Since the time people started keeping animals as pets, there have been some that are attracted to the notion of owning exotic animals most people might never have even seen. This desire can manifest in either of two ways, if not both; owning dangerous animals most people have seen in zoos but would not want to get near to, or owning actually rare animals that are either rare because of low population numbers, hidden habitats, or because they have been cross-bred between different species.
Cats are one of the most common pets in the world alongside dogs. And as they are found all over the world, there are also many cat breeds available for purchase. Some of these breeds are naturally more expensive than others. That can either be because of their unique looks, unique behavioral patterns, or just relative rarity. And obviously, the rarer a breed of cat gets, the more expensive it becomes to acquire it. So, let’s look at and discuss briefly the most expensive cat breeds in the world.
The Ashera Cat Easily the most expensive breed of cat in the world, Ashera cats are so expensive you could buy 125 cheetah cubs in place of one of these rare beauties, as they cost a whopping $125,000. Ashera cats look as graceful and terrifying as their bigger counterparts in the wild, but are also tame and bred specifically for domestic life. This breed is a mixture of a domestic cat, a serval, and the African Leopard.
Ashera cats have stripes and spots for days alongside large, narrowing ears. This breed is also relatively new, having been only “created” recently. As mentioned above, this breed was specifically built to hit all the right spots for exotic pet enthusiasts; it looks amazing but can easily withstand indoor life. These cats are also quite expensive to look after, and thus are not widely available to the public.
The Savannah Cat
The Savannah cat is also a very expensive breed of cat, setting you back about $25,000. However, that is $100,000 less than the Ashera cat, and the Savannah cat shares a lot of the features that make Ashera cats so popular; including stripes, spots, and big narrow ears. This makes them a bargain if you’ve got a lot of money burning a hole in your pocket. The reason the Savannah cat shares so many striking similarities with the Ashera cat is because it is almost the same breed; a domestic cat cross-bred with a serval. The African leopard however, is missing from the mix. The type of Savannah cat produced depends heavily on what type of cat bred with the serval.
The Bengal Cat
Finally coming down into the somewhat affordable territory, though still quite expensive for a pet, we have the Bengal cat. Costing around $5,000, this cat breed’s exact origins are murky. Reports of this sort of breed of cat range back to the late 19th Century. Today, we know that this breed is made by cross-breeding a domestic cat with an Asian leopard. This gives the Bengal cat its signature markings and its white belly (in most cases at least).
The purpose of this breed of cat was similar to the ones listed above; a domestic cat that resembles some larger wild cat. While the Ashera and Savannah cats sort of resemble cheetahs, the Bengal cat resembles the Asian leopard. Why it is called the Bengal cat in fact doesn’t have anything to do with Bengalese culture, but the fact that Asian leopards are also referred to as bengalensis. Fun fact, earlier generations of this breed retain their wild nature, while further generations become tamer.
The Persian Cat
Persian cats ooze royalty, and thus are not too cheap either. But they are still affordable enough that they are the second most popular cat breed in the United States. Their signature long hair, fluffy tails, and overall furry cuddliness factor make them extremely popular. Also, it doesn’t hurt that Persian cats are usually one of the more social breeds of cats, which make them perfect for people who want a quieter pet than a dog but still one that occasionally likes to snuggle up next to you. As the name implies, Persian cats originate from Persia – modern day Iran – though how such fluffy creatures withstood the extreme heat of the Middle East is a mystery to us.
The Sphynx Cat
Sphynx cats were developed around sixty years ago, and have enjoyed popularity since then. Their most striking and distinct feature is without a doubt their lack of fur. Though a very fine layer of hair does exist on their bodies, it is virtually almost always not visible. Their lack of fur isn’t the only thing that sets them apart however; their faces have a very unique look to them as well. With big ears, narrow faces, and beautiful eyes, Sphynx cats are truly unique. They also suffer health conditions because of their lack of a thick enough coating, though trained breeders are able to take care of kittens in their most vulnerable stages.
The Peterbald Cat
Peterbald cats are quite a new breed, created in 1994 in St. Petersburg. They have quite a few defining features. For starters, they have a gene which means they can either be born bald like the Sphynx cat, or with a very short-haired coat. Their faces are also very elongated and narrow, and their large ears are set back from their heads. Finally, they have webbed feet, certainly a rare occurrence in mammals normally. They are also known for their laidback temperaments, and thus make for great household pets.
The Scottish Fold Cats
The Persian cat has a very simple name; it originated in Persia, hence, Persian cat. The Scottish Folds on the other hand, have a very literal name. This breed of cat originated in Scotland, and has a unique gene that affects cartilage throughout the body, resulting in their ears folding in on themselves and giving them quite a unique look. Because of their large eyes and almost flat heads, Scottish Folds are often described as owl-like in appearance. There are some instances of Scottish Folds with straight ears too however, in which case the name only makes half as much sense.
Conclusion
If there’s one thing you should be taking away from this article it would be that no matter how rich you are, you will still have a breed of cat to spend your cash on. There is no shortage of cat breeds in the world, and this list of some of the most expensive ones barely even begins to cover the total number of breeds that currently exist. If you’re interested in reading more about cat breeds, we have you covered. From overall articles about long-haired breeds of cats, to specialized ones like this one about the Sphynx cat, we’ve got tons of articles to keep you busy for days.