Adaptable and confident, the Ocicat is a curious and playful breed that responds well to training.
Despite its name, this spotted beauty is not a cross between the domestic cat and the ocelot—the native jungle cat of South and Central America—but it looks as though it ought to be. The Ocicat was actually the surprise product of an attempt in 1964 to breed a Siamese with colorpoints that matched the ticked coat of the Abyssinian.
The first spotted kitten that appeared was kept solely as a pet, but others produced later were used to create the new breed. The inclusion of American Shorthairs in the Ocicat’s development program introduced greater size and substance. Ocicats have a delightful temperament, love company, and are easy to manage.
Origin: US, 1960s
Breed registries: CFA, FIFe, GCCF, TICA
Weight range: 6–14lb (2.5–6.5kg)
Grooming: Weekly
Colors and patterns: Black, brown, blue, lilac, and fawn in spotted tabby pattern.