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Planning so as to add a purebred cat to your loved ones quickly? Chances are you’ll not understand how a lot it will probably price to purchase a kitten from a breeder—particularly if it’s probably the most costly cat breeds. The typical worth of a purebred kitten from a breeder is about $500 to $1,500 for frequent breeds. Nevertheless, some cat breeds, like these listed under, price rather more than that.
Hybrid cat breeds with wild heritage are typically the costliest as a result of prices and issue concerned in breeding them. Different costly cat breeds embrace these with coveted genetic traits like hairlessness or folded ears, and people which can be uncommon and have restricted availability. Breeds which have a number of genetically linked well being circumstances additionally are typically dearer. It’s because accountable breeders must spend some huge cash on well being testing for the grownup cats to make sure future litters of kittens are as wholesome as potential.
10 Most Costly Cat Breeds
Keep in mind, you don’t have to purchase your subsequent cat, even when you 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 below are the ten most costly cat breeds:
#1 Savannah
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The Savannah cat tops the listing as the costliest 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 amass a number of servals, which price quite a bit to deal with and feed. Interbreeding two species is a difficult course of.
Queens can expertise points throughout being pregnant and litters are often small. Male Savannahs will not be 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 known as the Asian wild cat. In comparison with the Savannah, the Bengal is a extra established breed with a bigger gene pool. As of late, Bengal breeding applications don’t often embrace Asian leopard cats, as an alternative utilizing Bengals that may hint their lineage again generations to their wild ancestor.
Nevertheless, Bengals are expensive as a result of they’re in excessive demand. Some colours and patterns are extra fascinating, such because the coveted rosette noticed sample, which provides 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. Nevertheless it’s additionally probably the most costly. Breeding Persian cats is difficult and costly, which suggests kittens price extra. The breed is liable to quite a lot of recognized genetic well being circumstances, 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 embrace genetic testing, echocardiograms, blood typing, and common well being exams, is extraordinarily costly, which raises the worth of kittens. Another excuse Persian cats are so costly is as a result of they have an inclination to have small litter sizes, and typically want veterinary help throughout birthing.
#4 Peterbald
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The Peterbald was created by crossing a hairless Russian breed known as the Don Sphynx with the Oriental Shorthair. The outcome? A cat with 5 potential coat sorts: bare (hairless), chamois (hair like suede or peach fuzz), flock (superb to barely dense velour or velvet coat), brush (a sparse wiry coat), and straight (a brief coat). Breeding Peterbald cats is difficult; breeders should rigorously pair cats as a result of coat genetics concerned.
Breeders in the USA may need to import cats from different international locations, which is expensive. The Peterbald cat can also be fairly uncommon. As a result of there are few breeders and kittens accessible, costs are typically greater. They’re liked 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 Sixties when a bald kitten named Prune was born in a litter of absolutely coated kittens. Prune’s hairlessness was as a consequence of a pure genetic mutation. The breed was initially known 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 selections to assist them produce wholesome, hairless Sphynx kittens. Sphynx are extra uncommon than another breeds, however in excessive demand, so costs could be greater.
#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 typically 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 might be greater 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 dimension and mellow character. However this light large comes with a hefty price ticket. Maine Coons are in excessive demand, however breeding them is dearer than breeding different cats. Because of their massive dimension, Maine Coons are gradual to mature, which suggests breeders should elevate and home the cats longer than common earlier than breeding them.
Accountable breeders additionally conduct well being checks on their cats, together with screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hip dysplasia, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Moreover, it prices extra to take care of the outsized Maine Coon—they eat extra meals than smaller cats and require greater 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 beautiful 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 price a bit greater than different breeds.
Just like the Maine Coon, the Ragdoll is gradual to mature, so breeders typically wait longer than common to breed adults. Additionally, Ragdolls have genetic checks accessible 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 frequent 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-about to be hypoallergenic. Regardless of their thick fur coat, Siberians appear to provide decrease ranges of the Fel d 1 protein that causes allergy symptoms in folks. (Keep 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 residence.)
Siberians are comparatively uncommon in the USA—fewer kittens accessible means their costs might be greater. Though pet high quality Siberian cats common round $2,000, present high quality Siberians can price as a lot as $4,000 or extra.
