Cat breeds

Abyssinian

What do I look like?

Medium-sized and regal, with a supple body and long slender legs.

What is my coat like?

Medium length, often chestnut in colour but may also come in blue or fawn. An occasional brush when moulting will keep this majestic masterpiece happy.

How do I act?

Curious but cautious, the Abyssinian will be loyal to their owner, preferring to sit and be stroked rather than fervent all-day playing. Known to be a little prickly, they may do best in a single-animal family with an owner that spends a lot of time at home.

Do I have any interesting characteristics?

With a dog-like attachment to their owners, Abyssinians love affection and are extremely loyal.

What might I see the vet for?

• Treatment for kidney disease
• Maintenance care for hereditary eye conditions
• Annual vaccinations
• Treatment for worms, fleas and ticks

Australian Mist

What do I look like?

Medium-sized with large eyes; the quintessential cat.

What is my coat like?

Short coat in a spotted or marbled pattern coming in various shades of brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, caramel, gold or peach. While these cats won’t need much brushing, they will welcome the attention they get from it.

How do I act?

Typically cat-like in both appearance and disposition, the Australian Mist is lively as a kitten and loving as an adult. Thriving on company, this cat is kind to children and other animals alike.

What are my interesting characteristics?

Many owners have Mists as indoor cats, but they can be trained to walk outside on a lead.

What might I see the vet for?

• Annual vaccinations
• Treatment for worms, fleas and ticks

Burmese

What do I look like?

Medium-sized with a muscular appearance, golden eyes and short, velvety coat.

What is my coat like?

Short and glossy in colours of blue, chocolate, cream, lilac, red, and tortoiseshell. Burmese cats can groom themselves as their short hair leaves little risk they’ll get tangles.

How do I act?

The Burmese is affectionate and likes lots of love and attention. Playful and cheeky, this cat is fantastic with children and other pets. It’s recommended to get two Burmese to provide company for each other, especially if they’ll be left alone for long periods.

What are my interesting characteristics?

Highly intelligent, the Burmese can be taught to play fetch, open doors and they make fantastic escape artists.

What might I visit the vet for?

• Sedation for dental examinations and teeth extraction
• Treatment for kidney disease or cystitis 
• Annual vaccinations
• Treatment for worms, fleas and ticks

British Shorthair 

What do I look like?

Solid and sturdy, the British Shorthair has a cheeky round face closely resembling the Cheshire Cat.

What is my coat like?

Short, dense and comes in any combination of black, blue, cinnamon, cream, fawn, golden, red, silver, and white. With limited shedding, the British Shorthair coat will not need regular intervention.

How do I act?

Calm and quiet, British Shorthairs do not command attention like many other cats. Affectionately regarded as a gentle giant, these cats will come to their owner for pats, before happily settling in their favourite sunny spot alone. They have a high tolerance for children and other cats in the house.

What are my interesting characteristics?

One of the larger breeds of cat, British Shorthairs have a Cheshire grin and calm disposition.

What might I visit the vet for?

• Sedation for dental examinations and teeth extraction
• Treatment for kidney and liver function 
• Annual vaccinations
• Treatment for worms, fleas and ticks

Maine Coon

What do I look like?

Lion-like with a huge body, muscular guise and grand appearance.

What is my coat like?

Medium-haired glossy coat and a long mane in array of colours including silver, smoke, tabby, tortoiseshell or white. Regardless of their medium coat and long mane, the Maine Coon can generally take care of themselves and will only require occasional brushing.

How do I act?

Playful and friendly, the Maine Coon loves humans and is tolerant of other pets. Their recognisable soft chirping and kind nature wins fans both inside and outside the family. Highly intelligent, Maine Coons are curious creatures and make a laid-back furry family friend.

What are my interesting characteristics?

Maine Coons act more like dogs than cats with their love of water, loyalty to family members and ability to take direction from their owners.

What might I see the vet for? 

• Medications and treatment for hip dysplasia
• Treatment for hereditary heart conditions
• Diagnosis and treatment of back conditions from muscular atrophy
• Annual vaccinations
• Treatment for worms, fleas and ticks

Manx

What do I look like?

Stocky and sturdy, round cheeky face with a characteristically short, or lack of, tail.

What is my coat like?

Short, dense coat in a variety of colours and markings. Sub-breeds can have longer coats and are generally referred to as a Longhair Manx. Shorthair (or the traditional) Manx do not require excessive grooming. Sub-breeds with longer coats may need the occasional brush, depending on their coat texture and length.

How do I act?

Friendly and affectionate, the Manx is fantastic with children of all ages and all other pets. Their smiling face perfectly expresses their laid-back, happy nature with the Manx easily adapting to family life.

What are my interesting characteristics?

The Manx is easily identifiable by its short, or non-existent tail, with the traditional breed closely resembling the British Shorthair in appearance.

What might I see the vet for?

• Back surgery/treatment for a misaligned spine
• Arthritis treatment/surgery for spinal issues
• Bowel surgery for blockages
• Annual vaccinations
• Treatment for worms, fleas and ticks

Moggie

What do I look like?

The typical cat, Moggies are either short or long-haired with a medium build.

What is my coat like?

Either short or long-haired and in a range of different colours and patterns. Short haired Moggies cope well looking after their own grooming. Longer haired varieties may need the occasional groom and bath to keep their coat tangle-free.

How do I act?

Brave and bold or calm and caring, Moggies come in all dispositions. Depending on their life experiences they may tolerate other pets and children well, or could be more aloof.

What are my interesting characteristics?

Moggies have been our companion since the earliest days of domestication, over 10,000 years ago.

What might I see the vet for?

• Diagnosis, treatment and medication for heart conditions
• Annual vaccinations
• Treatment for worms, fleas and ticks

Persian

What do I look like?

Medium size and instantly recognisable with a squished in, lovable face.

What is my coat like?

Long and thick coat coming in a wide array of colours and patterns. The Persian will need daily combing, weekly bathing, monthly teeth brushing and regular removal of tear stains. Their high grooming needs mean most Persians are indoor-cats only.

How do I act?

Quiet, calm and sweet, the Persian enjoys being petted and admired, rather than rigorous play or loud games. While tolerant, Persians are best suited to a quiet household with gentle children and friendly animals that will leave them in peace.

What are my interesting characteristics?

Never demanding, the Persian will readily accept love and attention, but will never stoop to request it.

What might I visit the vet for?

• Nostril drilling due to breathing difficulties
• Eye surgery from hereditary eye conditions
• Treatment and tests for liver and kidney disease
• Prescribed medication for allergies
• Annual vaccinations
• Treatment for worms, fleas and ticks 

Siamese

What do I look like?

Medium-sized with a slender body, graceful movements and a triangular face.

What is my coat like?

Short and fine haired, the body of the Siamese is pale with darker points of either brown, fawn, grey, pink, or red on their paws, tails and face. The Siamese’s short, glossy coat is low-maintenance with the cat able to look after their own grooming needs.

How do I act?

Loud yet loving, the Siamese is a desirable companion with its extroverted and enthusiastic nature. Highly demanding of attention and vocal if ignored, the Siamese does well living with owners who are home all day, or if there’s another Siamese for companionship. 

What are my interesting characteristics?

The Siamese cat is extremely intelligent with an active mind that should be kept busy. Toys and scratching posts should be provided for daily entertainment. Responsive to training, the Siamese can be taught fetch.

What might I see the vet for?

• Sedation for dental examinations and teeth extraction
• Treatment for kidney disease or cystitis 
• Annual vaccinations
• Treatment for worms, fleas and ticks

Ragdoll

What do I look like?

Large, fluffy and beautiful, the Ragdoll has large penetrating eyes, a long body and big tufted paws.

What is my coat like?

Long and lush the Ragdoll’s coat is predominantly pale with darker points in blue, chocolate, grey, lilac, pink, or seal brown on its face, ears, paws and tail. Regular brushing and bathing will keep the luxurious Ragdoll coat in pristine condition.

How do I act?

Well-known for their relaxing and sweet nature, the Ragdoll gets along well with other children and pets in the home. Regarded as the most relaxed domestic cat, they won’t be demanding of their owner but are often kept indoors due to a lack of self-defence skills.

What are my interesting characteristics?

Called the Ragdoll due to a tendency to become limp when picked up, Ragdolls are beautiful creatures that return love ten-fold to their owners. 

What might I see the vet for?

• Annual vaccinations
• Treatment for worms, fleas and ticks