How Much Does a Scottish Fold Cost? (2024 Price Guide)

Scottish Fold price and expenses how much does a Scottish Fold cat cost

Scottish Fold cats can definitely charm anyone with their bright twinkling large eyes, fluffy fur, and cutely folded ears. If you also want one of these adorable kitties, you should know how much Scottish Folds cost. 

Aside from the purchase price of a Scottish Fold cat, you should be aware of the potential expenses of taking care of one. Owning one means preparing a budget for food, toys, vet visits, and more. 

In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about the Scottish Fold kitten prices and all the items and services you need to spend in maintaining your feline companion.

The Average Cost of a Scottish Fold

Scottish Fold cat cost

On average, the prices for Scottish Fold kittens range from $800 to $2,000, depending on several factors. The price could go higher for the ones with superior lineage and rare coat colors. Also, Scottish Folds with folded ears are more expensive compared to those with straight ears.

Some of the main reasons why Scottish Folds are expensive are because of their rarity and popularity. They are not the ordinary cats we usually see.

As the demand for these adorable kitties rises, their price also goes higher than the average. 

The prices of Scottish Fold kittens vary from breeder to breeder. Each Scottish Fold cattery considers specific factors in pricing their lovely kittens, which will be discussed in the next section.

Watch this video of a mother Scottish Fold with her kittens and see for yourself how these playful cats look: 

Scottish Fold mom talks with her 2 week old baby cats, feeds and cleans them | Cute kittens

Factors Affecting the Cost of a Scottish Fold

Purchasing a Scottish Fold cat is no cheap venture. Reputable breeders consider several aspects when putting the final price tag for their kittens. Before getting one, you should be aware of what goes into their price.

Here are some of the things that affect the Scottish Fold cost:

  • Breeder’s Reputation and Status: Professional Scottish Fold breeders dedicate their time and effort to enhancing and developing their lineage. They spend thousands of bucks on building breeding facilities, training, and providing health care for their clowder and kindle of kittens. Thus, their cats are priced higher than others.
  • Age: Scottish Fold kittens are more expensive than adult cats. Since cats are delicate when they are still kittens, they require more attention and care to live and grow healthy. Adult ones are easier to maintain and take care of. 
  • Color: Scottish Fold kittens with rare coats are valued at a higher price compared to those with common colors. For this cat breed, eye color is also taken into consideration. Rare eye colors include blue, orange, and bi-color ones.
  • Type of Scottish Fold’s Ears: The folded ears, which automatically bend forward, are the trademarks of the Scottish Fold cat breed. However, not all purebred Scottish Fold kittens have these distinctive ears. A kitten with a folded ear is more expensive than one with a straight ear. On the same note, the double or triple fold price is also higher than those with a single fold.
  • Health and Medical Needs: This is the first thing you would want to check in buying a Scottish Fold cat. The kitten that you will buy should already have been tested for genetic illnesses and other health problems. You can ask the breeder for the medical certificate and history of the cat to check if it received the necessary examinations and vaccinations. 
  • Pedigree Certificate: Many breeders spend hundreds of bucks for health testing and DNA testing to have their litters registered on an official cat registry like the Cat Fanciers Association. The pedigree certificate serves as proof of the purebred status and bloodline of the Scottish Fold kitten you bought. 

These are just a few of the factors that breeders consider in pricing their Scottish Fold kittens.

Not to mention the food, housing, bedding, spaying/neutering, and ample amount of time and affection they dedicate to raising their kittens. Thus, you shouldn’t be surprised why Scottish Fold kittens are expensive.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Scottish Fold Cat From a Rescue?

If you find the price of Scottish Fold kittens from breeders overwhelming, then I suggest that you try adopting one of these fur babies from a rescue or an animal shelter.

The adoption fees for Scottish Folds on rescues and shelters are lower compared to breeder’s prices ranging from $60 to $400 on average.

The adoption fee serves as the blood which keeps the rescue organizations running and functioning. Most of the rescues operate through the efforts of volunteer members.

The expenses for the food and medical needs of the rescued cats are paid through the adoption fees and donations they get. 

This means that you do not only provide a cat with a new home when you adopt, but you also provide space for another cat to be rescued. Adopting is a noble cause and, at the same time, an economically wise move.

Initial Cost of Scottish Fold Cat Ownership

Scottish Fold kitten initial cost

Aside from the cost of buying the Scottish Fold itself, cat lovers should also be aware of the initial costs of owning one.

Taking care of a Scottish Fold is pretty much like raising a baby. You need to consider its primary needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, and other essential supplies. 

To help you in welcoming your new kitty at home, here are the supplies and initial costs you should be mindful of upon owning a Scottish Fold:

  • Food and Treats: The growth and development of your Scottish Fold will heavily depend on the type of food it eats. Kittens should be provided with a healthy diet to ensure proper nutrition. You can buy quality cat food and treats for $25 to $50 at pet stores.
  • Food and Water Bowls: I am sure you would not want your cat’s food mixed up with dirt. Besides, food and water bowls will also help you minimize the mess whenever you feed your lovely Scottish Fold. Online shops advertise two-in-one bowls for $10 to $25.
  • Litter Box: This little sand tray will provide comfort to your cat in depositing its body wastes. This will also reduce your work of cleaning poop and pee in your home. The price for cat litter trays and boxes ranges from $20 to $160.
  • Litter Sand: For sanitary purposes, you should regularly clean your Scottish Fold’s litter box and replace its litter sand. Pet stores offer litter sand for around $15 to $25.
  • Collar and ID Tag: The collar and ID tag serve as identification of your cat, especially if you live in urban areas. There are a variety of cat collars sold online for $5 to $20.
  • Cat Bed: Your cat deserves a clean, dry, soft, and comfy space where it can lie and rest. Cats sleep for more than 16 hours a day, so a soft bed is needed. Fun fact: Scottish Fold kittens love sleeping on their backs. A decent cat bed costs around $15 to $30.
  • Cat Carrier: Having a cat carrier for your Scottish Fold makes it more convenient for you to travel with your pet. You can use the cat carrier during trips to the vet or whenever you need to transport them. Cat carriers can be purchased for $20 to $60.
  • Toys and Scratching Post: Cat toys are effective tools for keeping your cat occupied and entertained. Moreover, to prevent your sofa or curtains from getting ripped off, you should provide your Scottish Fold with a sturdy scratching post where they can scratch all they want. You can buy toys and a scratching post for $15 to $70.
  • Grooming Essentials: To keep the astonishing appearance of your Scottish Fold, you should regularly groom its hair and trim its nails. Although cats regularly clean themselves, brushing their fur will help remove the dirt and loose hair from their short, dense coat. Trimming is also important to prevent the nails of your cat from growing too long and sharp. You can get both the hairbrush and nail trimmer for $25 to $35.
  • Initial Vet Visits: Scottish Fold kittens are susceptible to various illnesses since their immune system is still developing. So once you take home your fur baby, you will need to take it to the vet for an initial checkup. This may cost you around $100 to $250.
  • Initial Vaccine Shots: Along with vet visits, pet owners should also include a budget for initial vaccination for their Scottish Fold cat. These should be administered at a young age to avoid serious illnesses in the future. These may cost you around $25 to $50.
  • Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medications: Most kittens can suffer from internal and external parasites. To prevent these, certain medications are needed. You need to prepare $30 to $100 for these necessary expenses.
  • Neutering or Spaying: Many kittens end up in animal shelters because of unwanted cat pregnancies. If you don’t have breeding rights for your Scottish Fold cat, you will be required to neuter or spay it at a certain age. The procedure can cost between $200 to $500.
  • Microchip: Implanting a microchip into your Scottish Fold is a worthy investment. This will allow the easy identification of your cat in case it gets lost. Microchipping costs around $40 to $60.
  • Miscellaneous Supplies: Other supplies such as spray cleaners, paper towels, lint rollers, and kitten accessories are also important to include in your initial budget. These will require you to shell out $15 to $30.

Here is the table for the initial expenses of owning a Scottish Fold: 

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

If you have noticed, the listed supplies are the necessities for these lovely cats. These are the things that you need to prepare even before taking your Scottish Fold home.

Annual Cost of Owning a Scottish Fold

Scottish Fold adult eating the food on the table

If you think that’s where the expenses stop, you got it wrong. After procuring and buying the initial supplies, you will need to replenish and restock them from time to time. 

The first-year expenses of owning a Scottish Fold will include food supplies, litter materials, vet checkups, pet insurance, and grooming.

Here is a recap of the first-year expenses of owning a Scottish Fold:

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

With this breakdown of expenses, you should already have understood that owning a Scottish Fold is not cheap. Hence, total financial preparedness is necessary.

Your cat’s health should always be your top priority when deciding your cat’s annual budget. As you can see, routine veterinary takes up most of your Scottish Fold’s expenses.

This breed is prone to several health issues like polycystic kidney disease, which can lead to loss of kidney function. Dental disease or periodontal disease is also very common in Scottish Folds.

If you want a healthy cat, prepare to allocate $100 to $200 for general vet checkups.

Meanwhile, you should have $360 to $600 annually for pet insurance. This should cover most medical emergencies, surgeries, and other treatment costs.

Other Potential Expenses

Scottish Fold kitten playing earphones

As mentioned earlier, there are other expenses that you should also be mindful of.

These potential expenses were not discussed earlier because they are not primary necessities; thus, they can be set aside in the meantime.

Some of these additional costs in owning a Scottish Fold are:

  • Cat Grooming: Not all are knowledgeable and skillful when it comes to grooming their Scottish Fold, which has short hair and ear folds that are prone to ear infections. Cat grooming services cost around $50 to $80. This service may already include hair and nail trimming, ear cleaning, and bathing.
  • Cat Sitting Service: Just like owning other pets, you won’t know when emergencies will happen where you won’t be able to take care of your cat for some time. In cases like these, you will avail of the services of cat sitters which typically cost $15 to $40 an hour. 
  • Emergency Vet Visits: Accidents happen unexpectedly. Depending on the severity of your cat’s condition, you might need to spend $800 to $2,000 for an emergency such as surgery or the sudden emergence of a fatal illness.
  • Pet Accessories: Sometimes we just want to provide the best things to our pets, so we buy them toys and stuff they can play on, like a cat tree or a cat bag. These may cost between $50 and $200 on average.
  • Dental Service: Just like other animals, your Scottish Fold also needs dental care. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), periodontal disease is the most common dental problem among cats which develops at the age of three years old. The cost of dental services for pets ranges from $300 to $700.

Sooner or later, you will encounter these expenses as your Scottish Fold grows. You better set aside a few bucks from time to time, so you won’t have your pocket ripped off once you need to avail or purchase all these.

Places to Find Scottish Fold Kittens for Sale and Adoption

Two cute Scottish Fold kittens for sale or adoption

In buying a Scottish Fold kitten, you should only transact with reputable and trusted breeders. You should make it a habit to check their background, history, and processes before sending out your payment.

Here are some of the most reputable breeders where you could find quality Scottish Fold kittens for sale:

  • Kiss’A’Fold Cattery – This feline breeder is recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA). The breeders of Kiss’A’Fold specialize in breeding high-quality and healthy Scottish Fold kittens. Their Folds are priced between $1,200 and $2,500. 
  • Wunderfolds Cattery – Located in South Carolina, this breeder is committed to breeding an excellent lineage of Scottish Fold cats. They are regulated and recognized by the TICA and CFA. 
  • Colorado Folds – Colorado Folds has been breeding Scottish Folds for almost a decade now. They have a breeding facility in Colorado where their cats can freely roam. Their kittens are priced between $800 and $1,500.
  • Kalai’s Scottish Fold Boutique – This breeder specializes in producing quality Scottish Fold kittens. Their Scottish Folds are complete with registrations, vaccinations, and health checkups, and they cost around $1,000 to $2,500. 

If you are looking to adopt a healthy Scottish Fold cat instead of buying from a breeder, here are some of the reputable rescues you can check out:

  • The Scottish Fold Rescue Inc. – This non-profit organization consists of networks that are committed to rescuing Scottish Fold cats across the country. Aside from rehabilitating abandoned and surrendered Folds, they are also responsible for educating the community about dutiful cat ownership.
  • Pat Brody Shelters for Cats (PBS) – PBS is a non-profit organization that rescues abandoned and surrendered Scottish Folds as well as other breeds of cats. They typically have kittens and senior cats available for adoption. 
  • Kitten Rescue Los Angeles – Founded in 1997, Kitten Rescue has already rehomed more than 21,000 kittens and cats, including Scottish Folds. They are one of the largest non-profit organizations dedicated to saving felines in need.
  • A Cat’s Tale – This rescue center operates across the South Bay area of Los Angeles. They rehabilitate and rescue kittens from high-kill shelters, which are rehomed to their new forever families.

Aside from the tedious adoption process, rescue organizations require a fee to secure a Scottish Fold. 

If you are not financially capable of paying for this, you can check out our article on how to get free kittens in your area. Although the chances are low, you can still try your luck in getting a Scottish Fold without spending a dollar.

Money-Saving Tips for Scottish Fold Cat Owners

Owning a Scottish Fold is obviously expensive, similar to tending to other cat breeds. If you are struggling financially, you may need to cut down on some pet expenses.

Here are a few tips that can help you spend less while owning a Scottish Fold cat: 

  • Find a reputable local Scottish Fold breeder. Try to look for local breeders near your area to save money on pet shipping fees. You will also get to visit your cat regularly if the breeding facility is just around the corner. However, you should ensure that the breeder is trustworthy. 
  • Buy cat food in bulk. As always, buying in bulk will save you a few bucks. Pet stores also offer discounts for bulk buying. Some even give freebies! 
  • Groom your Scottish Fold at home. Make an effort to learn basic grooming skills such as nail and hair trimming, ear cleaning, and bathing. This will not only help you save money, but it will also serve as a great bonding activity for your Scottish Fold.
  • Purchase cheap yet quality supplies. Check online pet shops and stores for cheap yet quality toys, beds, and accessories for your Scottish Fold. You can also try crafting your cat tree or litter box to save money.

By following these methods, you can save money without compromising your Scottish Fold cat’s health and happiness. In fact, this will be beneficial for them in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Scottish Folds are indeed expensive to own and maintain. However, no one can deny the fact that every penny spent in taking care of a Scottish Fold is worth it.

Their adorable appearance and affectionate personality make them rare gems that should be treasured. 

You can try following the money-saving tips I have presented or opt to adopt instead of purchasing from a cattery. This will significantly cut the expenses of owning a Scottish Fold.

Are you financially ready for how much a Scottish Fold costs? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section!

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