If you’ve seen an Ocicat, it’s naturally a wild-looking feline that has domestic origins. This cute cat was bred from a breeds combination of Abyssinian and Siamese along with American shorthair. If we ignore its appearance, Ocicats are completely domestic, and playful by nature. Their social trait makes them more attractive. Tonga was the very first non-intentional Ocicat, who was born in 1964. It was a result of experimental breeding which was performed by the famous Virginia Daly.

Being an intelligent and highly energetic cat breed, Ocicat often likes exploring outdoors when it’s safe. The pet does the best exploring when the cat is trained to walk on a walking jacket or harness with a leash.

Ocicats are popular for having a dog-like personality. They are very quick to socialize with your family members as well as the unknown visitors. Ocicats are the happiest in a fairly busy household. Also not to forget, they don’t like being left alone for more than a few hours.

The first Ocicat was born to perform what his name implies. The idea was to resemble an ocelot. This breed was created to mimic the look of a large wild cat just like the Toyger or the Bombay breed. But the interesting part is, without any single trace of wild DNA in its entire makeup.

Famous for his remarkably beautiful spotted coat, the Ocicats is indeed a one-of-a-kind conversation starter you would love to talk to. This cat possesses a very high social personality with a keen mind and of course, a dog-like disposition.

Size

The Ocicat breed is defined as a medium-to-large size cat with spots. It has a large, well-muscled body that gives an impressive look full of strength and power. Female Ocicats are somewhere around 6 to 9 pounds on average. Males are 9 to 15 pounds. The average height of this breed is 9 to 11 inches.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of a healthy and happy Ocicat is around 15 to 18 years. Your pet may live longer if you provide outstanding food and environmental factors. In short, the life duration goes parallel with the health and surroundings.

Temperament/ Vocalness

Ocicat’s personality traits come from both the famous parent breeds, Siamese and Abyssinians. This cat owns a larger-than-life personality who loves to go out and be friendly. You will often find an Ocicat as a welcome company. They are not at all aggressive by nature and extremely devoted to human companions. Playful, smart, and curious are some terms used to define Ocicat. You can also train your pet easily. Being vocal, the Ocicat will be very excited to share about their day but without being annoying at all.

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Intelligence

Ocicats are a very smart and intelligent breed of cats. These loving animals are known for their high energy levels and high intelligence. Don’t forget to keep them busy mentally and physically for their better growth and mood.

Activity Level

The Ocicat is one of the athletic cat breeds. Having a playful inclination, an Ocicat is super active and curious while demanding a lot of your loving attention. Ocicats perform well in groups, for example, with other cat breeds and dogs. This rule applies as long as their energies along with their unique personalities do not conflict with each other.

Coat Length/Shedding

The coat length of an Ocicat is short and smooth. The satiny coat of this cat breed comes in 12 colors. Being short, the Ocicat’s sheds on the lower side hence, no need to worry about frequent brushing or grooming. You can do it once per week.

Food

Ocicats don’t eat similar to how humans or even dogs eat. This cat rarely deviates when it comes to his diet. It is important to realize if you are an owner of the Ocicat. Due to having a strong and athletic body, the Ocicats should be given a species-appropriate diet. This rule is crucial to sustaining its health and energy. Grain-free foods are the best-recommended diet in terms of raw diets.

Mating

The Ocicat follows the same general mating pattern as the other cat breeds. All you need to do is put the male in the same room where the female cat is. When the female will be on heat, she will let the male approach for the mating purpose. Expect the mating process to be anywhere from 1-20 seconds.

General FAQs

How to know if my Ocicat is purebred?

Ocicats are popular for the signature spots they have. The colors of the spots can be blue, tawny, lavender, chocolate, fawn, or cinnamon. A purebred will have spots covering his entire body and they will be darker as compared to the coat color. Another key point is large eyes and ears.

How much does it cost to buy an Ocicat?  

On average, the cost will be around $75-$150 if you adopt an Ocicat. Conversely, if your plan is to get your cat from a breeder, expect slightly higher rates. The price can touch anywhere around a thousand dollars. The cost of a kitten is more on the. moderate side.

How much monthly will I have to spend on Ocicat?     

According to the ASPCA, get ready to spend around $600 on your cat for an entire year. If we divide this on a monthly basis, it will cost you around $50 per month. Well, Ocicat is one of the minimum grooming cats so the monthly cost is much lower.

What accessories does Ocicat need?

Ocicats are specially created to sew a loving bong to their human owners real quick. In terms of maintenance, Ocicats are again very low as compared to other pet cats. They are even less maintenance demanding than a number of low-maintenance dogs. But still, they do require some basic accessories. Some of the important ones are cat food bowls, sleeping beds, litter boxes, cat carriers, cat toys, cat scratchers, and collars.

Are Ocicat cats kids friendly?   

The gentle and playful breed of Ocicat is best when it comes to life with families having small children along with cat-friendly dogs. An Ocicat will absolutely love the attention your children will give him. The pet loves kids who are polite and respectful towards cats.

Will an Ocicat fit in with your family?

The Ocicat is best known for having a larger-than-life personality among other pet cats. These cats are happy creatures who love outgoing. Their friendly and playful nature makes them the best social cats who love crowds. If you are fond of lively pets, Ocicat is the best option.

Can Ocicat be left alone with children?

Well, this cat is happy around interactive toys and craves plenty of attention from human. But when it comes to children, no matter how friendly your pet is, supervision is always critical.

Should I get an Ocicat if I work full time?   

Being an owner of the Ocicat, you are his favorite person. And they don’t like it when their favorite people are not around and working long hours. If your plan is to stay away from home longer, don’t get an Ocicat. So if you are a full-time worker, we would recommend not adopting any pet as they are sensitive creatures and hate being alone for more than 8 to 12 hours in general.

How long do we let Ocicat alone?     

Kittens under four months of age must not be left alone for longer than four hours. They can easily manage another hour or so if they are older. They can tolerate an eight-hour day without company when they reach the age of six months. Only leave your cat alone for no more than 8 to 10 hours at a time.

How much time each day will I have to spend with Ocicat? 

Ocicats enjoy socializing with others but prefer to invest additional time with their owners. It can keep itself entertained by running throughout the day. However, this does not imply that you should ignore the family pet. Ocicat craves human attention and is never bored regardless of how much time you spend together.

What are the color options I have for Ocicat?

Ocicats are easily available in a dozen color variations. The common shades are tawny, chocolate, lavender, cinnamon, blue, and fawn. The standard color for the Ocicat breed is tawny which is basically genetic black. Some other ones are chocolate and cinnamon, their dilutes, black silver (or ebony silver), cinnamon silver, blue silver, blue, lavender and fawn, chocolate silver, lavender silver, and fawn silver.

Are Ocicats polydactyl?

The polydactyl attribute most likely arose as a result of a random mutation in a cat’s gene. This is a hereditary condition with a fascinating history, but Ocicat is totally out of it. In short, this breed is not known for any polydactyl characteristics.

Are Ocicats exotic breeds? 

Ocicats are a very rare breed that has received little attention outside of the United States. Around 1964, a more or less random cross of Siamese cats with chocolate badges and cats from Siamese and Abyssinian parents resulted in this breed.

Caretaking Queries

What to feed an Ocicat adult or kitten?

To keep your Ocicat in good physical condition, feed her high-quality cat food. One effective method for selecting cat food is to thoroughly read the details. Ocicats need a lot of meat in their eating plan for protein and fat. Kittens must always have access to dry food. They can start eating a combo of Raw Chicken formula dry food and Instinct Kitten Chicken formula when they are six weeks old.

How much Ocicat eats in a day? 

Feed your Ocicat balanced sample servings on a daily basis. To evaluate how much food to give your cat, refer to the feeding instructions on the food package. In the case of kittens, they should be fed up to three times on a daily basis. When your cat reaches adulthood (one-year-old), feeding once or twice per day is adequate to fulfill her nutritional needs.

What homemade food can I give to Ocicat?

You can limit your cat’s calorie intake by feeding him homemade food. White rice, barley, oatmeal, dark meat, pork, chicken, tuna, salmon, sweet potatoes without skin, and other protein and carb-rich recipes abound on the internet. You can create a good combination as per your pet’s taste and serve him.

Do Ocicat need variety in their food?

The majority of the pet cats are content to eat one type of cat food. Whether it is homemade or store-picked. But some cats may get picky when it comes to their eating habits. So they might become extremely selective about which foods they will accept. If you feed your cat different cat foods (any two or three types), it will provide good flavor variety and help prevent the Ocicat from liking only one kind of food.

What nutrients do Ocicat most need?

Check to see if the food contains taurine. Taurine is one of the most important nutrients (it is basically an amino acid) that is required by all cats for good vision and heart health. So, in general, protein and carbohydrates are the two most important nutrients for your pet.

How long can Ocicat go without eating?

If your pet has access to water, the average Ocicat can easily survive for one to two weeks with no food at all. However, with no access to water, it will only survive for three to four days. A cat will never survive more than four days without water or food. But it is suggested to give food to your cat on regular intervals

How often does an Ocicat need a bath?

Ocicats are one of the creatures that enjoy the water. They may attempt to join you in the wash or shower room. Ocicats have relatively short fur so they do not require major grooming. Their short fur makes self-cleaning easier for the pet. Being an owner, you don’t need to worry about bathing an Ocicat. You can bathe your pet once every month during summers. In winters, an Ocicat can do well for 3 months without any bathing schedule.

Do Ocicats need daily grooming?

Ocicats have a short, low-maintenance coat. Brush as required, at least once every week, to maintain a healthy shine. Ocicats have pretty healthy teeth, which can be maintained by cleaning them at least 2 times a week. If you already have an Ocicat, you already know that providing healthy food, comfort, grooming, and entertainment for your cat is crucial.

Space queries

Is Ocicat good for small spaces and apartments?

It might surprise you how little space Ocicats and the majority of other cats require to be comfortable. The more surprising fact is, they prefer to curl up in compact and small spaces. A lack of legroom will never bother a cat. If you live in a small apartment, the Ocicat is best suited for indoor living.

Characteristic

Is Ocicat an aggressive type of cat?

The Ocicat has a larger-than-life personality. These cats are outgoing and friendly even to unknown people. And will often welcome company. They are not aggressive and are dedicated to their people. This cat breed gets along nicely with other non-aggressive pets. The Ocicat requires a lot of affection, amusing cat toys, and cerebral stimulation.

Is Ocicat a dumb cat breed?

Ocicats are highly intelligent and learn tricks easily. They are not dumb cats at all. Puzzle toys are a great method to keep children interested and busy. He is fully capable of opening doors and undoing locks. Puzzle toys are a great method to keep children interested and busy. He is fully capable of opening doors and undoing locks. How can a dumb cat learn such smart tricks?

Is Ocicat a lazy cat?

Ocicats cats are among the most unusual-looking domesticated felines you’ll ever come across. They can be cuddly when in love with the owner but not an overall lazy breed. Being one of the smartest and active breeds, Ocicat will often be found running across the house with awkward activities. The faithful and energetic Ocicat adores humans and will follow them about the home or ride on their shoulders.

Is Ocicat a mean cat breed?

The Ocicat cat breed is a relatively recent breed of cat that originated in the 1960s in America as a consequence of certain experimental matings. Ocicats have acquired personality features from both Siamese and Abyssinians, two breeds that have been considered domesticated for thousands of years. So, some individuals might show mean nature as the Siamese is considered to be one of the meanest cats you’ll ever meet. But the mean trait is not a common one in Ocicats.

Is Ocicat a deaf cat?

Cats, like many people, may lose their hearing as they age. Congenital deafness occurs when some cats are born partly or fully deaf due to a genetic abnormality. In most cases of congenital deafness, the deafness is pigment-related but Ocicat is not one of them. An unfortunate accident can cause your pet hearing loss but it’s not a genetic trait.

Do Ocicats swim?

If you’re seeking a cat to join you on paddling and swimming adventures, this is the cat breed for you. Ocicat love water. Keep a lookout when in the shower or tub as they won’t leave you alone there. Being a domestic breed, with the right training, your pet will love to stay in pools without any fear.

Behavior and Trainability   

Do Ocicats make a good companion with other pets?

Ocicats do well in households with other animals, including dogs, especially if they have been socialized with them since they were kittens. They also get along nicely with other cats. When it comes to children, these kitties are very gentle. The calm and lively Ocicat is perfectly suited to living with families with children. He will even play games with them and enjoys hanging out with them.

Are Ocicats easy to train?

Ocicats are highly trainable due to their intelligence and are among the handful breeds of cats that are comparatively adaptable to being leash trained. Most dogs can be taught to fetch, walk on a leash and harness, come when called, speak, sit, and lie down on command, and a variety of other dog-related tricks. Because they are so toy-driven, most cats excel at feline agility. You can teach your Ocicat a variety of impressive acts with a little time and effort.

Are Ocicats good for seniors?

Seniors can benefit from cats in a variety of ways. They can assist in lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, relieving stress, and improving mental health. Seniors who live with a cat experience mental, emotional, and physical well-being. You can care for a cat as long as you can care for yourself. Adopting an adult cat or dog is generally a wise decision for seniors. As a result, Ocicat is ideal for seniors.

Is Ocicat a good companion for single people? 

The Ocicat is a devoted, good-natured creature who is perfectly content on its own. A kitty breed that’s ideal for owners who want the disposition of a happy dog but don’t want the high energy or doe-eyed looks when you leave the house. The Ocicat is a low-maintenance cat that is ideal for singles and people on the go. They make excellent traveling companions for singles.

Can an Ocicat be a good travel companion?

Ocicats are remarkably adaptable. They make excellent traveling companions for RVers and are content in almost any urban or rural setting as long as their social needs are met. The Ocicats enjoy riding in cars and make excellent road trip companions.

Do Ocicats bite strangers? 

The Ocicat is famous for having a “dog-like” personality. They are not afraid of strangers and frequently greet visitors who come to the house. They may bite unexpectedly if not properly trained. They are usually friendly and lively with strangers, and they are frequently welcoming. Only a negative association or fear will cause your cat to bite a stranger.

Do Ocicats bite their owners?

It’s natural for cats to bite because they use their mouth and paw object to explore their surroundings. Kitties, on the other hand, can learn to control the force of their bites and to use soft paws without claws. Your pet can still bite or tap you with her soft cute paws but without any blood game. As a sign of affection, some cats may gently nibble or bite their owners. It is more prevalent in kittens and is said to be similar to how a mother cat grooms her babies with little bites.

Can I teach tricks to Ocicat?     

Complex and difficult tricks may be out of reach for many cats. The Ocicat is the ideal choice if you want a cat that reacts well to these orders. With the proper training, you can teach this intelligent fella anything you want. These muscular cats can be taught a variety of tricks.

Is Ocicat Talkative?

Ocicats, like their Siamese ancestors, are vocal, but not annoyingly so. When you get home at night, they want to tell you about their day, but they won’t bore you with every detail. Furthermore, their voices are free of the irritating Siamese rasp. This chatty and gregarious breed will greet you at the door.

Can I teach Ocicat to fetch the things?

Your Ocicat is unlikely to learn to fetch simply because you want them to. Any breed, however, can learn fetching if you reward them for doing what you want them to do. Call your cat’s name or show her a treat to get her attention. Then, toss the toy a short distance (approximately five feet) and say “fetch.” If your cat miraculously returns the toy to you, say “good fetch” and reward your cat with a treat. That is how you can start training your Ocicat at a young age.

Medical Queries

What inherited disorders do Ocicats have?

The Ocicat is free from disease and has a finite lifetime, but he may inherit some of his parent breeds’ health issues. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is one of the most common genetic diseases that cause eye blindness in some Ocicat bloodlines over time. A variety of vision loss degrees happens due to PRA. But at the same time, in many cases, total blindness is reported in cats. The bad news is, there is no effective treatment or cure for PRA. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), arterial thromboembolism, FLUTD, Diabetes Mellitus, and renal failure are some of the other disorders.

What are the medical disorders Ocicats may have?

The Ocicat is pretty healthy and lives a long time, but he may suffer from some of the most common medical conditions. Bacterial and viral infections are common in this breed. Ocicats are susceptible to parasites as well. Other diseases that occur as a result of poor owner care include periodontal disease and obesity.

How many times do I need to take my Ocicat for vaccination?

Your veterinarian can advise you on which immunizations are acceptable for your Ocicat and when they should be provided whether you have a kitten or an adult cat. Most adult cats should be revaccinated every one to three years, depending on their lifestyle risk. The majority of the adult cats who successfully received a complete series of booster immunizations when they were kittens should be revaccinated. The revaccination will take place according to a lifestyle risk assessment every one to three years.

How often do you have to take Ocicat to the vet?

From the age of 6 weeks to 16 weeks, your baby kitten needs a monthly visit to the veterinarian. This is important for essential vaccinations and general check-ups. You should have your adult Ocicat checked at least twice a year or every six months. Checkups typically include dental cleanings, inspections, and vaccinations. This assures that your pet’s health is in excellent hands. It will also rule out the possibility of an impending disease that is growing in the background.

When to spay my Ocicat?

Each pet is distinct, and your veterinarian can advise you on whether you should have your cat spayed or neutered. However, we typically recommend spaying or neutering kittens between the ages of five and six months. If you want to spay your cat, it should be done prior to her very first heat cycle, which is also known as estrus. According to the experts, all cats, no matter what the breed, must be spayed between four to six months of age. Some veterinarians may also prefer spaying your cat when she is only two to three months old. If your cat is pregnant, she cannot be spayed.

Is Ocicat prone to eye problems?

Yes, this breed is prone to a major eye problem known as Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). It is a hereditary disease due to which your pet’s eyes can go blind over a certain time period. PRA is caused by a recessive gene hence, your healthy cats can be a carrier, or your young healthy kitten can face this horrible condition. The condition affects the majority of cats between the ages of one and a half and two years.