The Ocicat

Cat Diaries’ reader Sue Dunbar reveals the charm and soft nature behind the wild appearance of the Ocicat

Cat lovers have always been drawn to the beauty and grace of wild cats. And now they can have the look of a wild cat, but with the predictable personality of the pussy-cat!

Surprisingly, perhaps, given its appearance, there is no wild blood in the Ocicat pedigree. Instead, the Ocicat is a breed of cat descended exclusively from pedigreed domestic ancestors that were selectively bred to closely resemble a jungle cat. This breed continues to gain worldwide acceptance and popularity simply because this spotted feline is a successful mimic of its jungle cousins in appearance, while possessing a temperament and adaptability that make it a welcome addition to many households.

It is the only spotted domestic breed especially bred to emulate the wild cats, yet the Ocicat remains rare in Australia. The breed stems from a chance mating between an Abyssinian and a Siamese in the USA in the 1960s. After much breeding and refining (with an American Shorthair added to the mix), the result is today’s exquisite Ocicat, with its stunning spotted coat mimicking the wild Ocelot. Hence, the name Ocicat (pronounced Ossi-cat).

Breed characteristics
The aim behind the breeding of the Ocicat was to create an entirely domestic cat that offered the spotted beauty of the wild cats, while maintaining the pleasant, predictable disposition of the domestic cat.

Ocicats have muscular, medium to long leg and a distinctive tabby ‘M’ on the forehead. This mark extends over the head, breaking into small spots when it reaches the lower neck and shoulders. Distinctive round spots run in rows along the spine from shoulder blades to tail, with the spots also evident on the belly.

The pedigreed Ocicat always has spots –the bigger they are, the better! – but comes in a number of colour varieties. Chocolate spotted is the most popular, but the other combinations are:
•    tawny spotted;
•    cinnamon spotted;
•    blue spotted;
•    lavender spotted;
•    fawn spotted;
•    chocolate spotted silver;
•    cinnamon spotted silver;
•    blue spotted silver;
•    lavender spotted silver;
•    black spotted silver;
•    fawn spotted silver.

Large and athletic
The Ocicat is a large, active cat with an athletic appearance. It has a solid body, is well muscled and has a beautiful sheen on its short, tight coat to show off its spots. The coat is silky soft to the touch.

Like wild cats, it also radiates elegance in its form and movements. The female adult weighs between 3.5 and 5kg, while the male can weigh up to eight kilos.

The head of the Ocicat is square-shaped with an average-length nose. The ears are relatively big and they generally have striking yellow or green eyes. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs and their tail is relatively long and darker at the tip.

The Ocicat has been exported from USA to other countries around the world where its popularity is increasing rapidly.

Although it is still a very rare breed in Australia, those cat fanciers ‘in the know’ seek it for its natural beauty, its unique strong genetic composition and its lovable character and behaviour.

The Ocicat personality
Although Ocicats look wild, they make wonderful companions, becoming very devoted to their owners, often following them like shadows. They are active and lively, but also love a cuddle, are loyal, playful, curious, companionable and sociable.

Ocicats satisfy the desire for an exotic-looking cat, but pose no special problems with regard to their temperament, diet, grooming or health. They eat the same as every domestic cat and their coats need only very occasional grooming to keep them sparkling!

Ocicats make excellent pets for families, as they love people, children, other cats and dogs.

Images by: Australian Ocicats