If you’re going to buy a Sphynx cat from a breeder, you can expect the lowest price to be around $1,500. Anything lower than this means you got lucky, or you’re compensating for the cat’s low breeding quality. It’s evident that it can get very expensive, considering that it’s just the minimum price, and the highest can go as much as $10,000.
That said, why are Sphynx cats so expensive? What is it about these hairless cats that make them costly? Is it the fact that they look unique? Are they that rare? Let’s find out in the following sections.
What Are The Factors That Make Sphynx Cats Expensive?
Sphynx cats are priced differently. It’s totally up to the breeder, but there are some common factors that they all consider to come up with how much they will sell the feline. Below are some:
Gender
Gender is one of the main things that breeders consider when pricing their Sphynx cats. More often than not, female Sphynx cats are more expensive than male ones. This is because females can reproduce over time. If they are spayed, however, then it’s less likely for the gender to have an impact on the cost.
Note that there won’t be a lot of difference between the prices. At most, it will be a $500 gap, depending on the quality.
Quality Of The Cat
Of course, the quality of the Sphynx cat is the biggest determiner of its price. These include things like the current health status, skin quality, weight, purity of the breed, and likes. Experts also check how bright the eyes are, how clean the ears are, and the overall cleanliness of the feline. Basically, the higher the quality, the more expensive it will be.
Show Grade
There are a lot of standards, breed requirements, and feline grades that a breeder needs to consider when dealing with exotic breeds like a Sphynx. One of the most important ones, however, is the show grade.
Now, show grade refers to how much the cat adheres to the standards set in terms of the breed’s physical appearance. This includes looking at their skin, color, height, weight, and likes. It also involves deducing whether the Sphynx cat’s temperament fits that of the breed’s general characteristics. It basically points to aesthetic qualities, and the higher it is, the costlier the cat will be.
Family Line
There are some cases when a breeder may include descriptions like the Sphynx being a descent of a certain feline family line or being imported from a certain country. If this happens, then you can expect the Sphynx cat’s price to be more expensive than usual. You should specifically expect $12,000 to $17,000 in the price range.
The Breeder
The Sphynx cat’s breeder’s reliability, popularity, and reputation will also affect the price. This is not always the case, but there are some breeders that increase their prices once they manage to build a trustworthy reputation in the field.
Reasons Why Sphynx Cats Are Expensive
Now that we have talked about the factors that make Sphynx cats expensive let’s go on to answer, “Why are Sphynx cats so expensive?” What exactly are the reasons that we’re dealing with? Read on to the following sections.
The Sphynx Cat Is An Exotic Breed
The fact that Sphynx cats are considered exotic breeds is actually enough to justify their high cost. It’s because they come from specialized environments and are also expensive to breed and take care of, even in their early kitten stage.
The Breeding Process Of A Sphynx Cat Is Complex
Breeders put in a lot of money and effort in breeding Sphynx cats. Not only is the process complex since one wrong move can result in health complications for the feline, but it’s also costly.
The breeder has to invest in running the cat through multiple tests, some of which are blood tests, screenings, veterinary health checks, vaccinations, and so much more. You may want to wonder if you’re buying a Sphynx for less than a thousand dollars because this may mean that it didn’t go through the necessary health assessments.
Breeders Need To Follow High Standards When Raising A Sphynx
In order to make sure that a Sphynx cat fits the general breed requirements in terms of quality and appearance, a breeder has to invest in things like regular grooming, special feeds, and other things that may increase the feline’s overall quality. To make up for the large investments, they price the Sphynx cat higher to make a profit.
How Much Does A Sphynx Cat Cost?
The average price of a Sphynx cat ranges from $1,500 to as high as $10,000, depending on the quality and the other factors we discussed.
For an overview, purebred Sphynx cats with a normal pedigree quality may cost around $1,500 to $3,000. High-quality Sphynx may start at $5,000. On the other hand, the ones bred by reputable and famous breeders and come with rare features and extreme quality can be priced at as expensive as $10,000 or even higher.
You may be able to cop a Sphynx cat for a lower price, but there’s a chance that it may not be purebred. It’s not like this is a bad thing, but it can definitely be trickier to take care of. There are also some risks like the cat having a low breeding quality, existing health complications, and likes.
Why Are Sphynx Cats High Maintenance?
Sphynx cats aren’t just expensive. They are also high maintenance. This means that they require a lot of time, money, and effort in order to keep healthy. The question, again, is why are they high-maintenance? They don’t have fur, which means that you have one less thing to be mindful of.
You see, contrary to common misconception, caring properly for a hairless cat can actually be harder than for short-haired and long-haired cats. Here are some reasons why:
Sphynx Cats Are Prone To Several Health Issues
Because Sphynx cats don’t have fur, they are prone to several health issues, such as skin infections, flea issues, heart diseases, ear infections, and a lot more. They mainly have a problem with regulating body temperature because of the hairless figure.
That said, it’s evident that you will need to check your Sphynx in for regular check-ups. They will also need constant medications and treatments if ever they suffer any health condition.
Sphynx Cats Require A Whole Another Set Of Feline Grooming
You may be thinking, “Sphynx cats don’t have fur, so they must not need to be groomed or cleaned as regularly as regular cats.” However, this is where you’re wrong.
As we said, Sphynx cats are prone to a lot of skin infections, including fleas, ticks, heat rashes, and a lot more.
To ensure that their skin stays healthy, they need regular weekly baths. You also have to use a medicated feline shampoo. Remember that it has to be unscented, or you may risk infecting their skin. Patting them down with wet towels is also necessary whenever they get greasy. The list could go on and on, all of which will cost you money, time, and effort.
Read also: Do Sphynx Cats Get Cold?
Sphynx Cats Need To Live With A Special Diet
The appetite of Sphynx cats is a little different than others. Not to mention, they can also be picky eaters despite having a fast metabolism. Because of this, you have to provide them with special diets. Vets recommend strictly raw meals, but it will still be on a case-to-case basis. You simply need to curate a diet involving high protein and fiber, moderate fat, and low carbs.
Wrapping Up
To wrap it up, why are Sphynx cats so expensive? Are they worth the cost? Should you push through with getting a pet Sphynx?
You see, despite Sphynx cats being costly because of things like the quality, complex breeding process, and grade level, we can still say that it’s worth getting them as a pet.
As Sphynx cats are known to be affectionate and loyal in nature, rest assured that you’d make the most out of your time together. Just keep in mind that they are high maintenance, so expect that you will need to have a lot of budget.
