American Shorthair vs Saint Bernard Vet Costs
American Shorthair owners spend $350-$900/yr at the vet. Saint Bernard: $750-$2,000/yr. That's a $750/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
$4,500
American Shorthair costs less
Saint Bernard
$8,000-$20,000
lifetime vet costs (9 yrs)
very high health risk
Vet Cost Breakdown
| Category | American Shorthair | Saint Bernard | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Vet Cost (avg) | $625/yr | $1,375/yr | American Shorthair |
| Annual Range | $350-$900 | $750-$2,000 | - |
| Preventive Care | $280/yr | $600/yr | American Shorthair |
| Emergency Risk Budget | $300/yr | $900/yr | American Shorthair |
| Pet Insurance | $25-$52/mo | $80-$150/mo | American Shorthair |
| Spay/Neuter | $150-$380 | $400-$900 | American Shorthair |
| Lifetime Vet Cost | $5,500-$13,500 | $8,000-$20,000 | 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
Saint Bernard Health Risks
very high risk · giant, 140-180 lbs · 9-year lifespan · 2-4 visits/year
- Hip and elbow dysplasia (30-35%) $1,500-$8,000
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (10-15%) $500-$3,000
- Bloat (GDV) (5-8%) $3,000-$8,000
Breed-Specific Procedures
American Shorthair
- Dental cleaning $250-$700
- Cardiac ultrasound $250-$450
- Wellness exam + vaccines $110-$260
Saint Bernard
- Hip/elbow OFA screening $300-$600
- Cardiac screening (echo) $300-$700
- Dental cleaning $400-$900
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.
Saint Bernard
$80-$150/mo ($960-$1,800/yr)
very high risk. Insurance is close to mandatory for this breed. One surgery can exceed years of premiums.
Premiums from Nationwide, ASPCA, and Embrace. Accident + illness plans, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement.