The Times Australia
The Times Lifestyle

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Dogs have more pedigree, but cats prove healthier

What makes a better pet, a dog or cat? The debate is as old as time. 

When it comes to domestic pets it seems Australians are quite particular about their preferred breed of dog but will pretty much love any type of cat.

Pet insurance provider Budget Direct has released data revealing that the top five most popular dogs in Australia in 2023 are all pedigree breeds, whilst four of the most popular cat varieties are of mixed parentage.

Cavoodles, Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Maltese Crosses are our five most popular dogs and are all pedigree breeds, whilst the Domestic Short Hair cat, Domestic Medium Hair cat, the Tabby and the Domestic Long Hair cat are amongst the top 5 most popular cats with the Ragdoll being the only pedigree cat breed to make the list.

Budget Direct’s Chief Growth Officer, Jonathan Kerr, said that despite mostly not being pedigree, cats are proving to be the healthiest.

“Data from over 14,000 entries into our BudPet quiz has ranked cats healthier and having better diets,” he said.

Brisbane based Jill Shaw-Feather agrees with the data.  

Jill and her family have two pets that cohabit—a ginger tom and half ragdoll cat named India, aged 17, and a black labrador dog called Marley, aged 12 who joined the family in 2012.  

Jill says her family weren’t fussed about India’s breed, but her two young sons at the time wanted a Labrador.    

"We have always given them both good quality food and prioritised exercise. I think the main difference is our dog will get more medical attention—we take Marley to the vet for check-ups much more than India,” Jill said. 

"It's kind of surprising that the cat is just as healthy as the pedigree dog even though she hasn't been to the vet in a year. Perhaps it says something about compromised health regarding pedigree vs mixed breeds."

Budget Direct’s data collated the enquiry responses to rank each pet on a range of areas.

When it came to diet almost 19% of the 3,683 cats received a perfect score with the right amount of wet and dry food and combination of preferred food type including quality bought food and home cooked meals. Dogs were slightly behind the cats with 16% of 10,474 dogs obtaining a perfect score.

When it came to their health cats again outscored the dogs with just under 45 per cent of cats obtaining a perfect score beating the dogs of which 43.7 per cent recorded a perfect score.

Mr Kerr said the health score reflected a number of things including the animal’s heritage, vaccinations, grooming and veterinary checkups.

“One area where neither pet scored as well as we hoped was in their physical habits including how often they were walked, how much social time they had with other cats or dogs and how much time they spent inside and outside the house,” he said.

When it came to habits only 2.6 per cent of cats obtained a perfect score and just 0.3 per cent of dogs.

“What the data is telling us is that you can’t expect an animal to be healthier because it is a pedigree. All animals need the right balance of quality diet, medical maintenance and physical exercise.”

And as for what makes the best pet – dog or cat? The debate continues.

Times Lifestyle

Boxer Star Harry Garside Champions Breathwork as a Game-Changer for Athletes

Olympic boxer Harry Garside is known for his unconventional approach to training but one practice has profoundly shifted his mindset and performance: breathwork. Moving from ballet to boxing, Harry, 27, was first introduced to Holotropic breathw...

Hampers With Bite - A box of life’s little luxuries

How do you acknowledge special moments, special someones, special achievements…or just give yourself a special treat? For all of the above, and more, you can turn to Hampers With Bite.I was lucky enough to be treated to a lovely box of selfcare goo...

Mind-Body Balance: The Holistic Approach of Personal Training in Moonee Ponds

Key Highlights Discover the benefits of a holistic approach to personal training in Moonee Ponds and nearby Maribyrnong, including residents from Strathmore. Learn how mind-body balance can enhance your overall well-being. Explore techniques f...

The Hidden Meaning Behind Popular Engagement Ring Cuts

When it comes to engagement rings, the cut of the diamond is not just about aesthetics. Each shape carries its own symbolism and significance, making it an important decision for couples looking to express their unique love stories. From the class...

The Power of Community: How Support Services Improve Lives for People with Disabilities

(Source) Community extends beyond geographic boundaries because it creates a sense of belonging, where individuals become both visible and heard through supportive networks. A suitable community guide has the power to significantly transform the liv...

How to Choose a Mattress for Back/Neck Pain and All Sleepers?

Waking up with a stiff neck or aching back can derail your entire day. If you're one of the millions struggling with chronic pain, a supportive mattress is more than a luxury – it's a necessity. But with countless options available, how do you choo...

The Times Features

AJE Resort ‘26 — “IMPRESSION”

Photographed by Cesar Ocampo | AFW 2025 Day 3, Barangaroo Pier Pavilion There are runways, and then there are moments. Aje’s Resort ‘26 collection, IMPRESSION, wasn’t just a fashi...

Miimi & Jiinda: Weaving Culture, Connection, and Country into Every Thread

By Cesar Ocampo When I sat down with Melissa Greenwood and her mother, Lauren Jarrett—founders of the First Nations brand Miimi & Jiinda—I knew this wasn’t going to be your st...

American Express to Provide $3.95M in Support for Restaurants Worldwide with 2025 “Backing Small” Grant Programs

Sydney, Australia 14 May 2025 – Applications are now open to small business owners who qualify for one  of American Express’ signature grant programs in 2025: Backing Internati...

FARAGE Summer '26 Brings Back the Power Suit — with Edge

Words & Photography by Cesar Ocampo On Day 2 of Australian Fashion Week, I stepped into the FARAGE Summer ’26 runway show not quite knowing what to expect—but walked away thin...

BEARE PARK Pre-Fall 2025 at Australian Fashion Week

Words & Photography by Cesar Ocampo There’s something about BEARE PARK that instantly pulls you in—not with noise, but with a kind of quiet confidence. On Day 2 of Australian ...

Understanding Structured Insurance for Multi-Unit Buildings with Shared Ownership and Common Spaces

When multiple individuals share walls, rooftops, and responsibility for communal spaces, the web of accountability becomes more intricate than it first appears. Beyond the bricks...

Times Magazine

Senior of the Year Nominations Open

The Allan Labor Government is encouraging all Victorians to recognise the valuable contributions of older members of our community by nominating them for the 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.  Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt today annou...

CNC Machining Meets Stage Design - Black Swan State Theatre Company & Tommotek

When artistry meets precision engineering, incredible things happen. That’s exactly what unfolded when Tommotek worked alongside the Black Swan State Theatre Company on several of their innovative stage productions. With tight deadlines and intrica...

Uniden Baby Video Monitor Review

Uniden has released another award-winning product as part of their ‘Baby Watch’ series. The BW4501 Baby Monitor is an easy to use camera for keeping eyes and ears on your little one. The camera is easy to set up and can be mounted to the wall or a...

Top Benefits of Hiring Commercial Electricians for Your Business

When it comes to business success, there are no two ways about it: qualified professionals are critical. While many specialists are needed, commercial electricians are among the most important to have on hand. They are directly involved in upholdin...

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

LayBy Shopping