Scottish Fold Cat Prices in 2024: Purchase Cost, Vet Bills, and Other Costs

Thanks to their round, expressive faces and curled ears, Scottish fold cats bring affection, coziness, and purr-sonality to every home they enter. These cats are favorites of homes with kids, since their relatively even temperament means they’re unbothered by most things. Also, they love their humans, frequently following them around the house simply to be nearby. Let’s look at the prices associated with owning a Scottish fold cat in 2024.

How Much Does a Scottish Fold Kitten Cost?

When looking for a Scottish fold kitten, make sure to do your homework. Find a reputable breeder who keeps the cats’ health in mind. Ask to see the kitten’s parents’ medical records, if you can, to ensure the fold parent isn’t experiencing significant health issues. Depending on where you find your Scottish fold, kitten prices range from about $500 at shelters to upwards of $3,000 at reputable breeders. Older Scottish folds tend to be less expensive, though conversely they are more expensive to insure.

Other Factors that Influence the Purchase Price of a Scottish Fold

Ethics

Scottish fold cats are one of the rarest breeds of cats due to genetics and ethical considerations. The gene for folded ears is dominant, but comes with so many other detrimental health effects that it’s seen as cruel to breed two cats with “Scottish fold disease” and risk the complications compounding. Because of this, Scottish fold kittens come from one Scottish fold parent and one parent without the folded ear gene. 

However, this also impacts the lineage of the resulting kittens. The genetics of each parent lead to an approximate 50% chance that each kitten will inherit the folded ear gene. Also, did you know that all Scottish fold kittens are born with straight ears? Breeders must wait about two months before knowing if they have Scottish folds or Scottish straights. This gamble of genetics often raises the price of kittens.

Location

Scottish folds can be lazy little critters, content to stay cozy inside. Because of this, they make ideal options for indoor-only pets. Those in busy metropolitan areas or in small apartments may prefer a couch potato cat over one with lots of energy. Scottish fold seekers can expect prices to go up in these locations, as well as places with high cost of living or higher demand for the breed.

Popularity

Thanks to celebrities like Taylor Swift, who owns two folds and travels with them, Scottish fold cats have become increasingly popular with fans. Prices of Scottish fold cats skyrocketed when the billionaire adopted her first in 2011, adjusting for a huge influx of demand. This popularity also led to an increase in the number of breeders offering the cats. 

Color and Markings

Scottish folds come in many different colors and markings, as well as both long- and short-haired coats. As with many cat breeds, certain colorations are more desirable and therefore more expensive. However, all-white Scottish folds are often born deaf due to congenital conditions.

Cost of Vaccination and Other Medical Expenses for Scottish Folds

If you’re purchasing your Scottish fold from a reputable breeder or you found one in a shelter, the cost of its initial health expenses should be included. This often includes three necessary or highly recommended vaccines, each priced between $25 and $50. Many counties throughout the U.S. offer low-cost vaccination programs to help keep pet populations healthy. Regardless of where you take your new kitten, keeping up on their vaccinations and overall health is an important step to pet ownership.

Yearly Check-Ups

Like us, our pets need regular care to stay healthy. Sometimes, it’s hard to notice a gradual change in your pet you see every day. A yearly visit to the vet can help catch areas of concern or help monitor ongoing ailments, as well as stay current on all vaccinations.

For Scottish folds, a yearly visit that focuses on mobility and joint health is especially important. The gene that causes their folded ears — known as osteochondrodysplasia — also affects the cartilage in other parts of the cat’s body, leading to early instances of arthritis. Scottish fold disease can also impact the cat’s spinal and bone development, resulting in painful, stunted movement. Your vet can recommend suitable supplements or diets that offer the extra vitamins necessary for increased joint health throughout your cat’s life. Other conditions common in Scottish folds that will require consistent vet monitoring include:

• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic condition that results in the development of cysts in the cat’s kidneys and can lead to irreversible damage if not identified early. At-home DNA tests can identify PKD before symptoms develop.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is common in most cats and decreases the heart’s ability to pump blood. HCM is a hereditary gene mutation and can be identified with at-home DNA tests.
• Brachycephaly, also known as “shortened snout,” is a sought-after trait in many breeds despite its negative impact on the cat’s health. Brachycephaly can lead to breathing problems, dental issues, and eye conditions.

Spay/Neuter Surgery

Vets and experts have a variety of opinions on when is best to “fix” your cat and prevent them from breeding. Your vet can recommend the appropriate timing for your cat’s procedure. The spay/neuter surgery generally costs between $100 and $300. This depends greatly on where you take your cat — different vets have different pricing, and many communities have low-cost programs that offer spay and neuter procedures for far less, designed to keep feral colonies under control. They also offer these services to household pets, though they may have limited availability.

Cost of Food and Supplies for a Scottish Fold

Like all cats, Scottish fold cats need the standard array of supplies: toys, carriers, beds, scratching posts, litter boxes, and bowls for food and water. Each of these items comes with its own price range, from the most basic option to higher quality or high-tech options. The overall cost will depend on your personal budget and whether you decide to splurge.

Food options include a similar range. All dry food, all wet, or a mixture of both are all viable options. For a complete and balanced diet, expect to spend between $20 and $40 per month on basic food and treats. As your cat ages, develops allergies, or becomes a picky eater, that range will increase. Scottish fold cats benefit from food or supplements that promote joint health, which may raise prices. In addition, as your Scottish fold ages, they may need mobility assistance like ramps, small steps, or ergonomic dishes that ease any arthritis they may be experiencing.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Scottish Fold

Due to their numerous health conditions that stem from their folded ear gene, Scottish fold cats can be expensive to insure. However, that’s also precisely the reason you’ll want insurance as your Scottish fold gets older! Pet insurance can help counteract the costs of increased vet visits, mobility assists, and more. The cost of insurance greatly depends on where you live and the age of your kitty. Similar to human health insurance, not all providers accept those with pre-existing conditions, so getting your Scottish fold insured young is important.