Ocicat

The spotted cat that looks wild and acts like a dog

The Ocicat was created by accident in the 1960s in Michigan, when a breeder crossing a Siamese and an Abyssinian got a spotted kitten with ivory fur and golden spots. It was named for its resemblance to the ocelot, but it has no wild blood at all. Breeders later added American Shorthair to build size and substance.

It looks wild, and it is among the most sociable of all breeds.

Ocicat at a glance

Origin: Michigan, USA
Size: Medium to large
Weight: Usually 3.5 to 7 kg
Lifespan: Often 12 to 18 years
Coat: Short, satiny and spotted
Colours: Tawny, chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lavender, fawn and silver, all spotted

Personality scorecard

Energy: 4 out of 5
Affection: 4 out of 5
Chattiness: 3 out of 5
Grooming needed: 1 out of 5
Good with children: 5 out of 5
Good with other pets: 5 out of 5

Our own rough guide. Every cat is different.

What they look like

A medium to large, athletic cat with a long, muscular body, a slightly wedge-shaped head, almond eyes, large ears and a tail that tapers to a dark tip. The coat is short, satiny and covered in thumbprint-shaped spots, and each hair has bands of colour like an Abyssinian’s.

Personality

Outgoing, confident and sociable. Ocicats are known to be dog-like: they greet visitors, come when called, play fetch and learn tricks. They love company, get on with children, dogs and other cats, and do not like to be left alone.

Care and grooming

Minimal grooming: a weekly rub. They need play, climbing, puzzle toys and company, ideally a feline friend. Keep meals measured, and keep up with dental checks.

Health to know about

Generally healthy, but some Abyssinian-line health problems can appear, such as pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK-def) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and kidney amyloidosis has been reported. Ask breeders about health testing.