Ocicat Cats

Ocicat Breed Introduction

The Ocicat breed is known for the unique spotted fur coat. It's one of the new breeds that have originated in the US in the last few decades. Ocicats are named for the ocelot, an endangered species they supposedly resemble with their spotted coats.

Ocicat Behavior/Personality

Source: "The Ocicat" by Jim DeBruhl, Sonja Moscoffian, and Shana Otis-Kuhnert

Ocelots are generally said both to enjoy the company of humans and to be remarkably good at learning tricks.

Ocicat Breed Standard/Physical Description

Here are some facts on the Ocicat breed based on the Cat Fanciers Association's breed standard.

• Head: modified wedge showing a slight curve from muzzle to cheek
• Ears: moderately large
• Eyes: large, almond shaped
• Body: solid, hard, long
• Legs: well-muscled, medium-long
• Paws: oval, five toes in front and four in back
• Tail: fairly long, medium-slim with only a slight taper and with a dark tip
• Coat: short, smooth

Ocicat History

Source: Cat Fanciers Association's breed profile

Like most cat breeds, the Ocicat breed is relatively recent, having started out in the US in the1960s. The first Ocicat, Tonga, resulted accidentally while the breeder Virginia Daly was engaging in experimental breeding to produce an Aby-point Siamese cat. Tonga, with ivory fur and golden spots, was a surprise. Tonga was "petted out" and removed from the breeding pool. Yet it turns out there was demand for spotted ivory-furred cats, so Daly began selectively breeding them. Other breeders followed Daly's guidelines to create the new breed independently, resulting in a relatively broad genetic pool. Daly's daughter named the breed "Ocicat" after the ocelot, an animal she thought the new breed resembled.

Click Here To Find Ocicat Cat Breeders

Back To The Cat Breeds Index