Birman cats are easy to spot, with their silky coats and white gloves on each paw. They make great additions to any family with their affectionate and calm personalities. Their curious nature ensures they will welcome new people and pets into their home, too, allowing you to grow your family with ease. But how much do these beautiful cats cost? Finding out the cost can be tricky, with many conflicting answers online.
To help you see how much a Birman cat will cost in Australia, we have outlined the costs below and the additional costs you need to consider before bringing a cat into your home.
Birman cats can vary in price, costing between $1,200 and $3,000 in Australia. The wide price range accounts for cats purchased from adoption shelters and breeders, with breeders charging more than adoption shelters. When purchasing a Birman cat from a breeder, you need to check that you are purchasing from a registered breeder.
Unregistered breeders will charge a lower cost for their cats but will usually compromise on their care. They can overbreed their cats, causing poor health and increasing the risk of genetic conditions. Unregistered breeders aren’t required to follow the strict code of ethics that registered breeders do, and it is best to avoid them, no matter how attractive their lower price can be. Should you want to pay less for your Birman cat, we recommend opting for an adoption shelter.
Birman cat breeders will charge between $800 and $3,000 depending on the age of the cat, the breeder, and the lineage. Purebred Birman kittens will cost more than older cats from a mixed heritage. The lineage of cats is important to many owners, as purebred cats have a reduced risk of genetic conditions, providing you with a healthy cat. When a breeder claims they have a purebred cat or kitten, you should ask for proof of their lineage. Reputable breeders will be happy to provide you with proof of their lineage and answer any questions that you have about the cat before bringing it home.
Purchasing a Birman cat from an adoption shelter is usually cheaper, costing between $200 and $500. The lower cost makes Birman cats more affordable, but it can be hard to find Birman cats at adoption shelters. Due to their rarity, you might be waiting a while or end up with a hybrid Birman cat.
Adoption shelters won’t provide you with the same information about a Birman cat’s lineage as breeders, but they will work hard to provide you with as much information as possible. You will learn about their personality, temperament, and any health conditions to help you see if they are a good match for your home. Adoption shelters work hard to match cats to their perfect home and will ask you about your home, lifestyle, and any other pets you have.
The cost of a Birman cat in Australia is impacted by the cat’s lineage, age, and the breeder’s reputation. Understanding how these impact the cost of your Birman cat can help you find the right price and avoid being overcharged. We have detailed the main factors that influence the cost of a Birman cat in Australia below.
The lineage of your cat is one of the biggest factors impacting the cost of a Birman cat. Purebred cats cost more due to their demand and the reduced risk of health conditions. Breeders will need to authenticate the lineage of the cat, with more prominent lineages costing more. A breeder should be happy to share the lineage information with you, reassuring you of their purebred status.
The reputation of the breeder is another vital factor impacting the cost. Reputable breeders will charge more for their cats and kittens, reflecting their stellar reputation and the care they provide for their cats. How a breeder gets their reputation varies, often on superior breeding, providing excellent care, or specialising in purebred cats. You can use breeder sites to learn about their reputation or rely on word of mouth to learn more about their reputation. Regardless of how the reputation of the breeder was gained, you can expect their cats and kittens to have been well cared for before they came to your home.
The age of the Birman cat will also impact its cost. Kittens and younger cats will be more expensive when you purchase them from breeders or adoption shelters. Their higher costs are usually attributed to their popularity and the more care that breeders need to provide for kittens. Raising kittens involves round-the-clock care, vet visits, and vaccinations, all of which cost breeders and adoption shelters money. They can recoup some of these costs by increasing the prices of kittens.
Older cats aren’t as popular and tend to be offered at a lower price by breeders and adoption shelters. There is an increased risk of health conditions and expensive vet visits when you purchase an older cat, but with pet insurance, you can avoid some of these higher costs. Older cats will still offer plenty of love and companionship, making them a great addition to most homes.
Alongside the purchase of your Birman cat, you need to consider the cost of essentials that your cat will need. Birman cats need crates, beds, collars, and other essentials, costing between $5 and $360 per item, depending on the item, the brand, and the materials used. Not only will you need to purchase these essentials when you collect your cat, but repurchase them throughout your cat’s life as they grow and items break. It is important that you budget carefully to ensure you can provide your cats with the essential items they need.
Below, we have detailed the essential costs you need to consider for your Birman cat:
Cat crate: can cost between $39 and $150, depending on the brand and size of the crate. Check the measurements before ordering to ensure that you have plenty of room for your cat.
Cat bed: can cost between $13 and $200 depending on the brand, the thickness and material of the bed. You want to ensure the bed is plush enough to keep you comfortable and offer plenty of space for them.
Feeding bowl: can cost between $10 and $50 depending on the size and brand of the bowl. Specialist bowls to slow down the speed of your cat’s food will also add to the cost of the bowl.
Collar/lead: can cost from $5 to $35 depending on the type and material of the lead and collar.
Car harness: can cost between $5 and $50 depending on the size and brand. You need to ensure that you provide the right size to keep your cat secure.
Cat treats: can cost between $5 and $10 a week depending on the brand and how many treats your cat eats a week.
Litter tray: can cost between $300 to $360 a year depending on how often your cat uses the litter tray or if they toilet outside.
Clippers, combs, and brushes: can cost between $5 and $20 per item, depending on the brand and material.
After you have purchased the essentials, you need to consider the maintenance costs of caring for your Birman cat. Your Birman cat will need food, regular vet appointments, and grooming to ensure they are well maintained, costing between $10 and $700, amounting to hundreds of dollars a year. The cost will vary depending on the food you choose, the price of your vet, and how often you pay for grooms. To help you budget for your Birman, we have outlined the maintenance costs you need to consider below:
Feeding your Birman cat costs between $10 and $50 a month, depending on their age, size, and the brand of food you choose. Cat food varies in price depending on its type, too, with raw and wet cat food costing more than dry. Birman cats need a balanced diet, ensuring that their food provides enough protein to match their energy levels.
Birman cats need nutritious food, and you should opt for high-quality food that uses natural ingredients. This can sound expensive, but you can find high-quality food without spending a fortune. You will need to spend some time reading ingredient lists, but you can find nutritious food for your cat.
Based on an adult Birman cat weighing between 2.7 and 5.4 kg, you can expect to pay the following for their food:
Veterinary care for your Birman cat will cost between $25 and $700 per item, costing hundreds of dollars a year. The cost varies depending on the vet you choose, the weight of your cat, and how frequently they need treatment. The prices we have outlined are based on routine and preventative care, and we do not consider the cost of any additional vet appointments or treatment your cat might need. To avoid any surprise costs, we recommend investing in comprehensive pet insurance, which will cover your costs.
We have outlined the annual costs of routine and preventative veterinary care below:
Annual vet checkups: can cost between $80 and $150, depending on the price of your vet. The cost can increase if any follow-up appointments or treatments are needed.
Vaccinations: can cost between $80 and $150 depending on the size of your cat and the prices your vet sets. The price can vary depending on the size of your cat, with larger cats seeing a higher price.
Worming and parasite treatment: can cost around $200 a year to provide coverage for your cat. The cost can increase if treatment to remove parasites, so it’s best to follow up with regular preventative treatments.
Dental cleaning: can cost between $300 and $700 depending on the level of cleaning required and if your cat needs to be sedated for the treatment.
Pet insurance: can cost between $25 and $80 a month depending on the level of cover you choose, your cat’s health, and their age.
You can choose to groom your Birman at home, frequently brushing their fur to remove excess hair and prevent mats. You can also choose to use a professional groomer who can bathe, dry, and carry out any other treatments on your cat. The cost of grooming a Birman cat usually costs between $50 and $70 per groom.
As a Birman has fairly long hair, groomers will usually charge more to ensure it is thoroughly brushed out and carry out additional services like ear cleaning, tooth brushing, and nail clipping. There might also be additional costs if your cat arrives for their groom with fleas. A groomer will need to sanitise their entire room after this, adding a cost to your groom.
Birman cats are intelligent, making it easier to train than other cat breeds. Training costs for Birman cats in Australia vary from $99 to $2,800, depending on the course and provide your choice. You can opt for short training courses that will focus on addressing specific issues and helping you to train your cat, while longer training courses will focus on providing you with a more in-depth understanding of training cats.
We recommend learning as much about the training courses as possible to help you decide which course is the best option for you and your cat.
A Birman cat can be expensive, especially if you are buying a purebred cat from a reputable breeder. You can lower the costs by purchasing your cat from an adoption shelter, but you will still need to consider the essentials and maintenance costs to provide your cat with a healthy and happ
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