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How Much Does a Peterbald Cat Cost? 2024 Price Guide

Written by: Rachel Giordano

Last Updated on January 27, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

peterbald cat on black background

How Much Does a Peterbald Cat Cost? 2024 Price Guide

Peterbald cats are highly affectionate, vocal, and loyal—they are also considered one of the most expensive cats in the world to own. Peterbald cats are a relatively new cat breed discovered in the 1990s in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where part of their name originated.

Their coats are either very short, fuzzy, or have no hair at all, which is where the “bald” part of the name comes from. They have triangular-shaped heads and oversized ears, which sets up their distinctive look. Sometimes confused with the Sphynx cat, the Peterbald makes a wonderful companion to their owner. But how much do they cost to own?

Firstly, they are one of the most expensive cat breeds out there with the cost of getting one from a breeder can start at $1700. Read on to learn more!

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Bringing Home a New Peterbald Cat: One-Time Costs

peterbald kitten on gray background
Image Credit: Toloubaev Stanislav, Shutterstock

As with any pet, you will have one-time costs to factor in. Apart from the initial cost to acquire the cat (which we’ll get into later), you’ll need a litter box, food and water bowls, bedding, and a cat carrier for starters. Below, we’ll break the costs down so you can understand your financial responsibilities while owning a Peterbald cat.


Free

Peterbald cats are considered somewhat rare, given they’ve only been around for a few decades. These cats are one of the most expensive cat breeds in the world1—so with that said, you probably would not get lucky enough to find one for free. However, check with your local animal shelters often, as some cats end up without homes for various reasons, regardless of breed or rarity.


Adoption

  • $500–$2,500+

Adopting from a rescue will likely cost less than buying from a breeder, but you can still expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2,500 plus, depending on your location. If you’re set on getting a purebred Peterbald, ensure your cat comes with papers verifying the status, as some may be a mixed breed. Regardless, however, you’ll be giving a kitty a well-deserved home.


Breeder

  • $1,700–$3,000

Buying a Peterbald cat from a breeder will be considerably higher in cost, and you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,700 and up—some even in the $4,000 price range. Considering the high cost of one of the fascinating felines, ensure you buy from a reputable breeder who can provide you with the kitty’s authenticity.

Peterbald cat close up
Image Credit: Seregraff, Shutterstock

Initial Setup and Supplies

  • $50–$100

Your new Peterbald companion will need supplies and an initial setup consisting of a litter box, food and water dishes, a bed, high-quality cat food, and an ID tag and collar. If you’ve been a cat owner before, you may still have reusable supplies you can use instead of buying new ones.

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List of Peterbald Cat Care Supplies and Costs

ID Tag and Collar $15–$20
Spay/Neuter $70–$500
X-Ray Cost $100–$250
Ultrasound Cost $250–$500
Microchip $45–$55
Teeth Cleaning $50–$300
Bed/Tank/Cage $10–$50
Nail Clipper (optional) $5–$20
Brush (optional) $8
Litter Box $8–$25
Litter Scoop $10
Toys $30 (average for variety)
Carrier $20–$50
Food and Water Bowls $10

How Much Does a Peterbald Cat Cost Per Month?

  • $100–$300 per month

The Peterbald cat will require a little more care than the average kitty. They have ferocious appetites and require multiple small meals daily of high-protein and low-carb cat food. You’ll also need to factor in monthly heart medication and cat litter. Overall, they are low-maintenance, but they do require a few special needs, which we’ll cover next.


Health Care

  • $100–$400+ per month

It’s difficult to pinpoint how much you’ll spend monthly on routine health care for the Peterbald, but due to their higher calorie requirements, you may spend more on cat food per month compared to the average cat. This cat breed has a faster metabolism due to having little or no hair, making it imperative to feed appropriately balanced nutrition.

These cats are susceptible to sunburn in the summertime due to their coats, so it’s important to apply sunscreen when planning outdoor activities with your Peterbald.


Food

  • $50–$100 per month

When it comes to feeding the Peterbald cat, you’ll need to ideally feed a few small meals throughout the day. Ensure you feed both wet canned food and high-quality dry food without artificial flavors or preservatives. They also require cat food rich in quality protein and low in carbs. Cat food with “fillers” will cause weight gain in this breed.

Don’t forget healthy treats! However, don’t overdo it—treats should only account for 10% of their daily diet.

Peterbald
Image By: Jaroslaw Kurek, Shutterstock

Grooming

  • $30–$70 per month

Even though the Peterbald cat has little-to-no hair does not mean they do not have grooming needs. While daily brushing is not required, they will benefit from monthly baths because their skin gets oily and greasy, which can cause issues.

Check and clean the ears regularly for wax buildup—cats with little hair are more susceptible due to the lack of fur. You can do this monthly after a bath by wiping the ears with a soft cloth or a vet-approved wet wipe. Check the nails regularly and clip when needed. Ensure you check and clean the nail beds monthly too.


Medications and Vet Visits

  • $50–$200 per month

As long as your Peterbald cat is healthy, you will not have monthly vet bills. Typically, your Peterbald will only require regular vet checkups once or twice a year. Any cat breed can develop a disease, but the Peterbald is surprisingly a healthy cat breed. However, since they are a relatively new breed, there isn’t much history to pinpoint if they are prone to certain diseases.

Monthly heart medication should be administered to prevent heart disease. However, check with your veterinarian regarding flea and tick medications for this breed, as some over-the-counter medications may be harmful.


Pet Insurance

  • $30–$100 per month

Pet insurance varies according to the type of coverage you select and the pet insurance company rates. You have customizable options with most pet insurance companies to fit your budget, such as choosing the deductible, annual payout percentage, and type of plan (accident-only or accident and illness). You typically have the option of adding yearly preventative coverage for an additional monthly fee.

Tip: The younger your cat is, the less your monthly premium will be.

peterbald cat on the sofa
Image By: Natalia Belotelova, Shutterstock

Environment Maintenance

  • $10–$50 per month

As with any cat, you’ll have monthly environmental maintenance costs consisting of litter box liners, deodorizing sprays for stinky litter boxes, a cardboard scratcher, etc. Your Peterbald cat will have mental and physical stimulation requirements, and your kitty will appreciate having a scratching post or cardboard scratchers in the home. Cardboard scratchers will need to be replaced monthly.

The litter box will have monthly environmental requirements to keep it fresh and germ-free, which we’ve outlined below.

Litter box liners $7/month
Deodorizing spray or granules $10/month
Cardboard Scratcher $12/month

Entertainment

  • $10–$50 per month

Peterbald cats love to be entertained. They are highly intelligent and are capable of learning tricks. That said, your Peterbald cat will enjoy having toys around to play with. An excellent way to provide this entertainment is to invest in a monthly subscription to a cat toy box that’s conveniently delivered right to your front door.

You can customize the box to accommodate your cat’s particular needs, such as providing a mixture of toys, treats, and even catnip. You can also choose a bi-monthly subscription with some companies if that fits your needs more accordingly.

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Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Peterbald Cat

  • $100–$300 per month

As a Peterbald cat owner, you will spend slightly more on cat food than the average cat due to the nutritional requirements we’ve discussed. Keeping toys around is important for physical and mental health, and keeping your cat on monthly heart medication is recommended. Cat litter is a must, and a monthly bath is also recommended with this breed.

Additional Costs to Factor In

There may be times when you have to travel, and you can’t take your kitty with you. In that case, hiring a pet sitter would be beneficial. This breed does not do well being left alone for long periods, and if you can’t take your cat with you, we suggest hiring a pet sitter who can come to your home and spend quality time with your Peterbald.

Injuries and illnesses can happen without warning, and you must be prepared for the unexpected. Having pet insurance can help greatly with such unexpected vet bills.

Owning a Peterbald Cat on a Budget

Becoming a pet owner or even contemplating being a pet owner requires the finances to take care of your pet properly. However, you don’t have to buy the most expensive items or toys on the market. For example, you can buy fancy automatic self-cleaning litter boxes, but you don’t have to buy such an item.

Keep it simple regarding toys; however, we do not recommend skimping on high-quality cat food. Keeping your Peterbald healthy is vital and will help prevent expensive vet bills.

Saving Money on Peterbald Cat Care

You can always look for coupons and deals regarding food and toys. It may be easier to take your cat to a professional groomer to take care of this breed’s grooming requirements, or you can learn to do it yourself to save money.

Sign up for a membership at your local pet store, as many offer weekly or monthly deals on items—some even offer a certain amount of free cat food depending on the number of purchases you make; for example, one free bag of food after your 10th purchase.

Before settling on a veterinarian, check around for prices, as some vet clinics are cheaper than others.

a peterbald cat spending time walking outdoors in a leash
Image By: Evgeny Haritonov, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

As with any cat breed, you’ll have monthly costs to consider. Remember that Peterbalds have huge appetites, and you’ll spend a little more on high-quality cat food compared to the average cat.

You’ll have monthly heart medication expenses and, most likely, monthly grooming expenses unless you opt to groom your cat yourself. Cat toys, cat litter, toys, scratching posts, and treats will also be monthly expenses to factor in.

Peterbald cats are fun to own and will become a loyal family companion, but you must take care of your kitty properly for the best life. You don’t have to buy pet insurance, but it may help in case your kitty gets injured or sick unexpectedly.

In the end, being a Peterbald cat owner means hours of countless fun and companionship.


Featured Image Credit: Seregraff, Shutterstock

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