Why Are Persian Cats So Expensive? (With Average Cost)

Persians are loved for their gentle personalities, serious faces, and short, stubby legs. This breed comes in several colors, and while there might be differences in their lineage, all Persians command a relatively high price. Why are Persian cats so expensive?

Persian cats are so expensive as they are in high demand for their luxurious coats, stubbed faces, and affectionate natures. However, Persian cats are well-loved, and most purebreds tend to command a higher price.

Persians are pricey as pure breeds are rare and can only be obtained from trusted breeders. In this article, we’ll look at why Persian cats cost so much and the factors that go into their high price.

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Reasons Persian Cats Are So Expensive

The origin of Persian cats dates back centuries, and archaeologists have even found hieroglyphic references to this long-haired breed. Their rich legacy and popularity in cat shows make Persians a highly-coveted cat breed worldwide.

And anything rare and highly coveted is sure to command a higher price tag.

Even among the most thoroughbred Persian cats, certain factors determine how expensive the Persian cat is. Let’s take a look at those.

Reasons Persian Cats are Expensive	Explanation
Gender	Purebred Persian females that can birth litters are usually sold for more money.
Age	Kittens are usually more expensive due to their young age and cuteness.
Geographic Location	Certain states and cities may charge more for Persian cats.
Genetic History	If a Persian cat’s parents are purebred and performed well in cat shows, it could make them more expensive.
Fur Color	Solid Persian colors, especially white, will make a purebred Persian cat more expensive.
Face Type	Punch-faced Persian cats will normally be more expensive.
Breeder	Reputable Persian cat breeders with quality cats will usually charge more.

Gender and Age

Persian cat prices differ greatly based on the gender and age of the cat in question. For example, females tend to cost more than males as they are capable of birthing litters. In addition, the kittens are usually sold at a premium, which is why female Persians cost more.

Persian cats who have been spayed or neutered typically cost less than those who haven’t due to their inability to reproduce. Male Persians are less expensive than females, whose price can skyrocket to nearly $2000.

Age also plays a significant role in the price of a Persian cat, as the younger cats cost more while Persian kittens are the most expensive. So a female, unneutered, Persian kitten will cost you a lot more than most other Persian cats.

Geographic Location

Some cities may value this breed highly, while others may not value Persians as much. Persian cats will command a higher price in cities where the demand for the breed is high, and adopting one is a matter of prestige.

Persian cats also tend to cost more in urban areas than in rural areas, even if they are of the same gender, age, and lineage.

Genetic History

The genetic history plays a crucial role in determining its cost, especially if you’re picky about getting a purebred. A kitten with proof of its lineage to purebred parents will cost more than one whose heredity is unclear.

If both parents are purebred and have been entered in contests or cat shows, their offspring will typically command a higher price.

Fur Color

The color of a Persian’s fur also plays a role in determining its price. Cats with tabby prints, stripes, or other patterns are lower in the price spectrum. On the other hand, Persians with solid colors like black or brown tend to cost more, and white Persians often command the highest prices.

Face Type

Although the term Persian refers to only one breed of cat, there are two distinct types to choose from.

• Doll-faced: These cats have longer, protruding snouts, much like regular cats, and a round face with big ears.
• Punch-faced: Punch-faced Persian cats are popular, with squashed noses, smaller ears, and big eyes.

Punch-faced Persians tend to be more expensive as they are often entered in shows and are considered a pet of prestige among the elite. As such, they are in higher demand.

Breeder

The breeder you purchase from will set a price based on the quality of Persian cats he rears for sale. Breeders with a history of successful, purebred litters charge a premium for their cats as it’s difficult to ascertain the lineage of this breed without proof.

And most top breeders can provide you with verification stating that their cats are indeed purebred.

While you can get away with buying a Persian from an inexperienced breeder, it’s best to approach a reputed breeder as your cat is less likely to suffer from adverse health issues.

Additional Costs of Adopting a Persian Cat

The Persian breed is expensive enough to purchase. But when you factor in the costs of living with a Persian for the next 10 to 15 years, the expenses are sure to stack up.

Here are a few additional costs you want to factor in before you think of getting a Persian cat.

1. Vet Treatments

Adopting a Persian cat means regular trips to the vet, which can be pretty expensive depending on the treatment required. In addition, unlike regular cats, Persians are susceptible to health issues more specific to their breed, including kidney disease and cardiomyopathy.

Punch-faced Persians are also more prone to eye drainage issues and nasal problems due to the shape of their faces, which can be troublesome to deal with.

It may even require complicated and expensive surgical procedures.

2. Special Food

Most vets recommend a special diet for Persians to develop health issues when their diets are not carefully monitored. Cat food manufacturers produce food specifically for Persians that use different ingredients to avoid aggravating diseases they are prone to.

It’s also best to give Persians soft food as they are prone to dental problems throughout their lifetimes. And like any long-haired breed, Persians tend to cough up bigger hairballs, so Persian food is often designed to break up their hairballs, making it easier to digest.

And finally, Persians tend to be fussy eaters, with preferences for certain kinds of food. Thus, aside from additional expenses, catering to a Persian’s diet involves a fair bit of work.

3. Grooming

Being the cute furballs that they are, Persians require excessive grooming to ensure their fur doesn’t get matted or clumped in places. However, it can be time-consuming and complicated to groom your Persian regularly, and a few visits to the cat spa is the ideal solution.

However, trips to the cat spa are often expensive, and it’s best to learn to groom your Persian at home to help eliminate the extra expenses.

4. Essentials

Toys, scratch posts, litter boxes, and bowls are essential expenses of adopting any cat, which won’t change much even with a Persian. However, there is litter specifically designed for Persians, which will cost you a bit more if you decide to invest in it.  

Persian Breeders with Persian Cats for Sale

Here are some examples of Persian cat breeders that normally have Persian kittens for sale.  I believe these Persian cat breeders are reputable.

Pelaqita Persians

Pelaqita Persians is located in Pleasantville, Ohio, which means it is probably convenient for people that live in Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Northwestern West Virginia. In addition, Pelaqita Persians appears to be a loving place where purebred Persian cats are raised.

Pelaqita Persians is a CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Cattery of Excellence.  This means they have high standards and are inspected annually.  Persian cat health is clearly of high importance to Pelaqita.  They also appear to care about the happiness of their Persian cats. 

At Pelaqita Persians, they have a long wait list (approximately 12-18 months), so you should communicate with them if you are interested in a cat. Purebred Persian kittens range in cost from $900 to $3500 depending on the quality and if they are intact with breeding rights. 

Powderpuff Persians

Powderpuff Persians is a Persian cat breeder in Indiana and Florida. Their Persian cats are normally adopted quickly, which means reservations are normally necessary for purchase.

Powderpuff Persians does a good job on their website explaining how to care for a Persian kitten.  They explain that Persian cats should be kept indoors at all times, and they need their owners to take great care of them. 

At the time I wrote this article, Powderpuff Persians had 2 Persian kittens for sale.  One was $3550, and the other was $3800.  Additionally, this cattery takes credit cards and will deliver a Persian cat to you for a flat fee of $500.

Victorian Gardens Cattery

Victorian Gardens Cattery is located in Northeastern North Carolina, making them convenient for people living in North Carolina and Virginia.  Victorian Gardens is registered with CFA.

Victorian Gardens appears to care quite a bit about the health of their purebred Persian cats. As a result, there is much information about cat health, vaccinations, and tests about their Persian cats. 

Depending on the quality of your Persian kitten for sale, you should expect to pay between $1450 to over $2000.  Expect to place a deposit to reserve a Persian cat.

What is the Average Price for a Persian Cat?

The average price for a Persian cat is $2500, based on my research.  Persian cats are expensive because of many factors, including gender, age, and face type. You should expect to place a deposit with a breeder if you intend to buy a Persian cat. 

What is the Lowest Price for a Persian Cat?

The lowest price for a Persian cat is around $300.  This would assume you are adopting a Persian cat from an animal shelter.  Desirable cat breeds, such as the Persian cat, usually have higher adoption costs than other cats, such as the Domestic Shorthair.

Are Persian Cats Social?

Persian cats are adaptable and capable of getting used to the routines of any household they are brought into. However, while they aren’t needy, Persians are highly sociable and require regular company as they tend to get depressed when isolated.

Are Persian Cats Kid Friendly?

Persian cats are affectionate yet not demanding, and their gentle nature makes them a great addition to households with children and other pets. However, supervise interactions between small children and Persians, as your young children can be slightly physical without realizing what they are doing.

Are Persian cats hypoallergenic?

Persian cats are not hypoallergenic. This is because humans can be allergic to a protein called Fel D 1 found in cat saliva, and this compound is present in Persian cats. As such, the Persian breed isn’t specifically hypoallergenic. In fact, most long-haired cats tend to cause allergic reactions easily in humans.

Final Thoughts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e6C1ysIiRQ

Buying a Persian cat may seem like a one-time investment, but the cost of owning one for the next decade often comes up to a lot more than the initial price of purchase. So before you buy a Persian, factor in the overhead expenses to be sure you can handle what lies ahead. 

If you enjoyed this article, please check out a few more:

• Why is My Persian Cat Shedding So Much? (Clear Reasons):  Click Here.
• How Long Can You Leave a Persian Cat Alone:  Click Here.
• Do Persian Cats Need Company? The Best Reasons:  Click Here.