The 18 Most Expensive Pets You Can Buy If Money Is No Concern

According to the organization Health for Animals, there are over a billion pets worldwide. That’s a lot of animal companions, but not all of them are cats and dogs. Depending on where you live and the resources you have on hand, it’s possible to keep many unconventional animals as pets. If you speak to some of the ultra-wealthy, you may find that they have baby lion cubs, racing pigeons, monkeys, and even kangaroos as pets, but they don’t come cheap. In this list, we’ll showcase some of the most expensive pets that you could get as companions if you had enough money to last a lifetime.

Tibetan Mastiff – $2 Million

Of the most expensive pets, the Tibetan Mastiff is at the top of the list. Back in 2011, a rare true-blooded Tibetan Mastiff was purchased in China for $2 million. The dog was purchased by a real estate developer in the area who always had dreams of breeding his own mastiffs. This breed is very popular because of its unique features, its storied history, and the fact that it looks like a fluffy lion. In addition to the demand, the $2 million mastiff was so expensive due to rising prices in China.

Hyacinth Macaw – $14,000

Next, we have the Hyacinth Macaw, which is one of the most sought-after birds in the world. It’s a lovely species that can live for more than 60 years, so it can be a lifelong companion. However, to get your feathered friend, you’d need to pay upwards of $14,000. This macaw is also considered to be endangered, so there are only so many left. With that said, if you owned one, you would be responsible for ensuring its safety and security. That may require a private zoo or animal sanctuary, which will add to your overall cost.

White Lion Cub – $140,000

There have been many wealthy pet lovers who have chosen to purchase a white lion cub for their very own, but the cost is typically well over $100,000. The reason is that they’re incredibly rare, and they’re typically only purchased as a status symbol. Even when they are purchased as pets, they are typically kept in private zoos and reserves so they can get the care they need. As you might imagine, the legality of owning a white lion cub is rare, and the legality depends on the state.

Palm Cockatoo – $16,000-$25,000

You’d better have deep pockets if you plan to purchase a palm cockatoo. While many of these birds have sold for close to $25,000. Even a run-of-the-mill palm cockatoo will still cost you about $16,000. There are many cockatoo breeds in the world that are expensive, but this is the most sought-after. Why? In nature, this cockatoo is considered endangered, and it’s very hard to breed them, so they’re limited. As is the case for many things that wealthy people like to purchase, the birds are also in high demand, so there can often be a costly bidding war, which drives up the price.

Löwchen – $4,000

One of the most highly sought-after dog breeds is the Lowchen, which is famous for resembling a tiny lion. They’re a rare breed that’s more on the affordable side at between $2,000 – $4,000. If you want to purchase a Lowchen that has won awards at dog shows, you could be looking at a cost closer to $12,000. At one point, this was one of the rarest dogs in the world, with fewer than 100 existing during a count in 1973. Since then, this adorable breed has become quite popular and highly desirable. 

Savannah Cat – $50,000

What is a Savannah Cat? It’s a unique cat that is famous for its long and slender neck, rectangular head, and large, wide ears, which give it the appearance of a small leopard. It’s a crossbreed between an African Serval and a domestic cat. Depending on where you shop for your Savannah Cat, you can expect to pay between $10,000-$50,000. The cost comes down to their rare status and the difficult breeding necessary to produce them. There are different varieties of this cat: F1, F2, and F3. The F1 breed is the original, and it’s the most expensive. 

Arabian Horse – $30,000

Your cost for an average recreational horse is anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000, but if you want to kick things up a notch and you’ve got deep pockets, then an Arabian Horse may be for you. Typically costing upwards of $30,000, this breed is a true status symbol, and it’s quite fast, too! One of the reasons why this horse is so expensive is that it’s an ancient breed that’s been around for over 2,000 years. Unlike many other animals on this list, this breed is not rare, just very desirable. They are quite smart and have a unique look, and their appeal drives up the price.

Belgian Pigeon – $1.9 Million

Walk around a city park in many states in America, and you may think that pigeons are a dime a dozen, and they are. But if you find a pigeon with skills, you’re going to need some cash. Case in point, we have the Belgian Pigeon. During an auction in 2020, a fan of pigeon racing spent $1.9 million on the choice bird. Granted, not every Belgian Pigeon will cost this much. The price was driven up during the course of an auction. The sport of pigeon racing is popular around the world. During the events, homing pigeons are released, and the first one to get back to its home loft is the winner. Clearly, there’s a lot of money to be made in these events.

Chow Chow – $10,000

One of the most expensive pets is also one of the most adorable, and it’s the Chow Chow, which can be purchased for $4,000 or higher. The Chow Chow is one of the rarest and oldest breeds in history, so they’re highly sought after. Buy one from an auction, and you may not get out of there for less than $10,000. Once you purchase your Chow Chow, you’ll find that it’s also an expensive breed to maintain due to its needy diet and veterinary checkups. This breed also requires professional grooming, and the costs can add up over time.

Capuchin Monkey – $7,000

It may not seem like a typical pet, but many people want to have a monkey in their home, and those with the means often purchase Capuchin Monkeys. If you can get a deal, you can buy one of these monkeys for between $5,000-$7,000. While the money is fun, it also requires constant stimulation and social interaction, so it’s like owning an expensive toddler. Many breeders will take baby Capuchin Monkeys when they are born and sell them right away, so the owner can forge an instant bond. Complete your research before buying a monkey to ensure you’re buying from a reputable breeder.

Championship Grade Koi Fish – $1.8 Million

You’ve probably been to a home or a park where you see a pond with koi fish swimming about and going about their day. You probably didn’t realize that some of them could cost over a million dollars. That was the case in Japan when a businessman purchased a nine-year-old koi. Granted, this was no ordinary koi. This fish won a grand championship in 2017, where it was considered the best fish of its kind. If you want a koi fish of your own, you don’t need to take out a loan, as you can get smaller koi for around $50 each.

Aldabra Giant Tortoise – $20,000

One of the oldest and most expensive pets you can get is the Aldabra Giant Tortoise. As of 2006, the price for a mature Aldabra Giant Tortoise can get close to $20,000. This tortoise breed is treasured in many parts of the world, and it’s often gifted to others by government leaders. You can get a baby tortoise for much less, but some people don’t want to wait for it to grow. Once you get one, it can be costly to maintain. Plus, once it’s fully grown, it’s known to break through doors and fences, so you’ll have your hands full.

Ayam Cemani Chicken – $6,000

While most chickens seem to be a dime a dozen, there are some, like the Ayam Cemani Chicken, that are so rare that you need to be rich to afford them. This rare breed is native to Indonesia. It’s unique because of its genes that cause hyperpigmentation, which is what makes their feathers all black. The unique features are enough to make the chicken very expensive, often coming in at over $6,000. That’s the cost for a grown bird. You can also buy Ayam Cemani Chicken eggs for $16 each.

De Brazza’s Monkey – $10,000

One of the most unique and rare pets is De Brazza’s Monkey, which is named after Pietro Savorgnan di Brazza, the Italian-French explorer who discovered them. It’s a very striking creature with its orange crest on its head and white beard. If you happen to have the money to pay the $10,000 for the monkey, you’ll likely be the only one you know who owns one. Even if you had the money, you’d need to review the laws in your country since it’s illegal to own a De Brazza’s Monkey in most places. In the case that you had the funds, you’d still need to keep it in a zoo or a safe enclosure.

Lavender Albino Ball Python – $40,000

One of the rarest and most expensive pets is the Lavender Albino Ball Python. The snake is very hard to come by, which explains its $40,000 price tag. You can find this snake for less on the market, but if you go to an auction, you can expect to pay thousands of dollars. This snake is unique because it has a color mutation that provides its yellowish hue. It’s a prized possession that any snake lover should have in their collection.

Kangaroo – $3,000

If you love Australia and you want to have a part of it in your backyard, then you may look into buying a baby kangaroo. At around $3,000 (depending on the breeder), you can get a baby in your backyard. Yes, it’s illegal to own a kangaroo in many states. However, it’s still technically legal in some states, including Illinois and Texas. Just beware. When a kangaroo grows up, it can be quite the imposing figure. Many adult kangaroos can be over eight feet tall, and you would be responsible if it caused any issues for neighbors. 

Toucan – $10,000

Toucans are some of the most beautiful birds in the animal kingdom, so you may be wondering how to get one for yourself. The first thing you need to do is research to see if you’re even allowed to own one where you live, as they’re not allowed in most places. If you’re lucky enough to be where you can own one, then you may need to fork over as $10,000.Once you own the toucan, you’ll need to keep it entertained because they require a lot of stimulation, so a tiny bird cage won’t do it. Toucans also have an elevated diet. They eat fruit, but frozen fruit won’t do it. You’ll need to purchase high-end fruit. Needless to say, it can be a costly investment.

Afghan Hound – $7,000

We complete our list of the most expensive pets with the gorgeous Afghan Hound. Even if you get a good deal, you’ll likely pay between $5,000-$7,000 just to obtain the pet. The reason for the cost is that these are one of the oldest dog breeds, so they have a great history with roots going back to Afghanistan. They’re often referred to as the “super model” of the dog world, so folks who make a living at dog shows will pay a pretty penny because this breed is almost guaranteed to be a finalist.