22 Most Expensive Cat Breeds in the World That Might Surprise You

Interested in finding a luxurious feline from one of the expensive cat breeds to join your family? Choosing a specific breed can help you know what kind of personality, health risks, and other characteristics you can expect from your cat. If you’ll spare no expense for the perfect kitty, you’re sure to find it here.

With wonderful personalities and unique looks, these twenty-three expensive cats are some of the most expensive in the world. But you’ll easily see why they’ve got such a hefty price tag attached.

1. Savannah Cats

This exquisite feline is the most expensive domestic cat in the world. The Savannah cat is a hybrid of the African Serval cat and the domestic Persian. Their stunning coats are marked with black spots, and their ears are tall and pointed.

Savannahs are so costly due to their breeding. It takes luck – and often a number of years – to mate a serval and a domesticated cat, which is what makes it the most expensive cat in the world.

They bond with only a few people and are known to be very loyal. They’re very inquisitive and have an impressive ability to jump – even onto fridges and high walls. They have quite a strong hunting instinct, so if you keep birds or fish, your Savannah cat will likely eye them daily.

Because of this hunting instinct, it’s important to look at your country and city’s ownership laws before you decide to invest in this feline. Some areas have restrictive laws because these large cats can threaten native species. But if you are looking for expensive breeds of cats, this should be at the very top of your list.

2. Siberian Cats

My own feline friends, Alexei and Vladimir, are Siberians, so I’m particularly partial to this amazing breed. With a thick, luxurious coat, stunning Siberian colors, and affectionate personality, Siberians are well-suited to any home.

They’re laid-back but enjoy playing, and are very attached to their humans. You’ll often find your Siberian cat following along behind you and cuddling up as soon as you take a seat.

As you may expect, this loving cat comes from Siberia in Russia, so they’re well suited to cold conditions. It’s an ancient breed thought to be ancestral to all modern long-haired cats. That’s quite the pedigree.

3. Norwegian Forest Cat

Also known by its Norwegian name – Skogcatt – the Norwegian Forest Cat has been around for centuries. Very handy for ridding houses and farms of mice, they’ve only recently become popular in Europe and the States.

These fluffy felines are large cats with long fur. They’re independent, alert, and very clever. Norwegian Forest cats usually prefer their own space. This expensive cat breed loves a good chin scratch, though, and is loving without being attention-seeking.
They’re also amazing climbers, and you’ll often find them sitting on the very tops of trees before hurtling down headfirst. For smaller homes, a cat climber and scratching post are handy.

4. Russian Blue Cats

With emerald-green eyes and a luxurious silvery coat, Russian Blues are a startlingly pretty breed. The Russian Blue is sweet-tempered and fine-featured, with long legs that allow it to run at high speeds.

This expensive breed of cat really enjoys play and requires a good bit of attention when you get home. Although, they do enjoy napping in a quiet corner and tend to shy away from large groups.

Often demanding at mealtimes, these happy felines can get quite chunky if you’re not firm. Russian Blue cats are another very intelligent breed, so it’s important to provide enough mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy.

5. Ragdoll Cats

Playful and friendly, with stunning blue eyes, the Ragdoll cat is a famously fun pet. Their most fascinating feature is their tendency to lie limp when you pick them up (as opposed to most cats, who squirm out of your hold as soon as they can).

Ragdoll cats are loyal and often greet their humans at the door. They’re also great with dogs and children, making them perfect for families.

With a sweet and gentle temperament, Ragdolls are super relaxed with strangers and will seek a bit of love from everyone. This is one of the friendliest expensive cat breeds.

6. Egyptian Mau Cat

A rare breed with a beautifully spotted coat, the Egyptian Mau cat is a historic breed. It has a medium-sized but muscular build, with longer hind legs. They are the fastest domestic cat breed in the world!

Egyptian Mau cats prefer heat and are quite sensitive to temperature. So if you live somewhere very cold, keep this in mind.

With a balanced temperament and a preference for activity, it’s best to have a large garden for your Mau cat. They’re very loyal and cheerful and love snuggles. Smart enough to turn on the faucet, Egyptian Mau cats also love playing with water.

7. American Wirehair Cat

Another rare breed of domestic cat, the American Wirehair cat, is characterized by its unique coat of springy, crimped hairs.

Wirehair cats are stocky and strong, with a calm but sociable personality. They love playtime but aren’t very talkative. They also bond with every member of the household, making them an easy part of the family. American wirehair cats love to spend time soaking up the sun.

All Wirehairs can be traced back to a spontaneous mutation that occurred in 1966. That’s why they’re such a rare breed – their unusual coat simply can’t be replicated.

8. American Curl Cat

These happy kitties are affectionate, healthy, and talkative. The name refers to the unique ears of the American Curl Cat, which curl backward in a particularly sweet way.

Like the Wirehair cats, American curl cats are all descended from a single natural genetic mutation. They’re one of the youngest cat breeds, having moved from stray to pedigreed in just six years.
Curious, clever, and people-loving, the American Curl is perfect for families. They love to greet people with a little head bump or a rub against the legs. Curls are also active and adaptable, with older Curls known to be just as active as younger ones.

9. Sphynx Cats

A very unusual and pricey cat breed is the regal Sphynx. Well-known for its hairless coat, the Sphynx cat is a wonderfully friendly and playful cat – and they’re certainly striking.

The Sphynx cat breed is not actually hairless – it’s covered in a light downy layer of hair that feels like suede or peach fuzz.

Despite their stern expression, Sphynx cats are energetic and often goofy tricksters. Acrobatic, energetic, and curious, you’ll see them bouncing around the home with enthusiasm. They’re also very loyal cats, and this expensive cat breed loves to be involved in family activities.

Because of their energetic and loving personality, the Sphynx takes a fair bit of work. They’re also susceptible to sunburn and skin damage, as well as getting cold easily. This makes them best suited to the indoors – but there are cat sweaters you can get to keep your Sphynx snug and safe.

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10. Korat Cat Breed

These handsome kitties are very outgoing and live a long life – between 15 and 20 years on average. They are very loving and like to follow their owners everywhere – even into the bathroom.

Korats have stunning blue or grey coats that seem to shimmer and become almost silver at the ends. Their beautiful coats are then complimented by their lovely green eyes.

Their coats are very fine, so they don’t require much grooming. Once a week should suffice for a brush, and add in a chamois cloth rub to buff up their sheen. Korat cats tend to very much enjoy being groomed.

The Korat cat breed has been around for over 600 years and originated in the Korat region of Thailand. In 1959 an American ambassador visiting Thailand was given two Korat cats, and this is when the breed made its way to the United States.

As the breed is quite rare, this is an expensive cat breed.

11. Selkirk Rex Cats

Selkirk Rex cats are simply lovable little fur babies, adored for their plush tousled coats and exquisite, smooshy flat faces. In addition to their adorable curly coats, their whiskers curl too. How cute!

With big round eyes and an almost smiling expression, these felines love to be cuddled and will follow you around for attention.

Nicknamed ‘cats in sheep’s clothing,’ Selkirk rex cats may need occasional brushing – at least two or three times a week. Unlike many other flat-faced cats, the Selkirk Rex cat is not prone to tear duct issues.
They’re easily entertained with a flashlight beam or a fishing pole toy. Although not particularly active, these cuties are social. They’ll love to sit on your lap and let you feel their curly-q’s as the sun goes down.

12. American Shorthair

The American shorthair was used to keep vermin and rodents under control and away from food, and they still love to hunt. These days they tend to hunt insects more than larger animals but also like to use their hunting skills in toys like puzzle games.

This is a stocky and muscular breed that comes in a broad range of colors (silver tabby is the most common). They have a large full face with wide eyes.

The breed is believed to have descended from the other domestic short hair cats that were brought over on the Mayflower. They were recognized as a breed in 1906 but were not called the American Shorthair breed until 1966. This was to distinguish the breed from other short hairs.

American shorthair cats tend to be quite adaptable and good-natured. They are good family pets. However, they generally don’t like to be picked up or held for long periods. This kitty is more comfortable sitting beside you than on top of you.

13. Maine Coon

These fluffy felines are really something special. Known to be real gentle giants, they’re often referred to as the dogs of the cat world thanks to their unique Maine Coon personality.

So if you’re a self-proclaimed dog person but looking to broaden your horizons, this will be your perfect transition to being a cat owner too.

Maine Coons are friendly, loveable, and very vocal. Their sizable bodies and heavy, double-layer long hair kept them well-protected against the brutal cold in Maine, which is the state they originated from.

With so much personality and love to give, you may soon find yourself leaning toward the Maine Coon breed.

14. Scottish Fold

Scottish Fold cats, named for their unusual folded ears and striking, yellowish-orange eye colors, these kitties just love to be around people. These easygoing cats have great personalities and get along with anyone.

As active mousers, Scottish fold cats are playful, sensitive, and expressive. These joyful felines have a habit of posing in odd positions – sitting upright as if they were a meerkat, lying flat on the floor, or on their backs with their paws in the air.

They are moderately active and enjoy toys that test their agility and challenge their intelligence, like puzzle toys. Scottish fold cats crave attention and make great companions, so expect to play with them when you get home from work or school.

15. British Short Hair

The British Shorthair cat is a medium to large-sized cat breed with large gold, orange, or copper color eyes, a short, broad nose, and a short to medium coat. Daily grooming of these felines is necessary, especially during seasonal changes.

These lovely kitties are highly intelligent; however, they are still happy to stay inside and play with toys and people. Get some wand-like toys and start a game with your British Shorthair cat; it can be great fun.

This indoor cat breed has an easygoing personality and provides great companionship. While these cats love to play, they don’t require hourly attention.

16. Peterbald

The Peterbald cat is a strange little fellow. With hairless, gray-silver skin, a slanted face, and large pointy ears, this Russian cat breed has certainly earned its place on this list.

Created from experimental breeding, this cat first popped its head out in 1994 at St. Petersburg. This is why it’s named Peterbald (I’m sure you can guess where the bald part comes from). And one of the main reasons that this is quite a rare cat breed.

Originally a cross between a hairless Donskoy and an Oriental Shorthair, these cats quickly grew in popularity in their home country.

Since Peterbald cats don’t have any fur to keep them warm, they need to be kept indoors during the cooler seasons, as they might otherwise get too chilly.
They require a little bit more cat care than other breeds because they need to be bathed weekly in order to keep their coats from getting oily and attracting dirt.

These cats have wonderfully affectionate personalities and are often found shadowing their loved ones. Peterbald cats love attention and are very active cats in general, as well as being very loyal and loving. Their personalities are regularly likened to that of canines.

So if you haven’t decided whether you’re more of a cat or a dog person, the Peterbald is a great choice of cat companion, and it is unlikely that you’ll find many other examples of this cat breed in your neighborhood!

17. Persian

Persian cats are affectionate, docile, and gentle kitties. This breed has a quiet demeanor; they plop down on any soft surface and simply pose for your appreciation. These elegant cats are not very active, which makes them the perfect indoor pet.

They do require regular grooming (at least once a day) and enjoy being pampered. Try to find a comb or a cat brush that’s appropriate for the length of your Persian Cat’s coat. You’ll find, with these bundles of joys, the more you groom them, the more lovable they’ll become toward you.

Although affectionate, Persian cats are discriminative and reserve their attention for family and a few trusted guests.

This beautiful flat-faced cat breed does get along with children and other household pets; however, they aren’t fans of loud environments but rather serene homes where little changes.

18. Bengal

Bengal cats are one of the newer cat breeds, a combination of the Asian leopard cat and a US domestic cat. These affectionate cats are energetic and playful.

A distinctive feature of their thick and lustrous coat is the pearl or gold dusting or glitter effect. This is one of the many features of the lovely Bengal cat that contributes to its extreme cuteness.

The breed is also known for its black-rimmed and almond-shaped eyes and distinctive whisker pads. Add to this their thick tail that often finishes in a black tapered tip, and you have one seriously cute cat.

19. Toyger Cat Breed

The Toyger cat is a newer cat breed and was originally called the California Toyger. The word Toyger was meant to be a mix of toy and tiger. The name derives from its tiger-like and slightly wild appearance but domestic cat nature.

Toygers are extremely affectionate and can attach themselves to their humans. It is an active breed but definitely a lap cat. They love to play – particularly with feather toys – and have lots of energy. But once they are worn out, they will come and seek out your lap.

Their coats are dense and soft with a luxurious appearance. This expensive cat breed currently only has one color, which is brown mackerel tabby. The mix of black and gold drive their resemblance to tigers.

They have sleek bodies and long and luxurious tails, small rounded ears, and small to medium eyes. Their eye color is normally yellow or green. There is only a limited number of accredited Toyger breeders, and this also drives their high prices.

20. Khao Manee

Khao Manee or Khao Plort cats have pure white coats and jewel-toned eyes (which are often different colors). This cat breed comes from Thailand, where they are considered to be good luck. Khao Manee cats thrive on attention and are perfect for families.

They are a newer breed and quite rare, which makes them an expensive breed of cat. Plus, they look expensive with their plush pure white coats. They can be born with some patterns but will be pure white by the time they reach 18 months of age.

They have large eyes and a medium-length tail. The Khao Manee cats with different eye colors are considered the most prized. They have quite muscular and lithe bodies.

This is a chatty cat breed that loves interacting with its family. This confident cat breed also likes strangers. However, do note this is a breed that shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time. They crave the love and attention of their owners.

21. Siamese Cat Breed

Siamese cats are one of the most adored and famous cat breeds. They are intelligent, talkative, and lovely-natured felines, making ideal family pets.

These cats have unique short coats, with light-colored bodies and silky smooth fur. Their face, paws, and tails are darker than the rest of their bodies. While they are great indoor cats, they seek companionship from their owners, including sitting on laps and snuggling in bed.

Their sleek short coats also highlight their proportionately large ears.

Siamese cats are often labeled as “dog-like” because they enjoy following their humans around and enjoy playtime, like fetch, so stock up on active cat toys. Although they are loving cats, this breed should not be left alone at home for extended periods.

22. Ocicat

This playful cat breed loves attention. The Ocicat resembles a wild cat but is very playful and loving. They are a medium to large cat breed with a smooth coat. Their markings are distributed across their bodies – and each hair on their coat contains more than one color.

The Ocicat breed was created by crossing Siamese and Abyssinian cats together and then later breeding with an American domestic short hair. The breed was registered in 1966.

Ocicats love to play and will see most items in your home as potential toys. They are also friendly cats who like to welcome strangers. They don’t like being alone and do get bored easily, so a sibling is often a good idea.

They are high energy and highly intelligent, so they need lots of stimuli. They don’t have any special exercise needs, and unlike many other cat breeds, they like water, so watch out if you’re having a bath.