As a kid, did you ever dream of owning a wild animal? Maybe a baby tiger or even a baby leopard?
Well if so…
There’s a very good chance that you might be interested in adopting an Ocicat cat because these little guys are the next best thing to actually owning a real baby leopard.
Plus…
If you do decide to adopt an Ocicat kitten, or better yet an adult rescue Ocicat cat, you’re not likely to be arrested for doing so and you’re certainly not going to be eaten by your little guy.
But just because…
These guys look REALLY cool doesn’t mean that you should just run out and buy one. Because like any “true” cat lover can tell you, each individual cat breed is going to have their own “quirks” when it comes to how they will behave.
This is why…
We wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own an Ocicat cat so that if you ever do get a chance to own one, you won’t be disappointed six months later that you decided to make one of these magnificent animals a part of your family.
So, without further ado, lets dive right in.
Ocicat Cat Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: United States
Size: Medium to Large
Weight: 12 to 15 pounds
Eyes: Almond-shape eyes
Head shape: Round
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Origin of the Ocicat
Now when you have a cat that is this “cool” looking, you almost want to make up a better origin story than the one that is actually the truth. Because the sad part is that these magnificent animals weren’t discovered deep within the amazon, and they’re not the result of a wild Ocelot cat crossbreeding with a domesticated animal.
The truth is…
These guys were first created back in 1964 as an accidental “byproduct” of trying to create a pointed Siamese cat with a “ticked” pattern tabby. Or more specifically, a chocolate pointed Siamese male was bred with a female that was half Siamese and half Abyssinian.
And wouldn’t you know it…It worked!
The original Ocicat breeders where able to produce the pointed Siamese with a ticked pattern like they wanted, but they also produced on “odd” little ivory colored kitten named Tonga who had golden spots and an uncanny resemblance to the wild South American cat knows as an Ocelot.
And while…
The pointed ticked pattern Siamese kittens were certainly cute, they weren’t as exciting as these new “exotic” kittens, which is why the original breeders continued to “experiment” with Tonga’s parents, ultimately leading to the creation of an entirely new cat breed.
Later on…
American Shorthairs were introduced into the breeding mix in order to give the Ocicat a larger build, which would be able to accentuate his spotted coat.
Today…
Ocicat breeders will breed Ocicat cats to produce a wide variety of patterns including ticked, ivory and solid patterns along, with the “classic” golden bullseye pattern. Each of which is considered “acceptable” by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA)
Ocicat characteristics
As we just noted, the is a cat breed that can come in a variety of patterns, but there are a few “traits” that will remain constant regardless of what color “type” of Ocicat you choose to adopt.
Traits such as…
They’re all going to be rather long and muscular. And while they may range in size from medium to large, they’re all going to have almond-shaped eyes and ears that are far apart and stand alert.
Now because it’s often difficult to know how large Ocicat kittens will become, if you know that you have a preference for either a large or medium sized spotted cat, you’ll want to be sure that you let your Ocicat breeder know right away, because some Ocicat breeders may also have a preference as well and only choose to breed one size or another.
For us here at…
IndulgeYourPet, we don’t necessarily have a preference when it comes to how big or small an Ocicat is, what really attracts us to one particular cat vs another is their coat pattern (we love bull’s eye versions), as well as those with the classic fawn silver coloring.
But who are we…
To say what “kind” of Ocicat is better than another, you may prefer a tawny or a chocolate! Either way your going to have an amazing looking cat and…. At the end of the day, isn’t it always the personality of a cat that really makes us fall in love with them anyways?
Temperament of the Ocicat cat breed
So while it is true that you should never really make any “assumptions” about how an individual cat may or may not behave, in general, it’s pretty safe to assume that your Ocicat is not going to behave like the wild animal he or she was named after.
In fact…
What you’re most likely going to get if you do choose to adopt an Ocicat kitten or rescue cat is a very well-mannered cat that loves to play and be an active member of the family. This is why these little guys have become very popular with families with young children as well as for folks who like to “train” cats.
Train cats?
Yep that’s right, some cats are trainable! And the Ocicat cat is one of those unusual cat breeds that will actually listen to their owners. Some folks have even taught their Ocicats how to play fetch, cruise around the neighborhood on a leash or simply plant themselves on your shoulder while you venture out and about!
So…
If you find yourself in a situation where you are a “cat person” and your significant other is a “dog person”, perhaps getting an Ocicat could be a way to meet everyone’s desires, since this is no typical cat. Instead, you get the train-ability of a canine, mixed with the tenacity and curiosity of a feline, all in one!
Ocicat cat breed health concerns
Anytime you decide to adopt a pedigree cat, you always run the risk of having an animal that could potentially be an increased risk for a variety of inheritable diseases.
And while…
It is true that the Ocicat cat breed is “generally” healthy, there are some conditions which you should be aware of and on the lookout for when deciding which Ocicat breeder you should use.
Also, knowing what medical conditions your Ocicat kitten could be at risk for will give you an idea about what “kind” of questions you should be asking when meeting with your Ocicat breeder.
Medical conditions that could affect your Ocicat kitten may include:
- Liver or renal amyloidosis
- Pyruvate Kinase deficiency
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- And periodontal disease.
Which is why…
If you are seriously considering adopting a new Ocicat for a pet, you really ought to take a moment and also consider possibly purchasing a pet insurance policy as well. This way, if your furry little family member does get sick or injured in the future, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of his or her medical care.
Now will a pet insurance policy be the “right” choice for everyone?
No, of course not. But without understanding what these “types” of insurance policies will and won’t cover, and not knowing how much they cost, it’s pretty much impossible to know if a pet insurance policy might be RIGHT for you!
For more information about who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, feel free to check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
