Financial Planning for Your British Shorthair: Initial Prices, Lifetime Cost, and More

As one of the most coveted household cat breeds, the British Shorthair does require a considerable investment–however, we can assure you that it’ll be well worth the payoff in years of affection and companionship. Here’s the breakdown on adoption costs, prep, and more.

Adoption Pricing

While not quite as expensive as purebred dogs, British Shorthairs do tend to run on the high end of the expense scale across all cat breeds. You can expect to pay roughly $2,400 for a British Shorthair kitten, or $1,200 for a mature cat. Expense is at the discretion of the breeder, especially depending on whether you’re in the market for a pet versus a breedable show cat, and may be subject to change over time. If the breeder you’re working with is located in a different state or country, they typically have a service they can recommend or provide to get your cat delivered!

For the safety of the cat, this is usually in the form of a cat nanny service for someone to personally fly with your new pet and hand-deliver it to you at a designated airport. The fees charged by the breeder will cover the airfare of the nanny, plus supplies for your cat’s journey such as a carrier, pop-up water bowl, food, medication (if needed, typically to help sedate and keep the cat calm on their trip), and potty pads. In some cases your breeder may offer driving courier services–in this case be sure to do your due diligence and ensure your cat will be well taken care of on the journey! In any case, if you’re looking to avoid some cost or just have more control over the situation, you can always travel to the breeder yourself to pick up your British Shorthair and bring them home safely. If this is your first time doing so, make sure to do your research and have all the supplies you might need to give your cat the most comfortable journey possible!

Initial Costs & Preparation

Once you’ve sorted out how to bring your new pet home, there’s quite a laundry list of supplies to attain prior to their arrival. We recommend the following, though it’s a good idea to communicate with the breeder or current caretaker to get an idea of the cat’s current diet (as interruptions may cause short term indigestion) and favorite toys.

• Food – in most cases it’s best to get a combination of wet and dry foods to alternate and see what’s best for your cat’s preferences and overall health. Kittens may need more nutrient-heavy feeds, while more mature cats may require diet-specific food to control weight or address other specific health concerns. When in doubt, get input from your local veterinarian!
• Food Dishes – while the British Shorthair doesn’t have an entirely flattened face, their relatively flat snout does create some difficulty eating out of a traditional smaller dish with 90 degree edges. A flat food dish with gently curved edges may be the best option to avoid whisker fatigue and scooping–where the cat uses their paws to grab food out of the bowl in order to eat it off of the ground. Studies have also shown that elevated bowls can help with posture and digestion–if you do proceed with traditional bowls on the ground, we also recommend a rubber traction mat to keep everything in one place.
• Water Supply – many cats tend to have issues staying hydrated, which can result in health issues down the road. To ensure your British Shorthair stays properly hydrated, a water fountain–either automatic or gravity-sourced–is a great way to provide a somewhat-moving water source to entice your cat to come back for more.
• Treats – while there are unlimited options for special treats for your feline companion, we recommend two forms to keep things interesting. Crunchy dental treats are both delicious for your British Shorthair and do double duty in helping to freshen their breath and contribute to dental hygiene. Tube-based creamy treats such as Churu are truly irresistible, and great for bribing your cat into a grooming session or carrier as needed.
• Bed – cats are known for rejecting the most expensive accessories in favor of household items or garbage, and our British Shorthair is no exception–she prefers one specific empty cardboard shipping box over the plush bed we’ve had for years. For bringing home your own British Shorthair, however, we recommend either a bed or a cozy hideaway to give them a somewhat private, comfy space for them to call their own and feel totally safe, especially while getting used to their new surroundings.
• Scratching post – for the sake of your home furnishings, a scratching post is highly recommended. As an extremely intelligent breed, the British Shorthair is highly trainable, and will either take quickly to a post as they recognize it from their birth home, or quickly come to adopt it into their routine with a few incentivizing treats.
• Toys – though your British Shorthair may reject any special toys in favor of the aforementioned bits of garbage, it’s important to procure a variety of different types of toys as their preferences change over time, and they tend to get bored of the same old thing. Wands or ribbons that you can tease them with (out of claws’ reach), chaser toys such as balls or pom poms (though make sure these are too big for kittens to try and swallow), and larger plush “prey” toys such as squirrels or mice for them to chase around and fetch back to you (some of which can be filled with catnip for an extra special play session).
• Carrier – for vet visits and any other transit, it’s important to have a carrier that will be able to comfortably accommodate your British Shorthair. As they run larger than the average cat breed, you’ll want to search for one big enough to accommodate a large cat or small dog. They should have enough space to turn around in. Another consideration for longer term planning is finding a carrier that’s TSA compliant for air travel–while many are, take extra care to look for this in the description of the carrier you’re eyeing. This carrier checks all our boxes, and has the bonus feature of a removable soft lining on the bottom, which we can throw in the washing machine to ensure a clean ride every time for our cat.
• Litter Box – similarly to the cat carrier, your British Shorthair’s litter box will also need to run on the large side in order to accommodate their full adult size. A “jumbo” size box should do the trick, however keep in mind the box itself is quite large–make sure to measure its dimensions in your own space to make sure you have enough room! Your companion is also likely to track litter outside of the box–to minimize cleanup, there are mats that can be placed just outside the box to catch any fallout from their paws. Regardless, we do recommend having a vacuum on-hand to quickly clear your space of any errant litter. There is a wide variety of litter options as well! Pretty Litter has made quite an entrance to the market over the past few years, its main claim being to show early signs of illness to ensure you can get to the vet and get ahead of any incoming health issues. The standard World’s Best has been our choice for years, as it has minimal dust, pleasant fragrance to mask the typical “litter smell,” and is plumbing-friendly for quick disposal of waste–direct from box to toilet. For kittens (and cats of all ages, really), we’d also recommend potty pads for the first few weeks while they get their bearings, even if they were litter trained at their previous home.
• Grooming – while the British Shorthair is delightfully low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, it is helpful to have a brush on hand to give them a helping hand for shedding season, and for the occasional small matted clump. It’s important to use a brush that’s delicate, yet effective, as traditional wire brushes can easily tear the cat’s thin skin, and can lead to infection more often than not. With the right brush, however, you should have nothing to worry about!
• Cat Cam – if you work away from home during the day or travel somewhat often, a cat camera is a great way to keep an eye on your British Shorthair. While they’ll be happy to stay comfortably in their own space–ideally with the company of a friend or pet sitter every so often to socialize and play–you’ll have the peace of mind that they’re eating, drinking, and sleeping normally in your absence.
• Coping supplies – while the hope is that all cats have an easy transition to their new home, it can be an inherently stressful event for any cat of any breed. While British Shorthairs are incredibly intelligent and likely to adapt quickly, they are no exception to this rule. Feliway, a plug-in pheromone diffuser, can help to naturally soothe your cat to help with the process. For these first few weeks, as well as any future travel or vet visits, Gabapentin is a medication that directly soothes stress levels, and can be picked up from your local vet. Other soothing treats such as Solliquin can be helpful as a daily stress-management tool during this transition period.

Ongoing Day-to-Day Costs

Now that you’re set to welcome your British Shorthair home, most of the big up-front costs are out of the way! However, it’s also important to have an idea of the monthly costs of providing for your new pet. Once you have their routine down to a science, subscription services such as Chewy are incredibly helpful for setting deliveries of set quantities of supplies, while also offering a discount! Food and litter are the most consistent of these needs–while a clumping litter should be fully changed out every two to three weeks (requiring roughly one large bag per two months), food quantities may require some testing over the first few months of companionship to monitor your British Shorthair’s appetite, and ensure that they’re eating a healthy amount. One-off purchases such as treats and new toys are up to your discretion! If you’re looking to treat your cat, you can add the one-off purchase to your subscription order to package everything together and cut down on shipments.

Additional Costs to Consider

As relatively low-maintenance cats, there aren’t many other costs to consider beyond day-to-day costs and the initial purchase. However, it’s also smart to consider worst-case scenarios and the realities that come with an aging cat over time. With this in mind though, the good news is the British Shorthair is a relatively low-maintenance breed! Unlike longhaired cats, the British Shorthair’s dense, fluffy coat typically does not need constant grooming from an outside source beyond their own capabilities as well as the occasional at-home brushing, particularly during shedding periods. As they get older, and perhaps more frail, they may need assistance if their mobility is negatively impacted–particularly with matting around their armpits and sanitary areas.

While they are a purebred breed, British Shorthairs are thankfully much less prone to health issues than other cats, in spite of their relatively flat faces. The one condition they can be susceptible to is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy–a heart condition that can, though doesn’t always, lead to heart failure. While not entirely curable, the condition can be effectively treated with lifelong medication.  

While the British Shorthair is a considerable financial investment that requires planning and continued commitment, the investment is one that will pay off in droves for a lifetime of happiness.