British Shorthair Prices in 2024: Purchase Cost, Vet Bills, and Other Costs

One of the earliest cat breeds still in existence is the British Shorthair, which is said to have originated in Britain with the Romans. This breed is beloved thanks to their incredibly soft, velvety coats, adorable faces, and rotund bodies.

British Shorthairs have one of the best temperaments of any breed. They’re intelligent without feeling the need to brag. British Shorthair cats are friendly without being too clingy. They also love to play without being annoying. 

If you’re thinking of bringing one of these feline friends into your home, here’s everything you need to know about the cost. 

How Much Does a British Shorthair Kitten Cost?

There are a few different ways you can acquire a British Shorthair cat. You could be lucky and find one for free. There are also the options of adopting and buying. Here’s what you can expect to pay for each.

Adopting from a Shelter

The average cost to adopt this breed from a shelter, human society, or online group ranges from $50 and $400. This cost often covers immunizations, a microchip, and spaying or neutering.

Some places offer a free vet visit within two weeks of adoption as well. Remember that it could be harder to discover purebred British Shorthairs in shelters, but you might find cats of different breeds with similar traits.

Buying from a Breeder

There’s no denying that buying a British Shorthair will cost you a pretty penny. In fact, if you buy from a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay anywhere from $700 to over $3,000! The cost may change according to the pedigree, hair color, and the city you’ll be buying in. 

Make sure to conduct plenty of research and select a trustworthy breeder who places the health and welfare of their cats as the primary priority. Some people go to the breeder if they want to ensure they’re getting a purebred pet. 

If being purebred isn’t of any importance to you, we suggest adoption. It can help existing cats that need homes and can aid in preventing unnecessary feline fatalities. 

Other Factors That Influence the Purchase Price of a British Shorthair

The British Shorthair pricing is high, and this is due to factors more than only its unique qualities. Knowing how the price they fetch is determined will help you avoid being conned and persuaded by unqualified breeders who sell kittens at exorbitant prices.

Here are some of the factors that play a role:

Breeder’s Reputation

The price of kittens is often higher for widely recognized and well-recognized breeders than for newcomers to the industry. They’ve taken several years to refine their specific breeding procedure, so they can definitely give potential pet owners the best of the best British Shorthair kittens. 

Unlike the majority of unregistered breeders, their track record advocates for the price they charge.  

Lineage

A British Shorthair cat with a top-tier lineage undoubtedly has the best personality, physical characteristics, and overall health. Given that kittens bred for companionship follow the breed standard, if you’re looking for one with championship lineage, you’ll need deeper pockets.

Age

British Shorthair kittens will almost always be more expensive than a mature cat of the same breed. In addition to the reality that kittens are far easier to teach, the majority of people enjoy seeing their furry friends grow up with their family.  Because certain breeders profit from this, their feline litter is more expensive.

Genetic Tests and Health Checkups

Established breeders will stretch their financial resources to guarantee the overall health of the British Shorthairs in order to maintain good breeding quality. As a result, breeders have to pay for trips to the vet, vaccines, and costly diagnostics for several common conditions.

Registration

Proper breeders list their British Shorthairs on cat registries like the International Cat Association. Due to the fact that the expense of registering is frequently included in the total cost of the feline, this makes British Shorthair cats pricey.

Cost of Vaccination and Other Medical Expenses for British Shorthair Cats

Regular Vet Visits

Regular vet visits, vaccines, and flea and tick treatment are all part of a British Shorthair cat’s regular health care expenses. Remember that those costs can change based on your region and the particular requirements of your cat. 

Some vet offices will charge a base fee of around $30, while others start around $80.

Vaccinations

Your final bill for vaccinations will vary depending on the age of the feline and where you reside. In broad terms, kittens require more immunizations than adult cats; your veterinarian will go through their vaccination plan with you and determine what shots are required.

For example, a core vaccine for rabies can cost about $30. Non-core vaccines such as one for Feline Leukemia can cost upwards of $45. We can’t give an exact number due to all the factors at play, the main being location. 

Dental Cleaning

Cats should have regular dental cleanings just like people do to prevent dental problems and preserve good oral health. Without proper dental care, your cat runs the danger of getting a dental condition that can be painful, uncomfortable, lead to malnutrition, and even be fatal if neglected.

The normal cost range for a feline dental cleaning is $100 to $400. During the process, your veterinarian can advise teeth extractions, which typically cost $50 each. The cost of anesthetic and prescription drugs can all add to the overall expense of a feline dental appointment.

Grooming

We consider grooming to be a medical and healthcare need for our cat friends because it can be essential to their well-being. For example, if a cat’s nails go too long without a trim, the long nails can cause the animal, you, and your home, harm. 

Your vet can easily trim their nails within a few minutes and it’s often less than $20. Some pet parents are too nervous to do this themselves and will simply bring their cat in twice a month for a little kitty manicure. 

British Shorthairs need routine brushing to avoid matting and shedding because of their dense coat. Getting a high-quality brush will allow you to do this from the comfort of your own home. 

If you don’t have the time, there are many groomers that will make your cat’s coat clean, healthy, and tangle-free! 

Cost of Food and Supplies for British Shorthair Cats 

Here are a few other ongoing costs you’ll want to be aware of and budget for when bringing home a new cat.

Food

The typical amount of cat food needed by a British Shorthair kitten will cost you between $30 and $60 per month. Cats adore wet food. It’s said that the smellier the food is to the pet owner, the tastier it is for our feline friends! 

This breed can eat both wet and dry food. It’s best to steer clear of the extremely cheap options on the shelves, as they often have fillers that aren’t beneficial to your cat’s health. If you have the time, consider making your cat food from scratch! 

This way you know exactly what goes in it and it can likely save you money in the long run. 

Toys

Similar to cats of other breeds, British Shorthair kittens enjoy batting at toy balls, chasing lasers, and ripping apart catnip toys. Even adult cats favor engaging in physical recreation with people. 

For a British Shorthair cat, you can buy a variety of toys at once and combine them together to create a fantastic entertainment environment. A cat will let you know if it’s bored by incessant meowing or making obvious attempts for your attention. 

Litter Box Supplies

A litter box can cost you anywhere from a few bucks to $700. The more expensive options are self-cleaning, which can be a great choice for those with a busy life. Who can blame you for not wanting to scoop cat litter every day?

A scooper will cost less than $10 and a container of cat litter is anywhere from $10 to $40. The brand, whether it clumps, the material it’s made from, and the amount of litter play a role in the cost. 

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a British Shorthair?

It is advised to purchase a pet insurance policy to prevent unforeseen costs associated with various feline health issues. There’s no telling if a regular trip to the vet will turn out to be a trip into your savings account as well.

There are a myriad of pet insurance companies available that have plans for British Shorthair cats. The monthly payment ranges from $20 to $70, depending on the plan you have. In the event of some health difficulties, it will cover unforeseen expenses.

For instance, the insurance assists cat owners in avoiding high surgical expenditures when a heart condition or other major issues with the feline’s internal organs arise. Most pet insurance policies require you to pay first before they’ll “cover” the amount by refunding you.

Author’s Note: I have pet insurance for two cats and it quickly became useful. My plan, which includes both cats, is less than $30 per month. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Nils Jacobi