Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Japanese Bobtail Cat Price: How Much They Cost in 2025

Indoor life of a Japanese Bobtail Cat

Japanese Bobtail cats are friendly, generally healthy, and low maintenance. They are playful companions but like all pets, have their share of expenses that you’ll need to plan for. You’ll need to consider the adoption or breeder’s fee, the initial supplies, and their monthly care needs.

If your Japanese Bobtail cat is healthy, your ongoing expenses will likely remain low. That said, you should always keep the potential costs of pet ownership in mind before you choose to care for a new cat. What expenses to expect for a Japanese Bobtail cat are included in this guide. We hope that it helps you prepare your budget for your new furry friend!

divider 3 paws

Bringing Home a New Japanese Bobtail Cat: One-Time Costs

Your Japanese Bobtail will cost a hefty amount when you first take steps to bring them home. Adopting or buying from a breeder involves different prices, and even a free Japanese Bobtail will have expenses for you to meet. You’ll also need to buy supplies.

Free

You’ll have your work cut out for you if you want to find a Japanese Bobtail for free. They’re difficult to find and often only available at a breeder. You might get lucky if you have a neighbor or a friend with a Japanese Bobtail who can no longer take care of their pet. Instead of letting them surrender their pet to a shelter, offer to take in the cat.


Adoption

  • $75–$150

Although you have to pay an adoption fee if you visit a shelter or rescue, it is often the cheapest option available, especially if you have a tight budget. The breed is relatively rare, so you might have difficulty finding one in a local shelter, though some rescues specialize in Japanese Bobtails.

Shelters can cost between $75 and $150, and you’ll still need to purchase the supplies needed to take care of a cat. However, the adoption fee will likely cover spaying or neutering costs, which will save you money later.

Black and white japanese bobtail
Image By: dien, Shutterstock

Breeder

  • $500–$2,000

You should always check shelters and rescues before trying to find a breeder. The animals surrendered to shelters might not have pedigree papers or known health histories, but they are also in need of loving homes.

Breeders are also the most expensive options when it comes to purchasing a Japanese Bobtail. The rarity of these cats makes them pricey to purchase, and the breeder’s cost won’t include the initial supplies that you’ll need. That said, if you want a pedigree Japanese Bobtail for breeding or show purposes and have the funds to support the endeavor, a reputable breeder is your best option.


Initial Setup and Supplies

  • $75–$500+

In certain cases, a shelter or a breeder will give you a few supplies to start you off when you first get your cat. However, you will be expected to provide for your cat yourself, and these won’t be substantial enough to avoid needing to purchase your own. Even if you own a cat already and can share their stuff with your new arrival, certain supplies will be a necessary expense.

List of Japanese Bobtail Cat Care Supplies and Costs:

ID Tag and Collar $5–$20
Spay/Neuter $100–$500
X-Ray Cost $100–$400
Ultrasound Cost $300–$600
Microchip $45–$70
Teeth Cleaning $100–$400+
Cat Bed $10–$70
Cat Tree $20–$200
Nail Clipper (optional) $5–$30
Brush (optional) $5–$25
Litter Box $5–$100+
Litter Scoop $3–$15
Toys $5–$25
Carrier $15–$79
Food and Water Bowls $5–$30
Cat Food $5–$85+
Scratching Post $7–$50
black japanese bobtail
Image By: NANCY AYUMI KUNIHIRO, Shutterstock

3 cat face divider

How Much Does a Japanese Bobtail Cat Cost Per Month?

  • $20–$1,500+ per month

If you’ve owned pets before, you’ll already know how expensive they can be from month to month. Healthcare, entertainment, and environmental maintenance are all things that you need to consider. The costs can also vary as time goes on, with you spending less one month and then more during another.

Monitoring your budget and balancing your expected expenses will help you plan for the care costs of your Japanese Bobtail. These can be things like food and grooming needs or surprise outgoings due to accidents or illness.


Health Care

  • $20–$1,500+ per month

Keeping your Japanese Bobtail cat healthy is the most expensive part of pet ownership. It’s an ongoing responsibility that will require monthly expenses and keen attention to the individual needs of your cat, from kittenhood all the way to seniority.

Healthcare doesn’t just cover veterinary visits. You’ll also need to consider food and grooming costs. Pet insurance is another monthly expense that you might be interested in.


Food

  • $5–$85+ per month

There are several types of food to buy for your Japanese Bobtail, including treats for good behavior and snacks for keeping their teeth clean. Their diet needs to be high quality and formulated for their age and health, which can get expensive but is worth it.

Search for the best-value, high-quality cat food to get the most out of your budget and ensure that your cat receives the nutrition that they need. Keep in mind that fresh food alternatives are expensive.

Japanese Bobtail
Image By: jonny-mt, Wikimedia Commons

Grooming

  • $0–$150 per month

Japanese Bobtail cats are low maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs. They do shed but only need to be brushed once or twice a week to keep their coat in good condition. You can save money by grooming your cat yourself, in which case, your only cost is the initial purchase of grooming supplies. Alternatively, you can hire a professional groomer to give your Japanese Bobtail a full spa treatment.

Depending on where you live and how much grooming your cat needs, a groomer’s costs will vary. Simple sessions can cost around $50, while more extensive ones can cost up to $150.


Medications and Vet Visits

  • $20–$1,500+ per month

The Japanese Bobtail is a hardy and relatively healthy breed. When you take proper care of them and stay on top of any developing health issues, you likely won’t need to visit a vet every month. There are a few costs to plan, though, and they can vary from month to month.

Vet visits can cost well over $1,500, depending on the treatment that your cat requires. Routine visits for a healthy animal might only be around $50–$250, but accidents, sudden illnesses, and ongoing care for issues that they’ve developed can be incredibly expensive.


Pet Insurance

  • $0–$60 per month

Pet insurance is optional, and the cost will depend on how old your Japanese Bobtail is and the provider whom you get a policy with. On average, most plans cost around $25–$35 a month, but you can find cheaper or more expensive policies.

The monthly cost of pet insurance shouldn’t be your only focus. You also need to consider what you’re covered for. A cheap plan might seem friendlier to your budget, but if it doesn’t provide the coverage that your pet needs, you’ll be spending more on vet bills.

Tortoise Japanese bobtail domestic cat looks into camera lens
Image By: Tetiana Chernykova, Shutterstock

Environment Maintenance

  • $10–$90 per month

Japanese Bobtail cats are friendly and love to play, but they can also be messy. They shed hair and track litter across the house, and you’ll have a few icky messes to clean up sometimes too. Keeping your house clean and ensuring that they have a clean litter tray will prevent unwanted odors and stains from developing.

Most of all, you’ll need a regular supply of litter to keep your cat’s litter tray topped up and clean. Litter box liners and enzyme cleaners are ideal for helping you clean up messes, and keeping a few on hand will save time later.

Litter $10–$40 per month
Litter box liners (optional) $5–$30 per month
Enzyme cleaner $8–$40 per month
Cardboard scratcher $9–$85 per month

Entertainment

  • $10–$40 per month

As playful as they are, your Japanese Bobtail will need a variety of toys and activities to keep them entertained. They’re prone to obesity, so keeping them active with different types of toys will help you manage their weight. You’ll need to buy and replace toys as they break.

While some cats have no trouble getting in their daily dose of exercise via the zoomies, others require a bit more encouragement to get active. The innovative Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher offers a 3-position design that provides cats with a variety of levels to play on, each engaging their full body and muscles. The durable cardboard scratching pad is an enticing cat-friendly place to climb, stretch, and claw, fulfilling their instinctual need to scratch.

Hepper Hi-Lo Cardboard Cat Scratcher with Real...
  • Premium Materials - Hepper's cardboard scratcher is made with dense, B-flute cardboard, and a metal...
  • High, Low and Lower - A single cat scratch pad won't keep your cat engaged. 3 unique positions keeps...
  • Activates Muscles - The Hi Lo isn't just a cat nail file to stop the chief cat couch scratcher. The...

If you are looking to improve your cat's health and increase their energy, check out the Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

Jingle balls, wand toys, or screwed-up paper balls are often the most affordable options. Or you can splurge for battery-operated toys that will keep your cat busy while you’re out of the house. There are also subscription boxes designed for cats. These require a monthly fee but will contain an assortment of toys and treats for your cat to try.

 

cat + line divider

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Japanese Bobtail Cat

  • $20–$1,500+ per month

The monthly costs of pet ownership will rarely be as high as the purchase price for your Japanese Bobtail—not all at once, anyway. There are occasions when an emergency might lead to a costly trip to the vet, but mostly, you’ll be spending money on routine care costs like food, toys, and litter. Remember to consider all possibilities before planning your budget, and search for ways to save funds for the occasional treats.

Additional Costs to Factor In

Emergency veterinary care costs and fixing household damage are two of the biggest extra expenses to set aside funds for. An accident or illness affecting your cat is one of the most expensive things that you will face as a pet owner.

Also, there are times when you will be unable to care for your cat due to being on vacation or if you’re hospitalized for any reason, so you will need to consider boarding fees. You can hire a pet sitter who will charge by the hour or for overnight visits, but you can also spend extra for your cat to stay at a cattery. Asking friends and family for help can help you save money, but you should reimburse them for their time too.

Japanese Bobtail at home
Image By: Algorithm images, Shutterstock

Owning a Japanese Bobtail Cat on a Budget

Preparing your budget is essential if you want to make sure your cat is well looked after. That said, the cost of pet ownership can be disheartening if you have a tight budget. But a small budget doesn’t mean you can’t have your own Japanese Bobtail. You’ll need to plan accordingly—and pay close attention to all of the costs of cat ownership—but it is possible.

When you start looking for cat care supplies, don’t settle for the first options that you find. Getting supplies that are high quality and good value can take a bit of digging, but it’s well worth the effort.

Saving Money on Japanese Bobtail Cat Care

Pets are expensive, but you can save money on pet care if you shop around. Although it can be nice to spoil your Japanese Bobtail with brand-new supplies, sometimes it’s more cost-effective to purchase secondhand.

Thrift stores and yard sales are excellent sources for all sorts of useful things, from water and food dishes to toys. Provided that you make sure the products and toys are clean and in good condition, they’ll be just as usable as brand-new ones. You’ll even save a few dollars to put toward your cat’s favorite treats!

divider-catclaw1

Conclusion

An ancient breed originating in Japan, the Japanese Bobtail is most common in Asia but is steadily growing in popularity in the U.S.A. Their rarity makes them an expensive pet to purchase, and getting one from a breeder will often cost between $500 and $2,000. Adoption is cheaper, often costing between $75 and $150, depending on the facility, though it might be challenging to find a Japanese Bobtail outside of rescues dedicated to the breed.

Beyond the initial cost, the monthly expenses need to be considered. It can be expensive to own a Japanese Bobtail, especially if they develop an illness or have an accident. With veterinary care, routine, and emergencies, you also need to prepare for food, grooming, boarding, pet insurance, and even home maintenance. On average, you can expect to spend a few hundred dollars a month on your cat.


Featured Image Credit: Algorithm images, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

2 Responses

    1. Hi Fred,

      Thank you for your inquiry about the lifespan of Japanese Bobtail cats.
      On average, they can live between 12 to 15 years, although many may live even longer with proper care. If you're interested in more detailed information, we recommend checking out this blog:
      – https://www.catster.com/cat-breeds/japanese-bobtail/
      If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

      Best regards

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How Much Does It Cost to Own a Ashera Cat? 2025 Price Guide

The Ashera cat may have caught your eye due to their striking resemblance to the wild felines that roam the scorching savannahs of...

ashera cat

How Much Does a Devon Rex Cat Cost? 2025 Price Guide

The Devon Rex cat is famous for their unique appearance, distinct cheekbones, huge eyes, and big ears. They are also referred to as...

male owner holding his devon rex cat

Egyptian Mau Price: Average Cost Guide 2025

Egyptian Mau cats have stunning spotted coats and look like little wild cats! They come in a range of colors, including bronze, silver,...

Egyptian mau on grey background

How Much Does a Cat DNA Test Cost? Complete Price Guide

DNA testing has proven to be a highly beneficial technological advancement and is now available for our pets. DNA testing for pets can...

Two professional veterinarians take a blood test from a Maine Coon cat at a veterinary clinic

More related

Travel,With,Pet.,Man,Holding,Carrier,With,Cute,Cat,And

How Much Will It Cost to Ship My Cat? (2025 Update)

When planning to move to a distant town or take a cat home from a breeder or rescue in another state, shipping your...

Cat's owner measuring the blood sugar values of his feline using glucometer

What’s the Cost of Cat Insulin in 2025? Price Guide & FAQ

Our feline friends can develop diabetes, and like us, they might require insulin. If your cat has been diagnosed with this disease, you’re...

picture-and-urn-of-deceased-cremated-cat

How Much Does It Cost to Cremate a Cat: 2025 Update

After a cat’s death, several decisions must be made, including what to do with their body. Planning ahead is vital, and the overwhelming...

cat with passport and ticket

How Much Does a Canadian Pet Passport Cost? (2025 Update)

Have you always dreamed of traveling with your beloved pet but aren’t sure what is required? You must secure a Canadian pet passport...

Keep reading

Does CBD Oil Help Cats with Kidney Disease? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Cat’s kidneys play a crucial role in their overall health. If your feline’s kidneys are not functioning properly for whatever reason, the resulting problems can be life-threatening, impacting their well-being and quality of life. Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, is...

giving cat cbd oil

What Does a Cat Hairball Look Like? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

The sound of a cat retching up a hairball will get most pet parents moving at lightning speed to protect their beloved furniture, clothes, and anything else their demon-spawn cat might want to puke on. However, new cat owners might...

tabby cat gagging or choking

3 Homemade Pumpkin Cat Treat Recipes To Enjoy This Fall

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need a meat-based diet. That said, there’s nothing wrong with treating your furry friend to a few little treats now and again, and, if you’re feeling crafty, you can DIY your own cat treats...

Homemade Pumpkin Cat Treat Recipes To Enjoy This Fall

Why Do Cats Eat Grass? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons Behind the Behavior

Our beloved cats are quirky creatures with some habits that seem rather baffling to cat owners. One of these behaviors is cats chowing down on grass and then sometimes throwing it back up. Why? Why on earth do these intelligent...

close up of a cat eating grass

Are Hyacinths Poisonous to Cats? Vet-Approved Safety Guide

Hyacinths are beautiful, colorful plants that bloom once a year in mid-spring. They are known as “nature’s perfume” because of the intoxicating smell they emit, and they add plenty of color to any landscape. These plants bloom in an array...

Catster_Are Hyacinths Poisonous to Cats

Earthborn Cat Food Review of 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Earthborn Holistic offers both wet and dry cat food variants and all but one range is grain-free food. The food is made to enhance nutrition in your cat, and the manufacturer claims to use fresh ingredients. They contain...

Earthborn Cat Food Review

8 Vet-Verified Ways to Be an Eco-Friendly Cat Owner in 2024

Owning a pet takes a lot out on the environment. After all, our pets have needs too, and these needs require resources that we must take from the environment. Therefore, if you want to live in balance with the planet...

cat playing with owner

Why Do Cats Scratch Their Ears? 7 Vet-Verified Reasons, Signs & Treatment

While all cats can have an occasional itch that causes them to scratch their ears, sometimes they seem to be scratching far more than usual. Is this something to worry about? If your cat does seem to be scratching their...

close up cat scratching ear