Mixed breed cats - moggies

Moggie cat breed information and advice

Ready to welcome a feline friend into your home and not sure which breed’s right for you? You can’t go wrong with a moggie cat.

A moggie (also known as a domestic shorthair) is a non-pedigree, mixed breed cat of unknown ancestry. They’re the feline equivalent of a mongrel dog. They’re friendly, low-maintenance, and generally healthy. This makes them ideal pets for families with children and other pets, single households, and first-time pet owners. Mixed-breed cats tend to be quite muscular, with round faces and eyes.

It’s no surprise that moggies are the most common cat in the UK.

Mixed breed cat insurance

It’s important to protect your moggie with mixed breed cat insurance. This can help with the cost of any unexpected vet bills and treatment. This can include treatment, surgery as well as any ongoing medication.

Health problems can happen at any stage of life, so if you get your moggie from a kitten, you can get covered with kitten insurance. You can take this out with Sainsbury’s Bank from when your moggie is eight weeks old.

Mixed breed cats are generally relatively healthy, so hopefully you shouldn’t encounter too many problems. But as with any breed, they have their own health problems to be aware of:

• Obesity  

• Diabetes mellitus

• Urinary tract disease

Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance

With Sainsbury’s Bank, you can take out a mixed breed cat insurance policy as long as your cat is over eight weeks old.

Sainsbury’s Bank offer three different types of cat insurance, so you can choose the one that best suits you and your moggie cat.
 

• Lifetime – is the most comprehensive of the three, with up to £10,000 towards vet costs each year

• Maximum benefit – offers cover for illnesses, accidents and conditions up to £6,000

• Time limited – this insurance option can cover your feline friend for different treatments up to £3,000, or for 12 months

Remember that pre-existing conditions aren’t covered, so it’s best to get insurance as soon as you can. Other terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply.

Caring for your mixed breed cat

Mixed breed cats are great for first-time pet owners as they’re easy to care for. Like with most cats, your moggie needs a balanced diet and lots of exercise to keep them healthy and their coat in good condition. They’re known to enjoy their food and can easily become overweight. This is a problem especially if they’re kept indoors. They also have low grooming needs and are considered to be low maintenance.

Temperament and behaviour

Just as moggies come in a variety of colours, patterns, and sizes, mixed breed cats can have a range of personalities too. Some may be shy and clingy, others more independent and adventurous.

The majority are affectionate and will fit in with other family pets, including cat-friendly dogs. They are generally good with children and make great pets for first-time cat owners. If you’re lucky, they’ll be happy to curl up on your lap for an afternoon nap.

Mixed breed traits include a high prey drive, so expect them to be good hunters. They’ll happily spend their time looking for extra food so prepare for ‘small gifts’.

Common mixed breed cat health problems

With their mixed parentage and varied genetic makeup, moggies tend to be healthier and more intelligent than pure-breed cats. But mixed breed cats are prone to certain issues such as obesity and the various health problems linked to this, as well as common problems associated with ageing.

Are mixed breed cats expensive?

No, mixed breed cats are among the most affordable types of cats. If you get a mixed breed cat from a breeder or private seller, it will usually cost a lot less than a pedigree breed. You can also save even more by choosing to adopt a rescue cat, rather than buying a kitten. Plus, as mixed breed cats tend to have fewer health issues than pedigrees, it’s likely your vet bills will be lower over their lifetime.

What are the benefits of having a mixed breed cat?

There are many benefits to choosing a mixed breed cat over a pedigree breed.

• Mixed breed cats are usually far more affordable, both in upfront costs and over their lifetimes

• Mixed breed cats are known for having friendly and playful temperaments, making them good family pets

• The inbreeding necessary for purebred cats means mixed breed cats are usually more intelligent

• Moggies tend to have fewer health issues than many pedigree breeds, and are far less likely to develop hereditary conditions