How Much Does a British Shorthair Cost? (2026 Price Guide)

The British Shorthair price is a major aspect you need to look into when planning to purchase this breed. This purr-fect kitty is by no means cheap and would require more from you in the long run.

For you to have an idea about the estimated total cost of raising a British Shorthair catI created this handy financial guide. This includes a breakdown of the initialannualand additional expenses of British Shorthair care.

I have also included a list of breeders and rescues you can get in contact with. Soif you’re ready for British Shorthair ownershipgo ahead and pore through this guide from beginning to end!

The Average Cost of a British Shorthair

The British Shorthair price usually ranges from $1,500 to $2,400. This may vary from one breeder to another and is also dependent on factors such as demandcoat colorand breeder reputation. British Shorthair cats for show also have a higher price range between $2,200 and $3,000. 

Rarity isn’t an issue for British Shorthair cats because they are very common. In factdue to their popularity in the pet communitydemands are highmaking them even more expensive. 

Generallythe British Shorthair’s price also depends on quality and age. MoreoverBritish Shorthairs qualified for pet shows and those that adhere to the breed standard are definitely more expensive than companion cats.

Meanwhilesenior or retired British Shorthair cats are cheaper than kittens bought from professional breeders. 

Factors Affecting the Cost of a British Shorthair Kitten

As previously statedthe British Shorthair price is quite expensiveand this is not solely based on their distinct features.

It is worth knowing where their selling price is derived so you won’t get scammed and swayed by unprofessional breeders who offer them at an unreasonable price range.

Here is a detailed list of the primary factors that affect the British Shorthair price: 

• Breeder’s Reputation: Well-established and known breeders typically sell more expensive kittens than the newbies in the business. They can surely give you high-quality British Shorthair kittens because of the years they spent perfecting the breeding process. In other wordstheir reputation speaks for their pricingunlike most unregistered breeders. 
• Age: British Shorthair kittens are more expensive than adults. Aside from the fact that younger cats are much easier to trainmost people want their pets to grow up under their care. Some breeders take advantage of this; that’s why their cat litter costs more.
• Pedigree: A British Shorthair kitten with a high-quality pedigree surely has the best temperamentphysical attributesand health condition. If you consider getting a kitten with a champion bloodlineits price would definitely be higher than those companionship kitties because they adhere to the breed standard. 
• Genetic Tests and Health Checkups: When reputable breeders aim to follow high standards on breedingtheir financial capacity is extended to ensure the physical wellness of their British Shorthairs. Given thatthey have to spend money for vet consultationsvaccine shotsand tests for hip dysplasiapolycystic kidney diseaseand others that do not come cheap. 
• Registration: Responsible breeders register their British Shorthairs on feline registries such as the Cat Fanciers Association Inc. and The International Cat Association. This renders the British Shorthair cats expensive since the cost of registration is often added to the final price of the cat.

Aside from the factors discussed abovesome minor expenses can slightly affect the price of a British Shorthair. This includes registrationshipping feeand the current economic situation of where the breeder is located. 

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a British Shorthair Cat From a Rescue? 

If you really want a British Shorthair but want to save moneyyou can adopt one from cat rescue centers or shelters. Adoption fees covering vaccinationsmicrochippingand medical expenses only cost $100 to $200. 

You can set the worry aside because you’ll surely find a rescue and animal shelter that ensures that their cats are well-rehabilitated.

You can ask for the records and details of your future pet before officially starting the adoption process. This wayyou are assured that you’ll get a healthy British Shorthair even though it is already an adult cat.

READ NEXT: 15 Beautiful Grey Cat Breeds You’ll Want to Adopt

Initial Cost of British Shorthair Cat Ownership

Apart from the British Shorthair priceyou should also prepare the essential items and accessories your cat needs as it adjusts to its new home. 

Lucky for youI have already made a list to make your online haul easier.

Here are the initial supplies needed by a British Shorthair cat as it transitions to your home: 

• Food and Treats: British Shorthair cats need nutrients and constant nourishment. Thusgiving them premium cat foodwet foodand treats is necessary for their development. The cost of these essentials for your British Shorthair ranges from $20 to $50. 
• Food and Water Bowls: Food bowls are also essential for British Shorthair kittens to ensure that they will be able to consume an adequate portion of their meal and drink the right amount of water. Stainless steel bowls are suggested by most breeders because they last for a long time. You can buy both for only $10 to $25. 
• Litter Box: A sturdy litter box is crucial for potty trainingespecially for indoor cats like the British Shorthair. High-quality litter boxes commonly cost $20 to $160but this would still depend on the size of the litter. 
• Litter Sand: Litter sand goes hand in hand with the litter box. This is either made of actual sand or recycled materials and is used by British Shorthairs to bury their waste. Generallya pack of litter sand costs $15 to $25.
• Collar and ID Tag: A set of collars and ID tags are both functionalespecially when you always bring your British Shorthair for walks in your neighborhood. If they get lostthey will be easily identified using these items you can buy for only $5 to $20. These items are usually one-time costs.
• Cat Bed: Just like other cat breedsyour British Shorthair cat will spend most of its time sleeping. To give it a comfortable resting spotyou can buy a cat bed for only around $15 to $35. This is also essential if you have visitors since your British Shorthair would have a comfortable spot away from strangers.
• Cat Carrier: You need to buy a carrier if you want to bring your purebred British Shorthair kitten wherever you go. But this will probably be very useful if you are going overseas. Carriers are typically priced at $20 to $60depending on your British Shorthair cat’s weight.
• Toys and Scratching Post: Most breeders suggest buying your new British Shorthair a set of toys that would keep them entertained and help release their pent-up energy. These toys may include a yarntoy mousecat treelaser pointerand stuffed toy. A sturdy scratching post would also be beneficial since it serves the same purpose as toys. Typicallythese would cost you $15 to $70.
• Grooming Essentials: Even though the British Shorthair self-cleans just like other catsit would still benefit from grooming. Thusyou would need to purchase some essentials such as toothpaste and toothbrushnail clippersbrushesetc. These items cost around $25 to $35 collectively.
• Initial Vet Visits: Paying the vet a visit right after you take home your British Shorthair would help you identify if it has alarming health issues or genetic abnormalities that should be addressed. Vet consultation fees usually range from $200 to $400. 
• Initial Vaccine Shots: Initial vaccine shots for your British Shorthair are already provided if you choose a good breeder. Once you take your new pet home and assume the role of a fur parentyou are already responsible for completing its vaccinations. The total cost of a British Shorthair cat’s complete vaccine shots ranges between $25 and $50. 
• FleaTickand Heartworm Medications: To ensure that your pet is parasite-freeone of your top priorities should be preventive medications and treatments. The cost of these medicines and procedures ranges between $30 and $100.
• Neutering/Spaying: These surgical procedures will cost about $200 to $500which may vary from one vet to another. Spaying can protect your female British Shorthair cat from having malignant or cancerous breast tumorswhile neutering your male cat lessens their chance of getting prostate issuestesticular cancerand other health problems. 
• Microchip: Microchipping your British Shorthair is a precautionary measure to prevent it from escaping your property. This can help you find your pet when they suddenly vanish within your sight. You can have your pet registered and microchipped for $40 to $60. 
• Miscellaneous Supplies: As you go along with your British Shorthair ownershipyou’ll realize that they need more items than what was listed above. You may see yourself purchasing accessoriespoop bagspaw waxand more. These could collectively cost $15 to $30.

For easier referencehere is a checklist of the initial expenses of owning a British Shorthair:

This initial tally of expenses is inevitable for a British Shorthair cat ownerbut most of the items listed above are only one-time costs. 

You can ask your breeder for cheaper brand suggestions in case the ones you find are unreasonably pricey. Better yetsearch for tips for saving money just like the ones I detailed in the latter part of this article.

Annual Cost of Owning a British Shorthair

If you are a first-time British Shorthair cat owneryou should also prepare a minimum of $1,270 to $2,605 on top of the cat purchasing price for your pet’s annual needs.

This total expense mostly covers replenishment for cat food and treatslitter sandtoyscat treeand other key essentials such as vaccinations and vet care.

To elaborate more on this total costhere is a breakdown of the items and services that a British Shorthair kitten needs annually: 

Investing in a pet insurance policy for your British Shorthair will cost around $360 to $600 annually. 

This may seem expensive but it is actually helpful to get you through the most challenging times of your British Shorthair without breaking the bank.

Another great way to cut costsin the long runis to ensure that you provide your cat with regular vet visits. This will help diagnose severe health problems early on and avoid expensive treatments later. 

Moreoverthis helps lengthen the British Shorthair lifespanso you really get your money’s worth.

The annual cost of your cat’s health care is usually $100 to $200. For a cheaper optionyou can look up all the veterinarians in your area and compare prices before settling for one.

Other Potential Expenses

As an owneryou should also be aware of some services available for your British Shorthair’s emergency and non-emergency needs. Except for emergency treatmentall these services can be availed at your discretion.

Below is a list of the services that your British Shorthair may need and their estimated cost: 

• Grooming: Although professional grooming is optionalit is a good idea to take your British Shorthair to a grooming salon for pampering and deep cleaning from time to time. This is especially suggested if you aren’t really skilled in home grooming. Full grooming at a pet salon costs around $50 to $80. 
• Emergency Treatment: In life or death situations or accidentsyour British Shorthair undoubtedly needs emergency treatment and serious medical services. This will cost a lotso you should prepare an amount ranging from $800 to $1,500. If your cat is covered with pet insurancethere’s a chance that this cost would be lessened.
• Pet Sitting/Cat Boarding: If you can’t take your kitty on your out-of-town tripsyou can hire a pet sitter or bring them to the nearest cat boarding facility. Hiring a pet sitter can cost around $15 to $40 per nightwhile cat boarding charges range from $20 to $40. 
• Pet Fee and Deposit: If you have a landlord that isn’t that cat-friendlyexpect an extra cost for a pet deposit. They ask for about 40 to 85 percent of your monthly rentcovering potential damages that your British Shorthair cat might bring about. 

All in allowning and raising a British Shorthair kitten typically includes monthlyannualand one-time expenses.

Howeveras they grow with youyou’ll encounter more fees you wouldn’t have thought necessary. Thusbefore deciding to have a British Shorthair as a companionI recommend that you assess your financial limits first. 

Places to Find British Shorthair Kittens for Sale and Adoption

If you have already decided to get a British Shorthairknow that buying one from a reputable breeder is always the best option. 

You can start your hunt online by browsing professional breeding websites and social media accounts. While you’re at itcheck out various articles on how to avoid kitten scams.

To help you with your searchI have listed down some British Shorthair breeders whom you can choose from:

• McSmitten Kittens – This is a small cattery registered through The International Cat Associationoffering purebred British Shorthairs from European and American champion bloodlines. McSmitten Kittens ensures that all their British Shorthairs are chippedvaccinatedand come with veterinary records.
• Catnificent Cattery – Also a TICA registered British Shorthair breederCatnificent Cattery mainly breeds golden and silver-colored British Shorthair cats. They concentrate on producing kittens that comply with the standards of a purebred British Shorthair.
• Silverbrook Cattery – You can also find a British Shorthair kitten in this cattery located in Seattle and Tacoma in Washington. They breed show-quality British Shorthairs from international bloodlines. In factone of their studs was considered by TICA as the top British Shorthair from Washington.

While it is highly suggested to buy British Shorthairs from registered breedersthe expensive price may put you off. Don’t fretthoughas there is a way to skip the expensive British Shorthair cost — cat adoption.

Refer to this list of British Shorthair rescue organizations and advertising if you want to rehome one:

• Pet Haven – Known to be the first foster-based rescue organization in MinnesotaPet Haven rescues and rehabilitates British Shorthairs and other cat breeds. They implement in-home fostering to identify the rescued cats’ medical conditionpersonalityand temperament. This helps the organization find the right adoptive parents for their cats. 
• Rescue Me! – This is an organization that was able to rescue and rehome a total of 479 British Shorthair cats to date. You can easily find a British Shorthair rescue group in their directory as they cover a lot of countriesnot just states.
• Adopt-a-Pet – Adopt-a-Pet has been helping humane societiesSPCAsand animal shelters advertise their homeless petsincluding British Shorthairs and other purebred catsfor quite some time now. You can instantly locate a British Shorthair near you using their search filters. They also allow browsing their pets through age and gender.

Adopting won’t be as easy as buying from registered breedersbut it will be worth trying.

It sure isn’t a fast process since rescue volunteers carefully review adoptee profilesbut rest assured that you’ll get the best purebred British Shorthair even though they aren’t little kittens anymore.

RELATED: 11 Ways to Find Free Kittens in Your Area for Adoption (2023)

Money-Saving Tips for British Shorthair Cat Owners

The British Shorthair is an expensive breed. Thusto help you save money and ease some of the financial burdens of owning a British Shorthair cathere are available alternatives that are ultimately budget-friendly. 

• Choose expensive over cheaplow-quality items. Some cat owners prefer buying more affordable productsthinking it saves them more money. In realitythese items break easilyso they need constant replacement. It is better to invest in high-quality items for British Shorthairs that can last them a lifetime. 
• Monitor their health regularly. You should not be negligent about the overall health of your British Shorthair cateven thoughnaturallythey come from a healthy breed. Prevention will always be better than cure. To skip spending too much on treatment procedures or medicinesprioritize their health by ensuring that they consume all the nourishment they need through food and exercise. 
• Make DIY treats and toys. Try searching for online tutorials on creating toys and treats in the comfort of your own home. This will save you not only the materials costs but also shipping fees.
• Get pet insurance. As already statedgood pet insurance will save you from bankruptcy. Feline emergencies happen when you least expect themso it’s better to prepare for them instead of relying on your savings.

Aside from all theseyou can check out instant money savers and pet hacks on YouTube. There are plenty of tips and guides like thisso you won’t have any excuses to start tending to a British Shorthair breed.

Final Thoughts

Looking at all the above expenses might be overwhelmingespecially when you include the price of British Shorthairs. 

Howeverif you are financially capableyou should already start searching for a British Shorthair as they are well worth their expensive price.

They are loyallovingand easy-going catseven though they may be slightly reserved at first.

Those with a high-quality pedigree will even bring you more joy as they are very calm and amicable. Do not hesitate to invest in a British Shorthairand you’ll see for yourself why.

Does the British Shorthair cat cost more than what you expected? Let us know in the comments.