Without a doubt, a Sphynx cat is expensive. If you have your heart set on a no-coat kitty, you’ll be relieved to know there are other hairless cat breeds that don’t cost so much.
For people looking to adopt a sphynx, it’s often the price that makes them think twice. We explain why Sphynx cats cost so much and list the current prices of these and other popular hairless breeds.
Before you start searching for a Sphynx kitten that costs as little as possible, think twice. Discover why this breed is so expensive in the first place.
What is the current Sphynx cat price? It depends on several factors, as you are about to discover!
A pedigree Sphynx costs $1500 to $4500, depending on demand, quality and the experience of the breeder. If you want a rare-colored Sphynx, one from champion lines or one with breeding rights, then you’ll pay more: $4500 to $10000.
Be vary wary of paying less than $1500 for a purebred Sphynx kitten. Always ask to see a breeder’s credentials, the cat’s pedigree documentation, proof of its parent’s health screening, and evidence that kittens have been vet checked and vaccinated twice.
If the parent cats haven’t had health screening, any of their kittens can inherit genetic health problems.
If you are very lucky, you may find a Sphynx waiting to be adopted at a shelter at a much lower price. If you do, it’s worth paying extra for a full health screening.
Sphynx cat price
| Sphynx quality | Price |
| Standard pedigree cat (novice breeder) | $1500 – $3000 |
| Standard pedigree cat (experienced breeder) | $3,000 – $4500 |
| Breeding and rare-colored cats | $4500 – $10000 |
Other hairless cat prices
| Hairless Cat | Average Price |
| Donskoy or Don Sphynx | $1200 |
| Peterbald | $1200 |
| Ukrainian Levkoy | $1200 |
| Bambino | $1800 |
| Elf | $2000 |
| Dwelf | $2000 |
| Minskin | $1600 |
As you can see, not every hairless cat is a Sphynx and there are other cats without coats that are not quite as expensive.
The purchase price of a Sphynx is high and once you own one, the costs are ongoing. Sometimes these catch people out and they realize they should not have bought one!
There are a number of factors that give rise to the wide variations in price for this popular breed. Let’s uncover the real reasons behind this popular hairless cat’s seemingly extortionate price tag.
Why Sphynx Cats Cost So Much
Sphynx cats are expensive because of breeding expenses. Couple this with the fact that the Sphynx is highly sought-after and demand outweighs supply, which enables breeders to command high prices.
Sphynx Breeders’ Costs
If you’ve ever wondered why the Sphynx cat price is so high it’s partly because producing Sphynx kittens is an expensive business. The breeder has to recoup all costs incurred as well as make a profit.
A quality breeder will pay for the queen and sire to be tested for:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD1).
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).
- Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).
- Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS).
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
- Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (URD).
- Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD).
The HCM and PCD tests are particularly expensive as they are carried out by a specialist, not a general vet.
Breeders are obliged to spay/neuter all kittens before they are sold which incurs further costs.
Sphynxes bred in US catteries should come with registration paperwork from a recognized body such as The International Cat Association (TICA) or The Cat Fancy Association (CFA). Registration with these clubs comes at a price.
Kitten vaccinations and food for the mother and kittens also add to the overall breeding costs which have to be recouped in the sale price.
Male Sphynx vs Female Sphynx
Unspayed female Sphynx cats are more expensive than males because of their ability to give birth to highly desirable and valuable Sphynx kittens.
However, a spayed female Sphynx costs a similar price to a male. Most breeders insist on all kittens being spayed or neutered as part of the contract of sale.
Types of Sphynx cat
Most people want a Sphynx cat as a pet but some want a cat they can enter into shows.
There’s a world of difference in the price of the two types. Pet quality cats are perfectly healthy but don’t quite come up to the high standards expected of show cats.
What Owning a Sphynx Cat Will Cost You
It’s not just the Sphynx cat purchase price that’s high, a Sphynx cat costs a lot to maintain once you get it home.
A Sphynx cat costs a lot to keep warm
As a Sphynx cat does not have a cozy fur coat, it is important that it is kept warm in other ways.
The easiest way to ensure a Sphynx does not become too cold is to heat your home constantly (day and night) so that it’s always in the range of 68 °F to 77 °F.
You will definitely notice the effect this has on your heating bill so be prepared!
If you allow this temperature to drop below 68 °F on a regular basis, your Sphynx will feel unhappy and uncomfortable and could become ill.
A cheaper alternative to leaving your heating on all the time is a heated cat bed. I am in love with the Dream Pod heated cat bed.
It looks so cozy and is perfect for stopping drafts. It is conveniently available on Amazon. Here’s a link to see more details and the current price.
Some people put their Sphynx cats in clothes. I’m not a fan of dressing cats so this subject is best left to personal opinion, but you can find a variety of clothes for a Sphynx if you are having problems keeping one warm.
Sphynx cats need annual health checks
Sphynx cats are genetically predisposed to developing a heart defect known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
This can manifest at any time of life. Regular HCM heart scans are recommended to spot symptoms early enough to give treatment to manage the condition and slow down its progression as much as possible. Sadly, there is no cure.
To ensure you can afford any medical expenses, pet insurance is highly recommended. Before you buy a Sphynx, get an instant quote from Petplan to see how much you might pay.
Apart from HCM scans, a Sphynx cat should have an annual health check and booster vaccinations. Don’t forget to include this in your budget.
You’ll need to buy high-quality cat food
A Sphynx cat’s diet plays an important part in keeping its skin healthy. High-quality food helps to keep a healthy balance of oil in a Sphynx’s skin.
If a Sphynx cat has too much oil in its diet, its skin becomes too oily and skin problems can result.
If a Sphynx cat’s skin becomes too oily you will notice oily marks wherever it sleeps and will have difficulty removing these.
A Sphynx cat requires special skincare
The right diet helps to control the oiliness of a Sphynx cat’s skin, to an extent, but dirt and dust still accumulate on the surface.
This is due to the lack of hair which usually absorbs oils and prevents dirt from reaching a cat’s skin.
To keep a Sphynx cat clean and to stop it from smelling, it usually needs a weekly bath. You’ll need a good stock of gentle cat shampoo.
Earthbath has a gorgeous oatmeal and aloe shampoo which is very gentle. It’s conveniently available on Amazon. Check it out and see the current price at this link.
To keep a Sphynx cat’s skin moist, many owners apply a moisturizer.
ViVa Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil is very popular. It is certified organic and 100% natural. Again, it’s available on Amazon. See reviews and the latest price at this link.
Before you apply any new product to a cat’s skin please do a spot test to ensure it doesn’t irritate it and also ask your vet if they have any recommendations.
Sphynx Cats should stay indoors
A Sphynx cat’s lack of fur means it is vulnerable outside whether it’s cold, wet or sunny. Most people recommend always keeping a Sphynx indoors for these reasons.
Indoor life requires a cat litter box and plenty of good-quality litter thus more expenses. Apparently, a Sphynx cat’s poop is quite smelly so a covered litter box with a filter is highly recommended.
Check out the Catit Jumbo Hooded Litter Pan.
It has plenty of room which is important, and a lid to ensure a cat feels comfortable inside and has space to avoid stepping in its poop!
It also has an inbuilt carbon filter to trap pongy odors. See the price and more information on Amazon.
Fresh Step Odor Shield Scented Litter may be a good choice to really minimize odors. It gets so many great reviews. See it on Amazon at this link.
A Sphynx cat prefers company
Sphynx cats love company and attention. Many people say you should buy a pair (huge expense here, obviously!) to keep each other company when you’re out.
If you are out for a long period of time each day, buy your Sphynx plenty of toys to entertain it. A scratching tree/condo provides an excellent entertainment center and plenty of opportunities for exercise.
The Armakat cat tree is very stylish and is great for a Sphynx as it has lots of climbing space. You can conveniently order one on Amazon. See a video and the current price at this link.
Can you afford a Sphynx cat?
So now you know why Sphynx cats cost so much to buy and keep on costing a fair amount of money once you own one.
So make sure you calculate how much you will need to spend every year of owning a Sphynx, bearing in mind their lifespan can be 14 years or more.
You may never afford a holiday again, you probably won’t be buying designer outfits anymore, if your car breaks down you won’t be replacing it but you will be very happy with your gorgeous hairless kitty!
Why Is The Sphynx Cat Price So High? Conclusion
Sphynx cats are quite rare and this is one of the biggest reasons why the Sphynx cat price is high compared to other purebred cats. Breeding a Sphynx is also costly. Then once you own one, the costs are ongoing so bear this in mind before you commit to buying one.