The most "sold" or popular cat in Australia is consistently the Domestic Shorthair (or "moggie"), which is the common, non-purebred cat, making up the largest portion of pets, followed by popular breeds like the Ragdoll, Maine Coon, and British Shorthair. Data from pet insurance and surveys shows these mixed-breed cats are favored for their adaptability and low maintenance, while purebreds like the Ragdoll (known for being loving) and Maine Coon (gentle giants) are top contenders for specific breeds.
Australia's Top Trending Cat Breeds and Names 2022
The most popular pet in Australia is the dog, found in nearly half of Australian households (around 49%), followed by cats, with about 34% of households owning them, making dogs the clear favourite, although fish and birds are also very common. These figures come from recent surveys, showing a strong and consistent preference for dogs as companions across the nation.
Tommaso, a black cat in Italy, became one of the world's richest pets after inheriting $13 million from his owner, Maria Assunta. The wealthy widow left her entire fortune to Tommaso upon her death in 2011, ensuring he would be cared for in luxury for the rest of it's life.
The Biggest Cat Breeds
The Top 5 Most Popular Cat Breeds
How Many Cats Are in Australia? At any given point in time, there are between 7.0 – 11.2 million cats spread across 99.9% of the continent: 1.4 – 5.6 million feral cats in the bush depending on rainfall conditions. 0.7 million feral cats in urban areas.
Taylor Swift's cat, Olivia Benson, is estimated to have a net worth of $97 million, according to Wikipedia and Cosmopolitan. This makes her one of the wealthiest pets in the world. Olivia's wealth comes from her appearances in various commercials, music videos, and merchandise lines alongside her owner, Taylor Swift.
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Most Expensive Cat Breeds in the World: Top 8 Costly Cats?
Australia's top animals include iconic marsupials like the Kangaroo, cuddly Koala, unique Platypus (a monotreme), fierce Tasmanian Devil, burrowing Wombat, and the cheerful Quokka, alongside the wild Dingo, flightless Emu, spiny Echidna, and gliding Sugar Glider, showcasing the continent's diverse and fascinating wildlife.
Cat Breeds Known to Live Long, Healthy Lives
Dogs come in at number one, with48.3 million households owning dogs in the United States, making these four-legged friends one of the most popular pets around. For people who live active lives and love giving out belly rubs, dog ownership can be a rewarding experience.
Bengal cat policy change
If you applied for an exemption by 28 February 2025, and were granted one, your Bengal must be imported to Australia by 5pm 28 February 2026. From 1 March 2026, Bengal cats will no longer be permitted to enter Australia.
Taylor Swift's cats, Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson, are Scottish Folds, known for their folded ears, while her third cat, Benjamin Button, is a Ragdoll, a large, fluffy breed. The Scottish Fold's ear fold comes from a genetic mutation causing cartilage issues, leading to health concerns like arthritis, prompting animal welfare experts to urge caution with the breed despite their popularity.
To summarize, Maine Coons are significantly bigger than Siberians. The Maine Coon's body and especially their face is more square and angular, while the Siberian has a rounder face and body.
The cat breed most famously associated with a $100,000 price tag is the Ashera, a rare, exotic hybrid (Serval, Asian Leopard Cat, Domestic Cat) known for its leopard-like appearance and loyalty, though this price often reflects exclusivity and marketing, with genuine purchases sometimes involving similar-looking, but less expensive, Savannahs or Bengals, while the Bengal named Zeus once sold for $150,000.
1 - Abyssinian
They enjoy interacting with their owners and seem happiest when mentally stimulated.
A calico cat is a domestic cat of any breed with a tri-color coat of black, white, and orange. The calico cat is most commonly thought of as being 25% to 75% white with large orange and black patches; however, they may have other colors in their patterns.
Taylor Swift is the cat mom to three beautiful kitties: Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button.
Cats continue to be Australia's second most popular pet², with 34% of households having at least one cat (up from 27% in 2019 and in line with 33% in 2022).
First recorded in 1840 by the collector John Gilbert, from whom it takes its scientific name, Gilbert's Potoroo was once thought to be extinct. Today, it holds the critical distinction of being the world's rarest marsupial and Australia's rarest mammal.
Dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) is now Australia's leading cause of death overall, closely followed by ischaemic heart disease, with the gap narrowing as the population ages; however, coronary heart disease remains the top killer for males, while dementia leads for females. Other major causes include cerebrovascular disease (stroke), lung cancer, and chronic lower respiratory diseases (COPD).