The Nebelung Cat is known to be a rare domesticated breed. It was first bred in the USA and is very similar to a Russian Blue. It has a long body covered by a thick silvery and blue coat, a slender neck, and wide ears.
Its name in German means creature of the mist. This is inspired by this breed’s silvery-blue coat that seems to shimmer whenever this cat is on the move.
Like a misty fog, a Nebelung is gentle and quiet. It could be a bit shy but it thrives on affection.
This cat isn’t considered as an active breed but it enjoys playing, climbing, and jumping. The life expectancy of this breed is up to 18 years.
Purchase Price of a Nebelung Cat
A single Nebelung cat price would range from $300 to $1,000 unless you choose to adopt. This could vary from one breeder to another.
But nowadays, it’s hard to find a Nebelung Cattery in the US. You may have to purchase one from European countries just like the UK.
Some catteries won’t sell you a Nebelung if it will be the only cat in the household, so be prepared to spend a few more extra to buy a cat with a different breed or get two Nebelungs from a cattery.
If you scout cat adoption websites like GoKitty, you might spend as little as $20 and as much as $1600. Most cats up for adoption are adults and are already spayed and neutered.
Oodle Marketplace, on the other hand, has listings of Nebelung cats for sale and adoption ranging from $50 to $125.
If you decide to purchase from a cattery, you can only take a new Nebelung home once it reaches its 16th week. If you decide to adopt an adult Nebelung from an individual, then this will really depend on your agreement.
You can visit a cattery and spend some time with adult Nebelungs for you to know if this breed is what you really want. If you’ve decided that you want to have such cat, a deposit is usually required for you to be put on a cattery’s waiting list. Usually, the deposit is non-refundable.
For a cattery like Truevine in the UK, you can be sure that the cat or kitten you will purchase already has papers. If you purchase a cat from this cattery, here are the inclusions:
- Full GCCF and TICA registration papers
- Copy of pedigree
- Pet insurance with Agria (Good for four weeks)
- Cat food sample
- Toys and a hand knitted blanket
- Vaccination records
- Flea, tick, and wormer
- Copy of the cat’s baby photos
When purchasing a cat outside your state or even the US, you’ll also have to shoulder the transportation expenses. You can have the cat shipped and most of the time, couriers would charge based on miles.
It could cost $1.54 per mile to ship a cat. This is only the case if the cat will be traveling for less than 100 miles. For less than 1000 miles, it would cost $0.42 per mile.
Other Expenses When Purchasing and Raising a Nebelung Cat
Here are other expenses to keep in mind once you buy a Nebelung cat:
Transportation
To be able to transport a cat, you’ll need to get a pet carrier or crate. The price widely varies and will depend on the size and brand of the product and could cost you around $9 to $30 or more.
Microchipping
As of today, microchipping isn’t really legally required, but this could only do you and your cat good. Since a Nebelung is a rare breed and is quite pricey, it could be hard to reunite with this pet if in case it runs away.
Getting your cat microchipped could cost $45 or more, depending on where you will have it done. Usually, this payment already includes the registration. You need to make sure that this is updated when needed.
Cat Items and Accessories
These could be a variety of things that your cat will need to feel comfortable or entertained once it settles in your house.
Here is a list of the items you should get even before your cat arrives. We’ve also included the price range of each item.
- Food Bowl – depending on the material used (plastic, stainless, ceramic), this may cost $3 – $12.
- Water Dispenser/Fountain – Same as how it is for food bowls, the price of a fountain or dispenser will depend on the material used. Expect to spend $5 to $14 for this. Those dispensers that require electricity are usually more expensive and can cost up to $500.
- Cat Bed – Just like most cats, a Nebelung can easily find comfort in any place. But if you want to make sure that your cat has a comfortable place to rest on, cat bed would be a good investment. The price of cat beds ranges from $8 to $30.
- Litter Box – There is quite a variety of litter boxes that you could choose from, but typically, you can get one for $3 to $50. Make sure you check if the actual liter is already included with your purchase. If not, you’ll have to buy it separately, and that could cost $7 to $25 per 20 to 40-lb. pack.
- Cat Tree – This is something that your cat can use to play and exercise on. It works nicely for homes that are not too spacious. A cat tree could cost around $19 to $40.
- Cat Toys – toys that cats can play with could be small plushies, rattles, balls, teasers, and even lasers. Any cat toys would cost at least $2 to $20.
Cat Food
The amount you’ll spend on cat food will depend on the diet that you will give your cat. Keep in mind that cats are obligate carnivores. This means that they need protein and they don’t really have much ability to digest carbohydrates.
There are ready-to-eat foods for kittens, adult cats, and senior cats that you can purchase. Most cat foods are already available for all cats of breeds and ages. The Purina Fancy Feast Tender Feast Wet Kitten Food Variety Pack – (24pk) 3-oz. can costs around $17.
Cat’s Health
Generally, a Nebelung is known to be a healthy cat breed. The only medical problem that it could get would be bladder stones.
These are rock-like deposits can be caused by multiple factors like UTI, decreased water intake, and imbalanced diet. This is why making sure that your cat has good health is very important.
Frequent vet consultations would help you make sure that your cat will remain in good shape. A vet consultation cost will depend on the treatment that your cat will get.
Here are the costs of the different services you could avail in a vet clinic.
Vaccines:
- Rabies: $10
- Felv: $17 – $24
- Bordetella: $17 – $24
- FVRCP: $17 – $24
- DHPP: $17 – $24
- DHPPC $23 – $30
Health Testing:
- CBC: $130
- Heartworm Test: $55
- Feline Felv Test: $49
- Urinalysis: $50
- Fecal Exam: $45 – $60
- Biopsy: $185
You could also get dental services for your cat which would cost $150 to $185. When needed, medication could cost $14-$18 per dosage.
A Few Tips on Caring for a Nebelung Cat
Even if a Nebelung cat is not considered as an active breed, exercise is still important to avoid it from getting obese. Obesity in cats can cause health problems so it’s best that you still take this cat out for some walking and exercise.
Because a Nebelung has a long coat of fur, you may need to have it brushed twice a week. Regular grooming sessions would also help avoid mats and tangles.
This breed enjoys the quiet. While it’s still a good cat breed to get for a household with kids, it’s best to always supervise their interactions. A Nebelung cat can only tolerate a bit of noise and commotion.
Lastly, it may take a while before this cat warms up to its pet owner and other people in the household. Its shyness wouldn’t really last long. Once you and this cat are already bonded, you can then enjoy its loyalty for a lifetime.
