Top 10 Most Expensive Cat Breeds

#10: American Wirehair $1200

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The American Wirehair is an even-tempered cat native to New York, with a fun personality and, as the name suggests, wiry fur - with a coat much like what you would find on terrier dogs. They are also, at least as of 2017, the rarest cat breed among all 41 breeds ranked by the Cat Fanciers' Association. As rarity often equates to higher prices, you’re going to be handing over about $800-$1200 to a breeder for an American Wirehair, depending on the pedigree. Though, that’s actually going to sound kind of cheap as we move down this list.

#9: American Curl $3000

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Whereas the American Wirehair was named after the texture of its coat, the American Curl got its name because of its ears. The breed, which developed out of a spontaneous mutation back in the early 80s, features ears that curl back, almost as if they are bending backwards away from the cat’s face. That distinctive characteristic, unfortunately for those of you squealing at your screen, means something for their purchase price. An American Curl will generally average about $1000-$2000, but it can go as high as $3000. The tighter the ear curl the higher the price tag.

#8: Russian Blue $3000

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The Russian Blue is so named because of the gray-blueish color of their coats. Although, Russian Gray would probably have been a more accurate name given how most of us perceive the shade of their fur. But, color-controversy aside, these beautiful cats have two layers of dense fur to keep them warm and piercing green eyes to melt your heart. They’ll also melt your wallet a little, as these kitties from top breeders can go for as much as $3000 – though they’re usually a little less on average. Maybe they should be called Russian Greenbacks instead? Badum-tss!

The Peterbald, so named for their general lack of hair and their originating in St Petersburg, is an intelligent feline breed with lots of energy and lots of love to give. These kitties are some of the most affectionate out there, so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth in sweet purrs and cat cuddles. That’s saying a lot, seeing as a well-bred Peterbald from a reputable source will generally make a $1700-$3000 dent in your bank account. The breed has only been around since 1994 and, given its relative newness, it’s still somewhat rare – which only drives up the cost. You might also have to look outside North America to find one.

It would appear that the cat world loves to name its breeds based on ears. As we had with the American Curl, we have with the Scottish Fold. However, what differentiates these two breeds is that, while the former’s curl backwards, the latter’s fold forward toward their cute little faces. And, speaking of folds, you’re gonna have to unfold a lot of dollar bills to get one. While a non-standard one without all its typical characteristics might only run you about 750 bucks, a standard Scottish Fold with perfectly bent ears and tiny legs could run you up to $3500.

In case you were wondering: no, you don’t have to be a mega-criminal with goals toward world domination to own one of these beautiful Persian cats. And, don’t worry, purchasing one of these fluffy felines won’t cost you “one million dollars” either. It’ll cost you $100 billion! No, we’re just kidding. But, they certainly aren’t cheap, with prices ranging between $1300 and $5000. As with all breeds, the price will vary depending on the quality of the breeder, the heritage, and, with Persians, color is a determining factor as well. While they do come in a variety of shades, white is the most desired, and therefore the most expensive.

Remember on “Friends” when Rachel bought a Sphynx cat and the gang freaked out because it cost her $1000. Well, it turns out she actually got a really good deal! These hairless felines generally start in the $1500-$3000 range - and that’s just for the ones with a normal pedigree. Once we get to the top-breeders you’re looking to spend about $3500-$6000 a kitty. And should you desire a Sphynx cat in a rarer color, well then, you’re looking at a purrrrr-chase price that could be as high as $10,000.

Thinking about buying a Bengal tiger? May we suggest a Bengal cat instead? They’re super cute, very smart, don’t shed too much, and they won’t attack you during your Las Vegas show and drag you offstage. (That was actually a white tiger, but you get the point). With their beautiful spotted coats, the Bengal cat really does look like a miniaturized version of its wild counterpart. However, there’s nothing mini about the price tag for one of these kitties. Depending on the bloodline, you could easily spend anywhere from $1500 up to a whopping $10,000.

When it comes to this feline and its price point, the biggest determining factor is the “filial” rating. You see, Savannah cats are a hybrid breed that came from mixing domestic cats with wild African Servals (servle), and the filial rating is an indication of how close, generationally, any given cat is to their Serval ancestors. With that said, the F1 is a first-generation Savannah, and also the most expensive. While you can find Savannahs for $1000, if you want a top-bred F1, you could be dropping as much as $20,000 for your new fur baby.

Take the domestic cat and wild African Serval crossing that became the Savannah cat, and throw in some Asian leopard. Mix it all together and trumpet noises, you have the Ashera cat. Developed in the 2000s, this rare breed is one of the most expensive in the world. They’re also huge, with an average Ashera standing about 4-5 feet tall and weighing in at a whopping 33 pounds. The only thing more shocking than its size is the size of the hole it will put in your wallet should you acquire one. Because of how rare they are and how difficult they are to breed, getting your own Ashera could cost you next to $125,000.