The Australian mist or smoky cat rightfully bears the “Made in Australia” label. The fact is that it was first bred on this continent. These are beautiful, smart, playful cats with a very gentle character.
This is one of the few cat breeds that will suit any type of person. For example, families with children or teenagers, as they tolerate handling well and rarely get scratched.
They are easy to train to use a leash, rides in the car, or just walks down the street. Smart, they understand what their owner wants from them, and they also get along well with other pets.
Origin story
The Australian Mist is a breed of smoky spotted cats that appeared as a result of long and hard work by Australian breeders. The ancestors of the Mist are considered to be representatives of the Abyssinian and Burmese breeds, as well as some of the domestic cats that do not have “insignia”, but have the desired color and type of appearance.
Dr. Truda Strayed is the one to whom we should say “thank you” for developing the unique formula of the new breed. Her painstaking work, which began in 1975, bore fruit 10 years later, and the first purebred kittens were presented to the world, and after another 10 years - in 1998 - the breed was officially registered, receiving the name “Spotted Mist”.
True, a little later, from “spotted”, mist turned into “Australian” (since the color contained not only spots, but also stripes).
Representatives of this breed are still difficult to find anywhere other than Australia. This is explained, first of all, by its high cost: the price for one kitten can vary from one and a half to five thousand dollars, which not everyone can afford. Therefore, only a few breeders in the USA and Norway, having received the go-ahead from the Australian “parents” and having undergone training, are working on developing new lines of this breed.
Try to guess what is hidden behind the abbreviation “mist”? That's right: mystical! The breeders' hint at the mysterious smoky color.
Disease susceptibility
Australians enjoy good health. If we talk about hereditary diseases, the breed is too young to make a definite conclusion. Mists are classified as long-livers; they are capable of being companions for humans for fifteen years or more. To support your pet’s immunity, you must not forget about routine vaccinations, which help prevent the occurrence of the most common cat diseases.
Australian smoky cat at leisure
Veterinarians advise . Carefully monitoring your Australian's diet will help you avoid your pet becoming overweight. Overfeeding causes unwanted obesity, which is detrimental to your cat's health. If the animal begins to gain weight, then the feeding rate must be reduced.
Standards
The breed standard has the following features:
| Standard | Description |
| Head | Wedge-shaped. The nose is of medium length, straight, with a wide, large lobe protruding forward. Rounded and wide forehead. Well-defined chin, rounded cheekbones. The cheeks are slightly saggy, the pads of the mustache, on the contrary, are taut, shaped like a drop. |
| Ears | Medium, widely spaced, tapering towards the ends, slightly inclined to the side and forward. Hairs grow at the tips of the ears. |
| Eyes | Almond-shaped, open, widely spaced, slightly slanted. The upper corner rises to the temples, the upper edge is smooth, the lower eyelid is semicircular in shape. Eye color – aquamarine (all shades), golden iris. |
| Body | Small, muscular. The muscles are well developed, but outwardly the animal seems much lighter than it actually is. |
| Paws | Slender (both front and rear), medium length, proportionally developed. The pads of the feet are wide and rounded. |
| Tail | Straight, without bends, equal in length to the length of the body (or maybe a couple of centimeters shorter). There are dark stripes along the entire tail, the tip is colored black. |
| Wool | It grows thickly and densely, it is shiny and short. The undercoat is almost invisible. |
| Weight | Adult males can reach up to 7 kg, females – up to 4.5 kg. |
Photo of a cat of the Australian Mist breed
Breed characteristics
Size
Average
Activity
Not very active
Difficulty of care
Virtually no maintenance required
Noisiness
Silent
Playfulness
2 out of 5
Intelligence
High
Independence
Can't stand loneliness
Health
5 out of 5
It’s worth keeping in mind that every cat is different.
This description is specific to the breed as a whole, so it may not match the description of your cat. How an animal will behave depends largely on its owner, and not on the breed. If you cannot decide on a cat breed, we recommend that you use our online cat breed selection tool. Tired of advertising? Register
Colors
The main features of the Australian Mist that distinguish it from other breeds are the main background, a dark-colored pattern on the body (in the form of stripes or spots) and a “haze”, sepia, formed by ticking hairs of the background color. Moreover, the pattern is clearest on the back, but on the stomach it is practically invisible.
Acceptable ticking shades:
- caramel,
- brown,
- blue,
- gold,
- lilac,
- chocolate,
- peach.
Babies are born with a reddish tint on their ears, noses and cheeks, but gradually the color becomes more saturated and by the age of two the color is completely formed. Spots on the body can be of any size, but symmetrically located on the stomach, back and sides. The color of the lower body is lighter, and the overall color of the coat is warm and rich. The marble (spotted) pattern is quite blurry and pale, but at the same time it is still noticeably different from the main background. Dark spots may be separated by lighter spots.
Photos of Australian Mist kittens
The saturation of color in the area of the cheeks, ears and nose is an important indicator of the purebred of the animal. If the coat color is pale, your pet will not pass the standard test.
If there is no ticking and an eye color other than green, the animal is not allowed to participate in exhibitions. If there are other deficiencies (fur too smooth; low muscle tone; head too narrow or flat; round or small eyes; high-set, small ears), the cat can take part in the exhibition, but a significant part of the points will be lost.
Australian Mist Health
Australian mysts rarely get sick, as they have adopted good health and the absence of hereditary pathologies from outbred cats. The only problem with the breed is obesity. Obesity is considered to be 20% or more excess weight. Hormonal imbalance may also be the cause.
Symptoms of obesity:
- shortness of breath after minor activity;
- it is impossible to palpate the spine and ribs through the fat layer;
- it became difficult for the cat to jump, run and even walk;
- joint problems are more likely not a symptom, but a consequence of obesity.
Prevention is a proper balanced diet and lots of exercise. If your cat does get sick, contact your veterinarian. He will create an individual diet, physical activity regimen and, if necessary, prescribe hormonal medications.
Mists are prone to obesity, so they should move more
Character and behavior
Dr. Strayed dreamed of breeding a pet that was ideal not only in appearance, but also in character. Whether the Australian myst is an ideal is a controversial issue, but one thing is certain: representatives of this species are very complacent and affectionate.
Australian mystic is all about calm and tranquility. He has an easy-going character and gets along well with both people and other animals. He loves children very much, especially small ones: he plays with them with pleasure, looks after them and protects them, and will never allow himself to let out his claws or bite a toddler. A cat can be left even with infants without fear: it feels that it is forbidden to climb into the baby’s cradle.
Does not tolerate loneliness: representatives of this breed require the obligatory presence of a person at home. Strong affection is both a big plus of this breed, but also a minus. When choosing a master, the mist will follow him around and get bored, parting for a long time.
He comes running when called, like a dog, but if the owner is doing something, he will not crawl under his arms, but will lie nearby and wait for him to finish. But you will be only too happy to “watch” TV or “read” the newspaper with your loved one.
But they don’t require a lot of physical activity, just like walking outside: your pet will feel great in the apartment, walking along the backs of the sofas and watching the birds from the window.
Does your pet like to go for walks?
HomebodyWalking on the street
He sits with great pleasure in his arms, walks calmly on a leash and can withstand long car rides. Not afraid of guests. She remembers simple commands well and quickly, she can even learn tricks. They love to play with toys and climb on shelves and cabinets. He doesn’t meow in vain, so if your pet starts making loud noises, look to see if he has run out of food, is it time to change the water in the bowl or clean the tray?
Australians are so kind-hearted that they will calmly take in a stray kitten and raise it as their own.
How to choose a kitten?
The Australian Mist is not the most common breed. Only a few countries can boast of having nurseries: Australia, America, Great Britain and several other countries in Europe. There are no such nurseries in the CIS, and only a few private breeders are engaged in the breed. A potential owner should remember about the rarity of mysts and the fact that the chances of meeting a scammer when buying an Australian are very high. So that you don’t have to regret it later, it’s worth checking that the owner has the following things: • certificates; • passports; • pedigrees; • reviews about the owner. All this will help confirm that the cat is a rare breed.
Care instructions
Australian mystics take good care of themselves, as they are very clean by nature and wash themselves several times a day, but they also require human help.
Ears
Cats' ears are not only a hearing organ, but also a device for maintaining balance: thanks to it, the animal can land on 4 paws rather than fall flat. If you don’t keep your ears clean, wax plugs will appear in them, pathogenic microflora will develop, or even ear mites, and all this rubbish will eventually negatively affect your hearing and vestibular system. Remember: you should not pour water into your ears, and in general it is better not to use water. Vet pharmacies sell quite a few inexpensive but effective products. For example:
- Drops: “Veda Otodepin” with pine oil; bactericidal “Anandin Plus” or with propolis “Top-Vet Otoferonol Gold”;
- Chlorhexidine (a cheap and safe product that does not irritate delicate skin, and at the same time removes dirt and sebum well);
- Ear lotion: Fitolar spray (gently dissolves dirt and wax); “Rosinka” (improves cellular metabolism, improves tissue regeneration and relieves inflammation); “Ear Cleansing” (suitable for both prevention and hygienic care;
- Vaseline: a budget product, soft and safe.
Expert opinion
Dusheba Vera Ivanovna
In 2010, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin with honors, specializing in veterinary medicine. I regularly attend veterinary conferences, congresses, and webinars.
You cannot use soap solution, hydrogen peroxide and other folk remedies: they not only cause the ear to dry out, but also increase the production of wax, and also increase the risk of ulcers and wounds.
Before use, warm the product to a comfortable temperature (+34-35 degrees), moisten a cotton swab and carefully wipe the ear. If there is a lot of dirt: drop a drop of saline solution into the ear canal and gently massage the ear so that the product penetrates inside, and then collect the contents of the shell with a cotton pad or swab.
Teeth
Mist's teeth should be brushed once a week. Buy a special silicone toothbrush and toothpaste. Human paste is not suitable, since the animal does not know how to spit it, and if it is swallowed, it will cause an upset stomach.
Claws
A scratching post should also be present in the house, but since the Mist is not a breed that will be particularly diligent in sharpening them, you will need to trim them regularly (every two weeks). Cut only the transparent part at an angle.
Wool
To comb the wool you will need: a furminator, a slicker brush, rubber, iron and bristle brushes. If your pet does not walk outside, it is enough to wash it once every 3 months, but if your pet is walked regularly - once every two months.
Use only special shampoos: Jerob Herbal Shampoo, Beaphar Cat Shampoo Macadamia Oil, Bio Groom Flea&Tick Cat Shampoo, Espree Natural Silky Show Cat Shampoo.
Eyes
The eyes are wiped with a cotton sponge soaked in a solution of chamomile or chlorhexidine decoction once a week.
Disadvantages of Mystics
Those who love this breed do not find any flaws in them, however, experts think otherwise, and cats still have some disadvantages: • muscles develop poorly; • the skeleton is not large; • the skull may be too flattened or elongated; • the zygomatic part has very sharp cuts; • ears are set too high.
Australian mist in nature
A potential owner should remember that purchasing a mist is not so easy, and therefore there is a possibility of buying a mongrel animal from a dishonest breeder. If a pet appears in the house, you won’t have to regret it. A person will acquire a reliable companion, always waiting for the owner to return home from work.
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Catering
The Australian Mist is a special breed, and its representatives cannot be fed exclusively with industrial food. This is especially true for dry food. The main rule: the more natural products in a cat’s diet, the healthier it will be. Dry food can be added little by little to porridge or meat broth.
Natural products
Meat: beef or chicken, thoroughly cleaned of veins and hollow bones, scalded with boiling water or boiled. Neither pork nor lamb are suitable.
Make sure your cat gets enough vitamin C (which acts as an antioxidant); sodium, iron and copper (they help maintain hemoglobin levels in the blood and have a positive effect on metabolic processes); as well as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium (which maintains bone strength). Vitamin D keeps the gastrointestinal tract in good shape.
Be sure to include in the menu:
- cheese,
- eggs (chicken and quail),
- offal (chicken hearts, liver),
- vegetable oil (a little at a time during cooking),
- porridge (buckwheat, oatmeal, rice),
- fish (boiled),
- greenery,
- fermented milk products (kefir, fermented baked milk, natural yogurt).
Cats are fed 2 times a day. This applies to adults. Kittens - 3-4 times. Approximate calculation: per 1 kilogram of weight – 75 kcal.
Austrian mysts are fastidious cats, with extremely developed organs of charm, and will not touch food that smells of rotting or rotten meat. Therefore, they are not in danger of poisoning.
Recommended food
Below are recommended premium foods, links with food names are clickable. Using them, you can, within our website, read descriptions of food and read reviews from owners of the Austrian Mist cat breed.
| Premium | Premium | Premium |
| Pro Plan | Royal Canin | Brit Premium |
Expert opinion
Dusheba Vera Ivanovna
In 2010, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin with honors, specializing in veterinary medicine. I regularly attend veterinary conferences, congresses, and webinars.
Representatives of this breed are prone to being overweight, so the owner must carefully monitor portions and not spoil his pet with an extra piece, even if the cat persistently begs for it. Under no circumstances should you give your cat smoked, salty, sweet, or flour products. But if you change food and your cat develops diarrhea, don’t panic. As soon as she gets used to the new food, the stool will return to normal.
Owner reviews
Few happy owners of Australian Smoky Mists talk about their rare love and devotion, which sometimes creates inconvenience. These cats cannot be without their owners for a long time, they begin to get bored and can become depressed.
Important ! Breeders talk about ease of maintenance, but it should be remembered that very wealthy people buy kittens.
They can easily provide high-quality food, suitable toys, a place for play and relaxation, and constant communication, but in a usually small apartment the mist will not be very comfortable. Although the kitten will not love its owners less because of this. The first pet, friend and companion, the cheerful and mysterious myst will bring joy to anyone .
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Appearance
The Australian Smoke is similar to its ancestor, the Burmese Shorthair. The similarity of body shapes and muzzle is noticeable even from the photo. Mists have average dimensions; the weight of an adult pet ranges from 5 kilograms.
According to the champion breed description, the Australian Smoky has the following standard:
The head is wedge-shaped with rounded contours, wide, blunt. The forehead is moderately flat, the transition to the bridge of the nose with a slight “stop”. The nose is proportional or wide, forming a straight line with the chin. The chin is wide and strong. The cheeks are developed, slightly saggy. The whisker pads are teardrop-shaped and tucked up.
Ears are medium, deep, set wide apart. The auricle is covered with hair by 1/2 or more.
The eyes are almond-shaped, large, and set close to the bridge of the nose.
The neck is wide, muscular, and medium in length.
The body is strong, oval, with well-developed muscles. The chest is wide and round.
Paws – proportional, strong. The brush is neat, collected, oval, the fingers are small.
The tail is movable, proportional in length, tapering from base to tip.
The coat is soft, loose-fitting, and shiny. The short coat is insulated with a medium-developed down, which can come off completely in the hot months. Eye color varies in the green palette, shades of yellow and bright colors, such as aquamarine, are acceptable.
The coat pattern has 2 options - spots and marble, while the back is more intensely colored, and the belly and inner surfaces are “exposed”. For example, if the back is red, then the belly will be cream. The standard allows 7 primary colors with color ticking (incomplete coloring of hair):
- Caramel.
- Peach.
- Chocolate.
- Brown.
- Gold.
- Blue.
- Lilac (pink-blue).
Appearance of a smoky cat
The size of this cat fits the average species, that is, it does not weigh more than 5 kilograms. His coat is shiny and lies smoothly to the body as shown in the photo.
The ears of these kittens are straight, slightly rounded at the ends. They are small in size and located at a short distance from each other.
Many cat lovers love the alluring look of Mitsa. And this is not just like that. In fact, eyes that are almond shaped are attractive. They come in green or aquamarine, and the iris is golden. The eyes of cats are small in size and have a slanted shape as shown in the photo.
The tail of the Australian cat is rounded at the end. There are dark stripes against the background of the overall color. And in accordance with the size of the body, the tail is short.
As already mentioned, this pussy has several shades. However, the marbled spotted color is popular. If a kitten's fur is ticked, then the limbs of this animal will always appear lighter than the rest of the body.
The kitten may have the following colors:
- chocolate;
- golden;
- peach;
- blue;
- caramel;
- brown;
- lilac.
And regardless of the color of his coat, the pattern of kittens is always either spotted or marbled. The body itself is very strong and muscular, although at first glance you cannot tell. This is why kittens are much heavier than they look. These cats have undercoat.
