The Five Most Expensive Types of Cats Money Can Buy

Getting cat doesn’t have to be particularly expensive. However, the same can’t be said for cats of certain breeds, which are much rarer and thus much more expensive than most of their counterparts. With that said, there can be a fair amount of variation even within breeds, meaning that even the most expensive breeds might not be as inaccessible as interested individuals might believe. Here are five of the most expensive kinds of cats that can be bought by those who are willing to pay high sums:

5. Peterbald – $1,700 to $3,000

The Peterbald is named thus because it was created in St. Petersburg in a bit of Russian experimental breeding. For those who are curious, the breed bears a resemblance to the Oriental Shorthair, as shown by their slim but muscular build. However, the Peterbald has a hair loss gene, which is why even those that are born with hair can lose it over time. With that said, the Peterbald is famous for being a smart, affectionate cat, which presumably contributes to a price range of $1,700 to $3,000.

4. Persian – $1,800 to $3,000

Like its name suggests, the Persian cat is believed to have come from Iran. However, it is interesting to note that in Iran, the Iranians call it the Shirazi cat, which refers to one of the biggest cities in said region. Regardless, Persian cats are long-haired cats with a very striking appearance that combines with their placid temperament to make them one of the most popular breeds in the United States. However, there is a fair amount of variation, which has contributed to prices that range from $1,800 to $3,000.

3. Maine Coon – $950 to $3,500

The Maine Coon is a landrace, though there are a number of interesting but rather fanciful stories about how they came to be in the state of the same name. For example, one story claims that the entire breed is descended from six Turkish Angoras belonging to Queen Marie Antoinette of France, while other stories often involve local short-haired cats breeding with long-haired cats brought from overseas. Whatever the case, the Maine Coon is notable for its size as well as its hunting capabilities. On top of this, Maine Coons are gentle giants that get along well with their human masters, with some members of the breed being outright clownish in behavior. Something that can make for very amusing observations. Combined, it is no wonder that Maine Coons can fetch anywhere between $950 and $3,500 depending on various factors.

2. Bengal – $1,500 to $5,000

Bengal cats are named thus because they were bred from the Asian leopard cat, which has the Latin name Prionailurus bengalensis bengalensis. In short, the first examples were bred between Asian leopard cats and domestic cats, which were bred with more domestic cats to bring their descendants closer into alignment with the more domesticated part of their ancestry. The intent was to create a friendly, healthy cat with plenty of confidence, which has succeeded to a significant extent. Moreover, the Bengal cat possesses memorable patterns because of its Asian leopard cat ancestors, which can manifest as spots, rosettes, and stripes. In other words, the Bengal cat isn’t just a cat with a good personality, it is also a cat with a good appearance, which combine to make it very valuable with prices that range from $1,500 to $5,000.

1. Savannah – $1,000 to $20,000

For people who want something wilder, there is the Savannah cat, which is a cross between the domestic cat and the serval, which is a wild cat that can be found in Africa. Some examples are 50/50 crosses, but there are plenty of examples of other combinations as well because people have been breeding these cats for some time. Unfortunately, this means that there can be a lot of variation in Savannah cats as well. For example, some Savannah cats are said to be very friendly with new humans as well as new animals, whereas other Savannah cats are said to react to their presence with growling and hissing, though it is possible that this difference in behavior might be caused by different upbringings. In spite of this variation, Savannah cats can cost a lot, so much so that while some examples are priced at $1,000, others are priced at a towering $20,000.