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.
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
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%).
[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
[4] https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/how-many-pets-are-there-in-australia/