Ocicat Cat Breed

History

In 1964, Virginia Daly created the Ocicat by accident when trying to develop and produce a Siamese cat with points the same colour as an Abyssinian. She bred a ruddy Abyssinian male cat to a large seal point Siamese female cat.

The resulting litter kittens were all phenotypically Abyssinian kittens, and she kept a female kitten from the litter that she called Dalai. She then bred Dalai to a chocolate point Siamese cat. That litter produced Siamese with Abyssinian cat points. She repeated the breeding, and in this batch, there was a surprise, a beautiful ivory kitten with golden spots that she named Tonga.

Her daughter stated the kitten looked just like an Ocelot and wanted to call the kitten Ocicat. As a new cat breed was not their goal, Tonga was neutered and placed in a lovely home. However, further breedings of his parents continued to produce spotted kittens like Tonga, which became the basis of the Ocicat breeding program.

Other breeders started to join in, following Virginia’s method of breeding Siamese to Abyssinian, and the offspring to Siamese, developing new lines. In 1987, the cat breed moved forward, and The International Cat Association granted the Ocicat championship status. Today, all North American cat associations recognize this breed. 

Personality

The Ocicat may look wild, but it is unquestionably a loving feline companion that dedicates itself to its family. They are social, confident, and self-assured felines who are welcoming with guests, keenly looking for the opportunity for a game, some petting, or a lap to curl upon.

These intelligent cats can be taught to play fetch. However, beware that their love of toys can turn to possessiveness as they will try to engage in tug-of-war if you attempt to take them away. They are full of energy, and their powerful refinement effortlessly lets them jump to high places. Thus, be sure to give them at least one cat tree.

These affectionate and warm cats are very friendly and loving feline companions. However, they do tend to bond more with one person in the home. They are also very adaptable and can quickly learn the household rules. But keep in mind that their social character means they are unhappy if left alone for an extended period of time. Therefore, they do best in pairs or with another cat breed or even a canine friend. 

Coat & Care

Ocicats have a low maintenance coat. To keep it in tip-top condition, you can run a rubber brush over their short and dense coat once a week to eliminate the dead hairs. Then, you can polish it with a chamois to add some sheen.

You don;t need to bathe your Ocicat unless they get particularly dirty, but doing so can help to enhance the vivid tones of the cat’s coat. Use a bronze-tone shampoo for chocolate, brown, and cinnamon spotted tabby cats; a pearl-tone shampoo for lilac, blue, and fawn cats; and a whitening shampoo for the silver Ocicats.

All cats need to get used to combs and brushes from an early age to avoid matted fur from the offset. There's a wide variety of cat combs and brushes available on the market. Start with a very soft brush that does not pull at fine kitten fur or damage their skin. Each time you have finished brushing, give a small treat. As your Ocicat kitten grows, you can try more effective combs and brushes for their adult fur.

For dental hygiene, brush their teeth at least once a week to prevent periodontal disease. You should also trim their nails twice a month or when needed, especially if they do not go outside. For their almond-shaped eyes, wipe their corners with a soft, damp cloth to eliminate any discharge. Use a separate part of the damp cloth for each eye to avoid spreading any infection.

Check the ears weekly. If their ears look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a vet-approved ear cleaner. If the ear has a foul odour, it is best to contact your vet for treatment.

Their litter boxes should always be clean as they are precise about bathroom hygiene. If it is left unclean, they tend to use other places in the house. 

Children & Other Pets

The welcoming and sociable Ocicat enjoys playing. That’s why they are an excellent option for families with children. However, always oversee interactions between your cat and younger kids to avoid accidents and ensure the child doesn't hurt the cat by pulling their fur or twisting their tail.

Ocicats are happy to live with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. However, how well they get on will depend on their personalities. If possible, introduce them to their four-legged siblings from an early age. And as always, it is best to introduce pets gradually and in controlled environments to ensure that they learn to get along well together.