If you love cats then you must have heard about the Scottish Fold whose unique folded ears are its biggest feature. If you are planning to bring this majestic feline home then you must know about the Scottish Fold price, care, and personality. If you go to buy one with a general idea of the price, you will be able to buy one that is healthy and active.
Relax! I will give you all the information related to Scottish Fold price and their maintenance through this article which I have collected over the years of spending time with them and researching their behavior.
How much does a Scottish fold cat cost
Several factors influence the cost of a Scottish Fold cat. Which depends on their age, quality, and place where you are buying the Scottish Fold. Every place and breeder has its own price. Still, we can get a general idea of what your budget should be so that you can estimate whether this wonderful cat breed is right for you or not.
Scottish fold price can be around $500 to $1000 and can vary depending on various factors. Many pet shops offer Scottish fold cat for sale but they add some percentage of commission to the price and thus you will get it at a higher price. So try to get it from a Scottish fold cat breeder with a good reputation.
These are the prices according to their quality:
- Pet quality: $500 to $900
This quality of Scottish fold cat is not eligible to participate in shows but still it is very sweet and makes a great companion and is a perfect choice to keep in families. - Show quality: $1500 to $2000+
This type of Scottish fold kitten is bred for competitions and cat shows. Breeders breed champion bluelines to produce show-quality Scottish fold kittens whose diet, exercise, and quality are given special attention so that they can perform well in competitions.
Show-quality kittens are often bought for investment purposes. I have no personal opinion about this. You can give your opinion in the comment box whether this type of breeding is right or not.
Monthly Ongoing Expenses and Care Costs
Along with the initial purchase expenses, you also have to spend some money every month to keep them healthy and maintain their beauty, which you need to keep in mind before planning to bring them home.
Cat Food
The nutritional needs of cats vary according to their age. Scottish fold kittens should be fed specific kitten food with the required nutrients as per their growing age. Adult cat food may cause difficulty in chewing and digesting by the kitten. Essential amino acids like taurine should be present in their food to keep their smooth coat healthy. A high-quality cat food can cost around $20 to $50 per month.
| Nutritional Requirement | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Protien | 5-6 Gram / Per Kg |
| Fat | 10-20 percent of daily diet |
| Carbohydrates | Less than 3% |
Cat Litter
Taking cats for walks like dogs can be difficult and risky. High-quality litter will help cats toilet indoors without any odor. The size of the litter box should be slightly larger than the size of the cat so that they can get into it easily and have space to dig. You will need to replace the litter regularly to maintain its freshness. A good quality cat litter can cost anywhere from $15 to $25 per month.
Veterinary Expenses
Scottish fold cats can have a number of health issues like osteochondrodysplasia (a condition affecting cartilage and bone development). To monitor these, you will need to take your cat to the vet regularly. This can cost around $200 to $300 annually. This can be even more in cases of disease treatment.
After acquiring a healthy kitten, taking care of its diet, vaccination and deworming can prevent the cat from many health problems.
Grooming and Entertainment
The Scottish fold’s coat has minimal grooming requirements, but their folded ears need to be looked after. Professional grooming can cost anywhere from $20 to $40. Or you can have grooming tools brought to your home for $40 to $100 one time.
| Grooming Needs | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Bathing | One week or when it gets too dirty |
| Brushing | 3-4 Times a week |
| Ears Cleaning | At least Twice a week |
| Teeth Cleaning | Daily with the Vet recommended paste |
Scottish cats are social and playful, and entertaining them can cost anywhere from $100 to $200 on interactive toys, scratching pads, tree towers, and puzzle feeders. Keeping them engaged helps keep them physically and mentally fit.
Scottish Fold Cat Personality and Characteristics
The Scottish fold cat’s round face and forward-pointing ears are unique features that make them look very attractive and cute. I think they are one of the cutest cats in the world.
Characteristics
Their ears are tilted forward and almost attached to the head, giving their faces a rounded look that is a result of their genetic mutations. Not all Scottish fold cats have folded ears, but most are known for this rare feature. Their large round eyes are adorable.
All Scottish fold cats carry the osteochondrodysplasia gene from birth, with symptoms starting around 4 to 6 months of age when the cat experiences pain and discomfort as it affects the cartilage. It also affects the cartilage present in the body due to which their life expectancy also decreases.
Scottish fold lifespan
The Scottish fold lifespan is slightly shorter than other domestic cat breeds. A healthy Scottish fold lifespan can be approximately 10 to 12 years which is shorter than elegant cat breeds such as the Ragdoll and Siamese.
Medical conditions such as osteochondrodysplasia (folded ears) do not mean they live as long.
A cat with Scottish straight ears may live slightly longer than a Scottish fold. However, they are rarer as 80% of Scottish cats have folded ears.
Are Scottish Folds illegal to breed?
All Scottish fold cats carry the osteochondrodysplasia gene from birth, with symptoms starting around 4 to 6 months of age when the cat experiences pain and discomfort as it affects the cartilage. It also affects the cartilage present in the body due to which their life expectancy also decreases.
Due to this medical mutation, the breeding of Scottish Fold is banned in many countries. Even owning them is prohibited in many countries. Recently Norway has banned their breeding and owning till 2023, whether it is Scottish Fold or female. However, the Scottish Fold is a very popular cat breed in big countries like the USA and Japan.
Well-known cat registries like GCCC (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy) and FIFE have also refused to recognize it and have not given permission to participate in any competitions. These are some of the places where owning them is strictly Banned.
Scottish fold ban in countries list.
| Country | Year |
|---|---|
| Scotland | 1971 |
| Australia (Victoria) | 1981 |
| Netherlands | 2014 |
| Austria | 2020 |
| Belgium (Flanders) | 2021 |
| Norway | 2023 |
Conclusion
If this beautiful cat breed is banned in your country, then don’t worry, you can get a cat breed that looks similar to Scottish Fold. If you want to know Scottish Fold vs British Shorthair, you will find many similarities in their looks and personality.
Scottish Fold cat is just like a cute doll and also a great companion who is very calm and gentle. If you belong to a place where they are not banned then you are very lucky. You have the opportunity to spend some golden years of your life with this majestic feline.
I am Saral Kumar, a passionate blogger who dedicates my time to providing valuable information on pet care, especially cats. I create content that helps cat owners to understand their furry friends better and take care of them. I have spent the last decade trying to understand cats better. So I am sharing my valuable insights and tips with my fellow cat enthusiasts through writing.