Ocicat cat breed: facts, temperament and care

About the Ocicat

The Ocicat is a domestic breed with the spotted look of a small wild cat. It began in 1964 in Berkley, Michigan, when the breeder Virginia Daly crossed a Siamese with an Abyssinian and one kitten of the litter was spotted. That kitten, Tonga, was born in 1964 and reminded the family of an ocelot, which gave the breed its name. The American Shorthair was added later to give more body size and to bring in the silver gene. No wild cat is in the line.

The cat is medium to large and muscular, heavier than it looks, with a long, athletic body, a wedge-shaped head and large ears. The short, satin coat is a spotted tabby, with an M mark on the forehead and spots across the body. The CFA gave the Ocicat championship status in 1987 after registering it in 1966.

Temperament and living with one

Ocicats are social, bold and bright. They often greet visitors, and breeders call them dog-like, since many learn to fetch, come when called and walk on a harness and lead. They are devoted to their people without being clingy, and they are less likely to sit still than to take part.

They do not do well alone for long hours and often like other cats or a friendly dog. They are usually patient with children. The voice is present but not excessive. Ocicats are energetic, though less so than an Abyssinian or a Siamese. They need daily play, puzzle toys, tall perches and training sessions, since a bored Ocicat finds its own entertainment.

Care: coat, food and play

The short coat needs little work: a weekly brush or a rub with a chamois cloth keeps it shiny. Baths are rarely needed. Trim the nails and check the ears and teeth.

Feed a complete adult diet in measured meals. Ensure there is plenty of fresh water, since urinary health is a concern in the breed, and ask your vet about diet. Provide a tall cat tree, a harness for outdoor walks if you wish, and regular interactive play.

Health

The Ocicat is generally healthy, but a few conditions are known. Urate bladder stones occur much more often than in most breeds. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, amyloidosis, which can affect the kidneys or liver, and progressive retinal atrophy, which has a genetic test, have also been reported. A Swedish insurance study also found the womb infection pyometra more often in the breed, which is one reason vets advise spaying. Ask the breeder about the parents' testing, spay or neuter as advised, and ask your vet about urinary and heart checks.

Is it right for you?

Choose an Ocicat if you want a social, trainable cat with a wild look and can give it company and play every day. It suits an active family or a home with another pet. It is a poor match for a person who is out all day. For a spotted cat with more wild ancestry, see the Bengal, and for another naturally spotted shorthair, the Egyptian Mau.