They are quite intelligent and will learn to respond to their name as well as perform various tricks and commands.
Last update: 23 February, 2020
Would you like to have a wild cat as a pet? One that’s both cuddly and playful? Then what you need is to share your home and life with the Ocicat. It’s a cat that reminds us of the Ocelot (hence its name), but it’s ideal as a house pet and in the company of other pets. In this article, we’ll tell you all the details about this beautiful breed created in the United States during the second half of the 20th century.
A cat born from the crossing of five breeds
The Ocicat is the result of the fusion of several cat breeds:
Siamese Cat
Egyptian Mau
Oriental Shorthair
Abyssinian Cat
American Shorthair
In the ’60s, some American breeders promoted selective breeding in search of a wild-looking cat breed. This is how they achieved this beautiful and slender animal. It has spotted patterns on its coat and is very popular today both in its country of origin and in other Latin American countries. However, it isn’t very famous yet in Europe.
The breed was officially recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1987 and by the International Cat Federation (FIFe) in 1992.
Today, we’ll introduce you to the Ocicat. It’s a loving and ideal kitty for your home, but with all the appearance of a wild cat. The ‘Ocelot Cat’ is the result of a cross between five breeds. This is how an elegant and athletic animal was achieved, with a mottled coat and a lively, playful character. They coexist very well with children, the elderly and other pets.
The Ocicat: physical characteristics and appearance
The physical traits of the elegant and athletic ‘Ocelot Cat’ include:
Body: Large body, muscular and strong build. Large and strong bones.
Weight: Females weigh from 6 to 9 pounds on average, and males from 9 to 15.
Head: Medium-sized and slightly triangular-shaped with round contours, longer than wide. The muzzle is short.
Eyes: Large and oval-shaped. Somewhat oblique and they have different color variants, all except blue.
Nose: Wide and medium-sized.
Ears: Long, straight, and with a few pointy hairs like those of the Lynx. They’re also tilted at a 45-degree angle.
Legs: Muscular and strong, and of medium length.
Tail: Fine, but strong and long. It has ‘rings’ and a dark tip.
Coat: Short, fine, dense and silky.
Colors: Black, chocolate, cinnamon, silver, blue and lilac (always with spotted patterns).
Source: ToB
Personality and behavior
This is a sociable and faithful companion despite its wild cat looks. Moreover, the Ocicat isn’t an aggressive cat. Thus, many cat lovers consider it an ideal cat to live with older people, children, and other pets.
Balanced and active, the Ocicat is always ready to play and be pampered. It’s also very attached and affectionate to his owners. In addition, like all good kittens (besides being very intelligent and curious), it loves heights. Ideally, you should provide them with toys that they like, so that the furniture and curtains in your house are preserved intact.
Something to keep in mind is this cat likes to meow a lot. They also don’t like to be left alone for too long. This means you should think twice before choosing this cat as a pet if you’ll spend many hours away from home. It’s even usually friendly to strangers, so you won’t have any problems when you have visitors.
How to take care of an Ocicat
This breed doesn’t require special care. However, during the molting season, we recommend brushing their hair a couple of times a week. You should give it a bath only when necessary as cats are experts in grooming themselves and always looking their best.
Moreover, the fact that five breeds were used for its creation means that the animal doesn’t have inbred problems.
In any case, as with all pets, you must provide them with adequate and quality food. It’s also necessary to be up to date with their vaccination and deworming schedule. Last but not least, taking them to the vet regularly for a routine check-up will ensure their well-being.
We hope you enjoyed learning about this beautiful animal, see you next time!
This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.
