How Much Do Ragdoll Cat Kittens Cost?

I remember the day I saw my first Ragdoll kitten.

It was on Instagram, and the little guy had blue eyes, a floppy pose like a melted marshmallow, and the smug expression of a cat who knows it’s more expensive than my wardrobe.

I laughed. Then I Googled the price.
Then I stopped laughing.

If you’re here wondering how much a Ragdoll kitten costs—and if you’ll have to take out a small loan—you’re in the right place. Let’s break it all down.

So, How Much Are We Talking?

The price of a Ragdoll kitten can range anywhere from $400 to $5,000.

That’s not a typo. And yes, the upper end is for people who either show cats competitively or just have no self-control when it comes to fluffy things.

Here’s a general idea:

Type of Ragdoll Kitten	Price Range
Pet Quality (Non-Show)	$400 – $1,200
Show Quality	$1,200 – $2,500
Breeder Quality	$2,000 – $5,000

I once called a breeder just to “inquire.” She casually quoted me $3,200 and then asked, “Would you like to be on our waiting list?”

I said yes. I never called back.

By the way, if you're into Ragdoll stuff, you’ll wanna check this one out: How Big Do Ragdoll Cats Get?

What Affects the Price?

A few things come into play when breeders set that wallet-squeezing number:

Pedigree – Fancy cat parents = fancy price.
Coat Color & Pattern – The rarer the color, the pricier the kitten. Mink and lilac ones tend to cost more.
Breeder Reputation – A breeder with a long waitlist and glowing reviews will charge more. Because they can.
Location – Expect higher prices in big cities or places with fewer breeders.

I live in a city with more sushi restaurants than cat breeders. Guess what that did to the price?

Oh, and speaking of Ragdoll, here’s another one you might like: Are Ragdoll Cats Friendly?

Hidden Costs That’ll Sneak Up On You

Oh, you thought it ends with buying the kitten? That’s cute. Let me introduce you to the bonus round.

Upfront Costs:

Carrier – $30
Litter box + litter – $50+
Food + water bowls – $20
Scratching post or tower – $50 to $150
Toys (aka the thing they’ll ignore for the box it came in) – $20+

Ongoing Costs:

Quality food – $30/month
Vet check-ups – $100 to $200/year
Grooming tools – $25 (because these fluffballs shed like a cotton candy machine exploded)

And if you’re a sucker like me, you’ll buy your kitten a cat bed it never uses and end up with a cat who prefers to nap inside your laundry basket.

Also, just throwing this in—this Ragdoll post is a fun read too: How to Identify a Ragdoll Cat (Without Asking Its Birth Certificate)

Is It Ever Worth It?

If you love cuddly, floppy, gentle cats that follow you like a shadow and act more like a small dog than a feline, then yes.

Ragdolls are total sweethearts. Mine waits by the bathroom door like he’s guarding royal treasure. He also headbutts me when I cry. No joke.

He cost more than my microwave.
He’s also never burnt my leftovers.
So technically, better investment.

Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed

This breed is popular, and where there’s hype, there are shady people.

Here’s what to watch out for:

Never send money upfront without vetting the breeder
Ask to see the kitten over video call
Check if the breeder is TICA or CFA registered
Avoid “too good to be true” prices (they usually are)

Also, if a “breeder” is using blurry pics that look like they were taken with a toaster, run.

Want a Ragdoll But on a Budget?

You can always adopt! Some Ragdolls or Ragdoll mixes pop up in shelters and rescue groups.

Sites like Petfinder or local rescue pages are worth checking. I’ve seen some go for under $300—spayed, neutered, and already litter-trained.

Sure, they might not have a family tree that goes back 12 generations, but they still purr, play, and steal your pillow.

Final Thoughts From a Ragdoll-Human Roommate

If you’re ready for a cat that will love you, follow you, talk to you (a lot), and maybe sit directly on your laptop while you work, a Ragdoll is worth every penny.

Just maybe don’t look at your bank balance right after you place the deposit.
Or do what I did—justify it as “emotional support.”

That counts, right?