Moggie Cat Insurance | Mixed Breed Cat

Mixed breed cats - moggies

Learn how to create the purrfect home for a mixed breed cat – also known as a moggie. Get to know your new feline friend’s temperament, feeding requirements and more in this guide to getting a mixed breed cat.

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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.

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Moggie facts
Lifespan	15 - 20 years
How much	£100 - £300
Size	medium
Weight	3.6 to 4.5 kg (males tend to be larger than females)
Grooming	minimal
Temperament	can vary but generally friendly and easy going
Exercise	high if kept indoors as can put on weight easily

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 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

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.

Feeding and nutrition

Moggies like their food (and hunting for extra treats as well) so can be prone to putting on weight. Bear this in mind and stick to the feeding instructions on the packaging to help maintain their weight. It can also help to have a feeding schedule for your mixed breed cat, with meals at the same time every day, and keep an eye on the number of tasty treats you give them.

Grooming

Moggies are good at grooming themselves. Their short coats do not shed much and a weekly brush is all they need to keep their coat in good condition.

Exercise

If allowed outside, moggies will get exercise by spending their time hunting. If kept as an indoor cat, they should have a perch so that they can examine their surroundings from above and practice their climbing, jumping, and leaping skills. Mixed-breed cats can be prone to becoming overweight, so you should encourage them to play with cat toys such as a feather or a climbing tree. Their hunting instinct will mean that they’ll enjoy this playtime. Also, you should provide them with a scratching post so they can keep their claws trimmed.

Training

While training may typically be associated with dogs, cats can learn tricks too. For the best luck, train your kitten from an early age. Mixed breed cats are intelligent and will pick up toilet or litter training quickly and can even be trained to walk on a lead.

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’.

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

Frequently asked questions

What type of cat is a moggie?

A Moggie is a mixed breed cat and doesn’t belong to any particular breed. This means they’re less expensive than a purebred cat. The Moggie shouldn’t be confused with the American Shorthair, British Shorthair, or other ‘shorthair’ breeds, which are recognised as separate breeds of cats.

How long do moggie cats live?

Moggies can live between 15 and 20 years if well cared for. Non-pedigree and mixed breed cats tend to have a longer life expectancy than purebred cats.

Are moggies hypoallergenic?

No, unfortunately, they’re not hypoallergenic. Despite not shedding much hair, moggies still produce the allergen in their saliva that causes cat allergies. Unfortunately, no cat is completely hypoallergenic.

Are moggie cats healthier?

Thanks to their genetic variation, mixed breed cats tend to have fewer health problems compared to purebred cats. In general, moggie cats may be healthier and stronger than pedigrees, as the risk of disease is reduced. Every cat is different, though, and moggies can still get poorly.

What are mixed breed standards?

Mixed breed cats come in all shapes and sizes. They can have short hair or long hair, be fluffy or scruffy, mini or mighty. Although one thing most people agree on is that mixed breed cats share a playful and affectionate personality.

Should I let my mixed breed cat outside?

Like all cats, mixed breed cats can be either outdoor or indoor cats. Whether they want to go outside or not may depend on their personality. If you get a mixed breed kitten, you shouldn’t let them outside until they are around five months old or after they’ve had all their vaccinations.

Rescue cats will probably need at least two weeks to settle in before they’re ready to venture outdoors. And don’t forget to make sure they’re microchipped and neutered before they go adventuring!