If you are researching for a new cat, chances are you will soon come across the Birman. They are a popular choice; being an affectionate breed with alluring blue eyes and a long-haired silky coat. But how much do they cost to buy – either as a kitten or through adoption. From there onward how much will their ongoing care typically cost? Here are the financials involved with this particular breed of cat.

So, how much do Birman cats cost? Birman cats typically cost between $400 to $600 to buy as kittens, or between $15-$250 to adopt (if you can find one!). The pedigree, reputation of the breeder, your location, and current supply and demand will all impact the price. Other upfront cat ownership expenses are often between $350-$1400, with annual expenses of $400-$750.

When it comes to acquiring a Birman cat, it’s essential to do your research and your due diligence.

While this is true with any pet, it’s particularly true with cats and of this specific breed. These cats as you can see, are costly to buy.

Be aware that there are all types of breeders out there – registered breeders, backyard breeders, and kitten mills.

It generally goes without saying that you should always seek out registered breeders first and foremost.

They are typically members of associations like the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) or The International Cat Association (TICA).

This is important, not only for the health of your kitten and future cat, but because you do not want to be supporting unethical or immoral breeding practices; however affordable it may seem.

Let us now take a closer look at the costs associated with owning a Birman cat.

We will be looking at typical kitten prices, adoption prices, and ongoing costs in further detail.

We’ll also be considering whether or not this specific breed is considered expensive.

So, keep on reading if you are contemplating this breed and want to set your expectations regarding the budget, accordingly.

How Much Do Birman Cat Kittens Cost?

Birman cat kittens can cost anywhere from $400 to $1500. Although the average price paid is around $500.

Those at the high end of the scale are those that are often purchased from excellent pedigrees and those often used for show.

So, do not worry too much when you see this high price!

Another thing to consider is that kittens purchased from a breeder will naturally cost more than one you could adopt.

But we will discuss this further in the next section.

As you can see the upfront cost for a kitten is very variable, there are a number of factors that can influence the price.

The most notable include the pedigree, certain characteristics, and supply and demand.

Let us now look at each one:

Pedigree and Lineage

Where you are looking to purchase your Birman will largely impact the price.

Breeders with a positive reputation, who use healthy and vetted cats, have produced and sold healthy kittens in previous litters, and are registered with authorities are naturally going to charge more.

For the most part, you get what you pay for.

Part of the higher prices is in the level of care, attention, and detail that was put into the breeding process.

However, this is not always the case. There will always be exceptions.

This is why you need to research carefully into breeders, spend some time looking into them, and even get recommendations from vets/authorities.

Ability To Breed

Another aspect to consider is whether or not you are looking for a pet or a cat that you can later breed.

Typically, kittens that come with breeding rights are going to be more expensive.

Sterilized kittens, a procedure that prevents future reproduction and takes place when they are around the age of 1-month-old, will typically cost in the region of $500.

Appearance and Characteristics

One of the other main factors that influence the asking price is appearance and characteristics.

Rarer features, particular colors, or those with desirable personality and socialization traits are going to cost more.

Supply and Demand

Economics is also in play; it depends a lot on how many Birman cats are up for sale and how many people want them at the time you do.

Typically, the higher the demand, and the lower the supply – the more it will cost you.

How Much Do Birman Cats Cost To Adopt?

It typically costs between $15-$200 to adopt a cat (over the age of 1), and $50-$250 to adopt a kitten (2-11 months of age). This price is true for Birman cats and most other breeds.

However, this again is just an average. There are other factors that can impact the adoption fee.

Perhaps the ones to be most familiar with are the general health condition and the temperament of the cat.

One thing to note with the Birman is that they are not commonly found at local animal shelters and rescue organizations.

It happens now and again but it is not something that you can guarantee. In truth, you’d be lucky to find one.

Birman cats are a desirable breed and are often snatched up quickly; besides who can resist those baby blue eyes?

Thankfully, if you are fortunate enough to find a Birman cat, let alone a kitten at a shelter, then this is the cost-effective way to go.

Equally, they would have provided health checks, vaccinations, microchipping, desexing, and deworming.

These are all examples of the costs you will expect to face when purchasing a kitten from a breeder.

One thing to note is that animal shelters are not usually concerned about the cat’s pedigree, and do not generally charge according to breed.

This can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it!

While there is no guarantee that your local animal adoption center will have a Birman cat, there is no harm in inquiring!

Are Birman Cats Expensive?

Birman cats are relatively expensive to purchase as kittens. They are relatively rare and as such, do not often come cheap.

Although, when you compare the Birman to other cat breeds, take for example the Russian Blue, you soon notice that this is generally the price you should expect to pay for a kitten.

Whether or not you consider them to be expensive though, does depend on your definition of the term, your budget, and the realm of time you are looking at.

Are you considering just the purchase price, or are you factoring in the other one-time expenses ownership often comes with?

And then, of course, there is the cost of their ongoing care.

Then there is the matter of where you get your cat from; there will always be cats that are much more affordable. But is it worth it?

In reality, it’s probably not.

It comes strongly recommended to only purchase through a reputable and trustworthy breeder. And they charge for it.

But at least you know your money is well spent, and you can better ensure the health of your kitten.

Equally, they must provide pedigree papers to ensure you are getting a Birman – which is important.

Besides, the better breeders will be rigorous in their standards and will unlikely sell their cats to anyone.

You may even need to prove that you can provide adequate care for their cat.

While this may sound like a nuisance, it is in the interests of everyone.

Let us now take a closer look at the other costs associated with owning this breed of cat.

Cost Of Owning A Birman Cat

The upfront cost of a Birman cat is one thing.

However, you must factor in the other additional one-time expenses and then the cost of caring for them long-term.

One-Time Expenses

The following are some typical one-time expenses that you will likely need to make at the time you get your Birman:

Item	Average Price	Notes
Initial Food	$100
Startup Supplies	$100-$200	Food/Water Bowls, Grooming Supplies (Brushes, Shampoo) Tags, Toys, Litter Box
Furniture and Scratches	$50-$100
Beds and Blankets	$50-$100
Initial Veterinary Exam	$75
Preventative Medical Treatments	$50-$100
Licensing	$25
Microchipping	$50

Ongoing Costs

Item	Frequency	Average Price
Food	Weekly	$25
Treats	Weekly	$10
Litter	Weekly	$15
Ongoing Veterinary Visits	As and When	$50-$100 per visit

Comments on Costs

It is commonly estimated that the first year of cat ownership exceeds $1,000, according to the ASPCA.

Although you are looking at around $500 per year after that.

You need to consider that Birman cats are long-lived; they have an average lifespan of about 15 years.

So, over the course of their life, you are looking at around $7,500 in cost of care, on average.

There are however extras that may increase over time as their developmental needs change, for example, an older cat will likely need more medical care and treatment.

The highest cost is food, and unlike some cat breeds, the Birman needs lots of grooming as they are long-haired cats.
You can groom your cat at home, so you must factor in the cost of grooming supplies for them.
Birman cats require daily grooming to remove dead hair and mats, they are also sensitive to dirt, and they enjoy grooming.
Make sure to use a good quality pet shampoo when bathing your Birman and make sure they dry off quickly; however, don’t keep them in direct sunlight after a bath.
The more you groom your Birman, the healthier their appearance will be.

Where To Buy A Birman Cat?

There are typically two ways to buy a Birman cat; through a breeder or through a rescue/animal shelter.

Any decent cat breeder should register with The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA). This is perhaps the best place to start.

The organization itself is a non-profit organization, and its objectives include:

The welfare of cats
Registering
Recording by number the names/pedigrees of cats and kittens
The promotion and support of CFA recognized cat breeds
The outlining of rules by the management/organizers of cat shows
The promotion of the interest of breeders of pedigreed cats
The licensing of cat shows held under the guidelines of the organization

If you look on their website, you will see the “Find A Breeder” section on the top right, simply click on that and enter your details in the table.

The site will offer you a list of breeders available, and from there you get in touch with the breeders.

You can follow their Facebook page and join their discussion group, where you can ask for advice on finding the best breeder in your region.

It would help if you tried to visit a cat show in your region; to find a calendar of shows from the TICA website.

This will allow you to talk to breeders and get a better deal on a cat.

From there, it’s all about doing your further research and due diligence.

It is best to organize to meet a breeder or a few breeders.

You can visit their home and see first-hand how the kittens live, be sure to ask lots of questions.

Excellent questions to ask include those regarding their health, the cat’s family history and if any vaccinations have already been done.

You should look to handle the kitten to check for good muscle tone, bright, clear eyes, and a clean coat.

The kitten should not sneeze or have the sniffles; their eyes should be free of discharge, and their ears clean and pink inside.

The cat should have no bald patches or flaky, dry skin.

You can play with the kitten using a toy, and after a while, the kitten should feel relaxed in your company.

Keep in mind that many healthy kittens prefer to play than be held, After some time, the kitten should get used to you and feel calm being held, if even for a short while.

Kittens express themselves reasonably well, and if they are happy, you will see their little tails go up in the air.

Trust your intuition; if something is off about the breeder and you don’t feel comfortable, don’t make a purchase.

Some red flags to watch out for include: considerably cheap cats, websites allowing you to purchase with a credit card, and continuous kitten availability.

Breeders typically sell kittens between 12 and 16 weeks old, so look out for these in any listings.

Lastly, and after successfully buying your Birman kitten, take them to the vet for a complete health check.

Finally

If you are looking at the Birman cat, then they will likely make an excellent choice of companion.

They possess a regal appearance; being semi-long-haired, silky in coat, having bright blue eyes and feet that are always pure white.

In temperament, they are commonly very affectionate, loving, friendly, gentle, and people-orientated. It comes as no surprise to learn that they are great with children.

Owners often report that they are great cats to live with overall and they develop strong bonds with them.

And they are not overly needy either!

Usually, a quick scratch on the head or a bit of a cuddle is enough to satisfy their need for attention. They are docile and laid back which makes them a great breed to own!

Just remember, it will cost you in the region of $500-$750 for the kitten, $1000 in additional one-time costs, and around $7,500 ($500-$750 x15) for looking after this cat that lives for around 15 years.

So, in total, you are looking at a pet that will cost you around $10,000 over the course of ownership.

While they may be somewhat expensive to own, do not let the price put you off if you can afford them. Besides, all cats will command a similar cost to some extent.

Wondering how much other cat breeds cost too? Find out in my respective finance guides below:

Jeremy Williams

I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.

Table of Contents