At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
shorthair
A solid, muscular cat with a rounded head, broad nose, fairly large round-tipped ears and big green eyes. The short, dense, springy coat has a silky feel, and fine ticking over the pattern gives it a soft, misty look.12
Personality what they are like
Bred with temperament as a priority. Kittens are bright, busy and curious, and they grow into calm, gentle adults that enjoy being held and fit easily into family life.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. Playful as youngsters, then settles into a calmer, companionable adult that still enjoys regular games.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Very little grooming needed; an occasional brush keeps the short coat tidy.2
Home where they are happiest
Settles well to indoor life, as long as it has company and things to do.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A balanced diet with measured portions helps keep this sturdy cat in good shape.2
Company who they like around
Needs companionship, either people at home or another cat.2
The story where it all began
Dr Truda Straede started the breed in Australia in the mid-1970s from around 30 foundation cats, mixing Burmese, Abyssinian and local spotted tabby lines. It was first known as the Spotted Mist and took its current name in 1998, when the marbled pattern was also accepted; the first cats reached the UK in 2007.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Most breeders are still in Australia, but the breed now has catteries in the UK and USA and breeding cats have gone as far as Norway.1
- 2
Each founding breed contributed something: Burmese gave the soft dilute colours, Abyssinian the ticking, and domestic shorthairs the spots.2
- 3
Eye colour runs from chartreuse to aquamarine.1
- 4
No registry allows red or cream in the breed; only the seven 'mist' colours are accepted.1
Recognised by the official bits
- RASCC (Australia)
- Experimental category 1980; fourth generation accepted as Spotted Mist in 19861
- NZCF
- Championship status 19991
- WCF
- Championship status 20041
- TICA
- Championship status from 1 May 20141
- GCCF
- Preliminary 2011, championship status February 2017; Section 5 (Burmese), Group 21
- FIFe
- Not recognised1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Australian Mist. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Deshedding springBrush more while sheddingevery day
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Australian Mist - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, recognition timeline, body, colours, facts
- Australian Mist - GCCF gccfcats.orgused for weight, lifespan, temperament, care, history
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.