Australian pet owners are over the moon about their dogs and cats, choosing a celestial moniker above all others.
Research has revealed the number one name for both Australian dogs and cats in 2025, with Luna taking the top spot among doting owners.
For dogs, the remainder of the top 10 is occupied by the names Coco, Charlie, Poppy, Teddy, Bella, Archie, Lola, Daisy, and Leo.
For cats, the top 10 list includes Nala, Milo, Mochi, Teddy, Millie, Charlie, Simba, Lily and Leo.
The data was compiled by Australian pet insurer, Petsy.
“Pet names say a lot about how Australians view their pets, they’re part of the family,” Petsy founder Monica Limanto said.
“We’re seeing strong trends towards short, playful, and affectionate names.”
Australians Ongoing Pet Obsession
Pets have increasingly become a special part of people’s lives in Australia, with recent data showing more than two-thirds of Aussies own a pet—an estimated 28.7 million pets across around 6.9 million households.
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Research from the Pet Industry Association Australia (PIAA) said 85 percent of pet owners report their pets as having a positive impact on their mental and physical health.
Among the challenges of pet ownership in Australia are vet costs and accommodation, according to PIAA.
Dogs and cats have led the sustained growth in pet ownership, with almost half of all households having at least one dog and one-third of homes housing at least one cat.
Cavoodle is Top Dog
The most common dog breeds in Australia include a number of mixed breed dogs, such as the cavoodle, which is a cross between a miniature poodle and a cavalier King Charles spaniel.
Research by Pet Insurance Australia showed more Australians own fluffy dogs, which are known for their curly fur and teddy-bear-like faces.
The remainder of the top 10 Australian dog breeds include the French bulldog, golden retriever, border collie, groodle, miniature dachshund, German shepherd, Labrador, Maltese, and poodle.
“Australia is a nation of dog lovers, and every year, the list of most popular breeds shifts to reflect trends in pet ownership,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia said.
The cavoodle tops the list in every Australian state and territory except for the Northern Territory, where the Jack Russell terrier tops the list.
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Health Benefits of Pets
According to the RSPCA, dog owners are more likely to spend more time outdoors and engage in more exercise such as walking, which helps decrease overall body mass index.
Mentally, dog ownership has been shown to help improve stress and discomfort, especially by helping to maintain routines and by buffering feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Studies cited by the RSPCA also point to pet owners having to make fewer visits to doctors.
Dog owners have also been found to have better cardiovascular health markers—including lower blood pressure and cholesterol, however, the RSPCA warns people should not obtain pets purely for health benefits.
