For many cat lovers, bringing a cute cat home is a happy thing. However, the price of pet cats is not fixed; it is affected by multiple factors, and prices vary greatly among different breeds, ranging from a few hundred yuan to tens of thousands or even higher. Understanding this price information helps you make a full budget and preparation before deciding to raise a cat.

General Price Range of Pet Cats

The price of pet cats is a very broad concept, and it is difficult to give a fixed number. Generally speaking, the price of a pet cat may range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of RMB. This huge difference mainly depends on factors such as the cat’s breed, pedigree, appearance, age, health status, and purchase channel.

Key Factors Affecting Cat Prices

Understanding the factors affecting cat prices helps you better judge the value of a cat:

• Breed and Pedigree: This is usually the most important factor in determining price. Purebred cats, especially those from well-known catteries with complete pedigree certificates, usually cost much more than non-purebred or street cats. For example, popular breeds such as Ragdoll, Maine Coon, Siamese cats generally have higher prices.
• Appearance: Even within the same breed, a cat’s external features such as coat color, eye color, body shape, bone structure standard conformity all affect the price. Cats with better appearance naturally cost more.
• Health Status: Health is priceless. A healthy cat usually costs more because breeders or sellers invest in vaccines, deworming, and daily care. Buyers should check the cat’s health certificates and vaccination records.
• Age: Generally, kittens cost more than adult cats because kittens have longer time to bond with new owners and adapt to new environments. However, some professionally trained adult cats can also be expensive.
• Purchase Channel: There are various purchase channels and price differences.
  • Formal Catteries: Usually the highest price but with guaranteed health and pedigree and complete after-sales service.
  • Pet Stores: Mid-range prices but requires careful examination of store reputation and cat health to avoid "backyard cats."
  • Individual Breeders/Home Breeding: Prices may be lower but risks are higher with little guarantee of health or pedigree.
  • Adoption: The most economical way, usually only a small registration or medical fee is required, and it helps homeless cats find a home, very loving.

Complete Analysis of Prices for Different Cat Breeds (RMB)

Below we look at some common pet cat breeds in China and their approximate price ranges. Please note these prices are for reference only and actual purchases may fluctuate due to various factors:

• Chinese Rural Cat: Our "native divine cat," smart, highly adaptable, strong constitution. Prices are usually very affordable, can even be adopted for free; purchasing usually costs from tens to a few hundred yuan.
• British Shorthair (British Shorthair): Round face, sturdy body, calm and gentle temperament, well loved. Price range is wide; ordinary cats cost about 1000-3000 yuan, purebreds around 3000-10000 yuan, show grade even more expensive.
• American Shorthair (American SH): Looks like a small tiger, gentle and friendly character. Prices similar to the British Shorthair, ordinary cats cost about 1000-3000 yuan, good purebreds 5000-7000 yuan, show grade higher.
• Ragdoll: Also called “Fairy Cat,” large body, thick coat, gentle character. High price, ordinary 6000-15000 yuan, show or breeding-grade may reach tens of thousands.
• Siamese: Smart and lively, "walking Xinjiang coal miner" (because of darker facial coloration), very curious. Ordinary quality kittens priced 800-2000 yuan, purebred 2000-5000 yuan, good appearance over ten thousand yuan occasionally.
• Chinchilla Cat: Long and beautiful coat, flat face. Ordinary priced 1000-2000 yuan, purebred 2500-8000 yuan, varies by region.
• Persian Cat: Aristocrat among cats, gentle and elegant temperament, price ranges 1000-6000 yuan, purebreds with pedigree certificates cost more.
• Maine Coon: Giant “gentle giant,” friendly and gentle. Pet grade usually around 5000 yuan, purebred 8000-20000 yuan or higher.
• Canadian Hairless Cat (Sphynx): Unique appearance, gentle temperament. Price varies greatly, ranging from several thousand to over ten thousand yuan.
• Somali Cat: Active and lively, strong athletic ability. Prices roughly 2000-6000 yuan.

Besides these breeds, many others like Russian Blue, Peterbald, Toyger, Leopard Cat, Caracal, Tropical Savannah Cat, Balinese, etc., their prices vary too, with some rare breeds even reaching hundreds of thousands of yuan.

Besides the Cat’s Price, What Other Expenses Are Needed to Raise a Cat?

The cat’s price is only part of the initial expense. “Buying a cat feels good once, raising a cat is a crematorium” is not a joke, ongoing daily expenses also need consideration.

• Initial Expenses:
  • Health Check and Vaccination: Kittens newly received need a thorough check and timely vaccination, costing from a few hundred to over a thousand yuan.
  • Deworming: Both internal and external deworming are essential, costing from tens to hundreds of yuan.
  • Spaying/Neutering Surgery: Recommended for health and reducing trouble. Male cat neutering generally costs a few hundred to over a thousand yuan; female cats cost more, possibly one to two thousand yuan.
  • Living Supplies: Litter box, cat litter, bowls, water dispenser, scratching post, cat bed, toys, nail clippers, combs, etc., basic supplies may cost several hundred to over a thousand yuan.
• Monthly Daily Expenses:
  • Cat Food and Snacks: The largest regular expense, depending on appetite and brand, may cost a few hundred to over a thousand yuan monthly.
  • Cat Litter: Varies by type and usage, tens to hundreds yuan monthly.
  • Health Supplements: Depending on cat’s needs, extra supplements such as hairball paste or probiotics may be required.
  • Other Miscellaneous: Cleaning supplies, toy replacements, etc.
• Medical Expenses: Besides regular checkups, sickness or injuries require vet visits. This cost is most flexible, ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of yuan. It is advisable to prepare an emergency medical fund.

Overall, initial costs to raise a cat may reach several thousand yuan, and monthly daily expenses roughly range from several hundred to over a thousand yuan.

Where Is Reliable to Purchase Pet Cats?

In China, it is recommended to buy pet cats through the following channels:

• Formal Catteries: Certified by relevant authorities (such as CFA, WCF, TICA), guaranteed cat health and pedigree, with complete after-sales support.
• Well-Reputed Pet Stores: Choose stores with long operation time, good reputation, clean environment; carefully check health certificates and vaccination records when buying.
• Animal Shelters or Foster Homes: Adopting instead of buying, not only can gain a lovely cat but also helps stray animals; very meaningful. Usually charges a small adoption fee covering basic checkups and vaccines.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Why are some cats so expensive?
  A: Expensive cats are often purebreds with good pedigree, standard appearance, and come from qualified formal catteries. These factors increase their cost and value.
• Q: I heard "backyard cats" are cheap, can I buy them?
  A: "Backyard cats" usually mean cats bred through unofficial channels. Although cheap, health and pedigree are not guaranteed, with risks of genetic or infectious diseases. Not recommended to buy.
• Q: Do rural cats need to be bought?
  A: Rural cats can be obtained through adoption, usually only some registration or basic medical fees are needed. If purchased, prices are very low.

In summary, choosing a pet cat that suits you not only requires considering its price but also whether you have sufficient financial ability and energy to care for it for life. We hope this article helps you better understand pet cat prices and the expenses involved in raising a cat to make an informed decision.