10 Most Expensive Cat Breeds in the World

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Beautiful Bengal cat sits with a pile of money and a calculator.

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Planning to add a purebred cat to your family soon? You may not realize how much it can cost to buy a kitten from a breeder—especially if it’s one of the most expensive cat breeds. The average price of a purebred kitten from a breeder is about $500 to $1,500 for common breeds. However, some cat breeds, like those listed below, cost much more than that.

Hybrid cat breeds with wild heritage tend to be the most expensive due to the costs and difficulty involved in breeding them. Other expensive cat breeds include those with coveted genetic traits like hairlessness or folded ears, and those that are rare and have limited availability. Breeds that have a lot of genetically linked health conditions also tend to be more expensive. This is because responsible breeders have to spend a lot of money on health testing for the adult cats to ensure future litters of kittens are as healthy as possible.

10 Most Expensive Cat Breeds

Remember, you don’t have to buy your next cat, even if you have your heart set on a purebred cat. Adopting a pedigreed cat from an animal shelter or rescue group not only costs much less, but you are saving a life. Adoption fees range from about $75 to $300, with kittens and purebred cats often costing more to adopt than other cats.

Here are the 10 most expensive cat breeds:

#1 Savannah

Most expensive cat breeds Savannah cat

Nynke van Holten / Shutterstock.com

Breed Overview
Savannah Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
United States
Savannah Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
10"- 13"
Savannah Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
9-15 pounds
Savannah Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
12-15 years
Savannah Group: Large-sized short-haired
Savannah Price: $1,500 - $25,000 (depending on generation)

The Savannah cat tops the list as the most expensive cat breed. The Savannah is a hybrid breed, which means it was created using domestic cats and wild cats—in the case of the Savannah, the African serval. Breeding Savannahs is both difficult and expensive. Breeders need to acquire one or more servals, which cost a lot to house and feed. Interbreeding two species is a challenging process.

Queens can experience issues during pregnancy and litters are usually small. Male Savannahs are not always fertile, which further complicates matters. Savannahs are desired for their exotic appearance and unique personality.

#2 Bengal

Most expensive cat breeds Bengal cat

Alexander_Evgenyevich / Shutterstock.com

Breed Overview
Bengal Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
United States
Bengal Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
13"-16"
Bengal Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
6-15 pounds
Bengal Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
12-20 years
Bengal Group: Large shorthair
Bengal Price: $1,500 - $3,000

Like the Savannah, the Bengal is a hybrid breed. It was created by crossing domestic cats with a small wild cat species called the Asian wild cat. Compared to the Savannah, the Bengal is a more established breed with a larger gene pool. These days, Bengal breeding programs do not usually include Asian leopard cats, instead using Bengals that can trace their lineage back generations to their wild ancestor.

However, Bengals are pricey because they are in high demand. Some colors and patterns are more desirable, such as the coveted rosette spotted pattern, which gives these cats a distinct “wild” appearance.

#3 Persian

Most expensive cat breeds Persian cat

Cassiano Correia / Shutterstock.com

Breed Overview
Persian Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
Iran
Persian Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
8"- 10"
Persian Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
8-15 pounds
Persian Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
14-15 years
Persian Group: Medium to large long-haired
Persian Price: $1300 - $3000

The Persian cat is one of the most popular cat breeds, cherished for its gorgeous long hair, endearing flat faces, and sweet personality. But it’s also one of the most expensive. Breeding Persian cats is challenging and expensive, which means kittens cost more. The breed is prone to a number of known genetic health conditions, including polycystic kidney disease (PKD), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Reputable breeders perform extensive testing on their adult cats before breeding them to prevent health problems from being passed on to the kittens.

This heath testing, which may include genetic testing, echocardiograms, blood typing, and general health exams, is extremely expensive, which raises the price of kittens. Another reason Persian cats are so expensive is because they tend to have small litter sizes, and sometimes need veterinary assistance during birthing.

#4 Peterbald

Most expensive cat breeds Peterbald cat

SSeregraff / Shutterstock.com

Breed Overview
Peterbald Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
Russia
Peterbald Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
8"- 10"
Peterbald Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
6-10 pounds
Peterbald Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
10-12 years
Peterbald Group: Medium-sized hairless
Peterbald Price: $1700-$3000

The Peterbald was created by crossing a hairless Russian breed called the Don Sphynx with the Oriental Shorthair. The result? A cat with five possible coat types: naked (hairless), chamois (hair like suede or peach fuzz), flock (fine to slightly dense velour or velvet coat), brush (a sparse wiry coat), and straight (a short coat). Breeding Peterbald cats is complicated; breeders must carefully pair cats due to the coat genetics involved.

Breeders in the United States might have to import cats from other countries, which is costly. The Peterbald cat is also quite rare. Because there are few breeders and kittens available, prices tend to be higher. They are loved for their unique appearance and charming personality.

#5 Sphynx

Most expensive cat breeds Sphynx cat

Alexander Piragis / Shutterstock.com

Breed Overview
Sphynx Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
Canada
Sphynx Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
8"-10"
Sphynx Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
8-16 pounds
Sphynx Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
13-14 years
Sphynx Group: Medium-sized hairless
Sphynx Price: $1800-$3000

The Sphynx is the oldest hairless cat breed. It originated in Canada in the 1960s when a bald kitten named Prune was born in a litter of fully coated kittens. Prune’s hairlessness was due to a natural genetic mutation. The breed was originally called the Canadian Hairless Cat, but the name Sphynx was later adopted.

Sphynx cats are costly to breed. Responsible breeders perform health testing and genetic testing on their adult Sphynx, and make careful breeding decisions to help them produce healthy, hairless Sphynx kittens. Sphynx are more rare than some other breeds, but in high demand, so prices can be higher.

#6 Scottish Fold

Most expensive cat breeds Scottish Fold cat

D’Action Images / Shutterstock.com

Breed Overview
Scottish Fold Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
United Kingdom
Scottish Fold Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
8"- 10"
Scottish Fold Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
6-13 pounds
Scottish Fold Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
13-15 years
Scottish Fold Group: Medium to large short-haired and long-haired
Scottish Fold Price: $1000 - $2000

The Scottish Fold cat is beloved for its adorable folded ears, which makes these cats look like little owls. The folded ears are the result of a genetic mutation, which can sometimes cause unwanted health issues, including problems with cartilage and bones, and spinal deformities. Breeders must be very careful when breeding Scottish Fold cats to ensure the kittens are born healthy.

The costs associated with health testing adult cats before breeding them makes kittens expensive. Additionally, not all kittens born in a litter will have folded ears, but those are the kittens most people want. Because fewer-folded ear kittens are available, their price will be higher than their straight-eared siblings.

#7 Maine Coon

Most expensive cat breeds Maine Coon Cat

photosbelkina / Shutterstock.com

Breed Overview
Maine Coon Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
United States
Maine Coon Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
10" to 16"
Maine Coon Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
9 to 20 pounds
Maine Coon Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
9 to 15 years
Maine Coon Group: Large Longhair
Maine Coon Price: $400 to $2,000

One of the largest domestic cat breeds, the Maine Coon is beloved for its big size and mellow personality. But this gentle giant comes with a hefty price tag. Maine Coons are in high demand, but breeding them is more expensive than breeding other cats. Due to their large size, Maine Coons are slow to mature, which means breeders must raise and house the cats longer than average before breeding them.

Responsible breeders also conduct health tests on their cats, including screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hip dysplasia, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Additionally, it costs more to care for the oversized Maine Coon—they eat more food than smaller cats and require higher doses of flea control, dewormers, and other medications.

#8 Ragdoll

Most expensive cat breeds Ragdoll cat

Peredniankina / Shutterstock.com

Breed Overview
Ragdoll Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
United States
Ragdoll Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
9"-11"
Ragdoll Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
10-20 pounds
Ragdoll Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
12-15 years
Ragdoll Group: Large-sized long-haired
Ragdoll Price: $1200 - $2300

The Ragdoll is a popular cat breed treasured for its gorgeous appearance and lovely temperament—they relax and snuggle into your arms just like a floppy ragdoll. The Ragdoll isn’t terribly more expensive than average, but they can cost a bit more than other breeds.

Like the Maine Coon, the Ragdoll is slow to mature, so breeders often wait longer than average to breed adults. Also, Ragdolls have genetic tests available for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which are costly but help ensure the health of future litters. One of the biggest reasons Radgoll kittens are expensive though is their high demand.

#9 British Shorthair

Most expensive cat breeds British Shorthair cat

Natasha B / Shutterstock.com

Breed Overview
British Shorthair Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
United Kingdom
British Shorthair Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
11"-14"
British Shorthair Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
8-18 pounds
British Shorthair Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
12-16 years
British Shorthair Group: Medium-to-large shorthair
British Shorthair Price: $300-$5,000

British Shorthairs are coveted for their round, smiling faces with chubby cheeks that make them look like teddy bears. Responsible breeders perform health testing on their British Shorthairs for diseases common in the breed like HMC and PKD, which increases the cost of breeding them. Though British Shorthair kittens are in high demand, they tend to have smaller litters than some other breeds, which drives up their price.

#10 Siberian

Most expensive cat breeds Siberian cat

fantom_rd / Shutterstock.com

Breed Overview
Siberian Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
Russia
Siberian Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
9"- 11"
Siberian Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
17-26 pounds
Siberian Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
12-15 years
Siberian Group: Medium to large long-haired
Siberian Price: $1000-$2000

One of the reasons Siberian cats are so expensive is because they are one of the few cat breeds considered to be hypoallergenic. Despite their thick fur coat, Siberians seem to produce lower levels of the Fel d 1 protein that causes allergies in people. (Remember, no cat is guaranteed not to cause allergies—allergic people should spend time with adult Siberians to see how they react before bringing one home.)

Siberians are relatively rare in the United States—fewer kittens available means their prices will be higher. Although pet quality Siberian cats average around $2,000, show quality Siberians can cost as much as $4,000 or more.

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About Jackie Brown

Jackie Brown is a senior content editor on the cats.com editorial team. She also writes on all pet and veterinary topics, including general health and care, nutrition, grooming, behavior, training, veterinary and health topics, rescue and animal welfare, lifestyle, and the human-animal bond. Jackie is the former editor of numerous pet magazines and is a regular contributor to pet magazines and websites.

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