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Planning so as to add a purebred cat to your loved ones quickly? It’s possible you’ll not understand how a lot it may well value to purchase a kitten from a breeder—particularly if it’s some of the costly cat breeds. The typical worth of a purebred kitten from a breeder is about $500 to $1,500 for widespread breeds. Nonetheless, some cat breeds, like these listed under, value far more than that.
Hybrid cat breeds with wild heritage are usually the most costly as a result of prices and issue concerned in breeding them. Different costly cat breeds embody these with coveted genetic traits like hairlessness or folded ears, and people which can be uncommon and have restricted availability. Breeds which have a variety of genetically linked well being situations additionally are usually dearer. It’s because accountable breeders should spend some huge cash on well being testing for the grownup cats to make sure future litters of kittens are as wholesome as attainable.
10 Most Costly Cat Breeds
Bear in mind, you don’t have to purchase your subsequent cat, even you probably have your coronary heart set on a purebred cat. Adopting a pedigreed cat from an animal shelter or rescue group not solely prices a lot much less, however you’re saving a life. Adoption charges vary from about $75 to $300, with kittens and purebred cats typically costing extra to undertake than different cats.
Listed here are the ten costliest cat breeds:
#1 Savannah
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The Savannah cat tops the listing as the most costly cat breed. The Savannah is a hybrid breed, which suggests it was created utilizing home cats and wild cats—within the case of the Savannah, the African serval. Breeding Savannahs is each troublesome and costly. Breeders want to accumulate a number of servals, which value so much to deal with and feed. Interbreeding two species is a difficult course of.
Queens can expertise points throughout being pregnant and litters are normally small. Male Savannahs should not at all times fertile, which additional complicates issues. Savannahs are desired for his or her unique look and distinctive character.
#2 Bengal
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Just like the Savannah, the Bengal is a hybrid breed. It was created by crossing home cats with a small wild cat species referred to as the Asian wild cat. In comparison with the Savannah, the Bengal is a extra established breed with a bigger gene pool. Nowadays, Bengal breeding applications don’t normally embody Asian leopard cats, as a substitute utilizing Bengals that may hint their lineage again generations to their wild ancestor.
Nonetheless, Bengals are dear as a result of they’re in excessive demand. Some colours and patterns are extra fascinating, such because the coveted rosette noticed sample, which supplies these cats a definite “wild” look.
#3 Persian
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The Persian cat is without doubt one of the hottest cat breeds, cherished for its attractive lengthy hair, endearing flat faces, and candy character. But it surely’s additionally some of the costly. Breeding Persian cats is difficult and costly, which suggests kittens value extra. The breed is liable to various recognized genetic well being situations, together with polycystic kidney illness (PKD), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Respected breeders carry out in depth testing on their grownup cats earlier than breeding them to forestall well being issues from being handed on to the kittens.
This heath testing, which can embody genetic testing, echocardiograms, blood typing, and basic well being exams, is extraordinarily costly, which raises the value of kittens. One more reason Persian cats are so costly is as a result of they have an inclination to have small litter sizes, and generally want veterinary help throughout birthing.
#4 Peterbald
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The Peterbald was created by crossing a hairless Russian breed referred to as the Don Sphynx with the Oriental Shorthair. The consequence? A cat with 5 attainable coat sorts: bare (hairless), chamois (hair like suede or peach fuzz), flock (fantastic to barely dense velour or velvet coat), brush (a sparse wiry coat), and straight (a brief coat). Breeding Peterbald cats is sophisticated; breeders should rigorously pair cats as a result of coat genetics concerned.
Breeders in the US may need to import cats from different nations, which is expensive. The Peterbald cat can be fairly uncommon. As a result of there are few breeders and kittens obtainable, costs are usually increased. They’re cherished for his or her distinctive look and charming character.
#5 Sphynx
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The Sphynx is the oldest hairless cat breed. It originated in Canada within the Nineteen Sixties when a bald kitten named Prune was born in a litter of totally coated kittens. Prune’s hairlessness was on account of a pure genetic mutation. The breed was initially referred to as the Canadian Hairless Cat, however the identify Sphynx was later adopted.
Sphynx cats are expensive to breed. Accountable breeders carry out well being testing and genetic testing on their grownup Sphynx, and make cautious breeding choices to assist them produce wholesome, hairless Sphynx kittens. Sphynx are extra uncommon than another breeds, however in excessive demand, so costs could be increased.
#6 Scottish Fold
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The Scottish Fold cat is beloved for its lovely folded ears, which makes these cats appear to be little owls. The folded ears are the results of a genetic mutation, which may generally trigger undesirable well being points, together with issues with cartilage and bones, and spinal deformities. Breeders have to be very cautious when breeding Scottish Fold cats to make sure the kittens are born wholesome.
The prices related to well being testing grownup cats earlier than breeding them makes kittens costly. Moreover, not all kittens born in a litter could have folded ears, however these are the kittens most individuals need. As a result of fewer-folded ear kittens can be found, their worth can be increased than their straight-eared siblings.
#7 Maine Coon
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One of many largest home cat breeds, the Maine Coon is beloved for its huge measurement and mellow character. However this light big comes with a hefty price ticket. Maine Coons are in excessive demand, however breeding them is dearer than breeding different cats. Because of their giant measurement, Maine Coons are sluggish to mature, which suggests breeders should elevate and home the cats longer than common earlier than breeding them.
Accountable breeders additionally conduct well being exams on their cats, together with screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hip dysplasia, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Moreover, it prices extra to look after the outsized Maine Coon—they eat extra meals than smaller cats and require increased doses of flea management, dewormers, and different medicines.
#8 Ragdoll
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The Ragdoll is a well-liked cat breed treasured for its attractive look and wonderful temperament—they calm down and snuggle into your arms similar to a floppy ragdoll. The Ragdoll isn’t terribly dearer than common, however they will value a bit greater than different breeds.
Just like the Maine Coon, the Ragdoll is sluggish to mature, so breeders typically wait longer than common to breed adults. Additionally, Ragdolls have genetic exams obtainable for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney illness (PKD), that are expensive however assist make sure the well being of future litters. One of many greatest causes Radgoll kittens are costly although is their excessive demand.
#9 British Shorthair
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British Shorthairs are coveted for his or her spherical, smiling faces with chubby cheeks that make them appear to be teddy bears. Accountable breeders carry out well being testing on their British Shorthairs for ailments widespread within the breed like HMC and PKD, which will increase the price of breeding them. Although British Shorthair kittens are in excessive demand, they have an inclination to have smaller litters than another breeds, which drives up their worth.
#10 Siberian
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One of many causes Siberian cats are so costly is as a result of they’re one of many few cat breeds thought of to be hypoallergenic. Regardless of their thick fur coat, Siberians appear to supply decrease ranges of the Fel d 1 protein that causes allergy symptoms in folks. (Bear in mind, no cat is assured to not trigger allergy symptoms—allergic folks ought to spend time with grownup Siberians to see how they react earlier than bringing one house.)
Siberians are comparatively uncommon in the US—fewer kittens obtainable means their costs can be increased. Though pet high quality Siberian cats common round $2,000, present high quality Siberians can value as a lot as $4,000 or extra.
