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Australian Mist

Australian Mist

At a Glance

The easy-going and extremely sociable Australian Mist has been known to make friends wherever they go. The can be found in a variety of colors and patterns and are considered loyal and dedicated to their owners. Find out more about this breed and if the Australian Mist is right for you and your family.

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All About Cats

Printable Breed Introduction
Breed Standard
Pet Buyer’s Guide
Australian-Mist-Full-Body
Temperament

Affectionate

Height/Weight Range

Medium-sized cat

Adult females
Adult males
Life Expectancy

15+ years

Colors

The Australian Mist has two patterns – spotted or marbled and can be found in seven colors, including brown, blue, chocolate. lilac, caramel, gold and peach.

Similar Breeds

Opposite Breeds

About The Breed

Loyal and loving by nature, Mists are very people-oriented and love being with their families. They thrive on human companionship and participating in a busy household. They are best suited for those who enjoy spending time and interacting with them on a regular basis rather than being left alone for long periods of time.

Dr. Truda Straede created and developed the Australian Mists from her initial idea in 1977 to full championship in the Australian registries in 1986. Developed over more than 25 years – the Australian Mists have a very large gene pool derived from 50% European style Burmese, 25% Abyssinian, and 25% Domestic Spotted tabby. Outcrossing to the original breeds is no longer recommended.

View Full Breed Standard

Australian Mist cats are considered playful and inquisitive. They are active kittens but calm down as they mature. As adults they prefer a warm lap rather than chasing objects.

They are easy to train like to be active and even play fetch, but they are happiest when cuddled with their families. They make great family pets and are good with young children, other pets, people living on their own and the elderly and disabled.

TICA Regions, Clubs & Rescues

Want to connect with fellow cat lovers and those who love the same breed as you?
TICA is a large resource made up of smaller regions and clubs around the world.
Click here to find a club near you and contact information for your regional director and website.

Wherever you are, you’re in TICA’s world!®

Find a Kitten: TICA Breeders

The TICA website is the only place where you can find TICA member breeders who have signed the TICA Code of Ethics.

Find Australian Mist
  • Name change. The breed was originally called the Spotted Mist. The name was changed to Australian Mist in 1998 when breeders began introducing more cats with marbled coats.
  • Wait for it. It takes about two years for Australian Mists to reach their full adult coloration.
  • The name says it all. As the name implies, the Australian Mist originated in Australia.

Breed Information & Characteristics

This breed was developed by Truda Straede in Australia beginning in 1976. The breed was developed by crossing the Burmese, Abyssinian, and miscellaneous domestic short-haired cats to create a short-haired cat with a spotted coat. The name was changed from “Spotted Mist” to “Australian Mist” in 1998, when cats with marbled coats, rather than spots, were accepted as part of the breed. It is the only cat from Australia, while most cats aren’t in Australia.

Australian Mists are tolerant of handling and are not inclined to scratch. As kittens, they are lively, but are less so when mature. Australian Mists can be excellent indoor cats, which also protects native wildlife. Some Australian Mists can be trained to go for walks on a lead. Neutered/spayed cats and kittens of this breed fit in easily with other cats and dogs, a trait further enhanced through selective breeding.TraitsAustralian Mists are medium-sized short-haired cats, with a round head and large eyes. The coat is very short and lacks an undercoat. Australian Mists do not require much brushing because they lose little hair. The coat patterns have three aspects: the ground colour, which is paler than the pattern; the pattern; and the appearance of wearing a misted veil, caused by random ticking in the solid colour areas. The legs and tail are ringed or barred, and the face and neck also have lines of colour. Their life expectancy is 15-18 years.

The Australian Mist is not known to be prone to any genetic or hereditary illnesses, in large part because the foundation stock was bred with domestic cats as well as Pedigree in order to ensure “hybrid vigor.” But, as with all cats, they are at risk for the most common heart disease, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. This is a genetic disease that can result in heart failure and death, so it is of paramount importance that breeders diligently screen for this via echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) performed by a Veterinary Cardiologist. Because HCM doesn’t always show up in the first years of life, it is important for pet owners to proactively screen for this disease as well.

The Mist’s short coat and moderate shedding don’t require much maintenance. A quick brush once a week will keep them in top condition.

As with all cats, keep their nails trimmed, ears cleaned and teeth brushed regularly with a vet-approved pet toothpaste and provide a nice tall scratching pole to help their natural scratching instinct.

Australian Mist cats do not have any particular nutritional needs other than good, quality, dry kibble.

As with all cats, it is important to give your cat fresh, clean water daily. Fresh, clean water is best, so cats don’t hesitate to drink. If you worry about your cat drinking enough water each day, here’s a tip from Jackson Galaxy and other cat behaviorists – Place the water bowl at least three feet away from any food. Cats’ noses are sensitive and an overwhelming smell of food may cause them to drink less. Filtered drinking fountains can also be used in place of a water bowl.

Australian Mist Breed Committee (1)

Name Email
Chair: Kay Hanvey catcantdoo@yahoo.com

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