
Cardboard scratcher $12/month

Entertainment

  • $100/year

You should also expect to spend around $100 every year on toys. The toys can help you keep your cat entertained while you’re at work. They can also help you get to know your cat better and what they like for entertainment. This will make living with them much easier, as bored cats can quickly turn a home into a disaster area.

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Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Scottish Fold

  • $150–$300/month

The total monthly cost of owning your Scottish Fold varies but can range anywhere from $150 to $300 a month. You’ll need to have a budget set up before you bring one home.

Scottish fold cat marble shadded tabby_Veronika Dolgaya_shutterstock
Image By: Veronika Dolgaya, Shutterstock

Additional Costs to Factor In

In many cases, unexpected costs can include unforeseen health issues, illnesses, or accidents. For example, you may find your cat wandering around in the backyard, eating flowers from a poisonous plant.

Or, you may accidentally leave the top off a food container on the counter and come home to find your cat eating hazardous ingredients. It’s best to save money for unexpected expenses in the event that you need emergency vet care. That is where having pet insurance can help.

Owning a Scottish Fold on a Budget

The best way to save money on Scottish Fold care is to plan ahead. The first thing you should do is set a budget. Whether you plan to buy a cat or adopt one doesn’t matter. You need to know how much money you can spend. This will help you avoid any unexpected expenses later on.

Saving Money on Scottish Fold Care

Now that you know how much a Scottish Fold costs, you may wonder how to own one without breaking the bank. There are a few things you can do to save money. First, if possible, you can buy an adult Scottish Fold from a rescue center. You can find adult Scottish folds in adoption centers or online, and you can also visit a breeder and inquire about less expensive cats.

The next thing you can do to save money is fix your cat. Spaying and neutering will lower the risk of your cat getting diseases. It will also make it easier to keep the cat in your house. Also, consider buying your supplies in bulk to save on maintenance costs.

For example, buying your food in large containers can save a lot of money. The same goes for toys. You can clip coupons or sign up for rewards programs at your local pet store. You never know what kind of deals you may find.

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Conclusion

Scottish Folds are one of the rarest breeds of cats in the world. They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. If you’re interested in adopting a Scottish Fold, you can visit rescue groups or shelters. If you find a reputable breeder, you can save money by paying a lower price for coat colors and patterns that aren’t as rare or buying an adult cat vs. a kitten.

You should expect to spend about $1,000 per year on supplies for your cat, with the average cost being between $100 and $200 monthly. You should also prepare for vet visits every year. They cost between $50 and $200 each time you see a veterinarian. When you’re ready to purchase one, you can expect to pay up to $3,000 for a Scottish Fold.


Featured Image Credit: hannadarzy, Shutterstock

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