Because this cat resembles the spotted wild cat known as the ocelot, it was given the name Ocicat. The Ocicat is a domestic cat that looks like a wild cat but does not have any wild DNA in its gene pool. The breed is unique in that it has the appearance of a wild cat yet the behavior of a domestic cat. It gets its name from its ocelot-like appearance. The Siamese and Abyssinians were used to create the breed.

Virginia Daly of Berkley, Michigan, was the original breeder of Ocicats, attempting to create an Abyssinian-pointed Siamese in 1964. The first generation of kittens seemed to be Abyssinian, but the second generation produced not just Abyssinian-pointed Siamese but also a spotted kitten, Tonga, whom the breeder’s daughter dubbed an Ocicat.

Ocicat cat breed walking at night
credit:petinsurance.com

More spotted kittens resulted from subsequent breedings of this cat, which formed the basis of a new Ocicat mating program. Other breeders joined in and utilized the same formula, breeding Siamese to Abyssinian and Siamese offspring. In addition, the American Shorthair was introduced to the Ocicat owing to a CFA error in registering the cross that generated the Ocicat, giving the breed bigger boning and adding silver to the six colors.

In 1987, The Cat Fanciers’ Association, Inc. recognized the Ocicat for registration, and it was elevated to Championship for showing. Other registries quickly followed suit. The Ocicat is now found all over the world, and it is known for its all-domestic attitude as well as its wild appearance. Virginia E. Daly, Virginia’s daughter, named the Ocicat. The Ocicat is now recognized by all North American cat associations as a championship cat. The breed has grown in popularity and has a sizable fan base.

Body characteristics

Ocicat cat breed lying on the floor
credit:mymoggy.com

The Ocicat is a medium to large cat with significant bone and muscle development yet an athletic appearance and should be somewhat heavy for its size. Ocicats with almond-shaped eyes, a huge, strong physique, muscular legs, and powerful, oval-shaped paws are the ideal. The head is wedge-shaped, meaning it is longer than it is wide. Their ears are cocked to the side at a 45-degree angle.

The big, thumbprint-shaped contrasting spots are one of the breed’s most noticeable features. The massive, well-muscled body of the breed exudes power and strength. Females weigh 6 to 9 pounds on average, while males weigh 9 to 15 pounds. the jacket is Short, smooth, satiny texture with a brilliant luster.

The majority of the time, the color is bright and appealing. On the face, the lightest hue is frequently found around the eyes, as well as on the chin and lower jaw. On the tip of the tail, the darkest color can be noticed. From any angle, the distinctive markings are visible. Tawny spotted, cinnamon spotted, chocolate spotted, blue-spotted, fawn spotted, lavender spotted, ebony silver spotted, cinnamon silver-spotted, chocolate silver spotted, blue silver spotted, fawn silver-spotted, lavender silver-spotted, ebony silver spotted, cinnamon silver-spotted, chocolate silver spotted, blue silver spotted, fawn silver-spotted, lavender silver spotted Most registries, including The Cat Fanciers’ Association, Inc., has approved twelve color variations.

Behavior

The Ocicat character is lively, affectionate, and adaptive in social situations. They have personality features that are inherited from both Siamese and Abyssinians, two breeds that have been domesticated for thousands of years. They are amiable and gregarious and will frequently welcome your visitors. They are excellent companions for most families, as they tolerate delicate youngsters and other pets.

Ocicat cat breed standing the wall
credit:vetstreet.com

Most breeds require more attention from their owners than the Ocicat. They get along well with other animals and people, and if left alone for an extended period of time, they appreciate having an animal buddy to keep them company. The fact that they can act like the original ocelot is what makes this breed distinctive. The habits of ocelots were passed down to Ocicats.

Caring

They are an active breed that requires a lot of room as well as a lot of toys and distractions to keep them entertained. Although this breed sheds enough to keep it off the “hypoallergenic” list, a weekly brushing should suffice. The owner, like any other cat, must maintain their cat’s nails cut and their litter box clean.

Health

Ocicats are a rather healthy breed, however, they are susceptible to a number of diseases, including liver or renal amyloidosis, pyruvate kinase deficiency, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. 12–18 years is a rather lengthy lifespan.

 

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Author

Kehinde Ezekiel is a freelance writer who has covered many topics, including home improvement, gardening, pets, tech, and parenting.

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