How Much Does a Persian Cat Cost? 2024 Price Guide

The Persian is the most glamorous cat in the world. His gorgeous, luxurious coat, angelic face, expressive eyes, and calm personality make it the most popular cat breed in North America. He is, however, not low-maintenance at all and may have a few health issues as well, but for many, his looks and personality overcome those drawbacks.

However, expect to pay top dollar to acquire and maintain this  luxury cat. Raising a Persian isn’t for everyone, but if you’re determined to adopt one of these feline beauties, this guide will help you budget accordingly. Adopting a Persian cat can cost you $75 – $500 and buying one from a reputable breeder can cost $1,200 – $1,800.

Bringing Home a New Persian: One-Time Costs

If you want your Persian to be happy and healthy so that you can enjoy your time with him, do your homework before you bring them home. Indeed, before committing to the adoption or purchase of a Persian kitten, you should be aware of everything that this entails, from its purchase price to the cost of vaccination, including its daily maintenance (food, toys, brushing, etc.). In short, adopting a Persian cat involves high costs for which you will be responsible throughout its life.

Free

Before buying a kitten, ask yourself if adopting an adult Persian might not be a better choice for your lifestyle. Kittens are a lot of fun, but they’re also a lot of work and can be destructive until they reach adulthood. If you want to acquire an adult cat instead of a kitten, ask breeders if you can adopt a retired show or breeding cat or if they know of an adult cat that needs a new home. This way, you might not even have to pay an adoption fee, and you will give an older cat a second chance to live a great life in your home.

Adoption

• $75–$500

If you are not prepared to pay top dollar for your Persian kitten from a reputable breeder, adopting a Persian from a shelter or Animal Humane Society might be a good option. However, it is difficult to predict the exact cost of such adoption as prices can vary widely, depending on location and region. Older cats tend to sell for less, but in any case, note that you will have no guarantee that your Persian is purebred.

Overall, with all of these factors at play, you can expect to pay anywhere from $75 to $500 for adopting a Persian cat other than from a breeder.

Breeder

• $1,200–$1,800

The price of a purebred Persian kitten will vary due to different criteria: sex, pedigree, quality, and color of its coat, lineage, age, and if it is vaccinated or not. Note that an unsterilized female Persian cat will be more expensive than a male Persian cat: up to a cost of $1,800, compared to $1,300 for a male.

Choose a breeder who has the necessary certifications to screen for genetic health issues where possible, as well as a breeder who raises kittens at home. Kittens that are isolated can become fearful and nervous and can be difficult to socialize later in life.

You can visit The Cat Fanciers’ Association for a list of American breeders for Persian cats.

Initial Setup and Supplies

• $800–$1,475

Initial setup and supplies aren’t exactly cheap, either. You will need to buy everything your new kitten will need to thrive in its new home: litter, bed, brushes, food, toys, etc. Additionally, you will need to sterilize it if you do not plan to breed tiny hairballs in the near future. Note that the x-ray and ultrasound may not be mandatory initially, but you should also factor these possible additional costs into your budget.

List of Persian Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Persian Cost Per Month?

• $315–$430 per month

Health care, environmental maintenance, and entertainment are some of the things that add to the monthly bill of having a Persian. Check out the details of each item to help you familiarize yourself with these monthly expenses.

Health Care

• $100–$185 per month

Kitten or adult cat, take your Persian to your veterinarian soon after adoption. Your vet will be able to spot any issues and work with you to put in place a preventative diet that will help you avoid many health issues.

All cats have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just like all humans have the potential to inherit a particular disease.

Purebred cats have varying incidences of health problems that can be genetic. Although they are stunning and gentle, Persians are prone to several potential health issues, most often related to their facial structure, such as:

By the way, any breeder who claims their breed has no health issues or genetic issues is lying or not knowing the breed. Avoid like the plague any breeder who does not offer a guarantee of health on the cats, who tells you that the breed is 100% healthy and has no known problems, or tells you that his cats are isolated from the central part of the home for health reasons.

So, in total, for your Persian’s health care (food, grooming, vet visits, and insurance), you should budget between $100 and $185 per month.

Food

• $10–$20 per month

Many factors must be considered for the diet of your Persian: his activity, his lifestyle, if he is sterilized or not, his age, etc. The data below are indicative and should be adjusted according to the nutritional needs of your animal:

Standard-quality dry food

For a healthy eight pounds adult cat, it takes about 70 g per day for standard quality kibble or about 4.5 pounds of kibble per month. So, for a standard quality diet, you will need a monthly budget of around $10.

Premium quality kibble

If premium kibbles seem three times more expensive at the time of purchase, the daily quantities in weight are much lower. Plan $20 per month at a minimum for superior quality kibble.

Royal Canin Persian Dry Cat Food is a premium brand that provides balanced nutrition for Persian cats over 12 months old.

Grooming

• $50–$80 per month

The most critical task in caring for a Persian is the need for daily grooming to keep their beautiful hair in place and free of knots. This long, beautiful coat does not stay clean and gets tangled easily. It should be combed and brushed gently but thoroughly every day, and a regular bath, every week or at least once a month, is a good idea.

But if you’re not willing to groom your Persian regularly, prepare to spend at least $50–$80 per visit. Make sure to go to a professional groomer who offers grooming packages, including bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning.

• You might also like: Are Persian Cats Hypoallergenic?

Medications and Vet Visits

• $15–$50 per month

To ensure your furry sweetheart’s well-being and optimal health, it is imperative that you make an annual visit to your veterinarian. This one will be able to make a health check of your cat and will be able to prevent any possible problem. During this visit, you can take the opportunity to carry out the vaccination or the vaccination booster for your cat.

There are different vaccines that your veterinarian will advise you on according to your region and the lifestyle of your Persian, the prices of which vary from $15 to $25, consultation included.

Pet Insurance

• $30–$35 per month

The cost of insurance varies widely. The advantage of insurance is that it can allow you to cover relatively expensive unforeseen costs following an accident or illness; for example, specific insurance can cover the costs of vaccination and prevention (deworming, antiparasitic, etc.). It is essential to read the contract carefully before signing it to know the exclusions if there are deductible amounts and coverage limits.

In general, you can expect to spend around $35 per month for full coverage, depending on the state where you live.

Environment Maintenance

• $35 per month

As with any type of cat, purebred or not, you should budget for the cost of litter and other essentials in your monthly budget. Obviously, if your cat is going to go outside, this will save you money on the cost of the pellets. On the other hand, it is not recommended to let your fabulous Persian run free in the wild, in case he gets stolen… or worse.

Entertainment

• $20–$25 per month

A good idea to keep your Persian entertained and healthy is to subscribe to a monthly box: every month, you will receive tons of healthy treats and toys, which will make you both happy! Meowbox is a fabulous option, but it’s not exactly cheap. But in the long run, it might be cheaper to pay a monthly subscription for new toys and treats each month than to constantly replace broken toys for your kitten.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Persian

• $315–$430 per month

In short, the average cost to meet your Persian’s basic needs is between $315 and $430 per month. Add to that, unexpected visits to your veterinarian if, for example, your feline catches an illness or has an accident, and the monthly bill is likely to climb dangerously. This is why purchasing insurance for your four-legged babies is always a good idea, especially if your monthly budget is rather tight.

Looking to compare this price with other breeds? Check out our look at the Calico and Chartreux!

Additional Costs to Factor In

You will also need to consider other factors, such as hiring a pet sitter when you go on vacation, emergency treatment in case of illness, possible household damage caused by your pet, training behavior, etc.

For example, cat sitters charge an average of $20 per day, $45–75 per night, or $250–375 per week. The rates depend on the services requested, whether you require 24-hour pet sitting or assistance on public holidays, and whether you have additional pets. Emergency treatments for an illness can be costly in thousands of dollars, depending on the nature of the injury.

When it comes to behavioral training, Persians usually are incredibly gentle and friendly cats. You shouldn’t need such training, but if your cat is possibly exhibiting a severe behavior problem, expect to pay around $ 250 per 90-minute session.

Owning a Persian on a Budget

There’s no such thing as “owning a Persian on a budget”. The cost of acquiring such an animal alone is far from being “budget-friendly”. On the other hand, if you adopt your Persian from a shelter and you meet his monthly needs without buying expensive toys (because basically, a good old cardboard box is the delight of any cat!), you will manage to save a little on unnecessary expenses. However, never skimp on the visits to the veterinarian: they are imperative to make sure you keep your feline in excellent health.

Final Thoughts

Now you know more about the average monthly cost of maintaining a Persian cat, as well as the cost of adopting these animals from a shelter or a reputable breeder. These magnificent cats are distinguished above all by the need to maintain their luxurious coat and for possible health problems related to the breed, which will require expensive visits to your veterinarian.

In short, if you choose to buy from a trusted breeder, be prepared to spend at least $1500 just for the adoption, between $800 and $1,000 for initial expenses and set up, and between $300 and $400 per month for maintaining their basic needs. But if you can afford it, you will be rewarded with a magnificent animal that will be your loyal companion for years to come.

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Featured Image Credit: Piqsels