The Scottish Fold is a unique looking cat with a natural genetic mutation that affects the cartilage in its body. This mutation causes the ears to bend forward and down, making these felines look a lot like an owl, especially if they have the bright orange eyes often seen in this breed. If you are thinking about getting one of these cats but are still on the fence, keep reading while we look at the cost of the cat, along with the associated ongoing expenses to help you make an informed decision.
Bringing Home a New Scottish Fold: One-Time Costs
Some of the costs you may be concerned with when considering owning a cat are one-time costs, so it’s a little easier to prepare and save up the money you need before making your purchase. The kitten is an example of a one-time purchase, but there are others. Most experts agree that it’s better to get your cat spayed or neutered, and if you got yours from a breeder, there is a good chance it’s part of your contract. Having your cat fixed will help reduce the stray population, and cats are much easier to keep in your home when they don’t have a heat cycle.
You will need to purchase at least one litter box, and though they do occasionally break or begin to smell bad, it will last a long time. Other one-time costs include a collar, leash, cat carrier, cat bed, food bowl, and a water bowl or fountain. We prefer a fountain because it can be difficult to get cats to stay hydrated, and the running water of a fountain will help lure curious cats.
Free
Since the Scottish Fold is a somewhat rare purebred cat, it’s unlikely that you will find someone giving away free kittens. However, treats and toys make great gifts, so you are sure to receive extra during the holidays that can help you cut costs.
Adoption
$35–$200
Although the chances are not great for finding a Scottish Fold kitten in your local shelter, we highly recommend that you check anyway. Adoption is a great way to cut costs, especially if this is your first cat and you don’t already have supplies. Plus, adopted cats often already have their shots, and some might even be spayed or neutered, saving you hundreds of dollars. However, the best reason to adopt is that you are likely saving the cat’s life and freeing up resources to help other animals in need.
Breeder
$250–$500
A Scottish Fold typically costs $250–$500, but they come in several sizes and colors, so they can cost even more depending on what you’re looking for. If you want to breed your cat for profit, you will need to purchase breeding rights, and if you want to enter your pet into a cat show, show quality cats often cost more.
The advantage of using a breeder is that you can often meet the parents to get a better idea of what your cat will look like and what its temperament will be like. High-quality breeders will create a healthier cat and can let you know about any potential health problems your Scottish Fold might face in the future.
Initial Setup and Supplies
$50–$200
If you already own a cat or are looking to replace one that’s moved on, you will have very little initial setup costs. However, if this is your first cat, you will need to purchase everything you need before bringing home your Scottish Fold. Fortunately, all you need is a litter box, litter, and some cat food to get started.
Once you are more comfortable, most experts recommend one litter box for each cat plus one. You will also need a wide but shallow food bowl that doesn’t bump your cat’s whiskers while it eats. A water bowl is fine, but a fountain is better. We recommend a dry kibble for food and a fragrance-free litter, especially if you use a covered litter box. A bed is optional, and your cat might not even use it, and you will acquire toys over time, so there is no need to spend too much upfront.
List of Scottish Fold Care Supplies and Costs
ID Tag and Collar | $5–$19 |
Spay/Neuter | $50–$100 |
X-Ray Cost | $100–$250 |
Ultrasound Cost | $25–$85 |
Microchip | $5–$30 |
Teeth Cleaning | $200–$600 |
Bed/Tank/Cage | $15–$70 |
Nail Clipper (optional) | $5–$20 |
Brush (optional) | $5–$30 |
Litter Box | $10–$35 |
Litter Scoop | $5–$30 |
Toys | $5–$30 |
Carrier | $10–$200 |
Food and Water Bowls | $10–$50 |
How Much Does a Scottish Fold Cost Per Month?
$40–$150 per month
You should expect to spend $40–$150 per month on your Scottish Fold cat by the time you purchase food, litter, and flea and tick medication. Many people with indoor cats avoid the medication, but if your cat spends any time on the porch or if you or other family members spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s still a good idea. Fleas and ticks can enter the house on you and move to your cat.
Health Care
$10–$50 per month
Your Scottish Fold should not have a high monthly healthcare cost. It will need plenty of shots as a kitten, but they taper off significantly as your pet gets older, with only booster shots required. Getting the cat spayed or neutered can be expensive, but it’s a one-time cost early in the cat’s life. Most cats have yearly checkups, and you may need occasional medicine for urinary tract infections, digestive problems, and ear infections, so have an emergency fund if something goes wrong.
Food
$25–$70 per month
We recommend purchasing a dry kibble for your Scottish Fold because it will help keep the teeth clean by scraping away plaque and tartar as it chews. Even high-quality brands are fairly inexpensive and allow you to feed your cat for less than $1 per day. Many people attempt to save money by purchasing cheap cat food, but these are often high in corn and other fillers, which will leave your cat hungry and looking for treats. Treats are often quite expensive and can lead to obesity and the expensive health issues that come with it.
We recommend choosing a brand with a high-quality protein like chicken, salmon, or turkey listed as the first ingredient.
Grooming
$5–$30 per month
Your Scottish Fold will not be expensive to keep groomed. The long-haired version requires more work than the short hair because you will need to brush it frequently to remove tangles and knots. The short-hair Scottish Fold will only require weekly brushing to remove loose hair. If you are not comfortable brushing your cat’s teeth, you might want to hire a professional because it’s important to keep them as clean as possible to help slow the progression of dental disease. Trimming the nails can help prevent them from scratching the furniture and rug.
Medications and Vet Visits
$10–$50 per month
As we mentioned earlier, your Scottish Fold is a healthy cat that will not need much in the way of medications and vet visits. Most owners recommend a flea and tick medication that will help prevent fleas from infesting your home and prevent Lyme disease. Many of these medications will also protect your cat from heartworm and are a good idea even if your cat stays indoors. Your cat will need multiple vet visits as a kitten, but only yearly checkups as an adult unless there is a problem.
Pet Insurance
$10–$50 per month
While most pet owners we have known do not get pet insurance, it can play a big part in your cat’s health. Scottish Folds are healthy cats, but some illnesses like cancer can strike even the toughest. There is also an ever-present risk of an accident, especially with cats who like climbing or going outside. A single broken bone can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix, and many cats like to eat things. Using a scope to retrieve a foreign object after ingestion costs more than $1,000, never mind serious illnesses like cancer.
Pet insurance can make sure your Scottish Fold gets the treatment it needs, so you have more time together.
- See also: Minskin Cat
Environment Maintenance
$30–$50 per month
Your primary environmental maintenance cost will be the litter you need to buy. There are dozens of litters you can choose from, and you’ll need to experiment to find what’s best for your cat. Some are more expensive than others, but even the best brand should keep you between $30 and $50 per month. Litter box liners can help extend the life of your litter box and can make it easier to clean. There is no need to worry about lighting, heating, or humidity with a Scottish Fold cat.
Litter box liners | $10/month |
Deodorizing spray or granules | $10/month |
Cardboard scratcher | $25/month |
Entertainment
$5–$25 per month
You can spend almost any amount of money on cat toys and treats to keep your cat happy, though you’ll usually find they enjoy the box it came in more and will usually be happiest chasing a ball of crumpled-up paper. Lots of cats love laser pens, and we recommend every cat owner get one as even overweight cats will chase it and get some exercise.
There are subscription services as well for cat owners that don’t have time to shop. These services ship you a new package every month filled with new toys, treats, and even activities. The Meowbox is a perfect example of a cat toy subscription service.
Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Scottish Fold
$80–$200 per month
The total monthly cost of owning your Scottish Fold will likely be between $80 and $200, depending on if you get insurance and how much you can resist buying new toys. Your monthly costs will likely be higher at first because there are plenty of vet visits and medical needs to tend to, plus people like to spoil their kittens. Once it’s an adult, your Scottish Fold will have plenty of toys and very few doctor visits, so it’s not too costly and you may even be able to maintain your Fold with less than our minimum estimate.
Additional Costs to Factor In
If you like to take long vacations, we recommend planning how you will take care of your cat during these times. If you intend to take the cat with you, you will need to make sure your hotels accept cats. You’ll also need to pay if you plan to bring your cat on a plane. If you leave the Scottish Fold home, you will either need to find and pay a cat sitter or house it at a kennel. All of these options can be expensive and often require plenty of notice.
Owning a Scottish Fold On a Budget
The best way to raise a Scottish Fold on a budget is to purchase high-quality cat food that will keep your cat full longer. Avoid too many treats and use natural toys like crumpled-up paper, cardboard boxes, and rope.
Saving Money on Scottish Fold Care
Maintaining your cat at its optimal weight and keeping its teeth clean are the best ways to save money on healthcare because these will be the main causes of health issues later in life. Small preventative actions early on create huge savings later.
You might also be interested in: How Much Does It Cost to Own a Toyger Cat? (2021 Price Guide)
Conclusion
The Scottish Fold makes a great pet, and it’s not too expensive to raise and shouldn’t cost you more than $80–$200 each month. If you owned cats before, you probably already have most of what you need. Still, even if you have to purchase everything new, it won’t be too expensive, especially when compared to other pets that require special cages, lighting, and humidity like a reptile, fish, or bird. You should only need a litter box, litter, and food to give your cat a good life, and we’re sure you will find ways to get plenty of toys and treats.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over our look into these unique cats and found the answers you need. If we helped you create a budget that allows you to enjoy these pets, please share our guide to the cost of owning a Scottish Fold on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit: Nadiia Rotman, Shutterstock