American Shorthair vs Bengal Vet Costs
American Shorthair owners spend $350-$900/yr at the vet. Bengal: $430-$1,100/yr. That's a $140/yr gap in average costs. Here's where the money goes.
American Shorthair
$5,500-$13,500
lifetime vet costs (15 yrs)
low health risk
Lifetime Gap
$2,150
American Shorthair costs less
Bengal
$6,800-$16,500
lifetime vet costs (14 yrs)
moderate health risk
Vet Cost Breakdown
| Category | American Shorthair | Bengal | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Vet Cost (avg) | $625/yr | $765/yr | American Shorthair |
| Annual Range | $350-$900 | $430-$1,100 | - |
| Preventive Care | $280/yr | $310/yr | American Shorthair |
| Emergency Risk Budget | $300/yr | $470/yr | American Shorthair |
| Pet Insurance | $25-$52/mo | $32-$68/mo | American Shorthair |
| Spay/Neuter | $150-$380 | $175-$420 | American Shorthair |
| Lifetime Vet Cost | $5,500-$13,500 | $6,800-$16,500 | American Shorthair |
American Shorthair Health Risks
low risk · medium, 8-15 lbs · 15-year lifespan · 1-2 visits/year average
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (10-12%) $500-$5,000
- Obesity (30-40%) $100-$500
- Dental disease (60%+) $250-$800
Bengal Health Risks
moderate risk · medium, 8-15 lbs · 14-year lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-b) (8-12%) $150-$500
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (10-15%) $500-$5,000
- Tritrichomonas foetus (10-20%) $100-$500
- Flat-chested kitten syndrome (1-5%) $200-$1,000
Breed-Specific Procedures
American Shorthair
- Dental cleaning $250-$700
- Cardiac ultrasound $250-$450
- Wellness exam + vaccines $110-$260
Bengal
- PRA-b DNA test $50-$100
- Cardiac ultrasound $250-$500
- Fecal PCR test $80-$200
- Wellness exam + vaccines $120-$270
Insurance: Is It Worth It?
American Shorthair
$25-$52/mo ($300-$624/yr)
low risk. Worth it if you get coverage before age 2, when premiums are lowest.
Bengal
$32-$68/mo ($384-$816/yr)
moderate risk. Worth it if you get coverage before age 2, when premiums are lowest.
Premiums from Nationwide, ASPCA, and Embrace. Accident + illness plans, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement.