Australian Mist Cat Breed Information

Group

Short Haired

Weight

3.5-7.5kg

Length

17-30 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Australian Mist Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Julia Brassel

Veterinarian

What do you get when you cross an Abyssinian with a Burmese? An Australian Mist Cat!

Yes, these green-eyed beauties just happen to hold the title of Australia’s first pedigreed cat. With their laid-back temperament, gorgeous coat and penchant for finding the nearest lap, the Aussie Mist is consistently considered one of Australia’s favourite cat breeds.

So, where exactly did our favourite cat come from, what’s their average lifespan and who are they most suitable for? Below you’ll find all the answers you could need about the pawesome Aussie cat.

What Is the History & Origin of the Australian Mist Cat?

Australian Mist Cats were first bred in the 1970s and were initially known as the Spotted Mist Cat, thanks to their distinctive spotted coat and patterns. However, as the breed continued to develop, the characteristic marble coat we know and love today began to emerge, leading to an eventual, official name change in 1998.

Now, thanks to their sociable nature, these cats have established themselves as one of the most popular in Australia. However, despite their Aussie fame, they’re yet to truly make a mark across the rest of the world.

That being said, knowledge of their friendly nature, dual-colour pattern and high intelligence, qualities taken assimilated from their Burmese and Abyssinian ancestors, respectively, is slowly starting to seep into the wider cat-coveting world.

However, for now, the Australian Mist Cat largely remains our little secret.

What Is an Australian Mist Cat Breed?

The Australian Mist Cat breed is a mixed pedigree cat drawn from Burmese and Abyssinian heritage. However, desirable characteristics from over 30 other cats, including the Australian Moggy, have influenced the cat’s development.

Who Is an Australian Mist Cat Best For?

Due to the incredibly laid-back nature of the Australian Mist Cat, these beautiful felines are a perfect fit for the vast majority of households. With that in mind, while, as kittens, they have boundless energy, as they cat mature, their chilled nature comes to the fore.

It is this relaxed personality trait that makes Australian Mists the perfect pet for households who love to touch and stroke their cats. That is to say, they’re incredibly receptive to handling and will even tolerate being picked up without scratching or biting. In fact, their docile nature and high intelligence even mean that Aussie Mists can learn to walk on a lead!

This passiveness also makes the Aussie Mist an ideal cat for first-time owners and those who have small children; as long as contact isn’t too rough, these cats are incredibly unlikely to react negatively to enthusiastic young hands.

Unfortunately, the Australian Mist Cats are not classed as hypoallergenic. So, if you or someone within your household suffers from cat and/or animal fur-related allergies or intolerances, the Australian Mist isn’t the cat for you.

What Does an Australian Mist Cat Look Like?

The Australian Mist is a shorthaired cat sporting warm, brown, two-tone marbled coat patterns. Facially, Australian Mists have striking, expressive green eyes, sumptuous cheeks and a medium-sized body.

Coat

These shorthaired feline friends have a very dense and glossy coat that will have marbled or spotted patterns. Their beautifully diluted patterns are how they have earned their names Australian Mist or Spotted Mist.

Colours

Generally, the Australian Mist Cat coat is a delicate mix of browns. However, shades can lean towards striking gold and peach within that colour pallet, often making the cat an incredibly beautiful presence in the family home.

Patterns

Australian Mists also have eye-catching marble-patterned coats that can contain sensational swirls, spots, and stripes to match this beautiful colour palette. Ultimately, no two Australian Mists are the same… but each is as beautiful as the next.

Australian Mist Cat Grooming & Shedding

Australian Mists are shorthaired cats, and, as a result, their coat is relatively low maintenance. Thus, while owners can expect a moderate amount of shedding, grooming your Aussie once a week should be sufficient to sustain a healthy, glossy coat.

How Do Australian Mist Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

We’ve waxed lyrical about this already, but such is the docile nature of the Australian Mist Cat that it is worth reiterating. You will scarcely find a more tolerant, relaxed indoor cat to have in your family home. What’s more, happily, this tolerance transcends all elements of the Aussie’s character, making them an incredibly sociable and forthcoming cat.

So, if you’re looking for a cat that is going to hop up onto your lap for cuddles, the Australian Mist Cat is an ideal choice. At the same time, the Australian Mist remains a highly intelligent cat, and so regular stimulation is necessary to avoid frustration is necessary.

Simply providing a good selection of toys and enrichment activities should suffice to stave off boredom.

Living Needs

Australian Mist Cats live a relatively peaceful existence thanks to their docile nature. As such, high quality, protein-rich cat food, readily available fresh water and a whole lot of love should meet your cat’s needs purrfectly.

Weekly grooming is advisable to keep their coat in tip-top shape. As we mentioned above, a nice selection of stimulating, interactive toys should entertain them when you’re not around.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Australian Mist Cats?

Habits

Australian Mist kittens are little bundles of energy; however, as the cat matures, this energy will start to dissipate and be replaced by that characteristic, laid-back personality. Thereafter, you can expect habitual bouts of cuddling and snuggles intersected by periods of play and inquisition.

Activity level

Yes, these cats are docile, but that isn’t to say they’re lazy. They’ll enjoy pouncing, stalking and chasing games both in and out of doors. Likewise, daily doses of play (15+ minutes) with you should help to form a strong bond.

However, as you’ve no doubt grasped, such as this cat’s chilled out approach to life that it’ll spend a lot of time simply relaxing with its owners, too, making them an ideal addition to any family unit.

Vocalness

We’ve established that the Australian Mist is one of the most passive cat breeds, and its reduced vocalness reflects that.

Admittedly, your cat might call if it wants attention, food or simply wants to be let in or out. However, apart from soothing purrs of contentment during sofa snuggles, you can expect your Aussie Mist to quietly go about its business.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of an Australian Mist Cat?

Height

Australian Mist Cats are a medium-sized breed with an average height of 17-30cm. Furthermore, there’s very little height discrepancy amongst the genders. However, females tend to be slightly smaller.

Weight

Similarly, there is little gender discrepancy where Australian Mist Cat weight is concerned. As such, most Aussie Mists range between 3.5-7.5kg.

Size

The Australian Mist is a medium-sized cat.

Are Australian Mist Cats Easy to Train?

The Australian Mist is an intelligent and tolerant cat. Consequently, positive reinforcement as a kitten should yield successful litter training quickly. Also, as we mentioned above, you can even teach your cat to walk on a lead (if you’re secretly a dog lover).

Does the Australian Mist Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

Just like all other pets, the Australian Mist Cat does have some health issues that are common to the breed. These include:

Gingivitis (the Australian Mist is susceptible to gum disease as a consequence of soft food and old age. However, this is treatable, particularly if caught early)
Skin allergies (many cats are also susceptible to skin allergies which can be a result of over-zealous grooming, environmental irritants and certain types of food)

What Is the Lifespan of an Australian Mist Cat?

A healthy Australian Mist has an average life expectancy of about 12-15 years.

How Much Does an Australian Mist Cat Need to Be Fed?

Like any cat, the Australian Mist requires a well-balanced, high protein diet of high-quality cat food. This can be provided by your vet or any premium quality pet store.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for an Australian Mist Cat in Australia?

Due to their commonality and popularity in Australia, the Aussie Mist Cat costs between $350-$500. Pricing is, of course, subjective to each Australian Mist breeder and also the cat’s pedigree.

Australian Mist Cat FAQs

Are Australian Mist cats rare?

No. The Aussie/Spotted Mist Cat is one of the most popular house cats in Australia and, thus, cannot be said to be rare.

Are Australian Mist cats good with dogs?

Absolutely. Thanks to their exceptional temperament and relatively low-maintenance fur and lifestyle, Aussie Mists make the perfect breed of cat to have around common pets and other animals.

That being said, if you’re a keeper of rodents, birds or fish, it’s still best to keep your Aussie Mist separate from them.

Are Australian Mist cats ideal for first-time cat buyers?

Yes. Again, thanks to their superbly laid-back, loving nature and high intelligence, the Aussie Mist is the perfect cat for first-time owners. Their low maintenance and high intellect mean that they can easily be trained by amateur owners and bond quickly with just a small amount of human interaction.