How Much Does an Exotic Shorthair Cost? (2024 Price Guide)

Exotic Shorthair price and expenses how much does an Exotic Shorthair cost

If you’re thinking about getting an Exotic Shorthair, you may be wondering how much it costs. Given the popularity and the lovable characteristic of the Exotic Shorthair, expect a hefty price tag for this cat breed.

Along with the actual price of the breed, there are also upkeep costs and unexpected expenses that need to be considered in the overall financial planning as you own this cat.

This article will discuss everything you need to know about the price of an Exotic Shorthair, including factors that can affect its price and the costs of maintaining one. Let’s begin!

The Average Cost of an Exotic Shorthair Kitten

Average cost of Exotic Shorthair kitten

The average cost of an Exotic Shorthair kitten is between $800 and $2,200. However, Exotic Shorthairs coming from champion pedigrees can go as high as $5,000. Aside from popularity, the other factors that affect the price of this cat include age, gender, location, and the breeder’s reputation.

The appearance and quality of the Exotic Shorthair are also contributors to the differences in its price range. This breed has a wide variety of coat colors, markings, and eye colors.

Expect that rare coat colors and markings and the ones in demand to have steeper price tags than the common ones. For example, a blue-eyed white Exotic Shorthair would usually be more expensive.

Further, kittens with rare coat colors like blue or lilac can also be pricier.

Meanwhile, here’s a video of adorable Exotic Shorthair kittens at three weeks old:

Exotic Shorthair Kittens Waving Hello at 3 Weeks Old

Factors Affecting the Cost of an Exotic Shorthair Kitten

The cost of an Exotic Shorthair can vary depending on several factors, including the reputation of the breeder, pedigree, age, appearance, and location.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors affecting Exotic Shorthair pricing:

  • Breeder’s Reputation: Reputable breeders usually put higher price tags on their kittens, and rightly so. They breed to the standards and guidelines set by the feline organization where they are registered. Their kittens are also assured to be healthy and come with health guarantees.
  • Pedigree: The pedigree of an Exotic Shorthair dictates its price. Cats with champion pedigrees are often priced considerably higher due to the superiority of their bloodlines.
  • Location: If the breeder of the Exotic Shorthair you want lives far, then expect a higher travel or shipping cost. On the other hand, if the breeder lives near your area, picking the cat up yourself will save you money.
  • Age: One of the most significant factors affecting the price of an Exotic Shorthair is its age. Kittens that are younger and more attractive will typically cost more than older cats. However, if the older cat has show-quality potential, expect a higher price tag.
  • Appearance: As mentioned, the overall quality, including the coat color, eye color, and markings of an Exotic Shorthair, affects its price. Exotic Shorthairs with rare colors or markings usually cost more than commonly produced ones.

Knowing these factors will help you better understand the reason behind the hefty prices of Exotic Shorthairs. It is also best to always do your research and find a reputable breeder to discuss these aspects with you.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt an Exotic Shorthair From a Rescue?

If you’re considering adopting an Exotic Shorthair from a rescue organization, you can expect the cost to be anywhere from $50 to $300. Adoption fees may vary widely depending on the rescue or shelter you choose. 

As cats are rescued, they are given adequate veterinary care, vaccinated, or spayed and neutered, as needed. The adoption fees often cover the cost of these necessary procedures as they release a cat or kitten up for adoption.

Other factors that may affect adoption fees are gender, age, location, and health status of the cat.

Initial Cost of Exotic Shorthair Ownership

Exotic Shorthair initial costs

Aside from the kitten cost, you also need to set aside a budget for the initial needs of your Exotic Shorthair before you take it home. These expenses are necessary to keep your cat’s transition to its new home seamless and comfy.

Here is a list of the initial costs you’ll need to consider when becoming an Exotic Shorthair owner:

  • Food and Treats: As with any cat breed, providing high-quality and nutritious food and treats is a must to keep your Exotic Shorthair healthy. This recurring cost would be about $20 to $50.
  • Food and Water Bowls: A high-quality set of food and water bowls is around $10 to $25. It is best to buy stainless-steel bowls that are sturdy enough to last the pet’s lifetime.
  • Litter Box: A cat litter box may hold you back by $20 to $160, depending on the quality. A litter box may have different types, but getting one that your pet would find comfortable is recommended so it would be encouraged to use it.
  • Litter Sand: Litter sand is necessary for every cat owner’s home to prevent the foul odor of feces and pee from spreading. A bag of litter sand usually costs between $15 and $25.
  • Collar and ID Tag: When getting a new pet, it is important to invest in a collar and ID tag to keep your pet safe if it ever gets lost. This will only cost you around $5 to $20.
  • Cat Bed: A soft and cozy bed for your Exotic Shorthair should help keep it comfortable and relieve it of its stress. The price of a good-quality cat bed would be between $15 and $30.
  • Cat Carrier: If you travel a lot and have plans to carry your Exotic Shorthair with you, purchasing a sturdy cat carrier should hold you back by around $20 to $60.
  • Toys and Scratching Posts: The Exotic Shorthair is an intelligent cat breed and loves mental stimulation activities. Hence, buying them toys and a scratching post should keep them busy. A budget of $15 to $70 should be good for these items.
  • Grooming Essentials: Grooming an Exotic Shorthair is easy due to its short, low-shedding coat. To maintain this, you need to purchase a good quality brush and shampoo, as well as other grooming supplies like a nail trimmer and ear cleaner. These can cost around $25 to $35.
  • Initial Vet Visits: You’ll need to take your kitten to the vet for a few visits that include physical exams, vaccinations, and other tests. The cost of these appointments will vary depending on the vet, but you can expect to pay around $100 to $250.
  • Initial Vaccine Shots: Having your kitten up-to-date on its vaccines should save you a lot of money in the long run as it becomes protected from more critical illnesses. The cost of these shots will vary but expect to pay around $100 to $200.
  • Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medications: All cats, including Exotic Shorthairs, need to receive anti-parasitic prevention to help avoid diseases brought about by fleas, ticks, and worms. These medications can cost anywhere from $50 to $200.
  • Spaying or Neutering: Neutering and spaying cats have a lot of advantages on top of removing the risk of an accidental litter. It also provides a lot of health and behavioral benefits but may hold you back by $200 to $500.
  • Microchip: You will need to spend $40 to $60 to get your Exotic Shorthair a microchip implant, which will be useful for its identification. Microchipping should increase the chances of your feline friend being found if it gets lost.
  • Miscellaneous Supplies: You will need miscellaneous supplies to maintain the hygiene of your cat. This includes a litter scoop, litter mat, and waste bags. These items may cost around $15 to $30.

Below is a summary of the initial costs for an Exotic Shorthair:

Type of ExpenseCost
Food and Treats$20 – $50
Food and Water Bowls$10 – $25
Litter Box$20 – $160
Litter Sand$15 – $25
Collar and ID Tag$5 – $20
Cat Bed$15 – $30
Cat Carrier$20 – $60
Toys and Scratching Post$15 – $70
Grooming Essentials$25 – $35
Initial Vet Visits$100 – $250
Initial Vaccine Shots$25 – $50
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medications$30 – $100
Neutering or Spaying$200 – $500
Microchip$40 – $60
Miscellaneous Supplies$15 – $30
Total Initial Cost$555 – $1,465

When budgeting for your new kitten, be sure to factor in all of the listed costs and have them ready before you take your kitten home.

Annual Cost of Owning an Exotic Shorthair 

Exotic Shorthair yearly and monthly costs

In addition to the initial cost of ownership, you’ll also need to factor in the annual cost of owning an Exotic Shorthair. These recurring needs are important to maintaining the health and well-being of your cat.

Here is a summary of the yearly expenses of owning an Exotic Shorthair:

Type of ExpenseYearly Estimate
Food and Treats$200 – $500
Food and Water Bowls$10 – $25
Litter Box$20 – $160
Litter Sand$200 – $250
Cat Bed$20 – $30
Cat Carrier$20 – $60
Toys and Scratching Post$100 – $250
Grooming Essentials$100 – $200
Routine Veterinary Care$100 – $200
Vaccinations$50 – $130
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medications$60 – $150
Pet Insurance$360 – $600
Miscellaneous Supplies$30 – $50
Yearly Total$1,270 – $2,605
Average Monthly Cost$106 – $217

If you look at the annual budget needed to maintain an Exotic Shorthair, it may seem expensive, but if you break it down into monthly costs, you will realize that it is indeed manageable.

Many of these costs mentioned above are one-time expenses, such as the food and water bowl, litter box, collar, bed, carrier, and toys.

Ensure to invest in high-quality essentials made of durable materials to last their lifetime. This should save you from repurchasing these items every time they break.

Further, getting pet insurance is essential to offset the very high cost of unexpected medical bills and emergency treatments. This can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Other Potential Expenses

As you take care of your Exotic Shorthair, there will be potential expenses you may not expect. In addition to the initial and annual costs of owning an Exotic Shorthair, below is a list of other potential expenses:

  • Medical Emergencies: Medical emergencies may happen anytime, so it is always best to save up an emergency fund for your Exotic Shorthair. Prepare a budget of $500 to $1,000 for emergencies, especially if you don’t have pet insurance.
  • Cat Daycare: In the instance you need to be out on a long trip, considering cat daycare is a viable option for you. Set aside around $20 to $30 daily if you decide to leave your pet in one.
  • Cat Sitter: Hiring a pet sitter is like getting your cat a nanny. They are your cat’s personal assistant and will be happy to give them food, bathe them, and keep them entertained while you are out. This service usually costs around $15 to $30 a day.
  • Accessories: Exotic Shortcats are beautiful cats, and owners tend to accessorize and take pictures of them. Cute cat accessories, such as cat shirts, ties, and other items, may cost anywhere between $10 and $150.
  • Training: If you ever need a trainer to address an unwanted behavior in your Exotic Shorthair, a complete session may hold you back by around $50 to $500, depending on the type of training needed.

Setting aside a budget for these potential situations should help you address them more effectively as you encounter them. Preparation is always the key to smarter spending for your pet.

Places to Find Exotic Shorthair Kittens for Sale and Adoption

Two Exotic Shorthair kittens for sale and adoption

As you search for an Exotic Shorthair kitten, always remember to research well about the breeder, the price, and the overall health and quality of the kitten you like before closing your deal.

It is a good thing that Exotic Shorthairs are not as uncommon as other cat breeds, and you have a good selection of breeders to choose from.

To help you with this, below is a list of reputable breeders of Exotic Shorthair kittens:

  • NR Felines – NR Felines is a Texas-based cageless cattery. The parents of their cats are all genetically-tested, which should give you kittens that are free from congenital diseases. All their cats and kittens also receive optimal veterinary care and are given constant mental stimulation.
  • Khloe’s Kittens – This New Jersey cat breeder treats their kittens as part of their family before being rehomed. All their cat parents are fully vaccinated and health-tested, while their kittens are completely weaned off their mom, litter and scratching post-trained, and are well-socialized by the time they are released.

Meanwhile, if you decide to go for adoption, here is a list of rescue organizations where you can find an Exotic Shorthair:

  • Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue (SPCR) – Founded in 1999, this non-profit rescue organization specializes in finding quality homes for abandoned and surrendered purebred cats in the Midwest area. They only accommodate 100 cats at a time through their network of foster volunteers to make sure that the cats are given the best care possible.
  • Rescue Me! – Rescue Me! has already rehomed 231 Exotic cats since it started. Its interface features a map of how many Exotic cats are up for adoption per state, making it more convenient to locate the nearest Exotic Shorthair in your area.
  • GoKitty! – This user-friendly website matches breeders, rescuers, and owners of any cat breed, including Exotic Shorthairs. In case you are not satisfied with the current listing of Exotic Shorthairs, you can follow the breed on their site to be notified of new kittens up for adoption.

If you still haven’t found the Exotic Shorthair you want at this stage, you can increase your chances of securing one by going through our guide on getting a free kitten in your area.

Money-Saving Tips for Exotic Shorthair Owners

If you are stressing out about the expenses of owning an Exotic Shorthair, don’t fret. There are a lot of ways to stay economical without sacrificing the quality of life you are providing your pet.

Here are some things you can do to save money should you decide to get an Exotic Shorthair:

  • Purchase in bulk. Most pet stores offer discounts and freebies for purchasing cat food and litter sand in bulk, saving you a lot of money in the long run. You even save on transportation or delivery costs by doing this.
  • Groom your Exotic Shorthair at home. Exotic Shorthairs have short and non-shedding coats that are particularly easy to groom. Familiarize yourself with instructions online on how to groom your cat at home to save on professional grooming costs.
  • Invest in pet insurance. Pet insurance is an excellent investment to cover the very high cost of medical emergencies and procedures. Select the most suitable pet insurance for your Exotic Shorthair, and you will be worry-free in the future.
  • Make homemade cat food. So long as you are aware of the proper diet for your Exotic Shorthair and have consulted your vet about what food to give and avoid, making homemade cat food is not just cost-efficient but also very healthy. 
  • Make cat spaces, beds, toys, and scratching posts. Being creative in making your own fixtures for your Exotic Shorthair, especially using recycled materials, is a great way to save money while providing your cat the mental stimulation it needs.

By following these tips, you have more budget to set aside for your cat for emergency purposes.

There are definitely more ways out there to save on costs while enjoying having an Exotic Shorthair at home; all you need to do is discover those! 

Final Thoughts

If you have the time and money to care for an Exotic Shorthair, you won’t be disappointed. They make wonderful pets and will make your life interesting with their fun-loving and affectionate behavior.

While they are not the cheapest breed of cat to own, they are certainly worth the investment. Just be sure to thoroughly research the costs involved in getting one and only work with reputable breeders and rescues.

Do you think you are financially ready to shoulder the Exotic Shorthair cost and the expenses associated with owning one? Let us know in the comments below!

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