Bengal vs Scottish Fold Vet Costs
Bengal owners spend $430-$1,100/yr at the vet. Scottish Fold: $550-$1,500/yr. That's a $260/yr gap in average costs. Here's where the money goes.
Bengal
$6,800-$16,500
lifetime vet costs (14 yrs)
moderate health risk
Lifetime Gap
$3,100
Bengal costs less
Scottish Fold
$8,500-$21,000
lifetime vet costs (13 yrs)
high health risk
Vet Cost Breakdown
| Category | Bengal | Scottish Fold | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Vet Cost (avg) | $765/yr | $1,025/yr | Bengal |
| Annual Range | $430-$1,100 | $550-$1,500 | - |
| Preventive Care | $310/yr | $340/yr | Bengal |
| Emergency Risk Budget | $470/yr | $750/yr | Bengal |
| Pet Insurance | $32-$68/mo | $40-$90/mo | Bengal |
| Spay/Neuter | $175-$420 | $180-$430 | Bengal |
| Lifetime Vet Cost | $6,800-$16,500 | $8,500-$21,000 | Bengal |
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
Scottish Fold Health Risks
high risk · medium, 6-13 lbs · 13-year lifespan · 3-4 visits/year average
- Osteochondrodysplasia (100% of fold-fold crosses) $300-$5,000
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (15-20%) $500-$5,000
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) (3-5%) $500-$5,000
Breed-Specific Procedures
Bengal
- PRA-b DNA test $50-$100
- Cardiac ultrasound $250-$500
- Fecal PCR test $80-$200
- Wellness exam + vaccines $120-$270
Scottish Fold
- Joint/skeletal X-rays $150-$350
- Cardiac ultrasound $250-$500
- Pain management consultation $100-$300
- Dental cleaning $300-$750
Insurance: Is It Worth It?
Bengal
$32-$68/mo ($384-$816/yr)
moderate risk. Worth it if you get coverage before age 2, when premiums are lowest.
Scottish Fold
$40-$90/mo ($480-$1,080/yr)
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.