The ocicat is a domestic cat breed with a wild look that was developed by crossing the Abyssinian, Siamese, and American shorthair breeds. Contrary to appearances, Ocicats are incredibly domesticated, friendly, and playful.
They grow to reach around 15 pounds, which is comparable to a large house cat, and have a strong build with a short, low-maintenance coat.
Their patterns, which include various spots and tabby stripes, give them a wilder appearance than other domestic cats, even though they don’t have any wild DNA.
About The Breed
The Ocicat is a friendly and active pet. The most popular daydream of a cat lover is to live with a wild cat. Even though sane people are aware that they would be hard to live with, their elegance, strength, size, and beauty make them virtually impossible to resist.
To fulfill this need, the Ocicat was developed. Although he is not at all wild—he is a hybrid between an Abyssinian, a Siamese, and an American Shorthair cat—his markings give him an exotic aspect that is hard to ignore.
Ocicat Cat Breed History
One of those fortunate accidents that occasionally happen in cat breeding is the Ocicat kitten. Breeder Virginia Daly bred a seal-point Siamese and a reddish Abyssinian in 1964 in an effort to give her Siamese cats Abyssinian points.
The resultant kittens resembled Abys, and when she mixed one of them with a Siamese, she also acquired an ivory-colored kitten with gold spots on its coat in addition to an Aby-pointed Siamese.
She gave him the name Tonga and sold him as a pet, but when further matings resulted in more kittens with spots, they served as the prototype for a brand-new breed.
In order to increase their size and add the silver color, American Shorthairs were also utilized in their creation.
Ocicat Cat Breed Job Card/Overview
| Breed Name | Ocicat |
| Origin | United States of America |
| Height | 9 – 11 inches |
| Weight | 6 – 15 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 12 – 18 years |
| Temperament | Sociable, Affectionate |
| Colors | Tawny, chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lavender, and fawn. |
What To Know
• These cats have a hanging wild appearance with their spotted coat, equivalent to ocelots. However, they’re home cats with a friendly disposition.
• Ocicat kittens have brief, easy fur, which requires minimal grooming. Regular brushing and the occasional tub will preserve their coat in extraordinary condition.
• The cats are sociable and thrive on human interaction. They experience being a part of their own family and will eagerly try to find your interest.
• Make sure to offer masses of toys and playtime to meet their high power ranges. Interactive play classes are an incredible manner to bond with your Cat and keep them happy and healthy.
Characteristics
Ocicats also are acknowledged for their athleticism and agility. They love to jump and climb, so supplying them with cat trees and interactive play systems can keep them engaged and mentally inspired. Their outgoing and confident demeanor makes them awesome with other pets and children, creating harmonious surroundings in a multi-puppy family.
Additionally, Ocicat kittens have expressive, almond-fashioned eyes that appear to bring their playful spirit and intelligence. These cats are recognized for his or her vocal nature, often conducting conversations with their human partners.
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Stranger friendly- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Affectionate- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Canine friendly- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Intelligence-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Personality
The loving and energetic Ocicat enjoys company and will follow people around the home or perch on their shoulders. This normally sociable cat enjoys the opportunity to touch or cuddle with visitors.
As long as they are with you, The cats don’t even mind being carried about. Some are more reticent than others because, like all animals, they have a variety of personalities.
Retrieving toys and mastering leash walking are popular pursuits. Ocicats are extremely clever and quick learners.
A fantastic approach to keep children busy and entertained is puzzle toys. Put whatever you don’t want him to have a way with care. He can easily figure out how to release locks or unlock doors.
Pros And Cons Of The Ocicat Cat Breed
Pros
- Playful, active, and social nature.
- Unique, wild appearance with striking spots.
- Low grooming needs; easy care.
- Great family pet; good with kids.
- Healthy breed; minimal health issues.
Cons
- High energy; needs lots of play.
- Can be noisy and vocal.
- Requires mental stimulation and attention.
- Not hypoallergenic; may trigger allergies.
- Moderately expensive as a purebred.
Appearance
General Appearance
The Ocicat’s coat is short and clean, requiring minimum grooming to maintain its lustrous shine. Their relatively patterned fur is smooth to the touch and resilient.
Their placing look is similarly accentuated through their properly proportioned body, which is each athletic and graceful. These cats are of medium size, and their robust construct displays their energetic nature.
Their eyes, which can be any color of green, deliver them a fascinating and inquisitive expression. Their alert and sensible gaze provides for their average attraction.
Coat Color And Grooming
These cats are available in a dozen different hues, such as tawny, chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lavender, and fawn. Ocicat kittens are athletic, well-muscled cats that come in all different colors.
Once a week, give your Ocicat kitten a nice handling practice and some quality time together while caring for their coat.
An oily coat is an indication that your cat does not groom itself at all, which might be a sign of illness. Regular vaccinations and parasite management are advised for all cats.
Shedding
Although this breed sweats enough to keep Ocicats off the list of “hypoallergenic” cats, you should only need to brush them once a week.
Health
Ocicats may be prone to a range of health problems, including:
- When an insoluble protein called amyloid accumulates in organs like the kidneys or liver and results in organ failure, the condition is known as liver or renal amyloidosis, and it may be genetic.
- A common cardiac disorder called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy thickens the walls of the heart, especially the left ventricle.
- Gum disease, or periodontal illness
Maintenance And Care
Although this breed sweats enough to keep Ocicats off the list of “hypoallergenic” cats, you should only need to brush them once a week.
These cats don’t require baths unless you intend to show them; in that case, choose a shampoo that brings out the hues of their natural coats, such as a bronze-tone shampoo for brown, chocolate, and cinnamon-spotted Ocicats, a pearl-tone shampoo for blue, lilac, and fawn cats, and a whitening shampoo for silver pets.
Food And Nutrition
Food suitable for the species is required to support the health and active lifestyle of an ocicat’s powerful, athletic body.
Raw diets and grain-free meals are frequently favored but talk to your veterinarian about any potential issues with any plant-based diets that may potentially be deficient in taurine (an amino acid essential to healthy vision in cats).
Exercise And Activity Level
Ocicats cats don’t require any particular type of activity. Although they are often considerably more energetic and lively than other cats, their physical activity should be equivalent to that of the majority of cats (long periods of sleep, playing, running, and jumping).
Little Known Facts
Here is a list of the amazing facts about this breed-
- “Ocicat” was initially used as a nickname. The term “Ocicat” was created by the daughter of the original Ocicat breeder, Virginia Daly, who was also called Virginia.
- The average weight of a cat is around six pounds; however, the biggest ones can weigh up to fifteen pounds.
- Suppose you add a cat to your household, “cat-proof” your home! These cunning cats pick up on opening doors and squeezing into drawers quickly, and they’ll gladly take minor items that are left lying around.
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FAQs On Ocicat Cat Breed…
Are Ocicats suitable as pets?
Ocicats are sociable and extroverted, making them wonderful family pets that also get along with other animals.
What is the price of Ocicats?
An Ocicat can cost between $800 and $2,500, depending on quality (breeding quality cats usually cost the most).
Have ocicats been fully domesticated?
Ocicats appear wild, although they have no wild DNA and are wholly domesticated cats.
I am a passionate animal lover with a lifelong commitment to pet care. With over a decade of experience as a pet owner, I’ve nurtured a variety of furry and feathered friends, from cats and dogs to birds and reptiles. I possess a deep understanding of their unique needs, behavior, and health. My mission is to share my knowledge and insights to help fellow pet enthusiasts provide the best possible care for their beloved companions.