New data reveals Australia’s surprising cat divide
New data reveals the most popular cat breeds by state and territory and what’s driving the national moggie obsession. Australia has long been a nation of animal lovers, but when it comes to cats, we’re more than ever choosing pets that fit modern living.
New data reveals the most popular cat breeds by state and territory and what’s driving the national moggie obsession. Australia has long been a nation of animal lovers, but when it comes to cats, we’re more than ever choosing pets that fit modern living.
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| Antony, Domestic Shorthair Cat |
Figures released today by leading pet insurance provider Petsy show that the Domestic Shorthair cat is the most popular breed in nearly every state and territory, dominating pet insurance policies across the country.
Except in one place: the Northern Territory, where the plush, blue-eyed Ragdoll takes the crown.
The results reflect a deeper story about rising costs, urban lifestyles, social media influence and post-pandemic pet preferences.
“Cats have always been a fixture of Australian homes, but we’ve seen a real shift in the last few years,” says Petsy Founder Monica Limanto.
“More Australians are choosing pets that suit compact living, tighter budgets and flexible work arrangements – and the Domestic Shorthair ticks all those boxes.”Why cats are winning hearts (and households) in 2025
Australia is home to approximately 5.3 million pet cats, with our feline friends found in one-third of households.[1] While dogs remain the country’s number one pet at 6.4 million,[2] cats are quietly increasing in popularity, thanks in large part to their affordability.[3]
On average, cat upkeep costs around $1,715 per year, compared to $3,218 for dogs. In a cost-of-living crisis, that difference matters.[4]
Cats are also better suited to apartment living, increasingly popular with renters and more flexible for owners returning to the office from hybrid or remote work. During the pandemic, nearly one in four Aussie cat owners adopted their feline, helping to fuel the rise of both rescue cats and highly Instagrammable breeds like Ragdolls and Maine Coons.
State and Territory breakdown
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| Mabel, Domestic Shorthair Cat |
The Petsy data shows that Domestic Shorthair Cats are comfortably the top breed in most Australians homes, including New South Wales (34%), South Australia (34%), Victoria (33%), ACT (32%), Queensland (30%), Western Australia (32%) and Tasmania (43%).
Only the Northern Territory breaks the cycle, where the pampered Ragdoll accounts for a substantial third (33%) of policies, nudging the Domestic Shorthair into second place (27%).
From colony ships to TikTok stars
Cats have a long history in Australia. Introduced with the First Fleet as rat catchers, they became common household pets by the 1830s and were even released into the wild to control rabbits in the 19th century, unfortunately laying the groundwork for today’s feral cat problem.[5]
Today’s cats are less likely to roam farms and more likely to dominate phone screens. On TikTok and Instagram, Ragdolls, Maine Coons and other pedigrees are driving breed-specific trends, especially among Gen Z and Millennial pet owners.
But while the glamorous breeds grab attention online, it’s the sturdy, affectionate Domestic Shorthair, often adopted from shelters, that still rules the nation’s heart.
“For many families, cats offer companionship without the overheads of dog ownership,” says Monica. “And with adoption rates still high and budgets stretched, it’s no surprise the humble moggie continues to come out on top.”
Top five cat breeds in Australian households by Petsy policies
Top 5 cat breeds in the ACT (% of total cat policies in ACT)
1 Domestic Shorthair Cat 32%
2 Domestic Mediumhair Cat 9%
3 Ragdoll 7%
4 Abyssinian Cat 7%
5 Maine Coon 5%
Top 5 cat breeds in NSW (% of total cat policies in NSW)
1 Domestic Shorthair Cat 34%
2 Domestic Mediumhair Cat 8%
3 Ragdoll 7%
4 British Shorthair 5%
5 Domestic House Cat 5%
Top 5 cat breeds in the NT (% of total cat policies in NT)
3 Ragdoll 7%
4 British Shorthair 5%
5 Domestic House Cat 5%
Top 5 cat breeds in the NT (% of total cat policies in NT)
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| Elena, British Shorthair cross |
1 Ragdoll 33%
2 Domestic Shorthair Cat 27%
3 British Shorthair 20%
4 Domestic Tabby Cat 7%
4 Burmese Cross 7%
4 British Shorthair Cross 7%
Top 5 cat breeds in QLD (% of total cat policies in QLD)
2 Domestic Shorthair Cat 27%
3 British Shorthair 20%
4 Domestic Tabby Cat 7%
4 Burmese Cross 7%
4 British Shorthair Cross 7%
Top 5 cat breeds in QLD (% of total cat policies in QLD)
1 Domestic Shorthair Cat 30%
2 Ragdoll 10%
3 Domestic Mediumhair Cat 7%
4 Domestic Tabby Cat 6%
5 Ragdoll Cross 5%
Top 5 cat breeds in SA (% of total cat policies in SA)
1 Domestic Shorthair Cat 34%
2 Domestic Mediumhair Cat 14%
3 Domestic Tabby Cat 8%
4 Burmese 8%
5 Siberian 5%
Top 5 cat breeds in TAS (% of total cat policies in TAS)
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| Suki, Tabby cat |
1 Domestic Shorthair Cat 43%
2 Domestic Mediumhair Cat 23%
3 Domestic Tabby Cat 7%
4 Domestic Longhair Cat 7%
5 Domestic Ginger Cat 7%
Top 5 cat breeds in VIC (% of total cat policies in VIC)
1 Domestic Shorthair Cat 33%
2 Domestic Mediumhair Cat 11%
3 Ragdoll 9%
4 Domestic Tabby Cat 8%
5 Domestic Longhair Cat 5%
Top 5 cat breeds in WA (% of total cat policies in WA)
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| Gracie, Ragdoll Cat |
1 Domestic Shorthair Cat 32%
2 Domestic Mediumhair Cat 10%
3 Domestic Tabby Cat 9%
4 Maine Coon 6%
5 Ragdoll 5%
Data source: Petsy Policy data 2024 - 2025
References:
References:
[1] https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/how-can-we-best-manage-domestic-cats-in-australia/
[2] https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/how-many-dogs-are-there-in-australia
[3] https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AMAU008-Pet-Ownership22-Report_v1.6_WEB.pdf
[4] https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/how-many-pets-are-there-in-australia/
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats_in_Australia
