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The Ocicat is a medium-sized purebred recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association. The exotic-looking cats are not genuinely exotic since they are 100% pure domestic cats. The Ocicat is named after the Ocelot, a medium-sized wild cat with a beautiful dappled coat native to South American rainforests.
Breed Overview
Height:
9–11 inches
Weight:
6–14 pounds
Lifespan:
10–15 years
Colors:
Blue, lavender, chocolate, tawny, cinnamon, fawn
Suitable for:
Active families who are home most of the time
Temperament:
Energetic, active, intelligent, affectionate, social, playful
The Ocicat is a graceful and slim athletic cat with long and muscular legs, large ears, and oval eyes. Their coat is smooth and short, and it comes in 12 colors with the signature spots that are generally thumbprint-size. They come in blue, blue-silver, lavender, lavender-silver, chocolate, chocolate-silver, cinnamon, cinnamon-silver, fawn, fawn-silver, ebony-silver, and tawny (which is essentially a spotted tabby).
The Ocicat is a highly energetic cat that, while long-lived and healthy, does have several health issues that will be discussed later on. They are one of the more trainable cats since they are intelligent and devoted to their family, and they are highly social pets that love everyone they meet.
Ocicat Characteristics
Ocicat Kittens
When you’re looking for an Ocicat kitten, be sure you’re dealing with a responsible and reputable breeder; ask lots of questions and request to see their cats’ medical history. A good breeder will not send a kitten home with you that hasn’t been checked by a vet and should be open and honest about everything related to their cats.
Ocicat kittens should also spend the right amount of time with their siblings and mother. The kittens are weaned by about 8 to 10 weeks and are usually ready to leave their mothers when they reach 12 to 13 weeks. This is essential since a kitten removed from their mother too soon will be prone to health issues and behavioral problems.
You could also consider adopting an Ocicat from a rescue organization, but given their rarity and popularity, that might be a challenge. However, if you find an Ocicat through a rescue group, you’ll give a cat a second chance at a better life.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Ocicat
The Ocicat is a loving and devoted cat that will follow you around the house and might enjoy a ride on your shoulder. They love to play as much as curl up on your lap and will seek you out for a long petting session. The Ocicat has a Siamese background and may be more vocal than other cats, but they’re not as noisy as the Siamese.
Ocicats are highly intelligent and sensitive cats and respond well to verbal corrections. They are very adaptable but do not like being left alone for long. If you need to leave the house for work every day, you should consider providing your cat with some company, like another cat or a dog. They are also smart enough to figure out how to open doors and latches, and you may need to cat-proof your home.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
The Ocicat is an excellent pet for a family. They are very playful and social and enjoy playing with children of all ages. If you have young children, they must be taught to respect your cat and avoid roughhousing. Sitting down next to them and petting them gently is the ideal approach for the sensitive Ocicat.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The Ocicat gets along well with all other pets, even dogs, as long as they are cat-friendly and their personalities and energy levels are a good fit. As mentioned, the Ocicat might boss the other pets around, but they’re more playful than aggressive and enjoy playing with other animals when their owners are away.
Things to Know When Owning an Ocicat:
Food & Diet Requirements 🐡
Start by looking for a high-quality dry cat food and follow the guidelines on the back of the bag to determine how much you should feed your Ocicat every day. If you’re worried about your cat’s weight or health, speak to your vet. Also, be aware that when you first bring a cat or kitten home, you should introduce a new food slowly, or stomach issues can occur. Feeding the same brand as the breeder or shelter is ideal, but you can introduce a new formula gradually by adding more of it to the old food every day.
Another consideration is the cat’s water consumption. Providing your Ocicat with canned food once daily is a great way to add moisture to their diet. Plus, investing in a cat fountain will encourage cats to drink more if they prefer to drink from running water.
Exercise 🐈
Exercising your Ocicat is easy, considering how naturally athletic they are. They are very active and enjoy spending a lot of time playing with cat toys and maybe look into cat puzzles to keep them occupied.
They are also skilled jumpers, so be sure your cat can access high places or cat shelves. The Ocicat can learn to walk on a harness, so be prepared for lengthy walks around the neighborhood.
Training 🧶
The Ocicat is one of a few breeds that is relatively easy to train. They enjoy playing fetch and can respond to verbal commands. You can even train them to stop unwanted behaviors, such as jumping on your counters, if you provide another alternative, such as a cat tree or condo.
Grooming ✂️
Grooming the Ocicat is easy as she has a short, smooth coat that she will usually take care of by grooming. But getting into the habit of brushing your cat is a bonding experience, and they’ll become accustomed to it quickly when they’re young
Also, regularly trim the Ocicat’s claws and invest in a cat scratcher to keep your furniture intact. Brushing her teeth is another grooming habit you should get into when she’s a kitten, but you can also give her dental treats to keep her teeth and gums in good shape.
Another excellent way to help your cat maintain their nails is by introducing them to a cat scratcher. The Hepper Hi-Lo is the perfect alternative to a regular scratching post or cat tower and doubles as a fun and exciting way for them to keep their nail length at bay. Cardboard is the main attraction, because we all know how much cats can't resist it, and the scratcher itself was created to encourage play with its multi-position design.
If you are looking to keep nail trims to a minimum and your cat entertained for hours, the Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher is a must-have. At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Ocicat is a healthy cat, but they’re vulnerable to some of the same health conditions from their Siamese heritage. It’s a good idea to learn more about these conditions for future reference.
- Retinal degeneration
- Gum disease
- Heart disease
- Protein deposits in liver
- Kidney failure
Your vet will check your Ocicat’s eyes, teeth, and gums and run heart, urinalysis, and blood tests to rule out these health problems. If you adopted your kitten from a breeder, they should have already screened their cats for these conditions.
Male vs. Female
The female Ocicat is usually smaller than the male; the average female weighs 6 to 9 pounds, and the male weighs 9 to 14 pounds. Spaying the female Ocicat will stop her from going into heat and is usually a more expensive operation than neutering. Neutering the male is a more straightforward surgery and will stop him from spraying and possibly more aggressive behaviors.
There are many who believe that male Ocicats are generally more affectionate than females and that females might take longer to trust you and, therefore, will be more cautious. However, how the Ocicat kitten was raised, how long they were with their littermates and mothers, as well as how they’ve been treated by humans, will affect their personalities more than their sex.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Ocicat
1. The Ocicat Is the Result of an Accidental Breeding
In 1964, a breeder crossed an Abyssinian with a Siamese only to have a litter of beige-coated, spotted kittens, which was not the expected outcome. Later, the American Shorthair was crossed into the mix, where the modern Ocicat gets the silver color and some of the bone structure and color patterns that we see today.
2. The Ocicat Can Be Dog-Like
They can be trained, are very social, and are devoted to their family. They’ve also been known to walk on a leash and play fetch.
3. The Ocicat Likes to Rule
One of the Ocicat’s traits is they like being the dominant pets when living with other cats or dogs, and they’re possessive of their toys. Expect the Ocicat to rule the house.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an Ocicat breeder, there are a few online, but there aren’t as many as there are the more popular varieties, so be prepared for a lengthy search. You can contact local or national cat clubs if you’re having difficulties locating one and consider putting a message out on social media.
If you’re looking for a cat that will get along with everyone she meets and is show-stopping in her appearance, the Ocicat might be the perfect fit for your family.
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Featured Image Credit: Kucher Serhii, Shutterstock
