Ocicat
Ocicat Cat Breed
Appearance:
- The Ocicat is a medium to large-sized cat breed with a muscular and athletic body.
- They have a sleek and spotted coat that resembles that of a wild ocelot or leopard.
- Ocicats come in various coat colors, including tawny, chocolate, cinnamon, blue, and silver, among others.
- They have a triangular-shaped head with prominent cheekbones and large, almond-shaped eyes.
Temperament:
- Ocicats are known for their outgoing and active nature. They have a playful and adventurous personality.
- They are generally friendly and sociable cats, enjoying the company of their human companions and engaging in interactive play.
- Ocicats are intelligent and can be easily trained to perform tricks or play games.
- They are typically good with children and other pets, making them suitable for families or multi-pet households.
Care and Health:
- The Ocicat's short and sleek coat requires minimal grooming. Occasional brushing helps to remove loose hair and keep the coat in good condition.
- They are generally a healthy breed with no specific breed-related health issues. Regular veterinary check-ups are important to ensure their overall well-being.
- Providing a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental stimulation through playtime and interactive toys are essential for maintaining the health and happiness of Ocicats.
The Ocicat is a striking and energetic breed known for its wild appearance and friendly temperament. Their playful and outgoing nature make them wonderful companions for those seeking an active and engaging feline friend. With their beautiful spotted coat and captivating personality, they bring joy and excitement to households that appreciate their unique charm.
History
You do not get angry when you see an Ocicat. You may see a small spotted cat, but it is not wild. Far from. Ocicat was created by crossing Siamese, Abyssinian and American shorthair cats. It may be named after the ocelot, a small South American feral cat, but it is a domestic cat.
Ocicat is one of the lucky coincidences that sometimes occurs in cat breeding. To achieve Abyssinian points with her Siamese cats, breeder Virginia Daly crossed a Sealpoint Siamese cat in 1964 and a reddish Abyssinian woman in 1964. The resulting kittens looked like Abys, and when she crossed one of them with a Siamese cat, she not only got pointed Siamese , but also a kitten that had an ivory fur that was dotted with golden spots. She named him Tonga and sold him as a pet, but as repeated breeds produced more spotted kittens, they became the basis for a new breed. American shorthair was also used in its development to increase the size and bring in the silver color.
Ocicats were recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association and the International Cat Association in 1987. They are also recognized by all other cat registries.
Size
Ocicat ranges in size from six to 15 pounds
Personality
The dedicated and playful Ocicat loves people and will follow in her footsteps through the house or ride on one shoulder. Guests are greeted by this generally sociable cat as new ways to pet or sit on their lap. Ocicats do not even mind being carried around while they are with you. As with all animals, they occur in a variety of personalities, so some are more shy than others.
Favorite activities include picking up toys and going on a leash. Ocicats are very intelligent and easily learn tricks. Puzzle toys are a great way to keep them busy and entertained. Carefully put away what you do not want. He is fully capable of finding out how to open doors or break bolts.
His Siamese ancestors inherited Ocicat with a penchant for the voice, but he is not as loud or demanding. He is sensitive and only reacts to a verbal correction.
Although Ocicat is adaptable, it does not like to be left alone. Make sure he has another cat or dog for a companion if you are away from home during the day.
Health
Both pedigree and mixed breed cats have different frequencies of health problems that can be genetic. Ocicats are generally healthy, but they have the potential to develop certain health problems.
Progressive retinal atrophy leading to blindness has been observed in some cats of this breed, but it is not considered a major problem. Some Ocicats have also been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common type of heart disease in cats. Their Siamese and Abyssinian origins may also predispose them to renal or hepatic amyloidosis and early periodontal disease.
Care
Ocicat's short, smooth coat is easy to prepare by brushing or combing every week to remove dead hair. A bath is rarely necessary.
Brush the teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Cut the nails every week. Wipe the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so that you do not risk spreading an infection.
Check your ears every week. If they look dirty, wipe them with a cotton ball or a soft, damp cloth dampened with a 50-50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the inside of the ear.
Keep the litter box completely clean. Cats attach great importance to hygiene in the bathroom.
It is a good idea to keep an Ocicat as an indoor single cat to protect it from diseases transmitted by other cats, attacks from dogs or coyotes and other dangers that cats face when walking outdoors, such as being hit by a car . Ocicats that go outside also risk being stolen by someone who wants such an unusual cat without paying for it.
Fur color and grooming
Ocicat is characterized by its spotted fur, which gives the appearance of a small wild cat. The short, smooth, silky coat is available in 12 colors, all of which have dark, thumbprint-shaped spots on a light background. Like the Abyssinian, who was one of his ancestors, Ocicat has what is called an agouti coat, which means that each hair has several colored bands (the tip of the tail is an exception). The spots form where these ribbons meet.
Rows of round spots run along the spine, and more spots are spread over the shoulders and hindquarters, extending down the legs. Broken "bracelets" of stains surround the legs and broken "necklaces" adorn the neck. Large, well-distributed spots appear on the side of the body and abdomen. The tail has what looks like horizontal brush strokes that rotate around it, sometimes alternating with spots. Markings around the eyes and on the cheeks make Ocicat look as if it worked with a tube of mascara. The forehead is marked with an M (no doubt for mischief) and small spots cover the lower neck and shoulders.
Some ocicats have classic, mackerel and ticked tabby coats that are beautiful but not suitable for the show ring. However, these cats share the same amazing Ocicat personality and make wonderful pets.
Ocicat has a medium to large body. He is muscular but still graceful. Large ears surround the modified wedge-shaped head. Some okikats have fur that extends vertically from the tops of the ears. Large almond-shaped eyes tilt slightly upwards and can have any color except blue. The long tail has a dark tip.
Children and other pets
The gentle and playful Ocicat is well suited for living with families with children and cat-friendly dogs. He can learn tricks, likes interactive toys and loves the children's attention, which will treat him politely and respectfully. Monitor small children and show them how to pet the cat nicely. Instead of holding or carrying the cat, sit on the floor and pat it.
It is likely that Ocicat will dominate other cats in the household and even control the dogs. Always introduce pets, including other cats, slowly and in a controlled environment.
Characteristics
Activity | 9.0 out of 10 |
Playfulness | 9.0 out of 10 |
Attention | 7.0 out of 10 |
Affection | 8.0 out of 10 |
Communication | 7.0 out of 10 |
Health | 5.0 out of 10 |
Grooming | 2.0 out of 10 |
Children | 7.0 out of 10 |
Health | 8.0 out of 10 |
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