The Ocicat Cat Breed

Have you always been an admirer of the beautiful and dangerous leopards and ocelots? While these spotted big cats can be lethal pets, there is a domesticated cat with the same exotic appearance, the Ocicat. These cats were actually developed completely by accident when a breeder in the United States was trying to create a Siamese of a different color by breeding a Siamese cat to an Abyssinian cat and ended up with a lovely spotted kitten instead. Of course, while the Ocicat may look wild, this breed actually has a wonderful personality.

The Ocicat is a medium sized cat, weighing in at six to fourteen pounds. Its powerful, graceful body is set on muscular legs. This breed’s head has a distinct wedge shape, which is topped by large, Siamese like ears. These cats have eyes with a slightly Oriental shape that are surrounded by dark color. Many cat enthusiasts say this rim of color makes these cats look as though they are wearing glasses. A long, gracefully tapered tail completes the wild appearance of this breed.

While the original Ocicat was ivory colored with golden spots, there are now many additional recognized colors. You can find these spotted cats in Tawny, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Blue, Lavender, and Fawn colors. In addition, these cats come in spotted tabby, spotted silver tabby, and spotted smoke patterns of all of the above colors.

If you are a busy person who is rarely at home, you should not own an Ocicat. These cats are extremely people oriented and become depressed and upset if they are left alone for long periods of time. This love of human company makes this breed the ideal family cat. In fact, even visiting family and friends will be happily welcomed by these outgoing cats. While the Ocicat thrives on human attention, this sociable cat also enjoys the company of other cats, making it an excellent breed choice for a multiple cat home.

These cats are very playful, so to keep your Ocicat happy, you should be sure to provide plenty of toys. However, this doesn’t mean you need to break the piggy bank. Simple toys, like a big feather or a crumpled piece of paper, provide hours of entertainment for these sweet natured cats.

The Ocicat is one of the most intelligent cat breeds. You can easily teach your cat simple commands, such as how to come and fetch, but don’t stop there. These quick learners have been able to learn quite a few other commands, as well.

People who don’t enjoy grooming their cats will be happy to know that the Ocicat does not actually need to be groomed frequently. A quick brushing once a week should keep your cat looking sleek and healthy. However, since this breed enjoys the attention, you may want to groom your cat several times a week.

If you want to own a cat that looks as striking as the jungle cats, then you may just want to consider the Ocicat. These cats provide the best of both worlds – a wild look and a sweet nature.