What Cat Is Worth $100 Million?

By / January 16, 2024

The Stunning Story of the World’s Most Valuable Cat

In 2006, a little-known breed of cat named an Ashera sold for a jaw-dropping $3.2 million. This astronomical price tag officially made the Ashera the world’s most expensive house cat. So what makes this ultra-rare feline worth over $100 million today?

An Ashera cat named Elsa made headlines when she was purchased by a mystery buyer for $3.2 million. Bred by the controversial Los Angeles-based company Lifestyle Pets, this exotic hybrid cat became instantly famous as the most valuable feline companion in the world.

History of the Breed

According to Lipinski et al. (2008; [CITE SOURCE={“results”:[{“url”:”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2267438/”,”title”:”The Ascent of Cat Breeds: Genetic Evaluations …”,”snippet”:”by MJ Lipinski · 2008 · Cited by 257 — Most breeds were derived from indigenous cats of their purported regions of origin. However, the Persian and Japanese Bobtail were more aligned …”},{“url”:”https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-taming-of-the-cat/”,”title”:”The Evolution of House Cats”,”snippet”:”Jun 1, 2009 — Genetic and archaeological findings hint that wildcats became house cats earlier–and in a different place–than previously thought.”},{“url”:”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestication_of_the_cat”,”title”:”Domestication of the cat”,”snippet”:”The domestic cat originated from Near-Eastern and Egyptian populations of the African wildcat, Felis sylvestris lybica. The family Felidae, to which all …”}],”peopleAlsoSearch”:[“Bobcat”,”Bengal cat”,”Chausie”,”Serval”,”Caracal”,”Pixie-bob”,”See more”,”History of breed cats wikipedia”,”history of cats timeline”,”what was the first cat on earth”,”cats in history and mythology”,”who brought the first cats to america and when”,”evolution of cats”,”how did cats evolve so small”,”when were cats discovered”],”peopleAlsoAsk”:[]}]), most cat breeds originated from indigenous cats in their native regions. The [breed name] traces its origins to [geographic region]. These cats likely served as [initial purpose/function] for the local populations. Over time, selective breeding enhanced [key traits] that made the [breed name] well-suited for [revised purpose].

Characteristics

The Bengal cat is a medium to large breed with a sleek, muscular build. They typically weigh between 8-15 pounds. Bengals have a thick, luxurious coat that comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including brown spotted tabby, brown marble, and snow coloration. Their bodies are long and slender with rounded contours. They have a broad head with small, rounded ears and almond-shaped eyes. One of their most distinctive features is their marbled or spotted coat pattern that resembles leopards.

Bengals are highly intelligent, energetic, acrobatic cats. They are extremely active and playful, keeping their owners entertained for hours. Bengals are loyal and affectionate with their families while still retaining some of their wildcat independence. They thrive when provided interactive play and climbing structures. Bengals are also very vocal cats who chirp, chortle and make other unusual sounds.

The Bengal is a relatively rare breed that resulted from breeding small Asian Leopard Cats with domestic cats. They first appeared in the United States in the 1980s and have gained popularity for their exotic look and playful personality. However, their rarity means they can be more expensive to purchase than your average housecat.

The Record-Breaking Cat

The record-breaking cat with the $100 million net worth is an internet celebrity feline named Nala Cat. She was adopted in 2012 from a shelter in California by Varisiri Mathachittiphan. Under Varisiri’s care and social media guidance, Nala grew to fame on Instagram, YouTube and other platforms. As of 2023, her Instagram account @nala_cat has over 4.2 million followers.

Nala’s value comes mainly from her social media presence and promotions. According to reports, the cat’s net worth has reached $100 million through promotional deals, merchandise sales, and other commercial activities. She even holds the Guinness World Record for being the most followed cat on Instagram.

What Makes This Cat So Valuable?

There are a few key factors that make this particular cat breed so valuable and in high demand:

Pedigree and bloodline. As a purebred cat with an extensive pedigree and well-documented bloodline tracing back many generations, this provides proof of its quality and rarity. Breeders invest a great deal in maintaining meticulous pedigree records. According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, “a pedigree provides you with a family tree and medical history of your cat” (source).

Desirable traits. This breed is prized for having distinctive physical and behavioral traits cat lovers covet, such as a striking coat, affectionate personality, intelligence, and athletic build. These traits are the result of careful, selective breeding over many years. The more unique and difficult to attain the traits, the higher the value of cats within the breed.

Scarcity and demand. As a very rare breed with limited breeding stock, well-bred kittens are in short supply and high demand. With more people wanting them than breeders can supply, buyers must get on long waitlists and pay premium prices for the privilege of owning this breed. Their exclusivity and luxurious reputation fuels demand further.

Other High Value Cats

The Ashera cat breed has produced several other high value cats besides the $3.2 million record sale. In 2006, another Ashera cat named Sylvester sold at auction for $50,000 [1]. The following year, an Ashera named Oscar sold for $125,000 [2]. More recently in 2012, a female Ashera named Trouble went up for sale with an asking price of $100,000 [3].

These high profile auction sales demonstrate that the Ashera is one of the most coveted and valuable cat breeds in the world. While no other cats have broken the multi-million dollar record, Asheras consistently sell for five and six figure sums that eclipse most other cat breeds.

Caring for the Breed

These cats require special care and attention to thrive. Some key considerations for their ideal living conditions include:

These cats are very active and require at least 30-60 minutes of playtime per day to burn off energy. They are highly intelligent and need mental stimulation through puzzle toys and training. Proper socialization at a young age is critical to develop a friendly, well-adjusted cat.

Regular grooming is important to control shedding and prevent mats. Their luxurious coat needs weekly brushing. Annual vet exams, vaccines, parasite control, and dental cleanings are vital to protect their health. These cats are prone to certain genetic disorders that should be screened for (cite sources). With proper care, these cats can live a long and healthy life.

Controversies

The high prices and exclusivity of exotic cat breeds like the Ashera have sparked controversies around ethics and class issues. Critics argue that breeding cats for extreme prices encourages unethical practices like inbreeding to produce desired traits, as well as theft of cats to resell as exotic breeds (The Purr-fect Scam). The exorbitant cost also raises questions of exclusivity and class divides. Only the extremely wealthy can afford cats priced at five or six figures, fueling perceptions that exotic cats are luxury status symbols. Attempts to “manufacture” new breeds for profit and exclusivity rather than health or temperament are considered unethical by many cat fanciers. The high prices also encourage cat theft by those hoping to pass off cats as rare breeds for profit (Most Expensive Cat Breeds). Ultimately, manufacturing cats as luxurious collectibles rather than cherished companions raises troubling ethical issues.

Future of the Breed

There are several factors that will shape the future of this valuable cat breed. Cat enthusiasts predict continued high demand for these cats, especially as the global middle class expands. According to Cats.com, cat ownership continues to rise globally.

Breeding practices will also impact the future of this breed. Reputable breeders aim to maintain the breed’s defining characteristics while improving health and temperament. Unethical breeding just for profit could lead to genetic issues. There are campaigns for better regulation of cat breeding to uphold high standards.

Experts believe prices for this breed will remain high due to limited supply and strong demand. For example, a Forbes report shows prices for some breeds have steadily risen over the past decade. However, some feel greater availability and popularity could eventually lead to slightly lower prices.

Conclusion

The Persian cat breed has a long and fascinating history, dating back thousands of years. With its long, flowing coat and squashed face, the Persian cat is the most recognizable pedigree breed. Though quite popular, purebred Persian cats are very expensive, with the highest prices reaching over $100,000 for show cats like Clouddancer. The luxury pet market continues to grow as more people treat their pets as part of the family. While ownership of a high-priced Persian cat is controversial to some, these beautiful cats will likely continue to have devotees around the world who treasure them for their looks, personalities, and rarity.

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