Have you ever dreamed of having a wild cat as a pet? A cat that looks like a miniature leopard or ocelot but behaves like a loyal and affectionate companion? If so, you might want to consider the Ocicat, a breed that combines a wild cat’s exotic appearance with a house cat’s domestic temperament.
Breed Overview
| Weight | Up to 15 pounds |
|---|---|
| Length | Up to 24 inches |
| Coat Length | Short hair |
| Coat Colors | Blue, silver, lavender, cinnamon, fawn, chocolate (all with tabby or spotted patterns) |
| Eye Colors | Gold, green |
| Personality | Affectionate, social, playful, vocal |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Good with Kids | High |
| Good with Pets | High |
| Origin | USA |
History of the Ocicat
The Ocicat was first bred by Virginia Daly, a cat fancier from Michigan who wanted to create an Abypoint Siamese (a Siamese with Abyssinian colorpoints). She crossed a ruddy Abyssinian male with a seal point Siamese female and got a litter of kittens that looked like Abyssinians. She then bred one of these kittens with a chocolate point Siamese and got another litter that included some Siamese kittens with Abyssinian points.
Among these kittens was one that had ivory fur with golden spots. Daly’s daughter said that he looked like an ocelot and suggested naming him Ocicat. Daly was not interested in developing a new breed then, so she neutered and gave him away as a pet.
However, Dr. Clyde Keeler, a geneticist who was fascinated by wild cats, heard about the Ocicat and contacted Daly. He wanted to see if she could produce more spotted kittens resembling some endangered wild cats, such as the Egyptian fishing cat. Daly agreed and repeated the breeding that produced Ocicat. She also introduced some American shorthair blood to add silver coloration and more robustness to the breed.
The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) officially recognized the Ocicat in 1966 and achieved championship status in 1987. Today, it is one of the most popular spotted breeds in the world and has fans all over the globe.
Appearance
The Ocicat is a stunning cat that attracts attention wherever it goes. It has a striking coat that features spots of various shapes and sizes on a background of contrasting colors. The spots can be round, oval, or thumbprint-shaped and can be arranged in rows or clusters. The coat can also have tabby stripes on the legs, tail, face, and neck.
Colors
The Ocicat comes in 12 recognized colors:
- tawny (brown)
- chocolate (brown-black)
- cinnamon (red-brown)
- blue (gray)
- lavender (pinkish-gray)
- fawn (beige)
- silver (white with black spots)
- chocolate silver (white with brown-black spots)
- cinnamon silver (white with red-brown spots)
- blue silver (white with gray spots)
- lavender silver (white with pinkish-gray spots)
- fawn silver (white with beige spots)
Physical Traits
The Ocicat has a medium to large body that is well-muscled and solid. It weighs 6 to 15 pounds and can measure up to 24 inches. It has a wedge-shaped head with large ears that are set at an angle. Its eyes are almond-shaped and can be gold or green. The Ocicat has a wedge-shaped head, large ears, and a long tail.
Personality
The Ocicat is not only beautiful to look at but also has a wonderful personality. It is intelligent, sociable, playful, vocal, and affectionate. It loves to interact with people and other pets and can learn tricks, walk on a leash, and even fish. It is often described as a dog in a cat’s body because of its loyalty and friendliness.
The Ocicat is very curious and energetic and needs plenty of mental and physical stimulation to keep it happy. It enjoys playing games, solving puzzles, chasing toys, and exploring its surroundings. It is not a shy or timid cat and will often greet strangers at the door or join them on the couch. It is also very vocal and will communicate with its owners with a variety of sounds and meows.
The Ocicat is very affectionate and loves to cuddle and snuggle with its favorite people. It likes to be involved in everything that is going on in the house and will follow its owners from room to room. It does not like to be left alone for long periods of time and may become depressed or bored if it does not get enough attention. It is best suited for families who can spend a lot of time with it and provide it with another pet companion if possible.
Care
Grooming
The Ocicat is a low-maintenance cat that does not require much grooming or special care. Its short and sleek coat does not shed much and only needs to be brushed once or twice a week to remove loose hair and dirt. It does not need frequent bathing unless it gets very dirty or oily. Its ears should be checked regularly for wax buildup or infection and cleaned gently with a cotton ball or a soft cloth. Its nails should be trimmed every few weeks to prevent them from becoming too long or sharp. Its teeth should be brushed daily or at least weekly with vet-approved toothpaste to prevent dental problems.
Diet and Nutrition
The Ocicat is a healthy and robust cat with no specific nutritional needs. However, it benefits from a high-quality, high-protein diet focusing on real meat and fish as the main ingredients. It should be fed according to its age, weight, activity level, and health condition. It should always have access to fresh water at all times.
Exercise
The Ocicat is an active and playful cat that needs plenty of exercise and entertainment to keep it fit and happy. It should have access to a variety of toys, scratching posts, climbing trees, tunnels, and other items that can stimulate its natural instincts and curiosity. It also enjoys interactive games with its owners, such as fetch, hide-and-seek, or chase. It can be trained to walk on a leash or wear a harness if it wants to explore the outdoors safely.
Pros
- The Ocicat has a stunning spotted coat that resembles a wild cat but is completely domestic.
- The is a friendly, playful, intelligent, and affectionate cat that loves to interact with people and other pets.
- The Ocicat is a healthy and robust cat with no specific genetic diseases or health issues.
- The Ocicat is a low-maintenance cat that does not require much grooming or special care.
- The Ocicat is a versatile and adaptable cat that can adjust to different environments and situations.
Cons
- They are not hypoallergenic and may trigger allergic reactions in some people.
- The Ocicat is very active and energetic and needs plenty of mental and physical stimulation to keep it happy.
- Ocicats are very vocal and will communicate with their owners with a variety of sounds and meows.
- Very curious and may get into trouble or mischief if left unsupervised or bored.
- Rare and expensive compared to other cat breeds.
Health
The Ocicat is usually a healthy cat that can live up to 15 years or more with proper care and attention. However, like any other breed, it can be affected by some health problems that may be inherited or acquired. Some of the most common health issues that may affect the Ocicat are:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Renal amyloidosis (RA)
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD)
- Periodontal disease
- Obesity
If you notice any signs of illness or distress in your Ocicat, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Early detection and intervention can make a big difference in your cat’s health and well-being.
Lifestyle
The Ocicat is a suitable cat for many types of owners and lifestyles. It is a versatile and adaptable cat that can adjust to different environments and situations. It is a great cat for families with children and other pets, as it is friendly, playful, and tolerant. It is also a good cat for singles or couples who want a loyal and affectionate companion.
However, the Ocicat is not a suitable cat for everyone. It is not a good cat for people who are allergic to cats or who do not like shedding or vocalization. It is also not a good cat for people who are very busy or away from home for long periods of time, as it needs a lot of attention and interaction. It is also not a good cat for people who prefer a quiet or independent cat that does not need much stimulation or activity.
Where to Buy
The average cost of an Ocicat kitten or cat ranges from $800 to $2500, depending on various factors such as the breeder’s reputation, the cat’s age, color, and health, and the location and demand. The Ocicat is considered a rare breed, as it was created by accident and still has a limited gene pool. It is also one of the most popular spotted breeds in the world and has fans all over the globe.
If you are looking for Ocicat kittens for sale, it is likely that you will need to go through a breeder. Ocicat breeders can be difficult to find. If you find that to be the case, we recommend checking out websites such as The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) or The International Cat Association (TICA) which often list registered breeders for many different breeds. You can also get in touch with someone at one of the various fancier associations and ask if they can point you in the right direction.
Conclusion
The Ocicat is a beautiful and unique cat that combines a wild cat’s exotic look with a house cat’s domestic personality. It is a friendly, playful, intelligent, and affectionate cat that can make a wonderful companion for many types of owners and lifestyles. However, it is also a cat that needs a lot of attention, interaction, stimulation, and care to be happy and healthy.
Do you have an Ocicat, or are you planning to get one? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!
More Cat Breeds
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FAQ
What is an Ocicat?
An Ocicat is a domestic cat breed that resembles a wild cat but has no wild DNA in its gene pool. It was created by crossing Abyssinian, Siamese, and American Shorthair breeds. It has a spotted coat and a friendly personality.
Are Ocicats hypoallergenic?
No, Ocicats are not hypoallergenic. They produce the same allergen protein (Fel d1) as other cats, which can trigger allergic reactions in some people. However, some people may be less sensitive to this breed than others because of their short, sleek coat that sheds less.
Are Ocicats good pets?
Yes, Ocicats are good pets for many types of owners and lifestyles. They are affectionate, social, playful, and vocal. They love to interact with people and other pets and can learn tricks and walk on a leash. They are also adaptable and easygoing companions.
Are Ocicats rare?
Yes, Ocicats are rare compared to other cat breeds. They were created by accident and have a limited gene pool. They are also one of the most popular spotted breeds in the world and have fans all over the globe.
How much is an Ocicat?
The average cost of an Ocicat kitten or cat ranges from $800 to $2500, depending on various factors such as the breeder’s reputation, the cat’s age, color, and health, and the location and demand. The Ocicat is considered a rare breed, so it may be more expensive than other breeds.
1 comment
pet snake
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long
comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say great blog!