Pedigreed luxury cat breeds deserve special attention, and each has something that sets it apart. Let’s look at the most expensive cat breeds in the world. Once you see their photos, you won’t be able to stay indifferent: they’re extraordinary, adorable, graceful and stunning. And your neighbors definitely don’t have one.
The 10 Most Expensive Cat Breeds in the World
Let’s look at the 10 most exclusive cat breeds in the world and find out roughly what they cost in the US. Keep in mind that prices depend on the breeder, the kitten’s pedigree and whether it’s sold as a pet or for showing and breeding.
10. Russian Blue
This cat is not only one of the most popular shorthaired breeds but also takes 10th place among the priciest. A kitten usually costs about $800–$3,000. Its silvery-blue coat sets this breed apart from all others. Russian Blues are gentle and easygoing but can be stubborn and independent.
9. Serengeti
This breed was developed in California by crossing the Oriental Shorthair with the Bengal. Serengetis are strongly built, with big ears, long legs and a striking spotted coat. They’re very elegant cats with a sociable, playful and active personality. A kitten usually costs about $1,000–$2,500.
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8. Elf Cat
This exclusive breed was developed quite recently (in the mid-2000s) in the US by crossing the Sphynx with the American Curl. The result is quite a marvel: a hairless cat with curled-back ears. Elf Cats are friendly, smart and mischievous. A kitten usually costs about $1,500–$3,000.
See also: Hairless cats.
7. Toyger
The Toyger looks like a miniature tiger, which is why it’s called the “toy tiger.” The breed was developed in California by Judy Sugden starting in the 1980s, and its striped coat is designed to remind people of the tiger in the wild. This intelligent, loyal, sociable cat will cost you about $1,500–$4,000.
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These charming cats with curled-back ears are unusually beautiful. American Curls are very curious and playful, adapt easily to new surroundings and are devoted to their owners. The breed began with a stray kitten named Shulamith found in Lakewood, California, in 1981. A kitten can cost about $1,000–$3,000.
See also: Cat breeds with bent ears.
5. Bengal
The leopard-spotted Bengal stands out for its majestic build and grace. Bengals are very sociable, affectionate and sensitive. Surprisingly, many of them love water and enjoy perching on their owner’s shoulders. A Bengal kitten usually costs about $1,500–$3,000, and show-quality cats can cost $5,000 or more.
See also: Spotted cat breeds.
4. Safari
This rare and expensive hybrid breed was first developed in the 1970s by crossing domestic cats with the Geoffroy’s cat, a small wild cat from South America. The Safari looks like a large domestic cat with a distinctive spotted coat. It’s energetic but calm, friendly and loving. Because it’s a wild hybrid, it’s extremely rare, and early-generation cats may be subject to exotic-animal laws. A kitten can cost about $4,000–$8,000 or more.
3. Khao Manee
This cat comes from Thailand. It’s an ancient breed, described in a Thai manuscript of cat poems (the Tamra Maew) that may date back to the 14th century. A snow-white coat and expressive blue or gold eyes set it apart from other cats. The eyes can even be two different colors, one blue and one gold, which is very unusual. In the US and the UK, a kitten usually costs about $2,000–$5,000, and top cats with odd eyes can cost much more.
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2. Chausie
Cats of this rare breed are known for their resemblance to a wild cat. The breed was developed by crossing the jungle cat (Felis chaus) with domestic cats, especially the Abyssinian. These slender cats with tufted ears, a striking face and long legs are smart, sociable and very attentive to everything going on around them. Later-generation (domestic) Chausies usually cost about $2,000–$5,000, while early generations can cost $8,000–$10,000 or more and may need permits.
See also: Cat breeds with ear tufts.
1. Savannah
First place for the most expensive cat goes to the Savannah. A Savannah kitten can cost anywhere from about $1,500 for a later generation to $20,000 or more for an F1 cat (a first-generation cross with a serval). Now that you know which breed is the most exclusive, let’s take a closer look.
The Most Expensive Cat Breed: the Savannah
The Savannah, a cat with a sky-high price tag, is a magnificent member of the cat family. This big cat turns heads because it’s simply stunning. Big ears, a spotted coat, long legs, height and weight are what clearly set this breed apart from all others.
Savannahs are highly intelligent. They’re calm but curious and active. They don’t like small spaces, because they love to run and jump. Many of them love water and play. Before buying, check your state and city laws: early-generation Savannahs are banned or restricted in several parts of the US.
Explore more breed guides: how much a kitten costs.
Be careful with sellers offering “exclusive” hybrids at sky-high prices. Read the story of the Ashera cat, which was sold as a new breed but turned out to be a Savannah.
