Choosing a pet cat that suits you is the dream of many cat lovers. In 2025, with pet culture becoming increasingly popular, the prices and care knowledge of various cat breeds have also become a focus of attention. Understanding the characteristics of different cat breeds, general price ranges, and scientific care methods can help you make wiser decisions and welcome this furry new family member.

Selecting a cat is not just about appearance; you also need to consider its personality, body size, grooming needs, and potential health issues. Of course, budget is also an important factor. In China, several cat breeds are particularly popular, each with its own charm. Prices range from a few thousand RMB to over ten thousand RMB or more, mainly depending on the cat's lineage, appearance, health condition, and the professionalism of the breeder.

Popular Domestic Pet Cat Breeds and Approximate Prices (2025 Reference)

Below are some popular cat breeds in the country and their approximate price ranges in 2025. Please note, these prices are for reference only; actual transaction prices are influenced by many factors and can vary greatly. "One cat, one price" is the norm.

1. British Shorthair (British Shorthair)
   • Characteristics: Round body, strong bones, dense short coat, easy to care for. Gentle, friendly, calm personality, very suitable for family raising, especially for beginners. Many colors, with blue (gray) being the most classic.
   • Price range: Usually between RMB 3000 to 8000, competition-level or exceptionally good-looking cats may reach over ten thousand yuan.
2. Ragdoll (Ragdoll)
   • Characteristics: Larger body, fluffy soft coat, very high appearance value, eyes usually blue. Extremely gentle and clingy personality, likes interacting with people, follows owners like a dog, thus named "Ragdoll."
   • Price range: Usually between RMB 6000 to 15000, cats with CFA or TICA pedigree certificates and good appearance are more expensive, possibly easily exceeding ten thousand or even tens of thousands.
3. American Shorthair (American Shorthair)
   • Characteristics: Strong build, adaptable, short dense fur. Independent yet friendly personality, lively and playful, can entertain itself. Classic silver tabby pattern is very popular.
   • Price range: Usually between RMB 3000 to 7000, purebreds with excellent appearance have higher prices.
4. Siamese (Siamese)
   • Characteristics: Slender body, muscular, short coat. Famous for its unique point coloration (face, ears, paws, tail are darker). Smart, lively, curious personality, loves "talking," known as the "chatterbox" of cats. Loyal to owners.
   • Price range: Usually between RMB 2000 to 6000, appearance and lineage are the main price determinants.
5. Exotic Shorthair (Exotic Shorthair)
   • Characteristics: Officially named Exotic Shorthair, nicknamed for its flat face and chubby appearance resembling the cartoon character Garfield. Round and chubby body, short dense fur. Quiet, gentle, not vocal, very home-loving.
   • Price range: Usually between RMB 4000 to 10000, the more aligned the nose and eyes are and the flatter the face, the higher the price.
6. Scottish Fold (Scottish Fold)
   • Characteristics: Known for ears that fold forward and downward, round face and large eyes looking very cute. Gentle, affectionate personality, likes to play with people.
   • Price range: Usually between RMB 3000 to 8000. Special attention is needed as the fold ear is a gene mutation. Homozygous fold cats have serious hereditary skeletal disease risks, so heterozygous cats with partially folded ears are recommended, and breeders’ health screening should be understood. Purchase cautiously, health first.
7. Maine Coon (Maine Coon)
   • Characteristics: Huge body, dense fluffy coat, especially a "ruff" around the neck and a bushy tail. Friendly, smart, lively personality, likes water, called the "gentle giant."
   • Price range: Usually between RMB 5000 to 12000, competition-level or very large individuals command higher prices.

Factors Affecting Cat Prices

Besides breed, many other factors affect cat prices, similar to buying a car considering configuration and brand:

• Lineage and certificates: Whether there is a pedigree certificate from international cat associations (such as CFA, TICA) is an important standard to assess purity and quality. Cats with certificates are usually much more expensive than those without.
• Appearance: Including coat color, eye color, body size, bone structure, and whether it meets the breed standard. The closer the appearance to the standard, the higher the price.
• Health condition: Healthy cats are priceless, but in terms of price, cats that have undergone genetic screening, have complete vaccinations, and are well dewormed cost more and are more reassuring.
• Breeder: Responsible and experienced breeders invest more costs in the quality of breeding cats, cat health, and raising environment. Their cats usually have higher prices but also better quality assurance.
• Purchase channel: Buying from professional catteries usually costs more than from pet shops or individuals but carries relatively lower risks. Adoption instead of purchase is also a great option, many stray cats are healthy and affectionate.
• Region and timing: Different cities' consumption levels and supply-demand relationships affect prices. Prices may also fluctuate during specific periods (such as holidays).

Basic Pet Cat Care Guide

Congratulations on welcoming a new member! Owning a cat is a responsibility, providing a safe, healthy, and loving environment is crucial.

1. Food:
   • Choose high-quality cat food suitable for the cat’s age and physiological stage (kitten, adult cat, senior cat, neutered cat, etc.).
   • Wet food can be combined to increase water intake, beneficial for the cat’s urinary system.
   • Always provide clean, fresh drinking water. Some cats prefer flowing water, consider using a pet drinking fountain.
   • Avoid feeding human food, especially toxic foods like chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, etc.
2. Toileting:
   • Prepare a litter box, choose a litter type the cat likes (bentonite, tofu litter, wood chips, etc.).
   • Place the litter box in a quiet and easily accessible location for the cat, away from food and water bowls.
   • Clean the litter daily, thoroughly wash the box and replace litter regularly.
3. Health:
   • Vaccinate on time to prevent infectious diseases such as feline panleukopenia and upper respiratory infections.
   • Regular internal and external deworming.
   • Pay attention to the cat’s diet, water intake, excretion, and behavior to quickly detect abnormalities.
   • Establish a fixed veterinarian and conduct a comprehensive health check annually.
   • Neuter at the appropriate age to help prevent certain diseases and improve behavioral problems.
4. Grooming:
   • Brush short-haired cats several times a week, long-haired cats daily to prevent mats and reduce shedding.
   • Regularly trim the cat’s nails.
   • Pay attention to dental health, try brushing teeth or using dental treats/toys.
5. Environment:
   • Provide scratching posts or cat trees to satisfy natural clawing instincts and protect furniture.
   • Prepare a safe resting space such as a cat bed or cardboard box.
   • Ensure home environment safety, keep small items, toxic plants, and dangerous objects out of reach.
   • Window screens are necessary! Prevent cats from falling.
6. Companionship and Play:
   • Spend time each day accompanying and interacting with your cat.
   • Provide various toys and rotate them to maintain novelty.
   • Cats need appropriate exercise to maintain a healthy weight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Which cat breeds are suitable for beginners?
  • A: British Shorthair, American Shorthair, and Exotic Shorthair are usually considered suitable for beginners as they have stable personalities and are easy to care for. However, many Chinese native cats are also very intelligent, healthy, and affectionate, making them great choices!
• Q: Are purebred cats necessarily better than native cats?
  • A: Not necessarily. Purebred cats have stable looks and personalities, but some purebreds carry genetic disease risks (such as skeletal disease in folded-ear cats, heart disease in some purebreds). Chinese native cats generally have better physical fitness, stronger adaptability, lower risk of genetic diseases, and diverse personalities full of surprises. Choosing which cat depends on your preference and fate.
• Q: How much does it cost to raise a cat monthly?
  • A: Costs vary depending on the cat’s appetite, food brand, litter type, and medical care frequency. Generally, a cat’s monthly expenses may range from RMB 300 to 800 or more, including cat food, litter, snacks, toys, as well as vaccinations and deworming medical expenses. Medical bills can increase significantly if the cat gets sick.
• Q: Why do cats like to scratch sofas?
  • A: Scratching is a natural behavior that helps cats sharpen their claws, mark territory, and stretch their bodies. Providing enough scratching posts or cat trees and guiding cats to scratch in the right places can protect your furniture.

In summary, whether you buy a purebred cat or adopt a stray, the most important thing is to provide a stable, healthy, and loving home. Before making a decision, be sure to do thorough research and preparation to ensure you can be responsible for this little life. May you find the cat you love and enjoy a wonderful cat-rearing life!