The list, based on Bupa Pet Insurance policies, shows size doesn’t matter with big dogs like Labradors, Border Collies and Golden Retrievers making the top 10 list as well as the smaller bundles of fun including the Maltese Cross, French Bulldog and Miniature Dachshund. 

The cat’s out of the bag with Ragdolls, Tabbies, Burmese, and Domestic Short Hairs among our most popular cat breeds. 

National data reveals there are about 28.7 million pets living in 6.9 million households throughout Australia, with almost half those homes having a dog for a housemate, while a third have a cat. 

Bupa General Insurance General Manager Lachlan Davidson said what all pets had in common, whether they were dogs or cats, was that they were paw-fect for companionship and cuddles. 

“Aussies continue to embrace paws and claws, and our popular furry pets reflect the wide-ranging choices, needs and lifestyles of pet parents,” Mr Davidson said. 

“Besides being cute and cuddly, Cavoodles are able to fit in with many house settings – from large homes to small city apartments, they just make for the perfect housemate.”

Despite cost-of-living pressures on households, many families continue to own pets, but a national PetSure survey showed 21.5% of owners reduced preventive care including routine check-up appointments while some skipped treatment for fleas, ticks, and worms. 

Bupa Pet Insurance claim data shows gastrointestinal complaints, skin allergies, ear infections, eating foreign objects and eye problems were among the top claims for dogs. 

While for cats, injuries from accidents, gastrointestinal diseases, skin allergies, eye problems, dental issues and urinary tract disease are leading to pet bills. 

Mr Davidson encouraged pet owners to remain vigilant with their pet dog or cat’s health. 

“Many conditions when not treated early can lead to more serious complications,” he said. 

“With the ongoing financial impacts to household budgets, pet insurance can help cover pets’ medical expenses should something unexpectedly occur. 

“Since the pandemic, pet ownership continues to increase, and we’ve seen a 10% increase in the number of people taking out Bupa Pet Insurance.”

Top 10 Dog Breeds 
1. Cavoodle 
2. Maltese Cross 
3. Golden Retriever 
4. Labrador 
5. Border Collie 
6. French Bulldog 
7. Miniature Dachshund – Smooth Haired 
8. Staffordshire Bull Terrier 
9. German Sheppard 
10. Golden Doodle (Groodle) 

Top 10 Cat Breeds 
1. Domestic Short hair 
2. Ragdoll 
3. Domestic Medium Hair 
4. Domestic House Cat 
5. Tabby 
6. British Short Hair 
7. Domestic Long Hair 
8. Burmese 
9. Unknown Cat Breed 
10. Ragdoll Cross 

Source: Bupa Pet Insurance data based on insurance policies July 2023 – June 2024

Mark Lewis is a resident whose ailments make real world traveling very difficult. But the virtual travel pioneered by the home’s chef, Margaret Mould have become a breath of fresh air for him and others within the home.

"I've been overseas quite a bit over the past few years and every time I return, I bring my experiences back with me,” Ms Mould said.

“I initially started taking a couple of residents on tours of their home towns through Google street view and it has been really well received so I started doing it in groups,” she said.

As a ten year old living in Malta, Mr Lewis vividly remembers black smoke looming across the horizon near his home. It wasn’t long before he and his neighbours fled the Siege of World War II. 

“I lived in Battery Street, our home overlooked Valletta and the Grand Harbour. I still have distinct memories of battle ships crowding the port. It was quite a dramatic spot to live in because you were literally looking down at the ships,” Mr Lewis said.

“We actually lived in rock shelters for days at a time during the war. My uncle dug a great big hole in his lounge room and built a tunnel with 5 chambers,” he said.

"I was ten when I left and although I am very grateful to be a citizen in Australia, I'm equally as grateful for my heritage. Interestingly enough, I still have 30 odd cousins and a 90 year old aunt over there.”

The technology means residents can overcome mobility and accessibility issues to go on computer generated journeys, fly around town, go on safari, sit under the Colosseum or even explore the Grand Canyon.

“Once a month we travel through different countries - so far, we’ve digitally travelled to Malta, Italy, Holland, some Asian countries and South Africa.”

"When you get to your 80s’, you start to look back at your life and it’s nice to have happy memories.”

UP NEXT:

Did you love this pawesome write up? So did the St George & Sutherland Shire Leader.

BeYouAtBupa: Valerie, Cleaner, Bupa Aged Care Morphettville in South Australia.

Whatever floats your boat.

The Bupa Blog Awards were launched back in 2013, as a new way to share Bupa’s health and care expertise to a wider audience. Five years on, it’s become one of Australia’s most recognised blog award programs.

Alex McDonald, Head of Content and Social at Bupa Australia told Today Tonight Adelaide that it has given Bupa an opportunity to source local talent.

“The blog awards give such a beautiful opportunity for people to recognise their favourite bloggers and to give them that recognition they deserve for all of their hard work.

“There are more than 20 million health and wellness searches every month on Google.

“What we saw was a real opportunity - not for Bupa to provide all the answers but to source local influencer talent to help people connect to their health queries,” said Ms Mcdonald.

Sally O’Neil, the self-confessed fitness fanatic and health food lover created her own blog called the Fit Foodie.

O’Neil shares recipes, reviews and real life stories which have been turned into a cook book. Her blog is now up for a Bupa Blog Award under the category of wellbeing.

Categories for the award include wellbeing, lifestyle, family, personal, and pets with a peoples choice winner and an overall winner.

Find out more here.

Read more about the Bupa Blog Awards:

2018 Bupa Blog Awards finalists announced

2017 Bupa Blog Award winners announced

Bupa Blog Awards finalists announced for 2017