Chances are you’ve come here because you’re thinking that a fluffy, lovable Norwegian Forest Cat will be a perfect companion for you, and you’re wondering just how much that might set you back. The good news is that the Norwegian Forest Cat tends to be a cheaper breed than many purebred cats, averaging between $400 – $1200 in the United States and £500 – £600 in the United Kingdom if purchased straight from the breeder.
So why is there such a wide range in the price of a Norwegian Forest Cat? The price you pay is largely based on a few key factors, including age, show quality, and the level of care from the breeder.
Age Factor
Age is probably the biggest factor that drives the price of a Norwegian Forest Cat. Kittens will almost always be far more expensive than adults because they’re in so much higher demand. In fact, adults that are up for sale by a breeder are usually retired breeding cats, and make for excellent pets as they’ve lived for many years in a loving home with plenty of care.
Show Quality Factor
There are several show quality grades of Norwegian Forest Cat that will either fetch a higher or lower price depending on the level:
- Pet Quality – This level of Norwegian Forest Cat quality is unsuitable for cat shows (they lack necessary characteristics according to breed standards) and will be the cheapest to buy.
- Show Quality – This Norwegian Forest Cat quality is suitable for cat shows and is usually on the higher end of the price scale.
- Breeding Quality – This is the highest quality of Norwegian Forest Cat and is defined by the cat being able to pass on their show quality characteristics. This level of cat will almost always demand the highest prices.
Level of Care By the Breeder
There are many other costs of care that go into raising a kitten that end up inflating the final price you pay. But it’s all for good reason; those vet visits, food and toy purchases, vaccinations, genetic tests, etc. are all necessary to raise a healthy, well-adapted kitten.
Recognizing that a higher cost is a sign of a high quality breeder is important because there are plenty of backyard breeders out there enticing buyers with ultra-low prices. Any Norwegian Forest Cat that is being offered for under $400 (not for adoption) is a big red flag, and could mean the cat has not been properly cared for, is being sold much sooner than they should be as a kitten, or they’re not even a purebred Norwegian Forest Cat.
Some things that go into the cost of a purebred cat from a breeder are:
- Regular examinations and a clear bill of health by a licensed veterinarian
- Spay or neuter surgery
- All necessary vaccinations up to date
- Deworming
- Health records
- Official TICA registration
- Health guarantee
- Lots of support and advice from your breeder
A high quality breeder might also provide:
- Microchip with registration
- A pet insurance trial
- Toys
- An airline approved carrier
- Food to help you transition
Should I Adopt or Buy a Norwegian Forest Cat?
Another important factor to consider is whether you want to buy from a breeder or adopt a Norwegian Forest Cat. Adoption is always far cheaper, costing perhaps only $75-100. However, adopted Norwegians are likely to be older cats and may have come from abusive or negligent homes. However, just because they’re up for adoption doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t deserve or are incapable of love and affection.
Although there aren’t nearly as many Norwegian Forest Cats up for adoption as the standard domestic cat, you can still look here to see if there are any in your area: https://www.adoptapet.com/.
