York Chocolate cats are a gorgeous addition to any home. Their stunning appearance and lovable nature make them a wonderful companion. While swindling numbers caused the breed to be deemed ‘extinct’, there are still York Chocolate cats out there, waiting for loving homes, although finding a purebred York Chocolate is a struggle. So, how much do these cats cost? That’s what we are here to tell you, along with all the costs involved in caring for a York Chocolate cat.
York Chocolate cats can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,200, depending on whether you buy them from a registered breeder or an adoption shelter. Adoption shelters will always have lower prices, but you will be required to submit an application to ensure that the cat is released to a suitable home. Breeders tend to charge more, and the price can vary depending on the lineage of the cat, its age, and the breeder’s reputation.
Should you see low prices from a breeder, we would advise caution as they are likely an unregistered breeder. Unregistered breeders are not required to follow the strict code of ethics as registered breeders, resulting in poorly cared-for kittens and cats. Unregistered breeders are often not ethical breeders, too, and you can find yourself with a cat that has health conditions. In short, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Buying a cat through a registered York Chocolate cat breeder in Australia can cost between $800 and $1,200. The price of purchasing a cat from a breeder does vary depending on the breeder’s reputation, the age of the cat, and whether genetic testing has been used as part of the breeding process.
When buying a cat from a breeder, it is important that you do your research to ensure that you know as much about the breeder as possible. There are online search tools where you can search for registered breeders or speak to them directly. A good breeder will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Reputable breeders will provide you with as much information as possible about the lineage of the cat and any genetic or health conditions you need to be aware of. The higher cost of the cat reflects this and the care that has been provided to your kitten before it comes to your home.
Buying a York Chocolate cat through an adoption shelter is a cheaper option, costing between $100 and $500, depending on the age of the cat and the adoption shelter you use. Kittens are usually priced higher due to their popularity, while older cats and those with health concerns tend to sit closer to the bottom of the price range.
York Chocolate cats in adoption shelters are unlikely to be purebreds and will not have the same lineage information as purchasing a cat from a breeder. However, you will be told about their personality, temperament, and any health concerns to ensure that the cat is a good fit for your home. Adoption shelters work hard to match cats to their right home, so you will be asked about your lifestyle, home, and other pets that you have to ensure it is a good match.
Aside from the rarity of the breed, there are a few factors that influence the cost of a York Chocolate cat, including the cat’s age, the breeder’s reputation, and the cat’s lineage. It is important that you understand the factors that impact the cost to help you find the right cat for your budget and needs. We have outlined the main contributing factors to the price of a York Chocolate cat below.
York Chocolate cats have been deemed extinct since 2005 when only 60 of the cats were reported to exist. However, there are many owners who claim their cats are descendants of the breed. Given this information, it is unlikely that you will now find a purebred York Chocolate cat, and it is more likely that the cat will have been bred with similar-looking cats to achieve the rich chocolate colour fur.
Your breeder can provide you with information about the cat’s lineage, with more authentic and verified lineages costing more than other cats.
Another vital factor that impacts the cost of your cat is the breeder’s reputation. Reputable breeders will usually charge more for their cats, reflecting the care that has been provided before you bring your cat home. Breeders that ensure they are breeding realty cats and providing proper care before you pick your cat up will always cost more. Your breeder should provide you with information about the care your cat has received, including vaccinations and any genetic testing performed before breeding.
The age of the cat you are purchasing plays a role in its price. Kittens are usually more expensive, whether you are buying them from a breeder or an adoption shelter. The higher price of kittens is due to their popularity and the care that they require before they come to your home.
Older cats aren’t as popular and are often sold at a lower price. Older cats often have plenty of life left and will provide your home with plenty of love, so it’s worth considering bringing an older cat into your home. Your older cat might have some health conditions to be aware of, but both breeders and adoption shelters will make you aware of this before you bring them home.
After you have purchased your cat, you need to consider the cost of the essentials that your York Chocolate cat will need. Cats need a bed, treats, feeding bowls, and crates to provide them with comfort and transport them to the vets when needed. The cost of each essential item does vary from $5 to $360 depending on the brand, size, and material used. You will need to consider your budget carefully to ensure you can afford these essentials for your cat and repurchase them when needed throughout your cat’s lifetime.
We have detailed the essentials that you need to consider and their prices below:
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 the 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.
Alongside the essentials that your York Chocolate cat needs, you must also consider the maintenance costs. Your maintenance costs for your cat will vary depending on the vet you choose, the brand of food you choose, and how often you choose to groom them. Over the course of a year, it can be a few hundred dollars to maintain your cat, so you need to consider your budget carefully before bringing one into your home.
We have detailed the maintenance costs you can expect every month for your York Chocolate cat below:
It can cost between $20 and $75 a month to feed your York Chocolate cat, depending on the brand of food and the type you choose to feed them. Typically, wet and raw foods will cost more than dry food. You might find a process of trial and error where you buy several types of food to find one that your cat likes, which can increase the cost.
Your York Chocolate cat will need a standard healthy cat diet that contains at least 60% animal meat to provide them with the nutrients and amino acids their body needs to thrive. We recommend looking for cat food that contains all-natural, high-quality ingredients, avoiding those with additives, preservatives, or added salt and sugar. You don’t need to spend a fortune to achieve this diet for your cat either, but you will need to do some research. You might find you spend a while reading the ingredient lists before you find the perfect food for your York Chocolate cat.
Based on an adult cat weighing between 4.5 and 7.25 kg, you can expect the following daily costs when feeding them:
Veterinary care for your York Chocolate cat will cost between a few hundred and thousand dollars a year depending on the price of your vets, the price of your pet insurance, and if any other treatments are required. To keep the costs as low as possible, we recommend investing in comprehensive pet insurance to avoid any nasty surprise costs. The costs we have outlined below cover the preventative care your cat will need, and we do not consider any other appointments or address injuries your cat might develop.
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 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 opt to groom your York Chocolate cat at home, providing them with regular brushes to remove any knots from their fur. However, not every cat enjoys grooming, and a professional can help provide your cat with the care it needs. A groom for a medium to large cat like a York Chocolate cat can cost around $151, with additional services like nail clipping charged at an extra cost.
The price of a groom will vary depending on the groomer you choose and if your cat has any mats to remove. Matted fur can be painful for your cat and requires a lot of skill to remove it, increasing the cost of your groom. Your groomer might also charge an additional fee if your cat attends with fleas, as they will need to decontaminate the whole area. It is vital that you maintain a good preventative treatment routine to prevent this.
York Chocolate cats are not the easiest to train, and you might need to work with a trainer to ensure they listen to you. These intelligent cats are independent and not the most attentive, so you might find training takes longer than anticipated. The training costs vary depending on the trainer you choose and how many sessions are required, but you can expect to spend a few hundred dollars training a York Chocolate cat.
While finding a York Chocolate cat can be tricky these days, you can find one that suits your budget. Whether you choose to adopt from a shelter or purchase your new cat from a breeder, make sure you carefully consider the cost of the essentials and maintenance to keep your cat happy and healthy.
Welcome to Pets Online, a team of pet parents, animal lovers and veterinarians devoted to providing you with everything you need to know about pets.