They’re cute, cuddly, and cost a fortune – so which fabulous felines cost the most to own?

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the world's most expensive cat breeds. All dollar amounts in US dollars, unless otherwise stated.

This lovable breed is descended from the cats that European settlers brought to North America on ships such as the Mayflower; the seafaring moggies were in charge of protecting precious cargo from rodents. 

Once favoured for their rat-catching skills, American Shorthairs are now a popular pet choice due to their sweet and gentle temperaments. 

Today, these domestic cats can set you back anywhere between $600-$1,200 (£506-£1k).

The American Wirehair first trotted into existence in 1960s New York, the result of a spontaneous mutation of the American Shorthair. 

One of the world's rarest cats, this bright-eyed kitty is now one of the most sought-after breeds in the US.

And with their high cheekbones, wirehair coats (which can appear crimped or wavy), and playful personalities, who's surprised? These good-natured cats can sell for between $800-$1,200 (£676-£1k).

These friendly cats are famed for their distinctive ears, which curl backwards just a few days after the kitten is born.

The American Curl is one of the world's youngest cat breeds, first appearing as the result of a genetic mutation back in 1981.

Amazingly, every American Curl can be traced back to a stray cat named Shulamith. When Shulamith birthed a litter of kittens with unique curled ears, people began to selectively breed them.

Today, owning one will set you back anywhere between $800-$2,000 (£676-£1.6k). 

Perhaps best known for their fluffy coats, Selkirk Rex cats can trace their origins back to Montana, where the breed was spotted for the first time in 1987. 

The Selkirk Rex can come in long and shorthair varieties, and are notable for their heavy-boned frames.

Their chilled-out personalities make them great for families with kids. Purchasing one will set you back $600-$1,500 (£506-£1.3k).

While the exact origin of the grand-looking Norwegian Forest Cat is unknown, these fabulous felines have been featured in folk tales and mythology for centuries.

In fact, it's thought that these glossy-coated creatures can actually date their pedigree back to the Viking period, when their ancestors served as family pets. 

Bar a brief brush with extinction during the Second World War, this highly desirable cat is hugely popular, and can typically sell for anywhere between $800-$1,500 (£676-£1.3k).

Although time has obscured the true ancestry of the modern-day Egyptian Mau, it’s widely believed that they were once worshipped by pharaohs. The word "Mau" means "cat" in Egyptian (appropriate, we know), and it can also be translated as "sun".

Maus are known to be fiercely devoted to their owners, making them an excellent pet choice. Buying one, however, will typically set you back a hefty $800-$1,800 (£676-£1.5k).

Would you just look at that face! This teddy bear of a cat is one of the oldest breeds in England and its roots can be traced all the way back to the domestic cats kept by the Romans. 

Lovable in both appearance and nature, these relaxed cats adore nothing more than lounging around at home.

Purchasing a British Shorthair can typically cost anywhere from $800 to $2,000 (£676 to £1.7k).

Intelligent and playful, this regal breed was reportedly adored by the Russian Tsars, who were entranced by the silky felines' glittering grey coats and sparkling emerald eyes.

Royalty aside, the average Russian Blue's favourite pastime is playing fetch, with many owners loving their "dog-like" personality traits.

Prices for these exquisite moggies start at a reasonable $500 (£422), although specimens with proper pedigrees can go for as much as $3,000 (£2.5k). 

Superstar Taylor Swift brought this breed to the spotlight, with her two Scottish Fold cats, Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson, making regular appearances on her Instagram. And looking at this doe-eyed kitty, it’s not hard to see why Swift adores them so much.

Scottish Fold kittens are actually born with straight ears but when they're around three to four weeks old, their ears begin to fold inward.

These sweet-natured cats will set you back anywhere between $500-$3,000 (£422-£2.5k), depending on the pedigree. 

Despite their intimidating size, Maine Coons are more cuddly teddy bear than ferocious lion, and the term "gentle giant" is often bandied around in their direction.

With their long, fluffy coats, tufted paws, and intelligent gaze, these gorgeous creatures are truly a sight to behold.

Even better, they’re known for getting along with just about anyone and like to be involved in all aspects of their owner’s life. Expect a lot of love but very little privacy. 

These charismatic cats are a national treasure in their homeland of Russia, where they can typically be found wandering through the pages of children's fairy tales, as well as in paintings that date back centuries.

Male Siberians can weigh up to 15lbs (6.8kg) and, despite their imposing size, these friendly cats can get along with everyone, including children and dogs.

They don't come cheap though, and can cost anywhere between $1,200-$4,000 (£1k-£3.4k)

If you’re after a pet that will worship the ground you walk on, look no further than a Ragdoll. These gorgeous balls of fluff form strong bonds with their owners and are known to run and greet them at the door, follow them room to room, and even snuggle up next to them in bed.

Sound good? Be aware that the average Ragdoll kitten will set you back around $1,000 (£844). And that's nothing: prices can stretch as far as $5,000 (£4.2k) for a show-quality specimen that's fit for breeding.

This rare and highly desirable breed is easily confused with the Canadian-born Sphynx, which is another breed of fur-free cat.

However, the Peterbald actually hails from Russia, and was intentionally bred into creation in the 1990s. It can be totally hairless or can have a light coating of fur that feels similar to peach fuzz.

Medium-sized Peterbalds are slim, elegant, and striking, with a thin whip-like tail, almond-shaped eyes, and large bat-like ears. The privilege of owning this unique-looking cat will set you back $2,500-$5,000 (£2.1k-£4.2k).

Despite looking like a pint-sized tiger thanks to those striking stripes, the toyger is actually a cross between a Bengal and a Domestic Shorthair.

Tiger resemblance aside, these cats aren't as ferocious as you might think. In fact, the typical toyger's friendly disposition can make them the perfect domestic pet – if you have $3,000–$5,000 (£2.5k–£4.2k) to spare, that is.

Named after their country of origin (Persia, or Iran, in case you were wondering), this adorable breed has got some serious history attached to it. Hieroglyphics dating back as early as 1684BC make reference to the flat-faced cat and, centuries later, they're proving to be just as popular.

So what makes them so lovable? Their long, silky coats, and trademark squished faces make them a firm favourites with cat devotees. While keeping on top of all that fur might make them high-maintenance, their personality is anything but – they’re famed for being chilled-out homebodies. 

While many of the breeds on this list are the result of specific cross-breeding, the Sphynx came about as a natural mutation in Canada in the 1960s. Since then, the hairless feline has been highly coveted due to its unusual appearance.

While some might struggle to see the beauty in these charismatic creatures, their cost-to-own figure can be incredible.

While prices start at around $1,800 (£1.5k), specimens of outstanding quality and impeccable bloodlines can fetch a whopping $9,800 (£8.3k).

The super-rare Khao Manee cat originates from Thailand, and has been referenced in written works dating back to the 14th century. 

This stunning breed is often referred to as the "Diamond Eye cat" due to its unique, jewel-like eyes; these kitties often have "odd eyes", meaning each eye is a different colour to the other.

Owning this snow-white feline will cost you an eye-watering $10,000-$11,000 (£8.4k-£9.3k).

The first of these ferocious felines were officially bred back in the 1970s, when domestic cats were crossed with wild Asian leopard cats. It's said that today's Bengals must be at least four generations away from their Asian Leopard cat forefathers in order to qualify as domesticated.

Energetic and intelligent by default, these wildly valuable felines are known for their love of playing in water. Due to their part-feral heritage, some regions have banned them, including New York City and Hawaii.

This only adds to their prestige, however, and these coveted cats cost an average of $10,000 (£8.4k). Some specimens can even fetch as much as $25,000 (£21.1k).

While they look adorable, Savannah cats are certainly not for the faint-hearted; in fact, they're banned in more than 10 US states.

A cross between a domestic cat and a serval – a wild cat that's native to Africa – Savannahs are renowned for their ability to jump great heights and can even open doors. So you might want to rethink that catflap...

Owning this exotic pet is a huge financial commitment, too. Savannahs won't eat standard cat food, preferring a diet of raw meat instead.

And that's assuming you can even afford to purchase one of these magnificent cats in the first place: snapping one up can cost as much as $50,000 (£42.3k), with a typical entry point of $10,000 (£8.4k). 

Even more exotic than the Savannah is the striking Ashera, which is reportedly descended from a mix of African servals, Asian leopards, and domestic cats. These hybrid creatures are substantially larger than the typical house cat, standing at around 1.5m (4.9ft) and weighing up to 33 pounds (15kg).

Asheras' temperaments are reportedly comparable to that of the average household dog, making them a great pet choice for anyone with a bulging bank account and a penchant for the unusual.

These ultra-rare animals are born sterile and just a handful are lab-bred each year. As such, Ashera cats can fetch premium prices of up to $125,000 (£105.8k). 

Feline in the mood for more pet inspiration? Take a look at the world's most expensive dog breeds.