Description

Developed by cross-breeding Abyssinians with Siamese cats, the Ocicat is a medium-sized cat with a powerful body. Their wedge-shaped heads are inherited from the Siamese. The Ocicat’s muzzle is somewhat square and broad, and the chin is firm. The large ears are set wide apart, and sometimes sports little tufts at the tips. The eyes are large and almond-shaped. The Ocicat has a long body, with a deep chest and athletic appearance. The legs are well-muscled, and the paws are oval. The tail is long and slim, with a gentle taper towards the tip.

Look

While the Ocicat resembles a wild cat, that spotted coat is due to their mixed heritage, with the Siamese and Abyssinian genes combining to create a unique pattern. Ocicats have a pattern of round spots that runs down their spines and along their sides, and merge to form irregular stripes on the tail and legs. They have a distinct “M” marking on their foreheads, and smaller spots on their necks. Each hair is tipped with a darker shade, which is known as ticking and is inherited from the Abyssinian. The following coat colours are approved: fawn silver, lavender silver, blue silver, cinnamon silver, black silver, chocolate silver, tawny, chocolate, cinnamon, blue, fawn, and lavender. The Ocicat has sleek, dense coat with short hairs, said to have a satiny feel. This cat needs minimal grooming, and most Ocicats can easily look after their own coats. These breed is a mild to moderate shedder, so you won’t have to worry too much about loose hairs all over the place.

Health

The Ocicat is a generally a healthy cat, but they are prone to:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy

• Renal or Liver Amyloidosis

• Periodontal Disease

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

At KittenGuru.com, we recommend that you buy your kitten from reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines. KittenGuru.com’s Health Guarantee certifies that all promoted kittens are in good health.

Temperament

This is a very friendly and playful breed. Ocicats love to make friends, and will be happy to meet any guests (and their pets). They are very intelligent animals, and many Ocicat owners have been able to teach their cats all sorts of tricks. Since they are descended from the Siamese, Ocicats can be vocal and occasionally needy. Most Ocicats hate to be left alone. Luckily, this breed tends to be less demanding than the average Siamese cat.

Living with

The affectionate Ocicat is a playful cat. They love toys and games of all kinds, but especially ones that make good use of their intelligence. You can keep your Ocicat entertained with puzzle toys, but you can also teach him/her tricks or go for walks with your cat on the leash. The Ocicat makes a great family pet. If you have children, this cat will make a wonderful playmate. They usually get on well with other cats, and can live quite happily with dogs. As the Ocicat hates to be left alone, this breed might not be suitable if you are away from home for most of the day.