Cat Breeds: Ocicat

Ocicat

The Ocicat is a relatively new breed of cat that resulted from an accidental mating in the 1960’s. A seal point Siamese and a Usual Abyssinian were mated in an attempt by Virginia Daly of the Dalai Cattery in America to produce an Abyssinian pointed Siamese. One of the resultant kittens then bred back to a chocolate point Siamese. The kittens from that mating were an assortment of colours and coat patterns but one kitten had an amazing coat with gold spots on an ivory background and looked like the wild Ocelot, hence the name Ocicat. Mrs Daly continued to breed Ocicats and introduced the American Shorthair into the breeding programme, which brought the lovely silver colours and strong musculature and bone. By the early 1980’s the Ocicat was increasing in popularity and the breed gained provisional status in America and outcrosses to any breed except Abyssinian was stopped. The breed achieved Championship status in America in 1987. In 1988 the first Ocicats arrived in Britain and they have grown in popularity here as they have in the USA.

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The Ocicat was named because of its resemblance to the Ocelot, a wild cat with a spotted coat. But it is not just the coat pattern that contributes to the wild look but the natural graceful lithe and agile movement that these cats show when in action. They display many similarities to the wild cats when hunting even pretend prey or when racing around for fun. The Ocicat is a medium to large cat with a well-spotted coat.

Although Ocicats have been bred to look like wild cats their temperament does not reflect this. They are very intelligent and playful, curious and friendly and never show any aggressiveness. They prefer, like all active cats, to have company and are very happy with human companions but if the humans are out at work all day another Ocicat is their favourite playmate. The Ocicat is very adaptable and they will be quite happy with an indoor gymnasium of scratching post and stairs.
 
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 *This information was gathered from Purina.com