Australian Mist Cat Breed Guide

Feb 17, 2025

Laid-back | Sociable | Lap-cats. G’day fellow cat lovers! Today we’re going to enter the world of Australia’s one and only natively bred cat, the Australian Mist. These stunners are as pretty as a picture, and with a laid-back nature that loves nothing more than cuddling into their owner’s laps, they make purrfect furry companions. So “throw a shrimp on the barbie”, and sit back and relax as we take you through the adorable world of the Australian mist cat.

AUSTRALIAN MIST CAT BASICS

Average Lifespan: 12 - 18 years

Average Weight: 3.5 - 5.5 kg

Coat Length: Short - Medium

Colouring: Brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, peach, golden, caramel

Shedding: Moderate

ANCESTRY OF THE AUSTRALIAN MIST CAT

The Australian Mist cat is the one and only cat that originated Down Under. Originally named the Spotted Mist, this adorable floof was first bred by Truda Straede in 1976 by crossing Abyssinians, Burmese and spotted short-haired domestic kitties. Her aim was to breed a cat with a temperament that would suit indoor living with the stunning features of the cross breeds but with a spotted coat. The breed name was later changed to the Australian Mist when cats with marbled as well as spotted coats were accepted into the breed and they eventually made their way to UK shores in the early 2000s.

Although this breed is still rare within the UK, their popularity is growing due to their calm temperament suitable to apartment and city living and of course their gorgeous floofy looks.

ANATOMY OF THE AUSTRALIAN MIST CAT

With a circular head and ears that round off at the point and angle forward slightly, they bear somewhat of a resemblance to an Ocelot. However, when you peer deep into their wide green eyes, there’s nothing wild about them. Their face is friendly and with a short glossy coat that has three layers of colour, spots and markings to it, they have a misty beauty about them which gives them their name. Their medium and strong build provides them with the strength they need to play, which they enjoy in the comforts of their own home rather than the treacherous Australian outback.

AUSTRALIAN MIST CAT PURRSONALITY

If you want a cat that loves nothing more than cuddling up on the couch with you, the Australian Mist is the one for you! These kitties thrive on human interaction and affection and also enjoy the company of other fur babies. They do enjoy playing but whether it’s due to the countless dangerous critters roaming around the Australian outdoors or whether they can’t face being away from their hoomans for too long, they prefer to do this in the comfort of their own homes.

With this they make excellent cats for families of all ages, enjoying playing with young children as well as chilling out on the laps of pensioners. As Australian Mist cats are prone to sloth out on the couch, ensure you’re exercising your cat the recommended 30 minutes per day through dedicated playtime to prevent obesity and other adverse health conditions.

These cats crave attention and enjoy a weekly brush as part of their cat grooming routine to keep their coats glossy as well as strengthen the bond they have with their pawrent.

ARE AUSTRALIAN MIST CATS RARE?

Even Down Under, the Australian Mist cat is a rare breed. Unfortunately, these kitties are rarely seen in the UK however there are five GCCF registered breeders should you wish to add one of these cats to your fur fam.

WHAT TO FEED AN AUSTRALIAN MIST CAT

Like all cats, Australian Mists are obligate carnivores meaning they need to eat a diet high in good quality animal meat along with 41 essential nutrients to keep them happy and healthy. The best way to do this is by choosing a trusted pet food brand (hint Scrumbles) that uses high-quality meat and specifically labels their recipes as “complete” so that you know that what you’re feeding your fur baby includes everything that a cat needs to keep them in tip-top shape.

Some Australian Mists are lazier than others and are prone to stacking on the pounds, so ensuring that you’re feeding your cat the correct portions for their size and activity levels is impawtent to maintain a healthy weight.

You can check out our Cat Weight Chart to learn how to tell the difference between a fat and floofy cat using a body condition score to keep them at a healthy size.

SCRUMBLES, THE PAWFECT FOOD FOR AUSTRALIAN MIST CATS

If you’re lucky enough to own one of these rare kitties and are looking for a nutritionally balanced cat food that’s high in essential animal meat and gut-friendly, why not check out our range of Gut Friendly Cat Food?

Here’s why you and your Australian Mist will love our cat food:

High in Human-Grade Fish and Meat - With up to 77% fish or meat, our recipes provide all of the essential nutrients and amino acids your carnivorous Australian Mist needs to stay healthy and purring.
Highly Digestible For Happy Tummies - We use powerful prebiotics or probiotics to promote gut health and pretty poops.
Clearly Named Ingredients Without The Added Fluff - We clearly name all of our ingredients on our packaging and avoid nasties like added salt, sugar, fillers and plant proteins that are really just the fluff when it comes to feline nutrition.
Hypoallergenic - We avoid common allergens such as dairy, soy, gluten and egg to satisfy even the most sensitive cats.
Built-in Feeding Calculators: We have built-in feeding calculators on our cat food pages so that you know exactly how much to feed your Australian Mist depending on their size and activity levels
Vet-Approved, Complete Recipes – All of our wet and dry cat food recipes are designed by nutritionists and approved by vets. They’re nutritionally balanced and complete so that you can feed them to your floof day in and day out with the confidence that they’re getting all of the essential vitamins, nutrients and amino acids they need to keep purring.
Drool-worthy taste: Even the fussiest of felines love our delectable recipes, just read the thousands of five-star reviews from satisfied kitties across the UK!
Climate Conscious - With our eco-friendly packaging, B-Corp certification and a commitment to promoting both the health of our pets and our planet, Scrumbles is the ideal choice for climate-conscious furmilies.