You might be confused when you look at the Sphynx cat and then consider its price. This is one of the most expensive cats in the world and is known for its incredibly angular face and, of course, its smooth and hairless body. The Sphynx cat is generally pedigreed and could end up costing you anywhere between $500 and $3000.

However, have you ever considered just why this cat commands such a high price? What is it that sets this cat apart from others? The answer is actually quite simple: it is a purebred animal that is generally quite rare and difficult to find. If you take a look around at local shops in your area, you will realize that the Sphynx isn’t as readily available as you might think.

Costs Incurred by Breeder

Arguably, the biggest factor that determines the price of the Sphynx cat is the cost incurred by the breeder. The simple fact of the matter is that breeding and keeping Sphynx kittens is not cheap. The breeder must recover all of the costs that they put into the breed and then keep a profit on top.

The breeder is generally going to get multiple tests done on the breed, including but not limited to HCM, PKD1, URD, PCD, PRA, CMS, and many others. The PCD and the HCM tests are both generally quite expensive, mainly because they can’t be conducted at a local vet. The breeders will usually take an appointment with a specialist.

More importantly, you should know that the breeder is obligated to spay or neuter the kitten before selling it off. This further adds an expense because at the very least, spaying or neutering is going to cost around $150. On top of that, the laws in the country require all Sphynxes to carry paperwork from a recognized body, such as the International Cat Association or the Cat Fanciers Association.

Other Expenses

When you consider the costs of vaccination and the food that both the mother and the kitten have to eat, these expenses generally go up. Ultimately, you should know that while a novice breeder is going to charge anywhere between $500 and $800 for a kitten, experienced breeders who know their stuff will charge upwards of $2000, usually going as high as $3000.

Another factor that adds a slight surcharge is the gender of the cat. Male sphynxes are generally cheaper, whereas an unspayed female Sphynx tends to go for a higher price. That’s simply because these cats have the ability to reproduce, which is something that breeders value.

But there’s no difference in the price of a spayed female Sphynx when compared with a male. Most breeders will usually require you to sign a contract which confirms that you will neuter or spay the kitten at the point of sale. There are a few other factors that you should consider when buying the cat.

Difference in Quality

There are two kinds of Sphynx cats generally available in the market: show quality and pet quality. Understanding the difference between both of them is important and will give you a better idea about the difference in pricing between each of these types of Sphynx cats.

First of all, show-quality kittens are those that conform to specific size requirements. These cats are measured meticulously and a series of tests are run. More importantly, these cats are usually sired by show-quality animals too, which further increases the cost. These kittens can be entered into contests and shows, thus the name.

The pet-quality Sphynx cats look exactly the same as compared to their show-quality counterparts but they do not conform to such specific size requirements. As a result of that, they are sold off as pets and don’t cost as much as you would think. So, why do Sphynx cats cost so much? As you can see, there’s no one straightforward answer to this question.

Costs After Bringing the Cat Home

The up-front costs that you pay will vary depending upon where you get the cat from. However, that’s not all; you should know that the costs of keeping the Sphynx cat are also higher. As you might know, the Sphynx cat doesn’t have a fur coat like most other animals. You should know that in cats, the fur coat doesn’t just keep the animal warm in the winters but it also provides coolness in the summers.

Needless to say, the best way to ensure that the cat doesn’t suffer from cold is to keep your house at a heated temperature. Constantly keeping the house heated throughout the course of the day is obviously going to cost you a considerable amount of money. Your utility bills are going to increase dramatically.

A cheaper alternative would be to install a cat bed in your house. The cat will know that the bed is heated and whenever it feels cold, it will just creep back into the bed. There are quite a few different cat beds available in the market so you might want to do your research and then select one.

Annual Health Checks

Apart from simply keeping the cat warm, you will also be spending money on the annual health checks. As mentioned above, these cats are at an increased risk of PCD and HCM so you will need to get those tests done at least once in a year. These cats are likely to suffer from a genetic condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and testing for that is essential.

This disease can manifest itself at any point in the cat’s life. Ideally, you will need to get regular heart scans to identify signs of HCM in the cat. The earlier these signs can be identified, the sooner treatment can begin and the cat might not suffer a premature death. So as you can see, this is not something that you can ignore.

Ideally, you will want to consider getting pet insurance. The premium that you pay will be a bit higher considering the fact that these cats are already likely to suffer from genetic problems but you could end up saving a great deal of money in case the problem is diagnosed.

Taking Care of the Cat’s Skin

Regular massaging and application of moisturizer on the cat’s skin is also incredibly important. These cats are hairless and thus unable to defend themselves properly. If the cat’s skin becomes too oily, you will notice these marks on different parts of the cat’s body and it’s recommended that you take action right away.

The Sphynx cat generally requires a bit of attention and despite its weird appearance, it behaves just the same as an ordinary cat. In fact, these cats love seeking their owners’ attention and they often get into trouble. You have to make sure that the cat’s skin doesn’t get scratched and there are no major issues, and the best way to do that is by taking the cat to a vet from time to time.