Most Expensive Cat Breeds: TOP-15 Expensive Cats in the World

Written by

Written by:

Seb is a professional SEO writer with a degree in Journalism, he has five years of experience in writing and editing. Seb specializes in topics like dog and cat breeds, aquarium guides, and pet care. He is passionate about educating and entertaining animal owners worldwide. In his spare time, Seb enjoys writing fiction novels.

View all 83 articles

Learn about our editorial process and veterinary review board.

Viewed: 218

Updated on: 06/08/2023

Did you know that cats are currently the most popular animal choice for household pets in America, ranking above dogs?

Once you think about it, it makes sense. Cats can be just as lovable and affectionate as dogs, with many breeds also being very independent.

Cats are also much smaller than most dogs, which suits small spaces such as apartments and large family homes.

Before we start talking about the most expensive kittens in the world, it is worth mentioning that many cats don’t cost a single penny.

We always recommend adopting as the number one route to welcoming a feline friend into your home. Thousands of cats around the country are in desperate need of a loving homes.

However, we also understand that owners sometimes have their hearts set on a kitten of their preferred breed and are happy to spend big to make that dream become a reality. Did you know that the most expensive breed in the world can cost up to $125,000?!

Let’s look at the exciting topic of expensive kittens and list the world’s top 15 most expensive breeds.

What makes an expensive cat breed?

A few things lead to a cat being up there with the most expensive breeds in the world.

The first criteria is how rare they are. As with any commodity, the rarer it is, the more expensive it is. When you have a high number of people all wanting a low number of things, those things are always going to shoot up in price.

This also ties in with the following criteria, popularity. The more popular a breed is, the higher the demand and the higher the price. Getting the perfect blend of famous and rare is sure to fetch a high price.

Finally, if the cat is considered pedigree and purebred, the price also goes up.

The top 15 most expensive cat breeds in the world

The Scottish Fold – $500 to $2000

Those tiny little ears that fold in towards the front of the head! Adorable! They are affectionate to the ones they love, kind, and rather passive creatures. They tend to stick to their owners like glue.

Photo by Cagdas Demir on Unsplash

READ MORE: All About Scottish Fold

The American Curl – $800 to $2000

The American Curl’s ears are the standout feature, which dates back to a genetic mutation in a litter of regular cats. They curl back towards the pet’s head and look nothing short of adorable!

Photo from Freepik

RELATED: Small Cat Breeds

The British Shorthair – $800 to $2300

The British Shorthair is a chilled-out cat that gets along with children of all ages and other animals. As the name suggests, it is known for its short coat and array of colors.

Photo by @user13983931 from Freepik

Russian Blue Cats – $300 to $3000

The most eye-catching thing about the Russian Blue is that trademark grey-blue fur and bright green eyes. These are the fierce models of the feline world.

Photo by @magryt from Freepik

The Maine Coon Cat – $400 to $4000

This is the largest domestic breed on the market, which is why they are often compared to dogs – and they even have the personality to match! Believe it or not, they can grow to double the size of some other domestic cats.

Photo by Ewa Kondraciuk from Pexels

READ MORE: All About Maine Coons

The Siberian – $700 to $4000

The Siberian may be one of the biggest breeds on this list, but they are also among the most laid back too. If you want a big fluffy pet who loves its family and is social with strangers, then look no further.

The Ragdoll – $800 to $5000

Beautiful long fur, bright blue eyes, and an affectionate personality – you can see why the Ragdoll is so popular. The price really depends on which type of Ragdoll you want, an everyday pet, a show-quality animal, or a show-quality pet that can also be used for breeding.

Photo by @emmanuellegrimaud from Freepik

The Peterbald – $1700 to $5000

Much like the famous Sphynx breed, the Peterbald has no hair, which tends to make it stand out. It has only been around since 1988 and is known as a chilled-out yet social pet.

Photo by @lifeonwhite from Freepik

The Toyger – $3000 to $5000

As the name suggests, this cat is essentially a toy tiger in appearance. It has the iconic stripes, which come from the Toyger being a Bengal/Domestic crossbreed. Although it may look like a wild kittens, it is actually a very laid-back and friendly breed.

The Persian – $1500 to $5500

For lovers of a big fluffball, look no further than the Persian. Not only are they stunning to look at, but they are also famous for having such a sweet and charming personality, so they are a pleasure to have around the home.

Photo by Touhid Arastu on Unsplash

The Sphynx – $900 to $9800

The Sphynx has long since appeared in TV and movies as the oddball of the cat world due to its lack of hair, but they are just like any other playful and silly pet. The only difference is that they need to be kept warm due to the lack of coat.

Photo by @natabuena from Freepik

READ MORE: All About Sphynxs

The Khao Manee – $7000 to $11,000

The Khao Manee has jet-white fur and piercing bright eyes, which is why they are often also called the Diamond Cat. What makes them rather unique for this list is that they occur naturally.

Photo by Alexandra Rucker from Facebook

The Bengal – $3000 to $25,000

Famed for looking like a mini wild cat, the Bengal is both popular and rare, hence the price tag. These little guys are brave beyond belief!

Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

They don’t mind water, they are not scared of dogs, and they rarely back down from a challenge. However, they are challenging to breed, and premature kittens are a big risk.

The Savannah Cat – $10,000 to $25,000

As the name suggests, the Savannah cat is a cross between a domestic pet and a wild cat, hence why it has those big ears and that tall, lean build. Quite an unusual trait for a cat, the Savannah loves water! So don’t be surprised to see them swimming around if you run them a bath.

Freepik

The price really depends on how many generations of domestic cat it has been bred with. The rarest and most expensive are half-wild serval and half-domestic.

The Ashera – $22,000 to $125,000

The Ashera is the most expensive breed in the world, and it isn’t even close. The average price in the current market is around $75,000, but they can go even higher.

If you wanted to get ten Ashera cats, you might not even get change from a million dollars!

Only around 100 Ashera cats are bred per year and not only are they beautiful, but they are also known to have dog-like personalities, hence why they are so expensive.

Conclusion: Should you buy or adopt?

As we said before, we always recommend adoption as the kindest and most sustainable route to welcome a new cat into your home.

Not only will you save money, but you will also be giving a cat in need a loving place to live.

However, if you have your heart set on an expensive breed, you are unlikely to find them in shelters.

FAQ

What are the 10 most expensive cat breeds?

The ten most expensive cat breeds are: The Siberian – $700 to $4000, The Ragdoll – $800 to $5000, The Peterbald – $1700 to $5000, The Toyger – $3000 to $5000, The Persian – $1500 to $5500, The Sphynx – $900 to $9800, The Khao Manee – $7000 to $11,000, The Bengal – $3000 to $25,000, The Savannah Cat – $10,000 to $25,000, The Ashera – $22,000 to $125,000.