Cats make great pets. They are affectionate, easy to care for, and excellent napping companions. Any cat lover will tell you that cats are the best. While some pet parents find their precious kitty cats at the pet store, shelters, or through friends, others prefer to buy specific cat breeds.
Purebred cats are not cheap. Buying a specific cat breed will cost some money. While many prefer a more economical approach to owning their fur babies, purebred cats are a big business. Pet parents are willing to pay to get the specific type of feline they like, whether it is a breed known for its great personality, specific facial features, or fur style. There are lots of reasons pet parents may choose this route.
If you are a pet parent or soon-to-be pet parent looking for just the right cat breed to bring into your family, you might be interested in the most expensive cat breeds so you can choose the right cat for your family.
To compile the list, 24/7 Tempo consulted various websites dedicated to cats, including The International Cat Association, Pet MD, American Veterinary Medical Association, BasePaws, and Pet Finder. (If you love cats, you might also be interested in the most beautiful cat breed in the world.)
1. Ashera
A Savannah cat on a couch.
- Cost: $25,000 – $125,000
The Ashera breed is one of the most expensive cat breeds and can cost up to $125,000. The breed has an exotic look thanks to its ancestry. The Ashera is a part domestic housecat, part African serval, and part Asian leopard cat. The reason these cats are so expensive comes down to availability and personality. They are extremely difficult to find, with one Los Angeles-based breeder having only five available each year.
It’s not just the principle of scarcity that makes the Ashera so sought after. These cats have excellent personalities. They are more like dogs than cats with their friendly personality. While not everyone can afford the most expensive cat breeds, if you can, the Ashera should be at the top of your list.
2. Savannah
- Cost: $10,000-$50,000
The sleek Savannah cat is part domestic Persian cat and part wild African serval. This unique breed is relatively new and was first introduced in 1986 by breeder Judee Frank. The Savannah cat is calm and tame like a domestic cat but with a body the size of an African serval. The high price of a Savannah is mostly determined by their gender and classification, with some costing as much as $50,000. While breeders have been producing Savannah cats since the early 1990s, the cat wasn’t accepted into the International Cat Association as an official breed until 2012.
Savannah cats make great pets. They are loyal and get along well with other cats and dogs. But these cats do best when they have plenty of space. These large, curious felines like to explore and enjoy time outdoors and can jump quite high, up to an astonishing 8 feet. While they are an expensive breed, you will get many years to enjoy this cat as their life expectancy is 12-20 years.
3. Bengal
- Cost: $3,500- $25,000
There is no mistaking the delicate markings of a Bengal cat; they have the familiar yet exotic rosettes of leopards and jaguars. The Bengal breed is a cross between an Asian leopard and an Egyptian Mau. The breed has unique markings that you won’t find outside of the jungle or the zoo.
While this is a beautiful cat, it isn’t for pet parents who want a napping companion or lap cat. The Bengal breed is quite active and needs plenty of space to run and play. Bengals get along well with active kids and with other cats and dogs as long as they can keep up with the energetic feline. Another interesting characteristic of the Bengal cat is their love of water.
4. Khao Manee
- Cost; $7,000-$11,000
If you are looking for a strikingly beautiful cat, then look no further than the Khao Manee or Diamond Eye Cat. This cat is distinct for its short, all-white fur. The Khao Manee is a natural cat breed originally from Thailand. These cats have been around for a long time, and Thai royalty used to keep them. Even today, they are still associated with royalty and good fortune.
Khao Manee cats have bright, clear eyes, often described as jewels for their blue, green, or golden colors. The rarest Khao Manee has two different colored eyes. These cats are expensive partly because they are rare and partly due to their connection with wealth and royalty.
5. Sphynx
- Cost: $900-$9,800
Hairless cat breeds, like the Sphynx cat, are not for everyone. These hairless cats are not conventionally beautiful, but for some, they are the perfect cat. No fur means no matting, brushing, or cleaning, making them an easy pet to keep. But the odd-looking cat has normal cat behavior. They are playful and curious, just like any other furry domestic cat.
The Sphynx is great for pet parents who have allergies or just don’t like cleaning up when their cat is shedding. But because the Sphynx lacks fur, it needs to be kept warm. Pet parents can dress up the Sphynx in cute sweaters to keep them warm.
6. Persian
- Cost: $1,500-$5,500
Persian cats have a distinct look with long, fluffy fur and flat faces. The breed has been around for some time and is originally from the part of the world that used to be Persia, modern-day Iran. Persian cats are considered a regal and glamorous breed. Persian cats are known for their calm demeanor and refined movements. You don’t often see a fluffy Persian cat running around with the zoomies or knocking things over. Instead, Persian cats are often resting. This is the perfect cat for those who like a lap cat or a snuggle buddy. They are not the best for children, especially young ones who don’t know how to treat animals yet.
7. Toyger
- Cost: $3,000-$5,000
The Toyger breed is an exotic-looking cat with striped fur, but their wild look doesn’t match their down-to-earth temperament. This striped feline is a cross between a domestic short-haired tabby and a Bengal. Their looks give away their origin, but their personality is much more playful, like that of a typical housecat.
A Toyger breed is perfect for pet parents who want a unique and wild-looking cat with a playful personality. Toygers are known for being smart and requiring toys, games, and other mental stimulation. The high price is because they look like a bold tiger, but their roar is but a meow.
8. Peterbald
- Cost: $1,700-$5,000
Peterbald cats are another great choice for those who prefer a hairless pet. The breed is relatively new, and these cats can be totally bald or have a little fuzz. They are a cross between a Siamese, Sphynx, and an Oriental short hair. The Peterbald breed is smaller than other fur-less cats and has a friendly personality.
The Peterbald breed makes the list of the most expensive cat breeds because the newer the breed, the more expensive they tend to be. You can expect to spend anywhere from close to two thousand to five thousand dollars, that is, if you can find one.
9. Ragdoll
- Cost: $800-$5,000
Pet parents who are looking for a sweet, loving, and cuddly cat with an easygoing personality that gets along with kids and other pets should get to know the Ragdoll breed. Ragdoll cats have long fur and beautiful blue eyes, making their looks as attractive as their loving personalities.
While the Ragdoll breed is widely available, it is expensive because it is incredibly sweet and not aloof like other breeds. Adding a ragdoll cat to the family means you have a new best friend who will love cuddles and playtime with everyone who walks through your front door.
10. Siberia
- Cost: $700-$4,000
Siberian cats get their name from the coldest part of Russia, Siberia, where they have been roaming the forests for as long as anyone can remember. The beloved breed is actually the national cat of Russia. These beautiful long-haired cats have thick coats and are surprisingly hypoallergenic due to their saliva. While the Siberian breed has been around for a while, it has only been recognized as a formal cat breed since the mid-1980s.
Aficionados of the Siberian breed choose these cats not just for their fluffy fur and ability to withstand cold but also because these cuddly cats are playful, affectionate, and intelligent, making them great pets. (For more pet articles, click to read the official pets and animals of every state.)