Australian Mist

The Australian Mist cats are medium in size and have short hair. They were developed in Australia in the 1970s and are a hybrid between Burmese, Abyssinian, and Moggy cats.

Their heads are round, complemented by their large and expressive green eyes. They are medium-boned and have friendly faces. Their coats usually have backgrounds that give them a misty look — hence, the name. These cats are known to exist in seven colors: brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, caramel, gold, and peach.

Breed History

The first Australian Mist cats were born in 1975, created by cross-breeding Abyssinian, Burmese, and other domestic cat breeds. The original result was a short-haired cat with a spotted coat, and it was named “Spotted Mist.” However, as the breed developed over the following 20 years, the coat became more marbled than spotted. In 1998, the name was changed to “Australian Mist.” This breed is notable for being the first internationally recognized domestic cat breed to originate in Australia.

The Australian Mist is considered a rare cat breed, and registered cats can be found in countries like Australia, the U.K., Germany, the United States, and Norway. It’s been recognized as a breed by the World Cat Federation and the U.K.’s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.

Traits: What to Know Before You Buy

Before you buy an Australian Mist, it is important to understand a few things about this animal. With this knowledge, creating the right conditions for one of them to live in your home will become much easier.

It is important to note that these cats are known for their exceptional temperament. They are very tolerant and are not inclined to scratch. While these cats are lively as kittens, they tend to mellow out as they age. Due to these qualities, the breed is an excellent companion as an indoor pet.

These cats are known to be quite healthy, and there are no consistent conditions that are specific to the breed. The only health issues that may arise are the typical problems that cats face like renal failure, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes.

Personality

These cats have calm and loving personalities. They are attention-loving and always enjoy attention from their owners. They are not haphazard, allowing them to be rather patient with younger and older members of the family. They constantly fixate on the people around them, preferring to stay near their homes where they can be loved by their families. Their social personality makes them incredibly welcoming to visitors in their home, playing and interacting with anyone who will spend time petting them.

Size and Weight

These cats are medium in size, weighing 8 to 15 pounds. They usually stand at a height of about 7 to 9 inches. While there is not much of a difference between the two, female cats are generally known to be slightly smaller than their male counterparts.

Price

You will be able to find a kitten for between $800 and $1200, but many factors can cause the price to fluctuate from breeder to breeder. Neutered males typically start at $390, while a kitten that is fully vaccinated will cost about $390 and up.

The price range could also vary between the spotted as well as marbled Australian Mist cats. Annual grooming, maintenance, and feeding costs vary to add to the overall cost. If you adopted one, you should expect to add another $1,000 to your yearly budget to keep their coats detangled and healthy.

Buying directly from the breeders will add to the cost substantially. Seek out local breeders in your area to find the current animals that are available for adoption. Some breeders will not publish their official prices unless they have a litter ready to adopt, but their advertisement online will offer contact information to learn more.

On occasion, these cats may be found in rescue shelters, but availability depends on the particular facility.

Kittens

While most of the adult traits are easily seen in the kittens, the kittens are known to be very lively and energetic. However, as they mature, the trait is not as prominent, allowing them to become quieter and more patient.

When they are full-grown, they weigh about 8 to 15 pounds and are about 7 to 9 inches in size. These kittens are known to attain puberty in five months. These cats are great family pets and are known to be great and very playful around children.

Lifespan

The standard lifespan of these cats is about 15 to 18 years. As they age, they become prone to health problems like renal issues, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism. While they can still develop these health problems at a young age, these cats are known to be relatively healthy compared to other cats.

Despite their life expectancy being 15 to 18 years, the cats may live more than 20 years if they thrive in the right conditions and are taken care of properly.

Australian Mist Breed vs. Mixed

The breed is characterized as being calm and composed. These hybrid cats are known to be very patient. They come in seven colors, including brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, caramel, gold, and peach. These cats are affectionate and home-bound, but that could sometimes vary depending on the inheritance in the case of a mix.

While they are roughly the same size as the cats that are bred for their development, you might notice differences in coat length and hair color. Also, you could spot a mix with a differentiated pattern like a spotted or marbled coat.

Also, there are health issues that could be a strong deciding factor in the case of a mix. These cats are usually healthy, but can sometimes inherit the qualities of their two parents, which could come with some inherited health issues as well.

Types of Australian Mist Cats and Colors

The cats come in seven colors, including brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, caramel, gold, and peach.

Brown Australian Mist

Brown Australian Mist cats are beautiful and present with distinguishable brown patterns on the fur. The patterns could vary from rings to lines to waves.

Blue Australian Mist

Brown Australian Mist cats are not exactly blue. They tend to be greyish-blue in color and are lean, and usually distinguished as having a spotted coat.

Chocolate Australian Mist

Chocolate Australian Mist cats are very similar to brown ones and could have grey as their base color. The base coat is complemented by beautiful chocolate-colored designs.

Lilac Australian Mist

Lilac Australian Mist cats are very light-colored and look misty from a distance as well. This color gives the cats a very elegant look.

Caramel Australian Mist

A toned-down mixture of brown and gold, Caramel Australian Mist cats look delightful with very light-colored patterns on their body.

Gold Australian Mist

Gold Australian Mist cats have beautiful golden-colored coats that make them look beautiful and give their fur a glossy look.

Peach Australian Mist

The Peach Australian Mist has a light-colored coat. It might look like a mix of golden and pink, making it very pretty to look at.