Once Ernest Hemingway said, “A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.” This quote suits Ocicat cats so much that it seems like Earnest Hemingway penned it for them!
All cat lovers aspire to have a cat that is strong, ferocious, beautiful, and wild-looking at the same time. However, we often forget the fact that cats with these characteristics would be equally difficult to maintain and live with.
The combination of leopard-like look and friendly nature was considered to be a far-fetched one. But with the advent of Ocicat, this combination was no more an impossible one.
Ocicats are not only a treat to the eyes but also difficult to resist. They are friendly, highly active, and self-confident. Thanks to the crosses of Siamese, American Shorthairs, and Abyssinians, the wild look but not so wild nature is the result of this cross.
As rightly said, don’t judge a book by its cover! In a similar manner, don’t label Ocicats as ‘wild’, through their wild looks. It is so because, on the contrary to its looks, Ocicat lacks a wild pool of genes.
Although Ocicats derive their name from ‘Ocelot’, a small wild American cat, they are actually gifted with domestic temperament.
Not only this, unlike other shy cats, they are talkative and friendly. One can see them happily greeting guests and strangers and playing actively with dogs, other cats, and children.
These ‘lap cats’ crave for owners’ attention and are often seen running around the house echoing their pitter-patter.
Aren’t these cats with bulls’ eye pattern and thumb-shaped spots fascinating? They have similar other interesting features and history. Are you excited to know more about them? Scroll along then.
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History of Ocicat Cats
Ocicats have a history of their own. Their story has, ups-downs, intermission, and finally success, like any other suspense thriller. Do you want to know about it? Have a look then.
Back in 1964, there was a cat breeder named Virginia Dally, from Berkeley, Minch. She took the best of the two most popular breeds- ‘Abyssinians and Siamese’. She bred them together and discovered ticked-coated kittens in the first litter.
In the second litter, she saw a male kitten with spots like that of a wild cat. Fascinated by him, she gave him the name ‘Tonga’.
She continued to cross-breed these two breeds and then, later on, added American Shorthair in the process. This led to the creation of the ‘Ocicat breed’.
Everything was heading smoothly and Tonga became the first Ocicat to be shown at the CFA show in 1965. However, what is a story without a twist? Daly began to look after her sick family members and the breed went into hiatus.
This was temporary though and she gave back with gusto in the early 1980s. From then on, the breed continued to reach new heights in terms of popularity and fame.
In 1987, Ocicat received championship status and is currently ranked 18th among the CFA recognized breeds in terms of popularity.
Physical Characteristics of Ocicat
What is the first thing that comes to your mind while talking about the physical characteristics of Ocicat? Of course, their dark contrasting spots! However, there are many other things which make our Ocicats different than others.
They are large and by their looks, reflect power and strength. Their eyes are large and almond-shaped and they have large muscular legs with dark markings. Those oval-shaped paws of these cats are very powerful which complements their large strong built.
With their body built, they resemble Ocelot, and with their ferocious looks, they seem to be wild ones, unlike their actual domestic nature. Taking their body structure, it lies somewhere between that of Oriental shorthair and sturdy American shorthair.
Male Ocicats are heavier and stronger than female ones. On average, males range from 9-15 pounds, whereas, females are 6-9 pounds in weight, on average.
Do Ocicats appear only in brown color? No, it is not true. Registries like Cat Fancier’s Association and many more have accepted 12 variants in the color of Ocicat.
These colors range from chocolate and cinnamon, other dilutes of these colors, lavender, blue and fawn, ebony silver, blue silver, lavender silver, cinnamon silver, chocolate silver, fawn silver, etc.
The shades of these colors make more differences; however, these hues are the standard variants of colors in them.
What Do These Cats Enjoy Living With
With their wild looks, you might conclude that they are reserved and less outgoing. You must be wondering if they like the company of humans or not. Well! Don’t go on their wild appearance. Actually, they are of tabby temperament and are cool friends to humans.
They love to play and spend time with not only their masters; but also other cats, dogs, and children in the family. They enjoy traveling with their guests and try to catch-hold of their attention.
Not only this, they loath being alone and the absence of companions around; makes them gloomy. They are very good attention seekers!
Sometimes, however, they might become too demanding. But, they enjoy doing conversations with the owners in their meow-meow and are ready to sit and play anytime and anywhere.
Besides being highly active and engaging, they are high on intelligence too. They easily catch the instructions and are willing to learn more and more novel things.
From small basic tricks to complex obedience commands, they easily grab them. They can be easily trained as well! Being athletic in nature, they love to leap on very high places and enjoy playing as hunters.
Things To Know About Ocicats
Oh, God! Cats are a mess! They require too much attention! Too much maintenance for them! Are these thoughts stopping you from taking an Ocicat for yourself? If yes, then fret not. Ocicats are actually, very easy to maintain.
Their coat requires very low-maintenance and can be kept ‘clean and shiny’, without too many efforts. Just by rubbing a chamois across their coat once a week, you can make their coat look at its best.
This process removes their dead hair and evenly distributes their natural oils. Other than being ‘sniffers’, they are ‘spies’ too. They get fascinated by novel items in the house and they try to catch hold of them in the best possible manner.
Therefore, just to avoid your important stuff to be played with by your kitty, keep them behind the doors or cabinets. Don’t forget to lock those doors /almirah/cabinets with childproof latches!
Ocicats are, by the way, prone to Gingivitis, which is inflammation of gums. In order to save your feline from this disease, make sure you brush your cat’s teeth regularly. This would prevent tartar build up on their diamond-bright teeth.
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Conclusion
Ocicats are wildcat-looking spotted cats who are extremely outgoing and loveable. They love to play with double-legged as well as four-legged people.
They are intelligent and adaptive and enjoy living in an active household. An experienced cat owner can easily get over their ‘bit demanding’ nature and if trained properly they can easily learn complex obedience commands.
However, don’t bring home one if you don’t have time to give. Not only for this cat but for any other breed, don’t take up one if you don’t have time, necessary resources, and the required love to give.
But if you have all of them, then what are you waiting for? Go and grab one Ocicat for yourself.
Here are some FAQs about the Ocicat cat:
1. What is an Ocicat?
The Ocicat is a domesticated cat breed known for its wild appearance, featuring distinctive spots that resemble a wild ocelot, but the Ocicat is a fully domestic breed with no wild ancestry. It is a result of crossbreeding between Abyssinians, Siamese, and American Shorthairs.
2. Are Ocicats related to wild cats?
No, despite their wild appearance, Ocicats have no wild cat DNA. They are a completely domesticated breed that was developed by breeding domestic cats, including Abyssinians, Siamese, and American Shorthairs.
3. What do Ocicats look like?
Ocicats are medium to large cats with a muscular build and a short, smooth coat that features bold spots. Their spots are dark and are spread across their bodies in a way that mimics the look of a wild cat. They come in a variety of colors, including tawny, chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lavender, and fawn, with both silver and non-silver varieties.
4. What is the personality of an Ocicat?
Ocicats are known for being social, affectionate, and playful. They are intelligent and can be trained to perform tricks or walk on a leash. Ocicats enjoy human interaction, are good with children, and get along well with other pets, making them excellent family cats.
5. Are Ocicats good for families?
Yes, Ocicats are great family pets. They are friendly, social, and form strong bonds with their owners. They are also good with children and other pets, including dogs, due to their outgoing and playful nature.
6. How active are Ocicats?
Ocicats are active and playful cats that enjoy climbing, running, and playing with toys. They need mental and physical stimulation to stay happy, so it’s important to provide them with toys, scratching posts, and spaces to climb.
7. Do Ocicats require a lot of grooming?
No, Ocicats are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their short, smooth coat requires minimal grooming, usually just a weekly brushing to keep it shiny and remove loose hairs.
8. How big do Ocicats get?
Ocicats are medium to large cats, with males typically weighing between 10 to 15 pounds and females ranging from 6 to 12 pounds. They have a muscular build and are known for their athletic appearance.
9. Are Ocicats easy to train?
Yes, Ocicats are highly intelligent and trainable. They can be taught tricks, commands, and even to walk on a leash. Their intelligence and desire for interaction make them responsive to positive reinforcement training.
10. What health issues are common in Ocicats?
Ocicats are generally healthy, but they may be prone to some hereditary conditions such as:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): A heart condition that can occur in some cats.
- Renal or liver amyloidosis: A condition that affects the organs.
- Gingivitis: Like many cats, they may suffer from dental issues if oral hygiene is not maintained. Regular vet check-ups and a healthy diet can help manage these risks.
11. What is the lifespan of an Ocicat?
Ocicats typically live between 12 to 18 years, with proper care and nutrition. Some can even live longer with good health management.
12. Do Ocicats get along with other pets?
Yes, Ocicats are known to get along well with other pets, including dogs and other cats. Their social and playful nature makes them adaptable to multi-pet households.
13. Are Ocicats vocal?
Ocicats are moderately vocal, though not as talkative as some other breeds like Siamese cats. They will communicate with their owners but are not known for excessive meowing.
14. What type of diet does an Ocicat need?
Ocicats should be fed a high-quality, balanced diet that includes protein-rich foods like meat and fish. As active cats, they need adequate nutrition to maintain their energy levels. Consult with your vet to determine the best food for your Ocicat based on its age and health.
15. Are Ocicats hypoallergenic?
No, Ocicats are not hypoallergenic. Like all cats, they produce dander that can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. However, their short coat may produce less dander compared to long-haired breeds, making them somewhat easier to tolerate for people with mild allergies.
16. Do Ocicats need a lot of attention?
Yes, Ocicats are social and affectionate cats that thrive on human interaction. They enjoy spending time with their owners and may become lonely or bored if left alone for long periods. They do well in homes where they receive plenty of attention and playtime.
17. Do Ocicats like to climb?
Yes, Ocicats are natural climbers and enjoy having access to high places. Providing cat trees, shelves, or other climbing structures will help satisfy their need for exploration and exercise.
18. Can Ocicats be left alone for long periods?
Ocicats are social and do not like being left alone for extended periods. If you need to leave the house frequently, consider having another pet or arranging for someone to interact with your Ocicat to prevent boredom and loneliness.
19. Do Ocicats shed a lot?
Ocicats have a short coat and do not shed excessively. However, like all cats, they will shed some hair, especially during seasonal changes. Regular brushing will help manage shedding and keep their coat healthy.
20. Are Ocicats rare?
Ocicats are not as common as some other breeds, but they are not extremely rare either. They are recognized by major cat breed organizations and are available through breeders, but they may be harder to find than more popular breeds like Siamese or Maine Coons.
