A hardy breed, with the usual cat caveats
The Australian Mist, developed in Australia from Burmese, Abyssinian, and local domestic cats, has a reputation for sound health and an even temperament. There is no widely recognised catalogue of inherited diseases attached to the breed in the way some breeds carry, and that is genuinely good news. It does not mean an Australian Mist is immune to illness; it means the realistic watch-list is the one that applies to well-bred domestic cats generally, plus whatever your individual cat's family history adds.
That distinction matters when you talk to breeders. A responsible Australian Mist breeder should be able to discuss the health of their lines openly, including how long their cats tend to live and what, if anything, has appeared in their kittens. Vague reassurance is worth less than a specific conversation.
Teeth and weight: the two most likely findings
Dental disease tops the practical list. Tartar builds quietly on the back teeth, gums inflame, and a cat that seems fine may simply have learned to chew around sore spots. Watch for bad breath, drooling, dropping biscuits, or a new preference for soft food, and let the vet grade the mouth at every checkup.
Weight is the second quiet issue. Australian Mists are home-loving, people-oriented cats, and an entirely indoor life with free access to food can add condition that their spotted or marbled coat disguises well. Excess weight raises the strain on joints and makes other problems harder to manage, so ask the vet for a target weight and weigh at home between visits.
Ageing kidneys and the urinary tract
Like cats generally, an older Australian Mist can develop kidney changes that show few outward signs at first. Increased thirst, larger volumes of urine, gradual weight loss, and a fading appetite are the clues owners notice, and periodic blood and urine testing in the senior years is how a vet catches the trend early enough to act on diet and supportive care.
Urinary discomfort deserves prompt attention at any age. A cat visiting the tray often, crying while straining, or passing only small amounts needs a vet the same day, because a blocked urinary tract is an emergency, particularly in males.
What to raise with your vet, and when
Mention repeated sneezing or weepy eyes that do not settle, vomiting that becomes a pattern rather than an event, diarrhoea lasting beyond a day or two, lumps under the skin, or a clear change in behaviour such as hiding or reduced grooming. None of these signs names a condition by itself; each is a reason for an examination while the problem is still small.
Keeping a clear record for a long-lived cat
Because the breed's risks are mostly the slow, common kind, the medical file does the heavy lifting: dated weights, dental grades, and test results let a vet see direction of travel rather than a single snapshot. Holding that record together in a KinsLe Pet Passport gives every vet your Australian Mist sees the same complete picture of screening, tests, and trends.