You have probably seen that cute little kitty that Taylor Swift has shown a couple of times in her social media account. Wondering what breed that was? It was a Scottish Fold Cat.
The first known Scottish Fold Cat, Susie, was discovered by a shepherd in a barn in the Tayside Region of Scotland in 1961. The distinctive feature of this breed is its folded ears that seem to give a pixie, owl or bear impression to its physical look.
Because of its unique physical feature and sweet temperament, it has become a constant favorite among pet owners.
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Scottish Fold Cat Purchase Price
If you are planning to own a Scottish Fold Cat, it will not hurt to check if there are more affordable options first. You can look into the network of adoption and rescue centers in your area. Who knows? They might have folds looking for a new home!
If there’s none, you may find cats through a number of breeders. There are many respectable catteries in the country and you just have to choose which one suits your preference.
If you are leaning toward this direction, registration, health guarantee, vet examination, and travel crate are usually included in the purchase.
Due to the rarity of the folded breed and considering that not all are born with folded ears, Scottish Fold price is at an average of $500 – $1,650.
Adoption is still the cheapest option. It will only set you back $100 maximum. If you are lucky, you might get it for free!
You may also check breeders for retired show cats that are available for adoption. You have to bear in mind that these are usually not for free but rather at a lesser cost.
Be sure to ask breeders about adoption cost and shipping fees.
- Shipping and Transport Costs
Shipping and delivery would depend on the breeder’s location and destination, of course.
Cost of shipping a Scottish fold cat would cost around $100.00 – $480.00 within the United States. Most breeders are able to ship worldwide but fees would definitely cost more.
- Carry Case Cost
Depending on the size of your Scottish fold cat, carriers would usually range from $55 (small) to $68 (large) and are available as an add-on purchase from catteries. If you have your own carrier and do not want to spend on a new one, you may ship it to the breeder’s address at $10.
Scottish Fold Maintenance Cost
- Food Costs
When it comes to maintaining a Scottish Fold Cat, a big chunk of the money should be spent on two things and food being one of those. After all, this is a basic need and this is where your cat would get all the nutrients and energy it requires.
If your budget would allow it, choose the best quality cat food in the market. You should see to it that your Scottish Fold get high amounts of protein and low carbohydrates in its diet.
Treats should be factored in the cost as well. You know cats; they love their treats too much! One case of high-protein canned food like Purina Muse Natural Chicken Recipe Accented with Carrots costs $12.80 per case and can last for approximately 10 days as per the serving suggestion.
- Veterinarian Services Cost
The other item that you should splurge on is on vet services. When it comes to health, no expense should be spared. After all, you would only want the best to look after your fur baby.
What makes Scottish Fold Cats unique is its ears. What most people don’t actually know is that it is the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation that actually makes them predisposed to having bone and joint problems.
Having this in mind, you have to be prepared to spend money on vet check-ups and treatments especially as they get old. The average cost is at $48 for a regular annual check up at Lakeside Veterinary Hospital in Illinois.
- Grooming Cost
Most Scottish Fold cats have dense coats and they shed moderately. They would need regular grooming maintenance to keep their coats in good shape.
A cat shampoo would usually cost $7 a bottle. This would last long as your cat only needs to take a bath at least once a month or as needed.
Dental care is also as equally important especially as they grow older. Dental care kit costs around $6.00 a piece.
Their unique ears unfortunately also make them susceptible to having germs and dirt build up inside. Standard grooming services run approximately at $30.00 to $83.00 per visit depending on the size of your cat.
- Pet Sitting Cost
If you are always on the go, either for leisure or for work, you may need to set aside a budget for pet sitting or commercial boarding. This will ensure that while you are away, a trusted company or person will look after your fur baby.
This may cost you around $25 per 25 minutes dog walks during the day or $80 per night for a sleepover pet sitting.
- Litter and Toys Cost
A litter may set you back $20 per month and if you are fond of buying toys that can be another $30 – $50 per year. Who can put a price tag on your cat’s happiness, right?
- Pet Insurance
To help you prepare for unforeseen medical issues or accidents, pet insurance is a good investment. Insurance plans starts at $10 per month.
Factors Affecting Price
- Price would vary depending on the type of Scottish Fold cat, straight Ears or folded Ears. Folded Ears would cost more than the straight ones but both are as equally important in breeding. You cannot breed two cats with folded ears for health risks issues.
- The quality of kitten, how closely the ears are folded and laid down on the head.
- The reputation of the breeder. The more reputable the breeder, the higher the price.
- Age of the cat.
- Some breeders would offer a warranty as part of the package.
- Inclusion in the package like vaccinations and health certificate.
Tips for Buying a Scottish Fold Cat
Owning a pet is a big responsibility and deciding on what kind of cat you purchase is an important decision. If you have thought about owning a Scottish fold cat, there are several things you have to consider on top of its owl-like appearance and sweet temperament.
Here are some things that you have to know before buying a Scottish fold cat:
- Ensure that your kitten is ready to be shipped. Most breeders would only deliver kittens once they are ready to be separated from their mothers but it won’t hurt to verify.
- A health guarantee and a contract would go a long way. It can be beneficial for both you and the breeder. The breeder would want to be notified if your kitten gets sick. This would raise a red flag on future sales.
- Do a background check on your breeder. If possible, it is best to see for yourself the conditions where the cats are living in. The area should be spacious enough with plenty of space for the kittens to run around. Also check, if the kitties are used to having people around them. If they tend to run away, it might mean that they still need more time for weaning.
- Check if your potential breeder is a member of the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA).
- Having a Scottish Fold Cat has its downside. This kind of breed is susceptible to certain health issues like polycystic kidney disease and cardiomyopathy. This should not discourage you from having one but talk to your breeder regarding the health status and history of their cats.
- When inspecting a Scottish Fold cat, check for flexibility of the tail, feet, and legs. There should be no sign of thickness, splayed toes or coarse legs. Run your hand gently down the tail. When doing this, please be extra gentle. You do not want to hurt the cat, do you? This should be done prior to the purchase of any Fold since they are also susceptible to severe osteochondrodysplasia.
