The 15 Most Expensive Cat Breeds in 2024

Cats have stolen people’s hearts everywhere for being independent, affectionate, playful, and adorable. Many perfect feline companions can be found at local shelters and rescues for free or very small costs.

But for some people, there’s one particular cat breed they’ve just got to have, with a certain personality and look. An expensive cat is a worthy investment for that special pedigree.

Why are some cat breeds so expensive? There are many annual fees that breeders have to pay to remain in business, in addition to fees to register new pure-bred kittens.

While there are vast amounts of kittens available for willing pet enthusiasts, cat breeding is done to advance a certain breed, producing the highest quality offspring and expanding the breed’s lines.

Here are the 15 most expensive cat breeds with the biggest price tags around.

#15. Scottish Fold: $500-$2,000

The first entry on our list of the most expensive cat breeds is the Scottish Fold, whose dominant genetic mutation causes the ears to fold forward towards the front of its head. The first of its kind was found in 1961. Its long or shorthaired coat can come in any color. Docile, tolerant, affectionate, and good-natured, it is a breed that gets very attached to its owner.

#14. American Curl: $800-$2,000

A genetic mutation in the litter of a regular cat resulted in the American Curl, whose ears curl back towards the center of the skull. This second entry on our list of most expensive cat breeds comes in both longhair and shorthair versions, both featuring silky, soft coats that are low-maintenance.

American curls may have coats in black, brown, cream, red, or white, and eyes that are blue, gold, green, or even orange. They are renowned for their laidback, easy-going nature, and their affectionate and inquisitive kitten-like behavior.

#13. British Shorthair: $800-$2,300

Next on our list of the most expensive cat breeds is the British Shorthair. Also known as the British Blue, it is known for its short, dense coat, which is often that unique shade. However, it can also come in black, calico, cameo, cream, red, silver, or tortoiseshell. Its eyes may be influenced by the color of its coat and may be blue, gold, green, hazel, or orange.

The breed was christened the Domestic Shorthair following its move stateside at the beginning of the twentieth century and is known for being easygoing and ideal for households with pets and children.

#12. Russian Blue: $300-$3,000

The coolest solid-colored fur is the trademark of the Russian blue, featuring a dense, short coat in colors ranging from silver to slate grey, but a standard of blue-grey with silver-tipped guard hairs. It also has emerald-green eyes. Originating in the Arkhangelsk port, it was brought from the Archangel Isles in the 1960s to Northern Europe and Great Britain. Personality-wise it is curious and intelligent, with a friendly, reserved, and quiet temperament.

#11. Maine Coon: $400-$4,000

The largest domestic cat breed is definitely the Maine Coon, which is about twice as big as other domestic cats. It’s native to the state of Maine and is one of the oldest natural North American cats around, though its origins and arrival remain a mystery. Known as a gentle giant and the dog of the cat world, the Maine Coon is social, loyal, loving, and enjoys the water. It’s likely related to the Siberian as well as the Norwegian Forest Cat, which it is often confused with.

#10. Siberian: $700-$4,000

A large domestic cat second only to the Maine Coon, the Siberian is also one of the most easygoing out there, being friendly to guests, children, and dogs alike. It’s a centuries-old Russian breed that was formally developed in the 1980s. In spite of having a thick double coat, it’s actually hypoallergenic due to its saliva creating fewer allergens than other cats.

#9. Ragdoll: $800-$5,000

With such a large price range, you may wonder why the Ragdoll has a cost that can vary greatly. That’s because it depends on whether you’re choosing a simple pet, a show-quality cat, or a show-quality cat fit for breeding. Regardless of your choice, however, this breed features semi-long, soft, silky fur, a color point coat, blue eyes, and a large, muscular body. Famous for its gentle temperament and affectionate personality, it was first developed in the 1960s by American breeder Ann Baker.

#8. Peterbald: $1,700-$5,000

The Peterbald is a rare Russian breed that is fairly new, first bred in 1988. It looks like a muted Sphynx. That is, it can range from totally bald to having soft fuzz and even coarse hairs. Its ancestry is a cross between the Oriental Shorthair, Siamese, and a certain Sphynx. The result is a cat that is low-maintenance, social, loving, and loyal.

#7. Toyger: $3,000-$5,000

Like the Bengal, the Toyger features striped fur. The resemblance in markings is obvious, considering it’s a cross between a Bengal cat and a domestic shorthair tabby. Other than that, though, there are a number of subtle differences in physical appearance and big differences in personality. Although it has exotic looks, its temperament is easygoing and friendly, rather than demanding and high-energy.

#6. Persian: $1,500-$5,500

Another very recognizable cat is the Persian, noteworthy for its fluffy fur and tail, flat face, and beautiful eyes. It’s also got a sweet and playful personality to match, making it appealing for people seeking an easygoing cat that is as content lounging about or being a lap cat as it is being feisty. The old breed has a history dating back thousands of years.

#5. Sphynx: $900-$9,800

How can anyone forget noticing this hairless wonder with large eyes and ears? The Sphynx’s hairlessness results from a genetic mutation, which affects nothing else but the need to be kept warmer than its furry counterparts. This means they love dressing up in sweaters, shirts, and other fashionable feline fares. Personality-wise, it is goofy, playful,l and loves to cuddle with its owners.

#4. Khao Manee: $7,000-$11,000

Thai people’s best-kept secret has actually been around for hundreds of years! Even more fascinating is the fact that it’s naturally occurring. Sporting all-white fur and jewel-bright eyes which often come in different colors, it’s also called the Diamond Eye Cat.

#3. Bengal: $3,000-$25,000

Another hybrid cat breed, the Bengal is a cross between the Egyptian Mau and the Asian leopard cat.

Unlike most cat breeds, it loves the water and isn’t afraid of dogs. It is also fearless. Like the other very high-price designer breeds that cross a wild cat with a domestic, it’s challenging to breed, with premature kittens resulting in few surviving ones per litter.

#2. Savannah Cat: $10,000-$25,000

The runner-up on our list of the most expensive cats is the Savannah Cat. A cross between the tall, lean, and big-eared wild serval and a domestic cat, its price range in part results from how many generations it has been crossed with a domestic cat. Hence, an F1 is a half-serval.

An F1 is also the hardest to produce because of the differences in the gestation period between the serval and the domestic cat.

#1. Ashera: $22,000-$125,000

By far, the most expensive cat breed is the exotically gorgeous Ashera. Their median price is $75,000. A company based in California does most of the breeding for this cat, which amounts to only about 100 a year. It is large, friendly, and with a dog-like personality.

The feline that tops the list of the world’s most expensive cats is actually part African leopard, part African serval, and part domestic tabby. It is also known for its fondness for heated blankets

Although prices for the same cat breed can vary, the cost for a show-quality cat will always be much higher than a pet-quality one, and even more so if used for breeding. After the aforementioned bunch of felines, the cost of cat breeds can fetch you a maximum of $2,000 down to the moderate price of $1,000 and even as low as $200.

The demand for recognized, designer and new cat breeds is big, which is why they have such a high purchase price. Their cost is also about ensuring the right ancestry, confirmation of health screenings, compensation for the breeding process, and for certain coat colors.

A lot of factors are at play for continuing lines of the most expensive cat breeds, especially when getting them from a reputable breeder.

How Much Does an Average Cat Cost?

Most breeds of cats can be adopted from your local animal shelter or cat rescue for little to no cost upfront, however, there are many expenses to take into account when properly caring for any feline. The ASPCA estimates it costs about $634 annually to care for a cat. This includes vaccines, food, litter, and checkups. Once you’ve formed a bond with your cat, you’ll want to spoil them with treats, toys, and attention any chance you can get!

What Breed of Cat is Garfield?

There might not be a more familiar known illustrated cat than the beloved Garfield. You can find the cartoon feline depicted worldwide, and he can be seen in anything from t-shirts and mugs to animated series and live-action movies.

As popular as Garfield has been for decades, it is a little tricky to try to figure out what cat breed he is supposed to be.

Let us start with what we do know, and that is that Garfield is an orange tabby. No problem there, but Tabby is a coat pattern with stripes and light and dark orange areas, not a breed.

For fun, it has been debated that Garfield’s breed could be a Maine Coon or a British Shorthair. Some even think he is a Persian cat. It really is hard to say because of the grumpiness of the kitty and his super-large eyes.

Jim Davis, Garfield’s creator and illustrator, was of course asked about which breed the cat was. It turns out that Garfield is not meant to be a specific breed at all! Jim Davis grew up with many cats and had them throughout his life, so he pulled different aspects from many of them to build Garfield’s look.

Summary of the 15 Most Expensive Cat Breeds

Here’s a review of cat breeds that are the most expensive cats in the world:

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock.com