The Siamese cat is perhaps the most popular in our culture, such as cartoons and commercials. They are a rare and old breed and are some of the friendliest cats in the world, but how much will a Siamese kitten set you back?
A Siamese kitten costs anywhere from $250 up to $600, depending on the color and breed. Adults Siamese cats who are 100% purebred and championship material will cost up to $1,000. Siamese cats are prone to asthma and hip dysplasia, in addition to cancer and leukemia.
Do you need to go through a breeder to adopt a Siamese kitten? Keep reading to discover more options if you don’t have the money for one.
Table of Contents
Why Are Siamese Cats So Expensive?
Compared with the domestic shorthair cat common in many parts of the world, a Siamese cat is a rare breed, comprising less than 10% of the total cat population.
They originated in Siam, which is now Thailand, and have a distinctive dark mask on their faces, with white or tan bodies. The white or light tan coloring is due to a special gene modifier that does not allow color. In other words, Siamese cats are mostly albino, with the face mask exception.
In a Siamese cat, the gene modifier only works when the fur is above a certain temperature, which might explain why their tails and ears are darker because those are the cooler areas of their bodies.
Siamese cats are talkative, and howl rather than mew, and will constantly hang out with you as long as you allow it. Many people will pay a large amount for these cats, as they feel it is worth these rare cats’ cost.
Do Siamese Kittens Cost More Than Adult Cats?
While Siamese kittens cost anywhere between $250 and $1,000, adult Siamese cats up to around two years start at $1,000 and go up from there. Adult Siamese cats that come from championship stock and are of the proper breeding age can command up to $2,000. Normally, kittens cost more than adult cats on average, simply because more people would rather have kittens than adult cats.
At $250 per kitten or higher, it can be a stretch for someone to buy one. However, Siamese cats usually come in pairs as they tend to bond deeply with each other very quickly. One woman tells how she ended up buying two Siamese kittens when she tried to get one.
After researching the best breeder, she and her son went to pick out their kitten. Her son picked out the one he liked the best, so she paid the fee and went to leave. However, their new kitten kept crying in the car, and then she got a phone call from the breeder about how the other kitten kept running back and forth, crying because he missed his brother. The breeder begged this woman to come back and adopt the other kitten.
She said she couldn’t afford a second Siamese kitten, but the breeder was so adamant about her getting the second one that she allowed the woman to pay when she was able and gave her a large discount.
Do Siamese Kittens Cost a Bit More After Adoption?
Once you get your new Siamese kitten home, there are additional costs you need to consider to care for your cat. They need everything that all cats need, including a litter box and good litter, food, water, bowls, toys, and a warm place to sleep.
After paying the adoption and breeder’s fee, you will still need to provide for your new cat’s needs, such as:
- Micro-chipping your new kitten
- Neutering or spaying your kitten
- Getting pet insurance to take care of general pet care, such as vaccinations and well-care check-ups (this is not needed, but it might help you get the proper care for your Siamese kitten)
While you don’t need to do the above items, it will help your cat live the healthiest life it can. Since Siamese cats live well into their 20s, their quality of life can severely go down if they don’t receive the proper medical care.
Health Concerns of Siamese Cats
Siamese cats are generally healthy and are not prone to many of the same issues that other purebred cats have. However, they do need higher protein than most cats, and they are leaner and more active than other cats. While all cats need protein because they are carnivorous, Siamese cats need more protein and fewer carbohydrates than other breeds.
The woman who bought two Siamese kittens at once recently lost one of her cats due to Feline Diabetes. She didn’t realize that her cats needed cat food with a lower carb content, and the one that died got bored and would eat more often. In hindsight, she realized that she needed to buy the lower carb food for her cats.
However, she did mention that she rarely had to take her cats to the vet before this time because they were very healthy. She did not immunize them past the required shots, as she felt they did not need all of the shots.
Pros and Cons of Buying a Purebred Siamese Kitten
Some people say that when many domestic cats need homes, it is selfish to buy a purebred Siamese kitten. People on the other side of the debate say nothing is wrong with buying a purebred kitten if the breeder is reputable. While this article will not take sides, here are the pros and cons of buying a purebred Siamese kitten:
Pros
- Siamese cats are very friendly, talkative, and affectionate.
- Depending on which breeder you get your kitten from, Siamese cats are very healthy and don’t have any issues.
- If you can’t have a dog in your home, a Siamese cat is very similar to a dog.
- Purebred Siamese kittens are beautiful.
Cons
- Many other cats and kittens in shelters need loving homes.
- Not all breeders are reputable, leaving you with a sick cat that needs a lot of vet care.
- Since Siamese kittens start at $250 and up, it can be a strong deterrent for someone without a lot of surplus cash.
- Kittens are more high-strung than other breeds and could make you want to give them away to protect your belongings.
There are strong feelings on both sides of this debate, but the choice is yours. If you decide to buy a Siamese kitten, do your research ahead of time, and ask your vet for breeder recommendations. A reputable breeder usually has a good working relationship with the local vet.
If you go to a breeder, and something doesn’t feel quite right about their processes or the cats’ living arrangements, walk away. A breeder who doesn’t take proper care of their cats will likely have cats who need a lot of medical care.
Conclusion
Siamese kittens, along with other purebred cats, will cost no less than $100 and more because they are rare and have qualities that most domestic shorthair cats don’t have. For example, Savannah cats can cost up to $30,000.
If you don’t have that much money, some breeders work with rescue organizations that specialize in rescuing purebred cats. They will often give them away for the cost of the adoption fee. If you don’t like buying a Siamese kitten from a breeder, ask your local animal rescue organization for leads on where and how you can get a Siamese kitten.
Sources
- Every Paw: Siamese Cat: Breed Info and Health Advice
- Traveling With Your Cat: Siamese Cat Price: How Much Does It Cost To Take Care of a Siamese?
- Animal Path: How Much Do Siamese Cats Cost?
- Pets KB: How Much Do Siamese Cats Cost? (2020 Update)
- Purr Craze: How Much Do Siamese Cats Cost?
- FAQ Cats: How Much is a Siamese Cat Worth – Pricing Guide and Cost
- WikiHow: How to Decide If a Siamese Cat Is Right For You
- Petful: Take It From a Vet: Don’t Buy a Purebred Cat
Pam is a self-confessed cat lover and has experience of working with cats and owning cats for as long as she can remember. This website is where she gets to share her knowledge and interact with other cat lovers.