The Ocicat Cat Breed

The Ocicat acquired its name from the similarities it has in its coat colour and defined spots markings, with the wild Ocelot.

The breed came about by chance when a breeder was trying to produce a Ticked point Siamese cat. She mated a Siamese with an Abyssinian, and then mated one of the offspring with another Siamese cat.

This produced the desired tabby point but also a kitten with an ivory coat and clear golden spots, this was the first Ocicat.

The breed comes in the following colours:

• Brown
• Blue
• Chocolate
• Lilac
• Cinnamon
• Fawn
• Silver

The cat is a long bodied cat and is quite muscular in build. It has medium to long legs and has a long tapered tail.

Its head shape is round with a prominent muzzle and pointed ears. There should be a clear M mark on the cats forehead, however this is less evident in the lighter coloured varieties.

An interesting fact about the breed is that when the kittens are first born they are almost white in colour with a very pale tabby marking. As the cat gets older the spots start to appear and the coat colour deepens.

This is a very attractive and distinctive breed with the facial appearance of a familiar tabby cat but with a stunning well-defined spotted coat.

Coat: The cat has a short thick coat that is smooth and satiny to the touch. It has a very luxurious feel to it. The spotting on the coat should be well defined and not blurry.

Eyes: The cat has large, slanted almond shaped eyes and comes in all colours except blue.

Grooming: The breed has an easy coat to groom due mainly to it shortness and silky texture. A light brushing every other week should be sufficient to keep the coat free from any unwanted grit or excess loose fur.

Temperament: This cat breed has a very affectionate and intelligent nature. This is mainly inherited from its Abyssinian and Siamese heritage. It is also a very active cat that needs to be able to have sufficient space to exercise and explore.

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