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Ocicat Cat Breed Introduction
An Ocicat is a domestic cat originally from Michigan, United States that is medium to large-sized. It has a striking resemblance to Ocelot, a wild cat, where its name was derived from. However, it is devoid of any wild cat DNA in its gene pool. It was created by crossing a Siamese with an Abyssinian and then backcrossing the offspring to the Siamese Parent. Later on, American Shorthair was included following an error from CFA ( Cat Fanciers’ Association) when registering the breed.
The Ocicats are sociable and dog-like cats that easily learn canine tricks including playing fetch, walking in a leash, and also responding to commands like sit, speak, lie down, etc. They make great pets in a multi-pet household. They can even get along with dogs as long as the latter was socialized with the Ocicats while they were puppies not to treat them as prey. This breed also suffers from separation anxiety and cannot be suitable in a single pet home. Busy parents should get them another twin.
Origin
The breed was created in 1964 by Virginia Daly after spontaneously attempting to breed an Abyssinian-pointed Siamese in Berkley, Michigan. She used an Abyssinian tomcat and a seal point Siamese Queen cat. The first generation kittens (F1) took after the Abyssinian parent and a female was kept. She was later backcrossed to a chocolate point Siamese resulting in an offspring that had the desired Abyssinian point Siamese type cats. The breeding continued until one of the Kitten produced had an ivory colored coat with golden spots.
Virginia’s daughter observed the cat resembled an Ocelot and suggested him to be named Ocicat. However, Virginia chose to name him Tonga. The cat was then sold off for ten dollars and was neutered. After sometime, Virginia came across an article authored by Dr. Clyde Keeler of Georgia State College for Women on the now-extinct Egyptian spotted fishing cat. It then hit her that Tonga looked like the described extinct cat. Therefore, she wrote back to him. Dr. Clyde replied and suggested that Virginia should breed Tonga with his mother.
Tonga could not be used since he was neutered. Therefore, she bred Tonga’s parents who produced a tawny-spotted male Dalai. The Ocicat breed was recognized by CFA in 1966. However, during the registration, CFA made an error listing the new breed as a mix between an Abyssinian and American Shorthair. This led to derivation of a new breed standard where the American Shorthair was acceptable in the breed color. This cat breed added more color variation to the Ocicat.
Ocicat Lifespan
The Ocicats have a lifespan of 12 to 18 years.
Grooming Requirements
They have a short and dense coat that sheds minimally and moderately during seasonal change. Brushing once a week using a rubber curry comb will help in getting rid of dead and loose hair as well as distributing the natural oils present on the coat. Use a chamois cloth to gently wipe the coat after brushing to bring out the shiny and glossy element. Trim the nails fortnightly using clippers to avoid overgrowth and damage of surfaces and furniture while the cat is scratching. Introduce Ocicats kittens to this practice from an early age.
Clean the ears once a week using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls to rid excess wax buildup and debris. Brush the teeth twice a week if not daily using a feline toothpaste and a finger toothbrush. Ocicats rarely need a bath unless when participating in conformation shows. Parents are urged to use a shampoo that brings out the natural coat color. Cinnamon, Chocolate, and Brown spotted cats should use bronze tone shampoo; Fawn, blue, and lilac colored Ocicats should use a pearl-tone shampoo, and Silver Ocicats should use a whitening shampoo.
Shedding
The Ocicats are minimal shedders all-year round. However, the shed hair is more noticeable during Spring and Fall.
Coat
They have a short and dense hair type. At the tip of the tail, the coat has darker markings than the rest of the body.
Ocicat Hypoallergenic
Ocicats produce a low amount of Fel d 1 glycoproteins hence they are regarded as hypoallergenic. However, they have a moulting coat that produces dander which may trigger cat allergies. For this reason, an aspiring Ocicat parent should spend lots of time with the desired cat before adopting to ensure it triggers zero allergies.
Training
When compared to other breeds, Ocicats are intelligent and easily trainable cats that easily learn canine tricks like commands, playing fetch, and walking on a harness and a leash. Use treats to encourage positive behaviors and avoid use of harsh correction methods while training such as yelling or shoving since it makes training counterproductive. It is easier to teach younger cats as compared to older cats. Strive to start early training immediately the cat joins you home from the breeder in order to introduce them to acceptable feline behaviors before getting inclined to bad habits.
They are social cats that like spending time with other animals and their humans. Owners should introduce them to crate training to help them develop confidence in spending a few hours alone curbing separation anxiety. They may also opt to get other pets in the home which will also serve the same purpose. Effectively housebreak an Ocicat by introducing them to litter training, leash training, and crate training. Keep the training sessions short since they easily get bored.
Ocicat Personality
- Social.
- Active.
- Intelligent.
- Trainable.
- Human-oriented.
- Dog-like.
- Agile.
- Friendly.
- Playful.
- Curious.
- Vocal.
- Adaptable.
Behavior
They are easygoing cats that are human-oriented and easily bond with their favorite human. If possible, they would follow them around all-day long. Therefore, Ocicats are prone to separation anxiety when left alone. They will thrive in a multi household pet as compared to a single pet home.
Exercise
They are high energy cats that love climbing on elevated surfaces. Owners should provide them with a cat tree where they can climb and scratch their nails. The Ocicats may also explore the outdoors with their owners by going for walks while on a leash attached to a walking jacket or a harness if they have been properly leash trained.
Meow
Though not quit as loud as their Siamese parents, Ocicats tend to be vocal.
Ocicat Size
The Ocicats are medium to large-sized cats with a height of 9 to 11 inches ( approx. 23 to 28 cm ) and weigh 6 to 15 pounds ( approx. 2.7 to 6.8 kg ).
Height
They are 9 to 11 inches ( approx. 23 to 28 cm ) tall.
Weight
The female cats of this breed are smaller when compared to their male counterparts. Female Ocicats weigh 6 to 9 pounds ( approx. 2.7 to 4.1 kg ) while the males weigh 9 to 15 pounds ( approx. 4.1 to 6.8 kg ).
Health Issues
They are generally healthy cats that may live up to the age of 18 years if they are well taken care of. However, Ocicats are susceptible to certain health problems including urate urolithiasis, pyometra, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), Pyruvate kinase, Amyloidosis, renal amyloidosis, and periodontal diseases.
Apart from Ocicats, other cat breeds include:
Allergies
The Ocicats may suffer from skin, contact, and environmental allergies. Rarely, they may experience food allergies which causes an auto immune response resulting to skin issues and gastrointestinal stress. Some of the allergens that may affect this cat breed include; grass, pollen, house molds, shampoo, plastics, cleaning detergents, latex, trees, and dust. The allergy may manifest as excessive licking, scratching, and itchiness.
Names
An Ocicat parent may get name inspiration from the pattern of the coat, celebrity cats, food, favorite movies and books, historical figures, and films. Owners may opt to give the pet a name immediately it joins them home or after a few days in order to comprehend better the personality of the cat. Regardless, they should always ensure the name chosen will not be a source of confusion by rhyming with the commands taught. Some of the Ocicats names include:
- Enzo.
- Cadbury.
- Charlie.
- Akira.
- Milo.
- Bella.
- Leo.
- Bella.
- Nyla.
- Dexter.
- Murphy.
Diet
The Ocicats are high energetic cats that easily get rid of their calories. Therefore, they should be free-fed since they may eat at least five times a day. They rarely become obese hence parents should not be worried with leaving the food bowl out. These cats will do well with raw food or commercial dry or wet food. Ensure Ocicats have access to clean water at all times.
Ocicat Colors
The Ocicats may have a tawny, fawn silver, chocolate, lilac silver, cinnamon, blue silver, blue, cinnamon silver, lilac, black silver, fawn, and chocolate silver.
Grey Ocicat
They are no grey colored Ocicats. However, there are blue cats that have a coat that looks like diluted black.
Ocicat Silver
The silver base color was introduced in the breed by the American Shorthair.
Ocicat Lavender
Their are Lilac colored Ocicats that have a coat that looks like diluted chocolate. Lilac and lavender are pale shades of purple color although the former has a blue tint while the latter has a blue tint. For this reason, its easy for people to refer Lilac as Lavender Ocicats which is not the case.
Tawny
Tawny cats have a black spotted coat.
Blue
The blue-coated Ocicats have a coat that resembles a diluted black color.
White
The Ocicats have no white colored coats.
Orange Tabby
Although rare, Ocicats Kittens may be born with pointed coats, solid colors, or the classic tabby patterns.
Types
There is only one type of Ocicat created by breeding Siamese, American Shorthair, and Abyssinian.
Eyes
They have large almond-shaped eyes with an eye width gap between them.
Ears
They have triangular shaped ears set in a 45 degree angle.
Tail
The Ocicat’s tail is long and thin with a slight taper and a darker tip.
Teeth
Full grown Ocicats have 32 permanent teeth while kittens have 26 deciduous teeth that fall out from the age of 12 weeks paving way for the adult teeth.
Ocicat Price
The cost of Ocicats varies between $700 to $1400 depending on the age of the cat, coat color, and the location of the breeder.
Ocicat Kitten
The Ocicat Kittens start breastfeeding 1 to 2 hours after they are born. They exclusively rely on the Queen’s milk for 3 to 4 weeks when they are gradually introduced to solid foods. Most of them breastfed until the age of 12 to 13 weeks when they leave for their new homes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Is An Ocicat
This is a medium to large-sized domestic cat originating from the United States. It was created in the 20th century by interbreeding a Siamese, Abyssinian, and American Shorthair that was introduced later on. They are versatile, playful, social, and dog-like cats that get along well with children.
Are Ocicats Hypoallergenic
Yes. The Ocicats are regarded hypoallergenic since they produce low amount of Fd1 protein which triggers allergies. Although, their coat sheds which produces dander that also causes inflammation. Therefore, parents should purpose to spend lots of time with the breed before adopting to ensure it is allergy friendly.
How Much Do Ocicats Cost
The price of Ocicats is $700 to $1400 which depends with the location of the breeder, quality, and age of the cat.
Are Ocicats Rare
Yes. Ocicats are rare since they are not widely bred and they are so popular which creates a demand for them.
Quick Facts
- Before the introduction of the American Shorthair, Ocicats only had six coat colors; fawn, lilac, cinnamon, chocolate, tawny, and blue.
- They are social cats that get along with strangers, other cats, and dogs.
- The Ocicats suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone by their humans without a fellow feline or dog company.
