From English “mist” is translated as “haze” or “fog”. And this name is very consistent with the amazing color of the cat - from a darker tone on the back it turns into a lighter tone towards the bottom, and stripes and spots of a dark color appear on it. On top of all this splendor there is exactly that haze, like a translucent mantle.
In terms of consonance, the words “mist” and “mysticism” are very close, and for good reason. These Australian cats have huge, bewitching eyes and an intelligent, human-like look. At the same time, the color of the eyes can be either emerald or reminiscent of swamp moss, but in any case, they are beautiful!
History of the origin of the Australian Mist breed
The first of the cat breeds that were bred in Australia was the Australian Mist (otherwise known as the smoky Australian cat). Breeder Truda Strayed selected her in the 1970s, taking Abyssinian and Burmese cats as a basis, and supplementing them with street relatives. And from each of these rocks the “haze” took something of its own. One of the goals pursued by breeders was to obtain a breed similar to the Burmese, only with a spotted coat pattern.
They didn’t think too much about the name of the new breed - it was called the “spotted mist”. As a result, in 1986 the breed was officially registered. And after 10 years, another type of color was developed - marbled. When the Siamese gene was added in 1998, a color called marbled spotted was created and registered. Cats of this color must have aquamarine eyes. Then the breed received its final name - Australian Mist.
The main color of the breed is spotted or marbled spotted, plus the ticked background characteristic of Mists. Thanks to the lighter lower part of the body, it seems that this cat's fur has some kind of invisible mantle, giving it an unusual charm.
The Australian Mist is a fairly young breed that can hardly be found outside of Australia.
Interesting Facts
As a breed, the Australian Smoky cat has existed for a short time, but interesting facts about it have already appeared:
- Until 1998, the animals were known as the "spotted myst", but then they were renamed the Australian myst.
- The colors of the coat finally acquire brightness only by the time the cat turns 2 years old. Until this time, the Australian Smoke's coat may be quite pale.
- The word “mist” translated from English means “fog” and best characterizes the unusual color of cats.
Breed standard and description
There is no extreme in the rock itself - the “fog” is perfectly balanced. Males, as expected, are larger and more muscular than females. The head is of medium length and surprises with its width and softly rounded contours, round cheekbones.
Wide, moderately short nose and strong chin, well-developed mustache, large ears, wide at the base, set fairly low and slightly tilted forward. The tips of the ears are specifically rounded.
From the very first second, attention is drawn to the brilliant huge eyes of this cat, which make an indelible impression. They are slightly slanted, almond-shaped, green or aquamarine in color with a golden iris. Animals with amber, dark brown and bright yellow eyes are subject to disqualification.
Solid and rather heavy body, medium length, with a wide chest. He just exudes muscle strength. Strong legs, also of medium length with strong oval-shaped paws. Quite a thick long tail. The length of the tail is slightly less than the length of the body, it tapers towards the end, and the tip itself is neatly rounded.
A glossy short coat, denser than the Burmese. The size of the Australian Mist cat is small, it is neat and graceful. The weight of the animal is 3.5 – 6 kg. Such weight with a deceptive compactness became a specific feature of these cats - they inherited it from their Burmese “relatives”, who were not without reason nicknamed “bricks in a silk shell”.
In addition to the most beautiful eyes, as if lined with a dark color, perhaps the main feature of the breed can be called the color of this cat. For such a rare tick, breeders fought a rather long and stubborn struggle. After careful work, six color options were developed: gold, lilac, caramel, blue, brown and peach. But all the fur is covered with a bizarre pattern of stripes and spots. Thanks to Tikit, the cat's entire body seems to be covered in an invisible mantle. The undercoat is well developed, and the coat is short, thin and soft, silky, and does not lie too tightly to the body.
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).
How to choose a kitten of this breed
The first thing you need to pay attention to is the coat - its main shade should have a warm, rich color, the spots should be dark, slightly blurry, but clearly visible. The triangular shape of the head and widely spaced ears are characteristic features of the breed. The eye color is green. Gracefully, rectangular in shape, the body is completely devoid of any sense of massiveness. This deceptiveness is in the blood of mystics - they weigh more than it seems to the eye.
Cats usually grow up to 4 kg, and males - up to 6-8 kg. The coat should have a symmetrical pattern, and there should be reddish spots on the ears and face. Animals with inappropriate color, eye color, or behavioral abnormalities will be disqualified.
Temperament of a smoky cat
It cannot be said that this type of cat is globally different from some other breeds. The main characteristics are as follows:
- body of medium size, proportional;
- muzzle and cheekbones are rounded;
- eyes are large, blue and green;
- the ears are long and widely spaced on the head;
- the bridge of the nose with a slight bend;
- the nose is short and wide;
- paws are strong and strong, the hind legs are slightly shorter than the front ones;
- gracefulness;
- the coat is thick and short;
- the tail is of normal shape, proportional and slightly rounded at the tip;
- weight from 4 to 7 kg;
- the voice is melodic and sonorous;
- life expectancy is from 15 to 20 years.
Animals can have different coat colors: chocolate, purple, cinnamon, caramel, golden, blue and brown. Kittens at birth are light-colored, slightly reddish in the nose, paws and ears. As they grow older, their color changes and is completely established by about two years.
Coloring nuances:
- rich warm, glossy shades;
- the lower body is much lighter than the rest of the body;
- the red tint remains on the face and ears as the cat grows;
- spots, varying in size and shape, are located on the back, stomach and sides of the animal;
- marble color has a light, pale pattern and is diluted with light inclusions.
A distinctive feature of the Australian Mist cat is its ticked or marbled color. More than 6 shades of wool are officially recognized. The color of the fur of these cats is always rich, and the pattern is spotted or marbled. The coloring is fully formed within 2 years, so the color of a kitten can differ significantly from an adult. What are they? Ticked color in different variations:
- golden color scheme;
- honey-caramel;
- dark blue (dark gray);
- chocolate brown;
- brown or purple;
- pinkish beige and lilac.
The color itself has 3 levels:
- The base color of the coat is several shades lighter than the pattern itself, creating a “mantle” effect.
- The design itself is clear, in the form of spots or marble.
- Haze – a barely noticeable (blurred) pattern appears under the main ticking.
It turns out that the shades at the bottom of the body are lighter than at the top, which creates the appearance of a “mantle”, and the cat looks more graceful.
By standards, the coat does not adhere too closely to the body and does not stick out, it is soft, with a characteristic shine.
The smoky cat is curious and playful, but at the same time, nobility and calm are observed in his manner of behavior. The pet is friendly towards the owner and other household members, loves company and is not afraid of people. Feels great in an apartment and does not require constant walks or active games.
Good-natured creatures are patient with children, almost never release their claws and do not show aggression towards them. Australian Mist kittens and adults love spending time together and playing peacefully with people, but can be left alone at home without any problems. Very clean pets easily learn to use the litter box and do not engage in mischief (do not scratch furniture, do not ride on curtains).
- Rich coat color, but at the same time warm shades.
- The upper part of the animal's body is slightly darker than the lower part.
- It is curious that even with light color, adult cats still have a reddish tint on their cheeks, nose and ears.
- The spotted and marbled pattern, although it looks pale and slightly blurred, as if smoky, is still different from the rest against the main background.
- The spots can have any shape and size, and are located symmetrically on the back, sides and stomach.
- The marble pattern is characterized by dark symmetrical spots, in which there are small light inclusions.
Character
When breeding a breed that could rightfully be called the best for a family, such qualities were taken into account that would make it possible to keep a Mist in a house where very young children, as well as teenagers and elderly people live. The playfulness of mysts is absolutely natural, but they will never show aggression, will not turn the house upside down, and even more so will not bite or scratch their owners.
The sociability and sociability of the Mist contribute to the fact that even experts advise having this particular breed in families where preschool children live. Because only a mystic is able to stoically endure all children’s pranks to the end and not get scratched.
Mystas are very loyal to their owners, as well as to their entire family. The cat will gladly follow its household wherever it goes. These cats do not have a special need for physical activity, so, as such, they do not particularly need long walks. Therefore, closed spaces, such as apartments, houses, etc. They are quite suitable for permanent residence of mystics. For them, the most important thing is to be close to a person. And to such an extent that they are ready, like an escort group, to follow their owner from room to room.
Obtaining the character of an ideal “for all occasions” cat, which would be ideal for both large families and single people, would feel great in a private house or apartment, would easily make contact with people or other pets, would be friendly and non-aggressive, became a task that breeders successfully completed.
The mist can take an active part in children's games, or feel calm alone in the confined space of an apartment if its owner lives alone and spends most of his time at work. By the way, playing with children is a real pleasure for this cat, because this way she can truly show all the tenderness inherent in her. The kindness and patience of mystics are almost limitless - these cats rarely release their claws.
The main character traits of this cat are agreeableness, sociability and playfulness, which greatly simplifies communication with them both for owners and strangers, with whom Australian “hazes” are also very friendly.
If there are other animals in the house, then the mist will quickly find a common language with them. At the same time, he will not try to take the position of a leader, leader, or dominate in any other way. Quite the opposite – it’s easier for him to give in and compromise. If the relationship is not going well at all, then the mist will try to ignore other pets, just so as not to enter into a conflict that is alien to his very character.
The measured lifestyle that is ideal for these cats is fully consistent with their balanced character. The mist has no mandatory requirement for walking. Although, at the same time, one cannot call them lazy, they just have enough calm. But, it should be noted that in childhood, kittens of this breed are very active and love to play. In fact, they carry this love for entertainment throughout their entire lives.
These cats love affection and attention, but since they are absolutely not selfish, they will be happy to share the positive emotions they receive with all household members. For all their sociability, Australian mysts are moderately independent and independent, and they cannot be called intrusive at all.
To some extent, this cat remains a kitten for the rest of its life. But at the same time, they are capable of successful training already at 9-10 weeks of age.
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.
Care and maintenance
The genetics of aboriginal cats served the Australian Mist breed well - it turned out to be a healthy, strong and undemanding animal. In our country, Australian smoky cats are considered very rare, and not much information is known about them, so there is no information about the peculiarities of their content. But, judging by the facts that are known about this breed, it does not need specific care.
And, despite the fact that this cat can do well without walks, this does not mean that she does not love them. Visiting the street will certainly bring her pleasure. Only after a walk do you need to wash your paws, which means that the cat must be accustomed to water procedures from a young age. In addition, leash and harness training is also mandatory for cats that regularly visit the street. This is not necessary in order to keep the cat close to the house or owner - she just won’t want to run away from them, but if a chase happens, then the cat, having felt the will, may well forget itself.
Caring for the Mist's coat is not that difficult. It is enough just to comb the cat 3-4 times a month with a special massage brush to remove dead hairs. Instead of a brush, you can do this with a damp hand. It is important to accustom your cat to this from childhood so that it behaves calmly in the future.
This breed does not have any difficulties with litter box training. The cat understands perfectly well what it is for. Another advantage is the neat claws that grind off on a regular scratching post. Moreover, it is better to immediately buy this device for an adult animal, since the kitten will grow up quickly. Unusual toys are also held in high esteem by mysts - they will appreciate such care and delight their owners with their amusements.
There are no specific features in feeding the Australian Mist. It’s worth remembering right away that dry food, which has become very popular among cat owners, is not suitable for this breed, moreover, it can even harm their health. The only way for your Australian Mist to consume dry food is to mix the dry pellets into porridge or meat stew. It is not recommended to give your cat bones; especially chicken bones can easily injure your cat. With any type of nutrition, you should try to avoid overeating. This negatively affects the cat's health and appearance. It is better to rely on the recommendations of the veterinarian and the breeder.
The health of cats of this breed is quite good. If the diet is incorrect or excessive, the mist will suffer from obesity. Diabetes and other problems can become a complication in such a situation. The calculation of food for feeding the mist is as follows: 75 kcal of food per kilogram of cat weight.
The life expectancy of Australian mysts is on average 15-18 years. The cat's fur is short and does not require special care, but most importantly, it practically does not shed. You shouldn’t bathe a cat unless necessary; you need to remember that this animal is already very clean. Your pet's ears and teeth should be cleaned regularly.
Feeding
The Australian Mist is very picky about nutrition and has taste preferences. Most veterinarians believe that cats should not be fed exclusively dry food. It is allowed to mix small amounts into meat broth or porridge. It is recommended to use premium dry food: “Royal Canin”, “Pro Plan”. When feeding undiluted dry food, older cats develop urolithiasis.
The main food of the animal is boiled chicken (without tubular bones), finely chopped boiled beef. Three times a week it is allowed to give fermented milk products and boiled sea fish without bones.
Mists are prone to obesity due to a sedentary lifestyle. Excess weight leads to diabetes in old age, disorders in the cardiovascular system, and the development of joint diseases.
Cats have a good appetite and quickly gain weight. Since childhood, the Australian Mist has been taught a diet and is fed twice a day in small portions. The recommended food intake is determined at the rate of 75 kcal per 1 kg of weight. Fatty meats, sausages, and dairy products with a high percentage of fat content are not allowed in the daily diet.
Australian cats react painfully to changes in food and drinking water, and they may develop diarrhea. The upset stomach goes away within a few days without causing any noticeable harm to the pet.
Kittens from 2-3 months of age are fed three times a day. Milk porridges made from rolled oats, rice or buckwheat are mixed with ground beef or chicken. From one year of age they begin to feed twice a day.
Estimated price of a kitten
Since Mists are bred almost exclusively in Australia, we can assume that a kitten of this breed will be quite expensive. The pedigrees of the kittens are very accurate, since the breed is quite young, so every kitten “counts.”
The lower price threshold for a pet class kitten starts at $400. If you need a pet in one of the highest categories - “show” and “breeding”, then you need to be prepared to shell out $800 or more.
Several nurseries in Europe, the USA and Great Britain are also starting to breed Australian Mists. There are no such nurseries in the CIS, there are only breeders of parent breeds, for example, Burmese. There is a nursery with such cats even in Moscow https://burmaleus.ru/. Abyssinians, who have that same haze on their fur, are bred in Ukraine https://www.sunrise-aby.com/ and Belarus https://www.abyssin.by/. If you buy an Australian Mist kitten based on an advertisement from private individuals, then you need to carefully choose the seller, read reviews about him and demand pedigree documents.
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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Photo by Australian Mist
Natural products
If you feed your kitten natural products, then the emphasis should be on meat and poultry of moderate fat content, boiled or scalded with boiling water. It is necessary to provide plenty of vitamins in the diet, as well as sodium, iron, copper, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. A daily dose of vitamin D will help keep your pet’s gastrointestinal tract in good shape. The diet can and should include cheeses, eggs, offal, cereals, boiled fish, herbs, sour milk and vegetable oil. These cats are very squeamish and will not touch stale food. Therefore, they are not afraid of poisoning. And there is no point in pouring a full plate, otherwise the food will simply disappear. It is much better to prepare food for your pet every morning.
Recommended food
When choosing a ready-made diet, it is recommended to choose premium and holistic mixtures. Read our review of wet food by class. Brands such as Grandorf, Almo Nature, Go Natural have proven themselves well.
