Ocicat Cat Breed Information

Group

Long Haired, Short Haired

Weight

4-6.3 kg

Length

23-28 cm

Lifespan

12-18 years

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About the Ocicat Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

While owning a tiger or lion may not be realistic for most, there is always the next best thing. Ocicats look just like their wild brothers but have never been past the backyard.

Among unique breeds, the Ocicat is one of the few that brings the wild into your home in a good way.

People will stop and look; they will ask questions; the Ocicat is the closest you can get to bringing untamed wilderness into your living room.

What Is the History & Origin of the Ocicat Cat?

Believe it or not, this is another happy accident story, and it dates back to 1960s America.

The Ocicat was created in 1964 due to an unexpected outcome from a breeding experiment. Breeder Virginia Daly was attempting to create an Abyssinian pointed Siamese by crossbreeding three other cats; Seal Point Siamese, Abyssinian and American Shorthair cats.

The spotted kittens the experiment produced were not the intended result, and the Ocicat was created. Daly’s daughter named the new pedigreed cats after the wild Ocelot due to its signature spotted look.

What Is an Ocicat Cat Breed?

The Ocicat is equal parts award-winning show cat, incredible family addition, and dreams of being the next Tiger King all in one.

They are tabbies and very adaptive, muscular, athletic, smart and loyal companions for virtually any family or home.

The Ocicat is a recognised breed by both the Cat Fanciers Association and the International Cat Association.

Who Is an Ocicat Cat Best For?

As far as the purrfect cat breeds for pets, the Ocicat is near the top of that list. They are active cats and love interacting with humans, other pets, and other animals. They love to be picked up, cuddled, and have their moments as a lap cat.

They are great for first-time pet owners as well as an addition to a family with other cats, dogs, or whatever. Also, they love to be around kids, elderly people, and really just anyone.

Ocicats are extremely adaptive. You have most likely seen a few on social media as travel buddies with their humans. They will do just as well living in a caravan as they will in a house.

What Does an Ocicat Cat Look Like?

Ocicats have that wild look of their namesake, the Ocelot. Unlike the wild Ocelot, this breed has only ever been a domestic cat.

Coat

Obviously, the spotted coat is their signature trait.

Ocicats have an agouti coat, which simply means that each individual cat hair has multiple colours. Typically, each hair has a dark tip and some other colouration as well.

Colours

Ocicats have 12 different colours, with the most common being:

Brown
Lavender silver
Chocolate

Patterns

The Ocicat breed is a 2-coloured tabby. Don’t forget to look for the tabby signature M on their foreheads.

Ocicat Cat Grooming & Shedding

Next to looks, the fact that these kitties are low maintenance when it comes to grooming is the only other thing they have in common with wild Ocelots.

They really don’t even need to be brushed. Wiping them down once a week with a chamois is enough to remove dead hairs and dander. They are seasonal shedders, so when you see more hair falling, just use the chamois more often. Just think…Wax On-Wax Off.

Monitoring their teeth is also very important. They need to be brushed regularly. These kitties are prone to gingivitis, and that will turn into an expensive vet bill if it gets out of control.

Most importantly, these kitties have Ritz Carlton level bathroom hygiene. Meaning if you don’t keep their litter boxes spotless, they will adopt the same ‘I don’t care about the litter box’ attitude that you have, and everywhere is an open game.

So, yeah, have fun putting your shoes on in the morning.

How Do Ocicat Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

These kitties are highly intelligent and have very strong feelings of loyalty and family. These kitties are shadows. If you aren’t sure where they are, that’s because you’re not looking at your feet. They are generally very outgoing, social, affectionate, and seek attention.

With that said, they do have their own individual personalities, so some may be a bit shyer than you expect. Nevertheless, they love to be around other pets for the singular purpose of belonging.

Living Needs

They don’t want to be alone, so even though they are good for first-time pet owners, if you aren’t going to be home all the time, it’s best that they live with other household animals.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Ocicat Cats?

Habits

Ocicats are very smart and active, so mental stimulation is important. Keep toys, like puzzles, around to keep them from becoming bored. They also love to climb, so they will need cat trees. Finally, they get along very well in multi-pet homes because they believe they are the new boss. They will dominate even dogs, but they are merciful overloads.

Activity level

These are athletic cats that need to be moving, jumping, climbing, and sleeping in places they have no business being.

Vocalness

A very interesting trait due to their Siamese ancestors, but these guys aren’t really talkers. They will tell you what they need you to know when they have something to say. In fact, they have been known to be very sure you hear them.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of an Ocicat Cat?

Height

These kitties average between: 23 to 28cm

Weight

Males are slightly heavier than females.

Males average: 4 to 6.3kg

Females average: 2.7 to 4kg

Size

This is a medium to large cat breed.

Are Ocicat Cats Easy to Train?

The Ocicat is a very intelligent breed and is typically easy to train. In fact, they love to play and interact with their human companions so much that you can generally train them to walk on a leash or even play fetch. The most important thing to remember is to begin training young. (not you, them)

Does the Ocicat Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

As the purpose of crossbreeding and hybrids is to eliminate health problems, the Ocicat is generally a healthy breed. They do not have many genetic health problems. The biggest health issues are:

Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This genetic condition can lead to blindness as the retinal cells degenerate over time.
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency: A rare genetic blood disorder that can cause anemia due to a deficiency in the Pyruvate Kinase enzyme.
Renal Amyloidosis: This condition involves the deposition of amyloid proteins in the kidneys, which can lead to organ dysfunction.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Ocicats may be predisposed to this heart disease, which causes the heart muscles to thicken, potentially leading to heart failure.

What Is the Lifespan of an Ocicat Cat?

The Ocicat breed being generally healthy, have an above-average life expectancy. They will generally live between 12 and 18 human years.

How Much Does an Ocicat Cat Need to Be Fed?

When it comes to feeding them, remember three things:

Quality food is divided between 2 meals per day
Freshwater readily available
Treats, treats, and treats

Any quality food is fine, and you can switch between kibble and wet, as well as switch between protein sources. These kitties are meat eaters and meat lovers, which is very important.

Do not even think about attempting a vegan diet with these guys.

As far as treats go, these kitties love:

Canned tuna
Deli meat
Cooked eggs
Cantaloupe (you read that correctly)
Cooked turkey or chicken

Also, keep in mind that feline obesity is your fault, not theirs.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for an Ocicat Cat in Australia?

These kitties are not cheap. If possible, you should always try to adopt a rescue. However, it is highly likely that you will need to buy your Ocicat kitten from a breeder. In that case, you should expect to pay between $800 and $2,500.

Ocicat Cat FAQs

How can I tell if my cat is an Ocicat?

A DNA test is the only way to identify any breed of feline conclusively. With that said, there are a few physical and behavioural characteristics to look out for. These kitties have a signature spotted coat, black facial lines and long legs giving them a wild cat appearance. Also, they’re friendly, active, and very intelligent, almost dog-like.

Is an Ocicat a lap cat?

This is a very unique breed in many ways. While this kitty is very athletic and active, it is also known to love to cuddle with its owners. So, if you decide to bring one of these kitties into your home and family, be sure to allocate enough time to both his activity needs and his one-on-one needs with you.

Do Ocicats suffer from separation anxiety?

These cats are one of the most social breeds of cats there is. It simply does not do well alone, including going off to work. They suffer from separation anxiety, and it sets in fast. It’s highly recommended that if your home has periods when everyone is away, you should have more than one pet to keep these guys company.