Australian Mist Cat: Breed Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Australian Mists cats are beautiful felines with spotted or mottled coats, which make ideal feline companions due to their strong attachment to their families. These intelligent, easy-going cats get along well with their peers and even dogs and adapt well to apartment living.

Breed Overview

However, they will greatly appreciate having access to a safe outdoor environment where they can explore all the hiding places, take naps in the sun and keep a watchful eye on the birds. Take a look at more interesting features and facts about this beautiful purebred feline from Australia!

Australian Mist Kittens

An Australian Mist kitten is going to be pretty pricey, depending on the reputation of the breeder, the pedigree of the parents, and your location. However, be aware that the breeding of this relatively young cat breed is still mainly concentrated in Australia and New Zealand. Thus, although the Australian Mist is gaining more and more notoriety outside its country of origin, it is not yet recognized by all European and American feline associations¹. Finding a purebred Australian Mist kitten outside Australia is therefore not easy.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Australian Mist

The Australian Mist is an alert and inquisitive cat that needs space to play and explore. He can adapt to apartment living, as long as he can have access to a cat tree or other interactive toys to keep him mentally and physically stimulated. Indeed, even if this feline becomes a little calmer as he ages, he retains his childish spirit throughout his life. He loves to explore every nook and cranny of his environment, run around, climb, and play for hours.

Additionally, being sociable and easy-going, the Australian Mist is very adaptable and will do well anywhere after a period of adaptation. However, if you are going to be away often, you may want to consider getting a second cat to keep your sociable Australian Mist company.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

The Australian Mist adores the company of his pet parents while being independent enough to spend a few hours alone without any problem. He fits well in a family with children of all ages because this patient cat willingly accepts caresses and kisses from toddlers. However, although the Australian Mist is quite tolerant, it is important to teach children to respect your cat’s space and to treat him with care.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Thanks to its friendly and easy-going temperament, the Australian Mist generally enjoys the company of other cats, dogs, or other small pets. You can therefore adopt one of these beautiful felines without fear of major conflict with your other pets.

Things to Know When Owning an Australian Mist Cat:

Food & Diet Requirements

The diet of the Australian Mist does not present any particularity compared to that of other breeds. It just needs to be appropriate for the cat’s age, level of exercise, and health, and include the nutrients needed to keep it in good shape. Ask your veterinarian for advice if you are unsure which brand of dry kibble or wet food is best for your cat based on its life stage.

Exercise 🐈

Australian Mists are not known to be extremely energetic cats. In fact, they are moderately active, but still love to play games with their pet parents or other feline companions. For example, interactive toys like food puzzles or simply chasing after stuffed mice are fine for them. You can even teach them a few tricks, like walking in a harness. In short, Australian Mists need enough physical and mental stimulation to thrive and maintain a healthy weight, just like any feline.

Training 🧶

Australian Mists are easy to train due to their high intelligence and love to spend time with you. You can easily teach them basic tricks, like using their litter box, fetching, and sitting down. With positive reinforcement (use of treats and other rewards) and patience, you can even teach them a few more advanced tricks, like doing a high five, walking in a harness, and even playing dead!

Grooming ✂️

The Australian Mist has a lovely short-haired coat that requires little maintenance. Brushing your cat once a week is enough to make his coat shine and get rid of dead hair. Besides, as this cat loves to be petted, he may beg you for additional grooming sessions!

Health and Conditions 🏥

Unlike many purebred cats, the Australian Mist does not suffer from any known specific or genetic disease. This breed is considered healthy and hardy, and it is not uncommon for these cats to reach 15 years and older. Of course, the Australian Mist is not immune to common cat diseases. Illnesses such as feline upper respiratory infections or bacterial gastrointestinal infections cannot be excluded. Additionally, the Australian Mist can be prone to overweight if his exercise needs are not met daily.

In any case, do not forget the annual check-up appointments with your veterinarian. Indeed, when they are sick, cats tend to suffer in silence and do not reveal their symptoms until very late. So, to make sure your Australian Mist is in good health, you need to have him checked annually by the vet.

Male vs Female

There aren’t really any noticeable differences between male and female Australian Mist cats: appearance and temperament are similar in both sexes. Besides, don’t be fooled by the popular belief that male cats are generally more affectionate than females. A kitten’s temperament has little to do with its sex and depends mainly on its breeding conditions, its environment, and whether or not it is neutered.

The 3 Little-Known Facts About the Australian Mist Cat

1. The Australian Mist Is the First Purebred Cat Developed in Australia

The Australian Mist cat was developed in Australia in the 1970s by crossing Burmese, Abyssinian, and domestic cats. The result of these crosses gave a cat with a spotted coat, which was initially called the Spotted Mist. Its name was changed in 1998 to Australian Mist when cats with marbled coats, rather than spots, were accepted as part of the breed. This breed is not easy to find anywhere else in the world, but Australian breeders are working hard to get it recognized by cat organizations.

2. Australian Mists Are Smart Enough To Open Your Kitchen Cabinets

These cats are cunning and greedy, so be careful not to leave food lying around! They’re even smart enough to find food behind closed cupboards, prompting many owners of these cats to install child locks on their easy-to-reach cupboards!

3. Australian Mists Cats Have Distinctive Facial Features

An easy way to identify an Australian Mist cat, besides looking at its coat, is by looking at its facial features. He has a big round head and beautiful, expressive eyes, which come in different shades of green.

Final Thoughts

The Australian Mist is a gorgeous, easygoing, and gentle cat that easily adapts to family life. People looking for a clingy and affectionate cat particularly appreciate this breed’s temperament, and savor the moments spent together. This cat will also be happy if he has other feline companions for entertainment and exploration.

Make sure there is enough variety in your cat’s life to keep him healthy and stimulated. This is especially important for indoor cats that never go outside. You could even train your Australian Mist cat for a daily walk on a leash. Most of the time, however, needy cats like the Australian Mist will prefer to stay home with their beloved humans.

Featured Image Credit: Daniel Thompson, Shutterstock