Australia is a nation of cat lovers, with around one-third of households owning at least one feline—and it seems most of us agree on which breed is the favourite.
New data from pet insurance provider Petsy revealed that the most popular breed in nearly all state and territories is the Domestic Shorthair cat and their popularity is driven by a number of issues affecting Australians, including cost-of-living, urban lifestyles and social media use.
Petsy Founder Monica Limanto said while cats have always been popular pets in Australia, there’s been “a real shift” in breed popularity across Australian households.
“More Australians are choosing pets that suit compact living, tighter budgets and flexible work arrangements – and the Domestic Shorthair ticks all those boxes,” Limanto said.
Bucking the trend is the Northern Territory, where the plush, blue-eyed Ragdoll dominates pet insurance policies in that region.
Currently, there are 6.4 million domesticated dogs in Australia, making them the most popular pet for Aussies. However, cats are quietly increasing in popularity, thanks to their affordability and ease of care requirements.
On average, cats cost around $1,715 per year to look after compared to $3,218 for dogs and that difference matters in a cost-of-living crisis. Our feline friends are also better suited to apartment living, easier for renters and more flexible for owners returning to the office from hybrid or remote work.
Additionally, nearly one in four Aussie cat owners adopted their feline during the pandemic helping to fuel the rise of both rescue cats and highly Instagrammable breeds like Main Coons and Ragdolls.
This has made the Domestic Shorthair cat the winning breed across the country, dominating in Tasmania, where 34 per cent of cat lovers own the adaptable breed, followed by 33 per cent in Victoria, 32 per cent in the ACT, NSW, and SA and 30 per cent in Queensland.
“For many families, cats offer companionship without the overheads of dog ownership,” Limanto said.
“And with adoption rates still high and budgets stretched, it’s no surprise the humble moggie continues to come out on top.”