Ocicat Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Ocicat

Origin	United States
Breed standards
CFA	standard
FIFe	standard
TICA	standard
AACE	standard
ACFA/CAA	standard
CCA-AFC	standard
Notes
Slightly larger than regular domestic cats.
Domestic cat (Felis catus)

The Ocicat is a special type of cat. It looks a lot like a wild cat, with its cool spots, but it's actually a friendly domestic pet! It doesn't have any wild cat DNA in its family tree. The name "Ocicat" comes from the ocelot, a wild cat it resembles.

This breed started by accident when Siamese cats and Abyssinian cats were bred together. Later, American Shorthair cats were added to give them more colors, like silver, and a strong body. Today, Ocicats are loved by many people around the world.

What Ocicats Look Like
How Ocicats Behave
The History of the Ocicat
Images for kids
See also

What Ocicats Look Like

A beautiful Silver Ocicat

Ocicats come in many different fur colors. There are twelve main colors accepted for the breed. These include tawny, chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lavender, and fawn.

They also come in "silver" versions of these colors. For example, you can find black silver (also called ebony silver), chocolate silver, and blue silver.

Ocicats have eyes shaped like almonds. Their bodies are large and strong, and their legs have dark markings. Their paws are oval-shaped. The fur around their eyes is usually dark. All Ocicats have dark spots on their fur that stand out from their background color. Their strong, muscled bodies make them look powerful.

How Ocicats Behave

An Ocicat on the move

Most Ocicats are very friendly and brave. This makes them great family pets. They usually get along well with other animals too.

Their actions and moods are often like those of a dog. Many Ocicats can learn to fetch toys, walk on a leash, and come when you call them. Some even enjoy playing in water! They are very playful and love toys. Because of this, Ocicats need a lot of attention from their owners.

The History of the Ocicat

A Chocolate Spotted Ocicat

The first Ocicat was born by accident in 1964. A breeder named Virginia Daly, from Michigan, was trying to create a Siamese cat with Abyssinian markings.

One of her kittens, named Tonga, had spots! Virginia's daughter thought Tonga looked like an 'ocelot' and called him an 'ocicat'. Tonga was sold as a pet, but his parents had more spotted kittens. This was the beginning of the Ocicat breed.

Other breeders then started to do the same thing. They bred Siamese cats with Abyssinians, and then bred those kittens with Siamese cats to get more Ocicat kittens. The Ocicat breed was officially recognized by The Cat Fanciers' Association and first competed in cat shows in 1987.