What is the most expensive cat breed in the world for 2024? The snow leopard-looking Ashera breed produces only five litter per year, so owning one is a true gem. That is, if you’re willing to shell out $125,000 apiece. Here’s our complete list of the most expensive cat breeds in the world in 2024:
- The Ashera – Up to $125,000
- Savannah – $50,000
- Bengal – $25,000
- Persian – $5,500
- Peterbald – $5,000
- Sphynx – $3,000
- Scottish Fold – $3,000
- Russian Blue – $3,000
- American Curl – $1,200
- American Wirehair – $1,200
- British Shorthair – $800 to $1,000
- Maine Coon – $1,000
Cats are among the most preferred pets in the US and cat owners are willing to spend more than $1,200 a year on average on their adorable feline. Americanproducts.org reports that the total US pet industry expenditure was estimated to be about $69.4 billion in 2017. Pet owners spent $29.7 billion on food, $14.9 billion on supplies and over-the-counter medicines, $16.6 billion on veterinary care, $2 billion on live animal purchases, and $6.1 billion on other services.
Cats are the second most popular pets in the US with 47.1 million households adopting a pet feline, compared to 60.2 million households with a pet dog. There are an estimated 94.2 million pet cats in the US. Petfoodindustry.com reports that the US pet food market is projected to grow 4.4% in 2018 and reach $27 billion.
Rich pet owners are willing to spend huge sums to buy and raise rare cat breeds. In this article, we list the top 12 most expensive cat breeds in the world. If you are bursting with moolah and feline love, check out these adorable cat breeds and buy the one that you love.
12. Maine Coon – $1,000
A New England native, the Maine Coon is distinguished by its mouse hunting skills, adaptability to the extreme cold weather of the US northeast, and its large tufted ears, fluffy tail, and shaggy coat. This large animal however has a kind disposition and is very intelligent.
Some Maine Coons are known to weigh more than 20 pounds. They achieve their full size in three to five years. This feline is affable and good-natured and adapts easily to different personalities and lifestyles. They follow people around, but aren’t needy. Males are prone to silly, entertaining antics, while females behave in a more dignified manner. The laidback and friendly Maine Coon is an ideal pet for families with kids and cat-friendly dogs.
11. British Shorthair – $800 to $1,000
Adaptable, affectionate, and attached to their owners, British Shorthairs are great to watch. They are sociable animals and can easily get along with household members and other pets. But they do not like to be carried.
British Shorthairs have their origin in the domestic cats of the Roman Empire. They were noted for their hunting abilities and strength, but the modern breed has become a bit clumsy. The earliest members of this breed were produced from UK street cats. Breeders have worked hard to make this species resilient to health issues and diseases.
The British Shorthair is adorably chubby and more rounded compared to its American counterpart. They come in many colors and are known for their copper eyes, bluish-gray fur, and wide face. A British Shorthair kitten can cost between $800 to $1,000 which finds it a place in this list of most expensive cat breeds. The British Shorthair is a quiet feline but loves showing affection. They are usually not energetic or active, but laidback and easy-going.
10. American Wirehair – $1,200
This is the quintessential American cat breed. It is the result of a spontaneous mutation that took place among farm cats in upstate New York around 1966. The feline’s trademark wirehaired coat distinguishes it from other breeds. The American Wirehair is easy to look after and resilient to diseases which makes them a favorite among casual cat lovers as well as serious breeders.
Similar to the American Shorthair, the Wirehair is playful, affectionate, good-natured, adaptable, and even clownish. It is an athletic cat that is moderately active. The American Wirehair is also smart and likes playing with interactive and puzzle toys. It likes to socialize with visitors and follows household members everywhere. The breed is generally healthy and doesn’t need combing or brushing except in spring when it sheds its winter coat. It gets along great with children and other pets in the household.
9. American Curl – $1,200
The American Curl is affectionate and playful and a popular breed among cat lovers. Its distinguishing physical traits are its silk flat-lying coat, medium-sized rectangular body, expressive eyes, and curling ears. The origin of this breed can be traced back to a stray black female cat with long hair and funny ears that was adopted by Joe and Grace Ruga in Lakewood, California in 1981. The couple named the cat “Shulamith” and all American Curls are traced back to this feline.
The trademark curly ears of the American Curl have been caused by random mutation. This cat has a very affectionate personality and likes to socialize with humans and other cats. It is not very vocal but an intelligent breed. The long-haired cats of this variety need plenty of grooming.
8. Russian Blue – $3,000
This feline attracts onlookers with its brilliant green eyes and silvery blue coat. Plus, it is playful and smart which makes it a perfect pet for any household. The Russian Blue is loyal to its masters and adapts quickly to their moods. They like to socialize with their owners but are a bit shy with strangers. This breed can be expensive at about $3,000 a kitten, but they aren’t high maintenance.
The Russian Blue is also known as “the Archangel cat” as its origins can be traced to the city of Archangel in Russia. It was introduced to the rest of the world in 1875 in England. As mentioned above, Russian Blue cats are reserved with strangers and stick to themselves. Despite this apparently cold personality, they look often content and happy because their mouth shape resembles a small smile.
7. Scottish Fold – $3,000
The Scottish Fold can be traced back to a farm in the Tayside region of Scotland in 1961. A shepherd named William Ross saw the cat, obtained a kitten, and developed the breed. The Scottish Fold is distinguished by its flexible ears that fold downward and forward providing the cat’s face a teddy bear, owl, or pixie look that attracted many American cat lovers.
The trademark folded ears are the result of a dominant gene that affects the cartilage in the cat’s entire body. The Scottish Fold generally presents a sad-looking appearance, but their personality on the contrary is happy and energetic, and they enjoy socializing and love attention. However, health can be an issue as this breed can be impacted by degenerative joint tissues.
6. Sphynx – $3,000
The Sphynx is known for its hairless look caused by a natural genetic mutation, which created a healthy and strong breed. Its origin can be traced back to a domestic cat that gave birth to a hairless kitten in 1966 in Toronto, Canada. The breed is very resilient and not prone to any serious genetic or health issues. Personality-wise, they are loyal, playful, and enjoy human attention. They also like to socialize with other pet cat breeds and dogs.
As mentioned above, the Sphynx’s origin is not Egypt, but Toronto, Canada. Its trademark hairlessness is because of a recessive gene. Sphynx cats love socializing and are friendly with strangers. However, they need to be bathed often as they pile up body oils on their skin. In addition, they are not comfortable outdoors.
5. Peterbald – $5,000
An elegant Russian breed, the Peterbald cat can be hairless or have a coat that resembles a peach. Some cats of this breed may have a velvety coat, while others have hair that looks like a man’s bristly beard. The first documented Peterbald was in 1988 when reports revealed a cat with an unusual coat in Russia. After that, Peterbalds were exported to other countries in Europe. These cats make delightful pets and are known for their muscular build.
The first Peterbald was obtained from mating between a Russian Donskoy and an Oriental Shorthair. Similar to the Donskoy cat, the Peterbald has a dominant gene which makes it hairless. It is a smart and affectionate cat, and will rest peacefully on your lap. However, its skin is very sensitive so children need to handle it carefully. In addition, this breed is susceptible to sunburn and hence cannot spend a long time outdoors.
4. Persian – $5,500
Many reports trace back the Persian cats to 19th century Persia (modern day Iran), but historical evidence suggests that the breed has been existing since hundreds of years before Christ. They are noted for their open pansy-like faces and luxurious long hair. In addition, they have a gentle and sweet personality and can easily adapt to a noisy household. Persian cats are playful by nature and their expressive eyes provide them a cute and delightful look. However, you need to be intricate and thorough in their maintenance as their long coat is vulnerable to hairballs and tangles.
The Persian cat is widely recognized by its mushy face and fluffy hair. It enjoys showing affection and cuddling, but is not very vocal. Their furry coat needs daily grooming and brushing. This breed comes in multiple variations and colors. Its weight is comparable to a regular American Shorthair.
3. Bengal – $25,000
Bengal cats have a feral and exotic look but make ideal feline pets. This breed is noted for its spotted coat and muscular build. The Bengal cat is domesticated but its origin can be traced back to the 1970s when a wild Asian leopard cat was mated with domestic shorthairs. It makes a fun pet as it is active and smart. But this breed can be a challenge to keep at home as they are inquisitive and satisfy their curiosity by jumping into aquariums, playing with switches, hanging from chandeliers and doing other antics.
Because of its feral origins, the Persian cat is much larger in size compared to your average pet cat. A gorgeous Bengal with the right pedigree, generation, and coat quality can fetch up to $25,000. Personality-wise, Bengals are affectionate, child- and dog-friendly, and very social. In addition, they are energetic and extremely playful.
2. Savannah – $50,000
A hybrid of the wild African serval cat and a domestic Persian cat, the first Savannah was produced in 1986 by Bengal breeder Judee Frank. This breed soon became popular and was accepted by breeder associations in the mid 1990s. Like dogs, Savannah cats are extremely loyal. They are open to socializing with other pets and strangers if trained at an early age. Savannahs that are not used to strangers start growling and hissing. These cats are strong and agile and can easily jump onto high cabinets, refrigerators, and door tops. In addition, they are smart, curious, playful, and active, and need plenty of exercise.
Savannahs can be classified into five types from F1 TO F5. F1 cats are around 50% serval, while F5 cats are about 11% serval. The price of this breed depends on their gender and classification and a prize F1 female can command up to $50,000.
1. The Ashera – Up to $125,000
The Ashera can cost as much as a whopping $125,000 because it is an extremely rare breed. A Los Angeles-based firm produces only 5 kittens of this type each year. So if you buy one, you will be among the very few owners of this amazing cat breed. In aesthetics, the Ashera resembles a snow leopard in its pattern. But its behavior and temperament are similar to Savannah cats. In fact, some experts argue that genetic testing reveals that Ashera cats are nothing but Savannah F1 cats.
This exotic breed is a hybrid of the Asian leopard cat, a domestic housecat, and the African serval. Personality-wise, it is loyal, affectionate, and very intelligent. Despite the controversy about its genetics, the Ashera is the most prized pet cat in the world and you can take one home if you can cough up the astronomical price.
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By Astrid Eira
Astrid Eira is a resident B2B expert of FinancesOnline, focusing on the SaaS niche. She specializes in accounting and human resource management software, writing honest and straightforward reviews of some of the most popular systems around. Being a small business owner herself, Astrid uses her expertise to help educate business owners and entrepreneurs on how new technology can help them run their operations. She's an avid fan of the outdoors, where you'll find her when she's not crunching numbers or testing out new software.
