Discover the charm and distinctiveness of expensive purebred cats.
Key Insights on Expensive Cat Breeds:
Why Some Cats Are Expensive: Certain cat breeds command high prices due to their rarity, purebred lineage, popularity, and the complexities involved in their breeding.
Ethical Purchasing: It’s essential to choose reputable breeders who prioritize the health and well-being of their cats to ensure ethical practices.
Top Priciest Cat Breeds: This article highlights the 10 most expensive cat breeds, with the Savannah cat leading the pack, potentially costing over $10,000.
Certain cat breeds can come with hefty price tags, often influenced by factors such as their popularity, rarity, purebred status, and the challenges associated with their breeding. Elements like pedigree, coat color, and even geographic location can also impact a cat’s cost.
However, regardless of the price, it’s crucial to research thoroughly and choose ethical breeders who prioritize the health and well-being of their cats.
Russian Blue
Price Range: $500–$3,000
The Russian Blue is a sought-after breed known for its striking steel blue coat and vivid green eyes. These cats thrive in quiet, calm environments and are deeply loyal to their families. When they feel comfortable, Russian Blues are affectionate, playful, and full of charm.
Breed Overview
- Height: 9 to 11 inches
- Weight: Up to 12 pounds
- Personality/Temperament: Friendly, gentle, intelligent
- Energy Level: Medium
- Coat Length: Short
- Coat Color: Steel blue
- Life Span: Up to 20 years
British Shorthair
Price Range: $1,000–$3,500
The British Shorthair is a beloved breed known for its affectionate nature and easy-going personality. Calm and quiet, these cats are excellent companions and get along well with people and other pets, making them perfect for families. They are also recognized for being generally healthy, with no major genetic health concerns.
Breed Overview
- Height: 12 to 24 inches
- Weight: 7 to 17 pounds
- Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, easy-going, calm
- Energy Level: Medium
- Coat Length: Short
- Coat Color: White, black, blue, red, cream, smoke, silver, golden
- Life Span: 12 to 16 years
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Persian Cat
Price Range: $1,500–$1,700 (up to $5,000 depending on pedigree and bloodline)
The Persian cat is one of the most revered and recognizable breeds worldwide, known for its luxurious, long coat and regal appearance. Their elegant demeanor and loving personality make them ideal companions. Persian cats are sweet, gentle, and playful, while also being incredibly adaptable to various living environments.
Breed Overview
- Height: 10 to 15 inches
- Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
- Personality/Temperament: Sweet, gentle, playful
- Energy Level: Low
- Coat Length: Long
- Coat Color: Blue, black, white, red, cream, chocolate, lilac, silver, golden
- Life Span: 15 to 20 years
Peterbald
Price Range: Up to $2,000
The Peterbald is a rare and unique cat breed that stands out not only for its striking appearance but also for its dog-like personality. Known for being outgoing, playful, and incredibly social, Peterbalds love being around their family, including other pets. Their distinctive look—ranging from fuzzy to completely bald—along with their webbed front toes and wrinkled skin, makes them truly one-of-a-kind.
Breed Overview
- Height: 8 to 12 inches
- Weight: Up to 14 pounds
- Personality/Temperament: Friendly, lively, intelligent
- Energy Level: Medium
- Coat Length: Hairless
- Coat Color: White, black, red/orange, gray, fawn, or lilac
- Life Span: Up to 15 years
Bengal Cat
Price Range: $2,000–$3,000
The Bengal cat is an exotic and captivating breed, known for its stunning markings and energetic personality. With a wild, leopard-like coat and an adventurous spirit, Bengals are playful and always ready for action. These cats are incredibly intelligent, curious, and easily trainable, making them great companions for active families. As Desiree Bobby notes, you can expect to pay around $2,000–$3,000 for Bengals bred by reputable preservation breeders, with health-tested lines and verified pedigrees.
Breed Overview
- Height: 8 to 16 inches
- Weight: Up to 20 pounds
- Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, animated, energetic
- Energy Level: High
- Coat Length: Short or long
- Coat Color: Brown
- Life Span: Up to 15 years
Lykoi
Price Range: $2,000–$3,000
The Lykoi cat, often referred to as the “wolf cat” or “werewolf cat,” is a strikingly unique breed that was officially established in 2011. Known for their wild, almost mythical appearance, Lykoi cats owe their distinctive look to a rare, natural mutation in feral cats. Despite their unusual appearance, they are affectionate, friendly, and love being around people and other pets. As Bobby points out, due to their rarity and the limited number of breeders worldwide, Lykoi cats typically cost around $2,000–$3,000.
Breed Overview
- Height: 8 to 10 inches
- Weight: 6 to 12 pounds
- Personality/Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, playful
- Energy Level: High
- Coat Length: Hairless, short
- Coat Color: Black/ebony
- Life Span: 15 to 20 years
Scottish Fold
Price Range: $2,000–$3,500
The Scottish Fold is a charming and highly sought-after breed, best known for its adorable round face and distinctive folded ears. Interestingly, not all Scottish Folds have folded ears—some feature straight ears, adding to their unique appeal. Renowned for their sweet and sociable nature, these cats make excellent companions. Fun fact: Taylor Swift owns two Scottish Folds, Meredith and Olivia. Due to their rare and captivating looks, Scottish Folds are in high demand, with prices ranging between $2,000 and $3,500.
Breed Overview
- Height: 8 to 10 inches
- Weight: Up to 11 pounds
- Personality/Temperament: Sociable, affectionate, easygoing
- Energy Level: Medium
- Coat Length: Short
- Coat Color: Brown, black, cream, gray, red, white
- Life Span: Up to 14 years
Toyger
Price Range: $2,000–$3,500 or more
Toygers are a unique hybrid breed that was developed in the 1980s with the intention of resembling miniature toy tigers. A cross between a Bengal and a tabby cat, these cats are known for their striking appearance and active, intelligent personalities. As a relatively new and rare breed, Toygers are highly sought after, which is reflected in their price range of $2,000 to $3,500 or even more.
Breed Overview
- Height: 9 to 13 inches
- Weight: 10 to 15 pounds
- Personality/Temperament: Friendly, athletic, quiet
- Energy Level: High
- Coat Length: Short
- Coat Color: Orange, black, white
- Life Span: 10 to 15 years
Sphynx
Price Range: $2,500–$5,000
The Sphynx cat is a distinctive and beloved breed known for its nearly hairless body, wrinkled skin, and large, expressive eyes. These playful and mischievous kitties thrive on attention and affection, often seeking out their favorite humans for cuddles and companionship. The Sphynx is also sociable and enjoys the company of other pets. Due to their popularity and the cost of breeding, a Sphynx cat can range from $2,500 to $5,000, especially when bred by reputable breeders who test for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Breed Overview
- Height: 8 to 10 inches
- Weight: Less than 12 pounds
- Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, energetic, friendly, playful, loving
- Energy Level: High
- Coat Length: Nearly hairless
- Coat Color: Black, brown, lilac, red, white
- Life Span: 8 to 14 years
Savannah Cat
Price Range: $1,200–$10,500
The Savannah cat is a unique and striking breed, known for its wild look and playful, adventurous nature. A mix of domestic cat traits and the wild African Serval, the Savannah is a highly energetic and intelligent feline. Due to the complexities of breeding and their wild ancestry, these cats can be expensive, with prices ranging from around $1,200 for lower filial generations, all the way up to $10,500 for higher generations. Their need for extra care, along with their wild genes, makes them a challenging but rewarding companion.
Breed Overview
- Height: 13 to 15 inches
- Weight: 12 to 25 pounds
- Personality/Temperament: Curious, intelligent, social
- Energy Level: High
- Coat Length: Short to medium
- Coat Color: Brown, silver, black, smoke
- Life Span: Up to 20 years